From shearing and hobby horses to circus fun and fireworks, Burra Show is packing plenty into its first twilight event
Burra Show is staying up late in 2026, with a new twilight format bringing everything from shearing and hobby horses to live music and fireworks.
The gates will fling open at noon on Saturday, October 10, with South Australian Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn doing the official honours and a full afternoon and evening of show-day fun ahead.
Country Skills Take Centre Stage
Fleeces will be flying on the shearing stage, with competitors travelling from across South Australia to test their skills in one of Burra Show’s long-running events.
Around 30 shearers competed last year, with long-time organiser John Oates once again behind the event and hoping to throw a novelty competition into the mix for a bit of fun.
The Young Farmers Challenge will bring another dose of friendly competition, with teams racing their way through a host of farm tasks to see who gets through them first.
The challenges vary each year, but wood chopping, hay bale races and fencing have all made the cut, with separate competitions for adults and kids and some decent prize money up for grabs.
Out on the oval, it won’t just be the four-legged kind taking part in the horse action.
Alongside the traditional Horses in Action program, Burra’s hobby horse competition is open to all ages, with competitors travelling from as far as Adelaide to put their stick steeds through slow canters and six-bar jumping.
A Little Country Creativity
A new grain and fodder section joins the show schedule this year, while Burra’s long-running Woolpack Fashion Competition will once again prove there’s more than one use for a woolpack.
With open and youth sections, entrants are free to paint, dye, stencil, plait, shred and embellish their designs before sending the finished creations down the catwalk.
Local fashions will get their turn too, with Burra’s Iris & Wool among the local names taking part in the fashion parade.
From Sideshow Alley To Fireworks
Sideshow Alley will be buzzing with rides and show-day fun, while the Show & Shine brings utes and collectable vehicles onto the grounds.
Circus Elements will roam the grounds throughout the afternoon, with a free circus workshop giving kids a chance to try a few tricks themselves.
The Johnny Green Trail will also return, sending children aged up to 12 around participating trade sites collecting goodies to fill their free trail bag. With only 100 bags available, you’ll want to get in early.
And there’ll be no shortage of show-day food, with plenty of vendors around the grounds and the Burra Bowls Club ladies serving their traditional luncheon and afternoon tea in the stone hall as a fundraiser for the club.
As the sun goes down, The Valley Cats will take to the stage from around 6pm, blasting out some classic bangers as showgoers settle in for the night, with a spectacular fireworks display lighting up the showgrounds after dark.
So grab the family, round up a few mates and settle in for a Saturday at the Burra Show.
BURRA SHOW
When: Saturday, October 10
Where: Burra Showgrounds
Gates: 12pm to 11.30pm
Cost: Adults $10 | Children $5 | Children under five free
More Info: burrashow.com.au
