Sydney Royal Easter Show sees largest crowds in 15 years

The Sydney Royal Easter Show, Australia’s largest annual ticketed event, returned for another year of entertainment, food, and festivities on April 6, 2023.

The Grand Parade at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia on April 6, 2023. (Photo/Siyang Dong)

According to Murray Wilton, the general manager of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, this year’s pre-sales of tickets are the strongest in 15 years, with about 900,000 people expected to attend the show at Sydney Olympic Park.

Dating back to 1823, the 12-day event is a celebration of Australian agriculture, featuring agricultural competitions, animal shows, carnival rides, live entertainment, parades, food stalls and show bags. It brings the countryside to the city, giving residents the chance to get up close and personal with animals such as cows, bulls, horses, sheep, and pigs.

An attendee pats a bull during the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia, April 6, 2023. (Photo/Yuxin Yang)

For Sydneysiders, this show is meant to be a family event, with many having grown up attending and now taking their own children. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is one of them. Showing up at the venue on April 7, Albanese told Seven News that he had been going to the Easter Show since he was a boy, and he also brought his son every year when his son was little.

People visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia, April 6, 2023. (Photo/Yuxin Yang)

Two sisters from Sydney, Eliza Core and Tara Core, who reside 40 minutes' drive from the arena, told People's Daily Online that they typically attend the performance with family. “It’s a little money, but it's a good experience,” said Eliza Core.

Hua Shao, a Chinese Australian who has lived in Australia for more than 30 years, had brought her children to this event in the past, but this year she brought her own merchandise to sell. Shao said, “I like this event, they have all sorts of activities.”

People visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia, April 6, 2023. (Photo/Siyang Dong)

The Sydney Royal Easter Show is held by the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW. The revenue generated will be invested in agricultural programs, competitions, education, youth and rural New South Wales. The show will run until April 17. 

People visit the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia, April 6, 2023. (Photo/Siyang Dong)

The Grand Parade at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in Sydney, Australia on April 6, 2023. (Photo/Yuxin Yang)