During October, the agricultural event called the Royal Hobart Show is held each year in Australia’s island State Tasmania. The show runs across four days as a celebration of the society and culture of agricultural Tasmania, with events including entertainment, presentations, competitions, and more.
Royal Hobart Show Public Holiday 2019 & 2020
The public holiday for the Royal Hobart Show falls on the Thursday for the regions in Tasmania’s south, including places like Oatlands, Swansea, Wayatinah, Tarreleah, Bronte Park and Strathgordon.
It is not a public holiday for people residing on the West Coast. Happening at the end of October, it begins on a Wednesday and offers the holiday on a Thursday. It ends on the fourth Saturday in October.
In 2019, it is the 24th of October, and in 2020, it will fall on Thursday, the 22nd of October.
Royal Hobart Show History
Considered as a smaller version of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, it’s a big event for the peoples of Tasmania. Even with the communities who don’t take a public holiday (the west coast of Tasmania), the afternoons, evenings and the Saturday of the show are busy for people travelling to witness and take part in the festive environment.
Tourists and locals alike come together to enjoy the show, which began centuries ago. The first show was held in January 1822, in the Old Market Place close to where the State Parliament House is now.
The show is presently held at the Royal Showgrounds in Glenorchy, Tasmania, and it’s the largest Royal shows in the state held by the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.
This society organises many agricultural events and shows around the state, and it was first formed in 1822, the same year as the inaugural show. In 1922, the prefix ‘Royal’ was added to the name of the group, and the show, with King George V approving the change to the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania.
Focusing on the real ways of life of Tasmania, it is a celebration of history and culture, with farm skills competitions, displays, and events for all ages to take part in. For information about the history of the show, check out this guide.
Royal Hobart Show Events
The energy is festive when the show begins on a Wednesday, with many people flocking to the Royal Hobart Showground, which is located 10km North of Hobart.
Hobart itself is well known for the vibrant and diverse landscape, with areas of natural wilderness and lands drawing many local Australian and international tourists to this most southerly-region of Australia.
Many of these visitors may come to the state during the time of the show to witness the history, culture and feel into the celebrations of Hobart’s agricultural roots. The attractions that allure people include animal exhibitions, artistic competitions, farm skills performances, and challenges, rides, games, food and much more.
Home crafts will be displayed in the CWA Pavilion, showcasing creations from needlework, painting, cooking, and more. There’ll be animals of many kinds such as cats, dairy and beef cattle, commercial lambs, pigs and other livestock on display, to interact with, or to purchase.
Judging for livestock also happens live with people being able to watch the competitions unfold, as well as farm skills such as wood chopping.
For all ages, the sideshow alley offers amusement rides, games, show bags, show bags and more. Food and drinks will come in a variety of styles in different stalls.
Exhibitions of horticulture, fresh food and produce displays, vintage cars and student photography are also offered. Entertainment of fashion shows, live local musical talents, dance and more are also happening throughout the four days.
For children under 5 years old, admission to the show is free and there’s plenty of parking on-site at the Showgrounds for those coming to the event. Some public transport offerings may also be suitable for those who need it, with often special buses running for certain communities.