New South Wales Show Holidays 2025

New South Wales Show Holidays and Local Public Holidays 2025

New South Wales observes a wide range of local public holidays, which are gazetted for specific Local Government Areas (LGAs) or designated townships. These holidays are granted for significant local events, most often an annual agricultural show or a major horse racing carnival that holds deep cultural importance for the community. These events are a vibrant showcase of regional life, history, and community spirit. The following is the complete list of these declared New South Wales Show Holidays 2025.

Walcha Cup

Date: Friday, 7th February 2025 (Part-day from midday to 6pm)
Location: Walcha Racecourse, 334E South Street, Walcha, NSW 2354
More Info: This local part-day holiday is for the annual Walcha Cup, the pinnacle of the Walcha Jockey Club’s two-day racing carnival. The Walcha Cup is a cherished local tradition in the New England region, drawing large crowds for a day of high-quality country racing, fashion, and socialising. It’s an event where the whole community comes together to celebrate, showcasing the best of country hospitality and providing a significant economic and social boost to the town.
Official Website: Walcha Jockey Club

Kangaroo Valley Show

Date: Friday, 14th February 2025 (Part-day from 9am to 5pm)
Location: Kangaroo Valley Showgrounds (Osborne Park), Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley, NSW 2577
More Info: This public holiday supports the Kangaroo Valley Show, often described as “The Friendly Show.” Established in 1886, it is one of the oldest and most beloved agricultural shows in the region. Osborne Park, with its stunning escarpment backdrop, provides a picturesque setting for a classic country show experience. The event features horse and cattle judging, woodchopping, a dog show, a rodeo, and a vast array of pavilion exhibits, making it a true celebration of the valley’s rich agricultural heritage.
Official Website: Kangaroo Valley Show

Albury Gold Cup

Date: Friday, 21st March 2025 (Half-day from midday)
Location: Albury Racecourse, 16-46 Fallon Street, North Albury, NSW 2640
More Info: The half-day public holiday for the City of Albury is for the Commercial Club Albury Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious country racing carnivals in Australia. Established in 1881, the Albury Racing Club hosts this premier event which attracts top-tier horses, trainers, and jockeys. The Albury Gold Cup day is the city’s largest annual social event, creating a vibrant atmosphere with racegoers enjoying high-stakes racing, ‘Fashions on the Field’, and premium hospitality.
Official Website: Albury Racing Club

Maclean Show

Date: Wednesday, 7th May 2025 (Part-day from 1pm to 5pm)
Location: Maclean Showground, 12 Cameron Street, Maclean, NSW 2463
More Info: This part-day holiday is for the Maclean Show, an event that has been central to the community for over 130 years. Known as “The Family Show,” it’s a major event for the Clarence River towns of Maclean, Iluka, and Yamba. The show celebrates the region’s diverse agricultural industries, from sugarcane to beef cattle and fishing. It features classic show events like woodchopping and showjumping alongside local exhibits, sideshow alley, and a grand fireworks finale.
Official Website: Maclean Show Society

Scone Cup

Date: Friday, 16th May 2025 (Half-day from midday)
Location: Scone Race Club, 434 Satur Rd, Scone, NSW 2337
More Info: The Scone Cup is the feature event of the prestigious Scone Horse Festival and a premier country racing day in Australia. This half-day holiday covers Scone and surrounding towns in the Upper Hunter, the undisputed horse capital of Australia. The Scone Cup Carnival attracts thousands, showcasing elite thoroughbred racing and country style. The two-day event is the richest country racing carnival in Australia, making it a major social and sporting event for the entire region.
Official Website: Scone Race Club

Yeoval Show

Date: Tuesday, 20th May 2025 (Part-day from 8:30am to 7pm)
Location: Yeoval Showground, Forbes Street, Yeoval, NSW 2868
More Info: This holiday is for the Yeoval Agricultural, Pastoral & Horticultural Association Annual Show. For over 90 years, the Yeoval Show has been a cornerstone of the local community, which sits across two council areas (Cabonne and Dubbo). It is a classic small-town country show, celebrating local farming, produce, and talent with exhibits, livestock competitions, a popular dog show, and family entertainment.
Official Website: Yeoval Show

Nyngan Show

Date: Monday, 26th May 2025 (Full day)
Location: Nyngan Showgrounds, 83-91 Hoskins Street, Nyngan, NSW 2825
More Info: The Bogan Shire enjoys a full-day public holiday for the Nyngan Show, a two-day event that is a highlight of the year for the region. The show brings together the community from across the shire for a traditional agricultural show featuring horse events, sheep and wool judging, pavilion exhibits, and a vibrant sideshow alley. It is a major social gathering and a celebration of the region’s strong pastoral identity.
Official Website: Nyngan Show Society

Grafton (Ramornie Handicap & Grafton Cups)

Date: Wednesday, 16th July & Thursday, 17th July 2025 (Part-day, 1pm to 5pm each day)
Location: Clarence River Jockey Club, 7-11 Powell Street, Grafton, NSW 2460
More Info: The city of Grafton is granted consecutive part-day holidays for its pinnacle racing events, the Ramornie Handicap and the Grafton Cup. This is the heart of the July Racing Carnival, one of the most significant country racing carnivals in Australia. The Ramornie Handicap (Wednesday) is a time-honoured sprint race, while the Grafton Cup (Thursday) is the region’s most prestigious staying race. The carnival transforms Grafton, attracting huge crowds and creating an electric social atmosphere.
Official Website: Clarence River Jockey Club

