hero media

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

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.
View profile and articles
north sydney pool reopening
Sydney

Iconic North Sydney pool to reopen this August after five years 

Following five years of closure, the harbourside North Sydney Olympic Pool finally has a reopening date.

Read more
The living space of a modernist home in Sydney
Sydney

IKEA is offering a designer stay in Sydney for just $19.95 a night

To celebrate the new IKEA PS 2026 collection.

Read more
The Oriana in Sydney, NSW
Sydney

A four-level dining venue with dazzling views just opened on Sydney Harbour

Right on time for Vivid Sydney, this newly launched dining destination truly has it all.

Read more
view of Sydney Harbour from Canvas restaurant at MCA
Sydney

60 of the best restaurants in Sydney for 2026

We’ve scoured the city to find the best Sydney restaurants to put on your radar in 2026.

Read more
hero media

9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure during Vivid

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
    Continue
    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.