The Dorset County Show is back for its 2026 edition, and it is shaping up to be one of the bigger ones yet. It runs across Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September at the Dorchester Showground, and as always, it doubles as the county's end-of-harvest celebration. The show has been going since 1840, so it has well over 175 years of Dorset farming and rural life behind it, and this year's line-up is built around that mix of agriculture, food and family entertainment.
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On the entertainment front, the headline acts are hard to miss. The Wurzels take the stage on the Saturday, and the monster truck display brings in Big Pete, Europe's largest at 7.5 tonnes, alongside the Grim Reaper for a car-crushing run. For something a bit more refined, OG Display Horses put on a show that blends stunt riding, trick riding, liberty displays and professional horsemanship. Beyond the big names, there is a lot to keep you busy: sheep shearing competitions, showjumping, a horticulture marquee, a floral pavilion, heavy horses, vintage machinery, Scurry Racing and a dedicated Countryside Ring.
If you are bringing children, there is a good amount built in for them. A fun dog show, free tomahawk throwing, a blacksmith's forge, a heavy horse village, milking demonstrations, a Hill Top Ring with Mounted Pony Club Games and Shetland Pony Racing, a Sheep Show with Nobby the Norfolk Horn, the Axemen Ring with the Dorset Axemen, a vintage tractor parade, a steam engine section and a Fabulous Food & Farming area with free pedal tractor rides. There is also a food hall that bills itself as Dorset's largest larder, so it is worth leaving some room for lunch.
The livestock competitions are the heart of the thing, with goats, pigs, sheep, cattle and alpacas all in the ring — the second year alpacas have been part of the livestock line-up. Between the animals, the trade stands and the demonstrations, it is easy to fill a whole day.
On the practical side, gates open at 8:30am and close at 6:00pm each day, though the Music Stage stays open until 22:30 on the Saturday for anyone staying late. Advance ticket discounts run until the night of Friday 4 September, so it is worth sorting yours before you travel. An adult ticket is £23.00, children aged 5 to 15 are £2.99, and a family ticket for two adults and two children comes to £48.00, with children under five going free. There is also a cheaper evening entry from 4pm on the Saturday at £20.00 for adults and £2.00 for children, and camping pitches for the weekend if you would rather stay over. Access to the site is by ticket only, but parking is free at the venue, and a free shuttle bus runs to and from the site from Dorchester, Poundbury and Dorchester South station. Well-behaved dogs on non-extendable leads are welcome, though they cannot go into the food halls or livestock areas. It is a lot to take in, so it is worth having a look at the full programme before you go.
Published Date
3 September 2026
