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The showbags everyone will be lining up for at the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show

Credit: Destination NSW

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
The Sydney Royal Easter Show showbag line-up is here, and the best ones have been listed.

Showbags hold a certain nostalgia and intrigue. I don’t care how old you get, eating chocolate from a showbag feels far more magical than eating that same chocolate from your local convenience store. Heck, most of us have never eaten a Bertie Beatle in the real world, but that Bertie Beatle showbag can take our money every time. And while we may have precisely zero interest in a big inflatable hammer for 364 days of the year, for that one day of rummaging through a showbag, there is nothing more entertaining. And for those in the know, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is the number one place to indulge in such showbag nostalgia. And the 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show showbag line-up has just been announced.

Sydney Royal Easter Show showbag pavilion
The 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show showbag drop is here. (Credit: DNSW)

With a record 418 showbags available this year, the new range combines old favourites with new releases. And for all of us who dropped off the showbag wagon because suddenly we were adults and our parents weren’t paying anymore (and they all seemed a bit overpriced), a full 88 showbags available for $10 and under. With all showbags ranging from $5 to $38.

“Showbags are part of the tradition so many Australians grow up with – from the classics people return for every year to new releases that reflect what’s trending right now," said Sydney Royal Easter Show’s Head of Operations and Product Development, Shane McGrath.

“This year’s range offers great variety and value, and seeing families experience that first reveal is always a highlight".

Which showbags should you choose?

kid's who tested 2026 Sydney Royal Easter Show showbag
Meet the official showbag testers of 2026.

When there are hundreds of showbag options, how does one choose a favourite? This year, 50 children and their families from The Children’s Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital and those supported by Kids With Cancer Foundation were the first in Australia to receive the 2026 showbags as ‘official showbag testers’ – putting in the hard yards so we could all streamline our showbag tent experience at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Their results? According to these kids in the know, the top 10 showbags in 2026 (in no particular order) are:

  • Darrell Lea Liquorice Showbag
  • Cadbury Family Deal Showbag
  • The Pooch showbag – for the dog lovers!
  • The Australian Women’s Weekly Showbag
  • Creative Junior – Arts & Stationery
  • Bluey Showbag
  • Capybara Showbag
  • Hello Kitty Pink Showbag
  • Stitch Backpack Bag
  • The Conscious Store Showbag
fruit display at Sydney Royal Easter Show
Showbags + fruit displays = Easter heaven. (Credit: DNSW)

And for those looking for a bargain, the top five showbags for $10 and under are:

  • Trolli Jumbo Showbag
  • Love To Squish Disney Bag
  • Chupa Chups Showbag
  • Fantasy Art Bag
  • G-Squad Showbag

Then, of course, you can spend $30 on the annual fundraising Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) Foundation’s Give & Gather showbag. Beyond the goodies, it has discount vouchers for rides, food and shopping, saving over $350. Plus funds go to the RAS Foundation’s Community Futures Grants, which provide financial assistance for vital community projects across rural and regional NSW.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Sydney Royal Easter Show tickets

family at Sydney Royal Easter Show
Earlybird and After 4pm tickets can save money. (Credit: DNSW)

Tickets aren’t exactly cheap, with full price adult tickets hitting at $62,  and $44 for kids aged between 4 and 15. But Earlybird tickets are currently on sale at up to 15 per cent off.

“This year, we’re also introducing a new After 4pm Family Ticket, giving families the chance to arrive later in the day and experience the Show After Dark – from the illuminated street parade to a lit up Jamison Station and extended evening entertainment – all at great value," said Royal Agricultural Society of NSW General Manager, Agriculture and Sydney Royal Easter Show, Murray Wilton.

After 4pm, tickets are available online, with prices around $39 for adults, $18 for children and $95 for a family.

Sydney Royal Easter Show details

Dates: 2-13 April
Location: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
Website: Sydney Royal Easter Show

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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After dark: 6 experiences along the Murray lighting up the night

(Credit: Serena Munro)

    Gemma Kaczerepa Gemma Kaczerepa
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    See the Murray region in an entirely different light by exploring its night-time experiences and attractions.

    By day, the mighty Murray River is a majestic and ever-changing sight, with river red gums and wetlands stretching along 2500 kilometres. But by night, its cities, towns, villages and landscapes totally transform.

    From Albury Wodonga to Mildura, and everywhere in between, you’ll be in for a multi-sensory and memorable treat encompassing mesmerising light shows, guided ghost tours and vibrant celebrations that capture the nocturnal magic of the river.

    This is no ordinary nighttime adventure; the region becomes an entirely different world when the sun sets. Discover six must-do activities along the Murray that can only be enjoyed after dark.