Trundle Show

Date: Wednesday, 13th August 2025 (Part-day from 9am to 5pm)
Location: Trundle Showground, Trundle, NSW 2875
More Info: The Trundle Show is hailed as “The Best Little Show in the West” and is the first of three consecutive shows held within the Parkes Shire. The part-day holiday allows the communities of Trundle, Bogan Gate, and Bruie Plains to participate in this traditional show, known for its friendly atmosphere, large crowds, and excellent exhibits, particularly its impressive sheep and wool displays.
Official Website: Trundle P&A Society

Peak Hill Show

Date: Wednesday, 20th August 2025 (Part-day from 9am to 5pm)
Location: Peak Hill Showgrounds, Warrah Street, Peak Hill, NSW 2869
More Info: Following the Trundle Show, the town of Peak Hill has its turn with the Peak Hill Annual Show. This event has a long history dating back to the late 1800s. It’s a classic country show featuring a full ring of horse events, pavilion exhibits, a yard dog trial, and community competitions, providing a day of entertainment and agricultural celebration for the local community.
Official Website: Peak Hill Show

Parkes Show

Date: Tuesday, 26th August 2025 (Part-day from midday to 5pm)
Location: Parkes Showgrounds, Victoria Street, Parkes, NSW 2870
More Info: The Parkes Annual Show is the largest of the three shows in the Parkes Shire. The event runs for two days, with the part-day public holiday declared for the Tuesday. It’s a major regional event featuring a huge range of attractions including agricultural displays, a full equestrian program, a demolition derby, an animal nursery, and a spectacular fireworks display, drawing visitors from across the Central West.
Official Website: Parkes Show Society

West Wyalong Show

Date: Wednesday, 3rd September 2025 (Part-day from midday to 6pm)
Location: West Wyalong Showgrounds, Showground Road, West Wyalong, NSW 2671
More Info: Residents of the Bland Shire enjoy this part-day holiday for the annual West Wyalong Show. This is a significant local event that brings the community together for a traditional country show experience. The day is packed with family-friendly entertainment, including horse jumping, a dog show, cattle and poultry competitions, an animal nursery, and a variety of carnival rides, serving as a vital link to the region’s agricultural roots.
Official Website: West Wyalong Show Society

Grafton Jacaranda Festival

Date: Thursday, 30th October 2025 (Part-day from 1pm to 5pm)
Location: Various locations throughout Grafton, NSW 2460
More Info: This public holiday is for the Grafton Jacaranda Festival, Australia’s oldest family floral festival, founded in 1934. The festival celebrates the magnificent blossoming of Grafton’s hundreds of jacaranda trees, which paint the town in a sea of purple. The holiday falls on “Jacaranda Thursday,” a key day when the town’s main streets close and businesses and locals take to the streets in costume to soak up the lively carnival atmosphere, making it a truly unique community event.
Official Website: Grafton Jacaranda Festival

The list of New South Wales Show Holidays and Local Public Holidays for 2025 vividly illustrates the deep-rooted cultural and economic significance of agricultural shows and horse racing carnivals in regional Australia. These events are far more than just days off; they are vital community gatherings that contribute significantly to the local economy and preserve regional heritage.

Economic and Social Impact:

Significant Economic Contribution: Agricultural shows across Australia collectively generate close to $1 billion in economic benefits annually. This revenue is ploughed back into rural communities, supporting local families and businesses.
Massive Attendance: Each year, over 6 million people (approximately a quarter of Australia’s population) attend agricultural shows. This demonstrates the enduring popularity and broad appeal of these events, from major Royal Shows in capital cities to the smaller, intimate country shows.
Volunteer-Driven: These events are largely powered by an immense volunteer effort, with over 50,000 volunteers contributing their time and energy annually. This volunteer support highlights the strong community spirit and dedication to keeping these traditions alive.
Boosting Local Economies: Events like the Walcha Cup, Albury Gold Cup, and the Grafton Racing Carnival, as highlighted in the list, are critical economic drivers for their respective towns. They attract thousands of visitors, leading to increased spending on accommodation, dining, retail, and other local services. For instance, the Grafton Cup Carnival alone, back in 2004, attracted over 32,000 people across five days and generated over $14 million in turnover from TAB and on-course bookmakers. While more recent specific figures for country carnivals are less readily available, major racing events like Sydney’s Everest Carnival saw a modern-day record crowd of 49,117 fans in 2024, demonstrating the drawing power of high-profile races.

Cultural and Community Significance:

Showcasing Agricultural Heritage: Agricultural shows, many with histories stretching back over a century (the Kangaroo Valley Show was established in 1886, and Maclean Show has over 130 years of history), are a direct link to Australia’s agricultural roots. They provide a platform for farmers to showcase their produce and livestock, fostering innovation and education within the industry.
Community Cohesion: These holidays and events serve as crucial social occasions, bringing together residents from across vast regional areas. They offer opportunities for people to reconnect, celebrate local achievements, and participate in shared cultural experiences. The “Friendly Show” in Kangaroo Valley and “The Family Show” in Maclean are testament to this community focus.
Preserving Traditions: From woodchopping and showjumping to “Fashions on the Field” and traditional pavilion exhibits, these events keep cherished traditions alive. They are often the largest annual community festivals in their towns, passing on cultural practices and a sense of identity to younger generations. The Grafton Jacaranda Festival, as Australia’s oldest floral festival, exemplifies the unique cultural celebrations tied to specific local characteristics.
Educational Role: Agricultural shows play a vital educational role, bridging the gap between urban and rural communities by showcasing where food comes from and how it’s produced. They also engage young people in agriculture through competitions and programs.

In essence, these declared holidays are not just about leisure; they are an acknowledgement of the profound and multifaceted value that regional events, particularly agricultural shows and horse racing, bring to the social fabric and economic prosperity of New South Wales. They are a vibrant reminder of Australia’s rich rural heritage and the ongoing importance of community connection.