Amateur Photography Competition – Find us in The Tea Pot Cafe

Our Amateur photography competition is open to all amateur photographers with a range of classes including landscapes, flora & fauna, action, people, Maitland, our Show theme – “My Show – Making Memories” – Photograph Taken at the Maitland Show and Black & White photography.

Prizes for Champion & Reserve Champions

View here for Schedule – 2026 Amateur Photography Schedule

Please enter here online – Showday online

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

In person entries forms – Please deliver to our showground office before 2pm on 6 February 2026.

Online entries – Close 8 February 2026

Sponsored by

Cattle Clinic & Stud Beef – Competition Notice for 2026

A. Ball Memorial Cattle Clinic

Unfortunately, due to not having a volunteer cattle committee, we are not able to run the cattle clinic in 2026. We look forward to running the clinic again in 2027.

Stud Beef

Unfortunately, due to not having a volunteer cattle committee, we are not able to run the cattle competition in 2026. We look forward to having the cattle competition back up and running in 2027.

Colouring Competition – Find us in The Tea Pot Cafe

Entries now open!

Please note an ENTRY FORM needs to be completed to enter the colouring competition.

Entry Fees:                 Free Entry

Delivery Location:  Please bring your original coloured page and entry form to Maitland Showground Office, Monday to Friday – 9am and 2pm.

Ribbons:                     Awarded by the Judge for first and second Prize

View here for Schedule:   2026 Colouring Competition Schedule.pdf

The colouring competition is judged in the following age groups:

• Under 5 years
• Primary School
• Secondary School

Sponsored by The Mutual Bank

Colouring Competition Theme “Making Memories”

Please complete an entry form for submission with your entry – Entry Form 2026.pdf

COLOURING IN COMPETITION UNDER 5 2026.pdf

COLOURING IN COMPETITION PRIMARY 2026.pdf

COLOURING IN COMPETITION SECONDARY SCHOOL 2026.pdf

Under 5 years of age | Primary School Age | Secondary School Age

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Cooking Competition – Find us in Thomas Morgan Pavilion

In 2026 an invitation is extended to all to watch the judging of the Cookery Schedule. You will be surprised at the tips you will pick up to help you in the future. Judging will take place on Thursday 12th February, starting at 10.30 am.

The challenge for Juniors – ‘Ookie Spookie’ is to decorate a cake in a Spooky Theme. A chance for their skills to excel.

Maitland CWA has put together interesting recipes in their challenge for you to have a go toppling the CWA cooking experts.

Morpeth CWA is sponsoring the Junior Section of the Cooking Schedule and has some very yummy recipes to inspire our younger cooks to have a go.

The schedule has been extended to include a Men’s ONLY Section so the challenge is out for men to prove their expertise as cooks, in both the Baking and Preserves section.

A new section has been added showcasing BBQ/Smoked meats.

View here for Schedule – 2026 Cooking Schedule.pdf

View here for recipes  – 2026 Recipe Booklet

Please enter here online https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

Entries close 5pm, Friday 30th January 2026 

Sponsors:

Maitland CWA and East Maitland CWA Branch

Demo Derby Competition

Saturday, 14^th February, 2026

All cars MUST be removed by the competitor from the showground.

Demo Derby Organiser – Chris Fisher on 0412 149 486

Saturday 14 Feb starting at approximately 8pm

Class
Open Demolition Derby

No entry fee
Competitors to pay normal gate ticket fee, get your tickets here

Showday requirements-
Name
Address
Phone no
Email address
Drivers Licence No
Car Make
Car Model
Car Number

Enter Showday online entries close 10 February 2026

Derby Rules

Waiver 1

Waiver 2

Prize money $3000 in total

Prize money will be paid the week following the show to the nominated bank account.

Prize money

$3000 Prizemoney

 1st Prize – $1200
 2nd Prize – $900
 3rd Prize – $600
 Mad Dog – $200
Best Presented $100

💵 Prize money will be paid the week following the show to the nominated bank account.

Sponsor

Dog Section

******New Competition*******

EXTENDED NOW CLOSES 11am Sun, 15 Feb

Think your pup can jump higher than the competition? Get your pups training and ready to jump on Sunday 15th February at 12pm at the Maitland Show’s dog high jump! Watch in awe (and maybe a little disbelief) as your furry friend clears each increment – you won’t believe how high they can leap! With both pet and working dog classes there’s an opportunity for every pooch small and large to have a go!

View Schedule – 2026 Dog High Jump Schedule.pdf

Entries now open!  Enter HERE

Donkey Competition – Now Closed

All youth welcome to participate in the Giddy-up gymkhana with a chance to win a ribbon.

Every entrant will be supervised by an experienced donkey handler. Join the fun- all welcome!