    1. Share in ghostly tales

    Port After Dark tour Murray at night
    Hold on to your nerve when learning local ghost stories. (Credit: Campaspe Shire Council)

    If you’re up for something a little more spine-tingling, Port After Dark in Echuca is your best bet. Rumour has it that the Port of Echuca Wharf and the buildings around it have long been home to lingering ghosts and mysterious events – like the vengeful woman said to haunt an old tramway bridge and spirits searching for stolen money through the town centre.

    You can hear all about them on this guided lantern tour, which takes place on Wednesday and Saturday nights after dark. The stories are atmospheric and intriguing – you may even spot a ghost or two yourself. If you’d like a more intimate experience, private tours are also available to groups of 15 or more.

    2. Wander art installations

    Bruce Munroe's Fibre Optic Symphoinic Orchestra Murray at night
    See Bruce Munro’s immersive art installation. (Credit: Serena Munro)

    Right near the Perry Sandhills, sits an experience that feels almost otherworldly. Artist Bruce Munro (of Uluru’s Field of Lights fame) has created a Fibre Optic Symphonic Orchestra, a network of 80 Hills Hoists illuminated with fibre optic light combined with the sounds of an orchestra. The clotheslines glow and pulse in time to the specially composed score, immersing you in a dreamscape of light and sound.

    For a different light experience, you’ll find stillness at Trail of Lights, also curated by Munro. Located just 30 minutes away on Lock Island in Mildura, thousands of lights stretch over the landscape, spotlighting both the river and a series of Munro’s sculptures. The trail is intended to be a peaceful and meditative setting for wandering and reflecting.

    3. Learn through lasers

    Heartbeat of the Murray at night
    Travel 30 million years into the Murray’s past at Heartbeat of the Murray. (Credit: Ewen Bell)

    Discover a fascinating history in this dual act of lights and projections on the banks of the Little Murray River. Legends of the Mallee is a multimedia show in Swan Hill combining lasers and lights, which tells the story of the region’s rich past. Learn about the Wamba Wamba and Wadi Wadi Peoples who first inhabited the area, as well as the figures and events that shaped the Mallee of today.

    The river steals the spotlight in the Heartbeat of the Murray, a multimedia spectacle inside the Pioneer Settlement encompassing lights, lasers, sound and special effects against the natural backdrop. Through a sequence of large-scale animated projections, you’ll go back 30 million years to explore the Murray River’s formation before travelling to the present to learn how it supports modern communities.

    4. Light up the lake

    Lake Mulwala Laser Light Show Murray at night
    Watch the lights and lasers of Lake Mulwala. (Credit: Mulwala Water Ski Club)

    Travelling with kids? Head to Yarrawonga Mulwala and nearby Lake Mulwala for the family-friendly Laser Light & Sound Show. Lights and lasers are projected over the lake and onto curtains of fog, creating a colourful and high-energy visual display. The show suits all ages and tastes, set to a mix of songs that everyone knows and loves.

    You can take in the spectacle from either the grassy banks of the lake or book a table at the Mulwala Water Ski Club’s Malibu Deck Cafe, serving pub-style food and refreshing drinks, including excellent classic cocktails. If you’re watching from the foreshore, the show is entirely free, making it a great budget-friendly option.

    5. Be captivated by local culture

    Bullanginya Dreaming Murray at night
    Soak in the culture of the Bangerang People. (Credit: Laser Vision)

    Set aside an evening to explore Bullanginya Dreaming in Cobram Barooga – you’ll want ample time to take in the stories and symbolism of this immersive laser light and sound trail. The 1.8-kilometre trail explores the storytelling and culture of the Bangerang People, who have long cared for the lands around Bullanginya Lagoon in Barooga. The trail features 12 activations – each telling a different story – and combines dramatic lights and lasers with water and fire.

    Intertwined with the visual displays are Bangerang narratives, giving you meaningful insight into the area’s Indigenous heritage. It’s designed to be explored over 90 or so minutes, encouraging you to move slowly and thoughtfully.

    6. Discover a winter glow

    winterglow festival
    See the streets of Albury Wodonga come to life after dark. (Credit: Visit Albury Wodonga)

    Albury Wodonga comes alive as the weather drops, with an annual celebration of the season on Saturday, 15 August. WinterGlow takes over the CBD and features a vibrant program of things to see, do, learn, eat and drink.

    Take part in hands-on workshops that let you try different art forms and crafts. Feast on street food and winter warmers from local eateries. Browse for artisan wares at the night markets. Watch musical acts on the main stage. Or get involved in different activations, including a silent disco and giant maze. Artificial snow will be falling to add to the festive atmosphere.

    Even wandering the streets and laneways and soaking up the late-night energy will leave you feeling enchanted.

    Start planning a day-to-night adventure along the Murray at visitthemurray.com.au.