View here for Schedule – 2026 Donkey Schedule

Please enter online. Enter HERE

Select drop down Farm Animals

Entries Now Open!

Sponsored by

Please support the Go Fund Me page for Donkey Welfare With Heart Inc

Boer Goats – Competition Notice for 2026

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control we are not able to run the Boer Goat Section at our 2026 Maitland Show. We look forward to running again in 2027.

Boer goats are meat goats and were imported into Australia from South Africa.

Australia produces over 50% of the world’s goat meat exports and the numbers of Boer goats in Australia continues to rise as farmers turn to goat meat production as a profitable alternative enterprise. In fact, Australia is the biggest producer of goats meat in the world and it consumes the least amount of goats meat.

Dairy Goats – this section is going ahead for 2026

Dairy Goats are goats that produce large quantities of milk. On average they produce 4 to 5 litres per day for around 10 months of the year. There are 7 breeds of dairy goats in Australia; Saanen, Toggenburg, British Alpine, Anglo Nubian, Australian Melaan, Australian Brown and the new kids on the block, the La Mancha recently imported from the USA.

Dairy goats are judges for their conformation and breed characteristics according to the breed standard for each breed.

The judging will commence with each breed of the senior does, then the udder classes where just the udder of the doe is judged. We then move to the junior breed classes for does aged over 1 year and under 2 years of age.

Then it the kids turn who are all under 1 year old. These class have a ‘cute’ factor and are crowd favourites.

The ultimate prize is the Best Exhibit trophy which is judged from the Grand Champion Doe and Grand Champion Buck.

Please note that age for junior competitors is as at the date of judging, Sunday 15th February 2026.

View here for Schedule – 2026 Dairy Goats Schedule.pdf

Please enter online – Showday Online

Select drop down Farm Animals

Entries now open!

National Goat Health Declaration

Sponsored by

Handcraft Competition – Find us in the Thomas Morgan Pavilion

No 1 of our Show Map 2026

The Handcraft Competition, formerly Homecraft Competition includes the following sections for 2026

Cushion
Embroidery
Machine Sewing
Patchwork, Applique, Quilting
Knitting
Crotchet
Spinning & Weaving
General Handcraft – Dolls/Bears, Recycle Article
Junior Handcraft
Aged community groups
People with Disabilities

View here for Schedule – 2026 Handcraft Schedule.pdf

Entries are now closed – Showday online

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

Sponsors for Handcraft 2026 

Thank you so your generous support for our 2026 Maitland Show:

The Palmer Family

The Heckman Family

Gail Gourley

Bunnings Warehouse Rutherford

So-Lo Prices High Street Maitland

The Green Room Greenhills

FoodWorks East Maitland

Your Discount Chemist East Maitland

Australian Lace Guild NSW Branch Inc

Donarch Fine Chocolate Tenambit

Newcastle Spinners and Weavers Guild Inc

Honey Competition – Now Closed

View here for Schedule – 2026 Honey Schedule

Entries now open! Enter HERE

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

Former Liberal prime minister John Howard Visiting our 2025 Maitland Show displays

Image courtesy NBN News

Honey Winners

Horse Competition – Centre Ring

PLEASE NOTE: We have adopted a new policy regarding exhibitors/competitors whereby you only pay an entry fee once to compete at the show on multiple days.

As a competitor you will pay the entry fee on the first day you attend and will then be given a wrist band at the horse office for free entry on any subsequent day you are competing.

All other people in the vehicle pay an entry fee for each day they attend.

ALL BREEDS CATERED FOR
Horse Events are running Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Please note that age for junior competitors is as at the date of judging.

Horse Schedule – 2026 Horse Schedule

ASC Horse Health Declaration

ASC Multi Purpose Individual Waiver

ASC Multi Purpose Bulk Waiver

HRA&HA Horse Section Regulations

Online entries now open! Enter HERE

Entries for the Horse Section have been extended until 8am on Thursday, 12 February 2026.

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display / Select drop down Farm Animals

Sponsored by

Horticulture Competition – Find us in McDonald Pavilion

Horticulture Competition
Entries are now open! Click the link to this Years Schedule, Be Inspired and Enter!
If you love plants and growing vegetables, the Horticulture Competition at the Maitland Show is for you. The Horticulture Competition, located in the Mcdonald Pavilion under the Historic Grandstand has been a constant part of the Maitland Show since 1840! In recent times, Slow Food Hunter Valley take care of the fresh and unusual produce entries and displays, and the Maitland District Garden Club looks after the wonderful and varied plant sections.

Anyone can enter and have your passion for Produce, Flowers and Plants on display for all to see and enjoy at this Years Maitland Show. Great prizes and Maitland Show ribbons to be awarded in all the categories and sections.

View here for Schedules –

– Horticulture A – Produce –  2026 Horticulture A Produce Schedule

– Horticulture B – Flora – 2026 Horticulture B Flora Schedule

– Horticulture C – Youth – 2026 Horticulture C Youth Schedule

Please enter online. Enter HERE

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

Entries via Showday online have now closed

Entries in person are still OPEN until 9am Friday, 13 Feb as judging commences at 10am sharp.

If you have a bulk number of entries, please deliver and register with plenty of time for processing.

DELIVERY OPTIONS: IN PERSON

Thursday, 12 February until 7:30pm in person to the McDonald Pavilion.

Friday, 13 February until 9am in person to the McDonald Pavilion. Judging kicks off at 10am sharp.

Sponsored by

Poultry Competition – Find us in The Poultry Pavilion

The Poultry Competition is a long standing attraction and is very popular with children and people of all ages. The variety of poultry on display will be extensive. Judging of the high-flying competition takes place during the Show.

When you visit the Poultry Pavilion, check out the pigeon display next door in the Pigeon Pavilion.

View here for Schedule – 2026 Poultry Schedule

Please enter online. Enter  HERE

Select drop down Farm Animals

Entries now open!

Sponsored by

2026 Maitland Show Rodeo

Friday 13th February from 4.30pm at Centre Ring

Prize money available

To View event programs, visit our calendar and click on the event:

Maitland Show Rodeo with the novice barrel race included

Entries via ABCRA website

Scarecrow Competition

Scarecrows have long been used in the plant world to ward off unwanted animals from crops as a natural pest control.

Bring your children’s young minds together to design and build a Scarecrow for display in the Horticulture Pavilion at the Show.

Entry is free for all and prizes for the winners.

Click here for Scarecrow Schedule – 2026 Scarecrow Schedule.pdf

Please enter online. Enter  HERE

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

Entries Now Open!

Each section is judged in the following age groups:

• Under 5 years
• 5 years to 9 years
• 10 years to 17 years

Conditions of Entry

1. All scarecrows must be free standing.
2. All scarecrows must be no more than 2 metres tall and/or wide.
3. Scarecrows are to be delivered assembled. Please make sure all parts are securely attached.
4. Scarecrows may be embellished with props and/or accessories.
5. All entries are to be clearly labelled with the Scarecrow’s Name, Individual or School Name (including class).
6. Scarecrows are to be delivered to McDonald Pavilion at Maitland Showground on Wednesday 11^th February 2026 between 9am and 2pm.
7. Entries may be collected on Monday 16^th February 2026 between 9am and 2pm.

Any item not collected by Wednesday 18^th February 2026 will be recycled unless arrangements are made directly with the Showground Office.

Schoolies

Free entry to the 2026 Maitland Show is offered to school groups on Friday, 13^th February between 10am and 2pm.

There will be horse, cattle and poultry events, hands-on animal displays, as well as art, photography, horticulture, handcraft and cooking exhibitions.

Please register via emailing The Maitland Showground Office – office@maitlandshowground.com.au by Tuesday 10th of February 2026.

Check out our competitions too!

• Amateur Photography
• Colouring-in
• Cooking
• Handcraft
• Horticulture
• Horses
• Scarecrow
• Woodwork

Woodchop Schedule

MAITLAND SHOW

Maitland Showground

1. 300mm Underhand Handicap
2. 275 mm Standing Block Handicap
3. 325mm Championship
4. 275mm Underhand Handicap
5. Double Handed Saw Handicap
6. NSW Sponsored Junior Chop

Please nominate events required

All events must be paid for

Woodwork Competition – Find us in Thomas Morgan Pavilion

View here for Schedule – 2026 Woodwork Schedule.pdf

Please enter online. Enter  HERE

Select drop down Pavilion/Indoor/Display

Entries now OPEN!

Sponsored by

******FREE TO ENTER *******

COMPETITION EXTENDED NOW UNTIL 11am, Sun 15 Feb

Maitland Show is running the Young Farmers Challenge on Sunday 15 February 2026 the challenge allows people aged 18 to 35 to genuinely contribute to the agricultural industry by showcasing their expertise in a series of on-farm-based challenges highlighting the depth of knowledge and technical skills required in rural life today.
What it’s all about:
– The competition is open to mixed teams of four between the ages of 18 and 35.
– Teams must have at least one representative from each gender.
– Each local winning team will then progress to the State Finals held at each state’s Royal Show.
– All state winners are then invited to the National finals; they will have the opportunity to be the “Best of the best” across the country!

***

The Young Farmers Challenge is a great way for youth to get involved in their shows and engage with other young people and industry leaders. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate, support and recognise the future leaders in agriculture.

View Here for Schedule – 2026 Young Farmers Challenge Schedule.pdf

Please enter here online – https://showday.online/show/maitlandshow

Entries close 11am Sunday, 15 February 2026

Sponsored by