Spring is just around the corner, and with it comes one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the rural calendar - the 2025 Royal Welsh Spring Festival.

Held at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, this lively weekend-long festival on May 17 and 18 is a celebration of rural life, smallholding, and countryside traditions, offering something for all ages. Whether you’re an animal enthusiast, a food lover, or simply looking for a great family day out, the festival promises a great experience for everyone.

At the heart of the festival lies its livestock and equine competitions, with more than 600 classes showcasing sheep, pigs, goats, and cattle - many of which highlight traditional, rare, and native breeds. Entries are now open, and competitors can view the schedules and enter online via our website. Entries close on Wednesday, April 3.

It will also host the qualifiers for some of the UK’s most esteemed equestrian competitions, including the British Show Horse Association (BSHA) Royal International Horse Show, Senior Showing and Dressage Ltd (SSADL), British Show Pony Society (BSPS), and British Show Horse Association (BSHA) London International Horse Show.

The Premier Open Dog Show also returns, offering competitors the chance to qualify for Crufts 2026. This prestigious event boasts rosettes, prize money, and high-quality pet food prizes for the top dogs. Postal entries close on Tuesday, April 8, and online entries close on Tuesday, April 29 - visit the FDS website for schedules and entry details.

Some of the attractions at the Royal Welsh Spring Festival include:

• The Smallholders Centre – Gain expert insights into the smallholding lifestyle with talks and demonstrations from the Glamorgan Smallholders networking and support group. Browse the agricultural tradestands to stock up on essentials, from buckets to farm machinery.

• The Country Life Area – A hub of activities featuring the Premier Open Dog Show, Panic Family Circus, The Woodville Medieval Re-enactment Group, a petting farm, a donkey encounter, forestry competitions, and sporting and countryside activities, all set to live music from the bandstand.

• The Festival Display Ring – Be amazed by Joseph’s Amazing Camels, the Gentle Giants Shire Horse Display Team, Show Jumping and Working Hunter competitions, Scurry Driving, and Meirion Owen with his sheepdogs.

• The Meirionnydd Shearing Centre – Watch wool handling and blade shearing competitions, alongside demonstrations from the Gwent Guild of Spinners and Weavers, a vintage shearing display, and wool-related tradestands. Competition entries open in late March.

No visit to a Royal Welsh event would be complete without indulging in Wales’ finest food and drink. Sample exquisite produce in the renowned Food Hall or enjoy a meal at one of the many food stalls in the Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast.

The festival is dog-friendly and offers free onsite parking, ensuring a stress-free experience for visitors.

Travelling to the Royal Welsh Spring Festival is easy. Conveniently located where the A470 and A483 meet in Builth Wells, the Royal Welsh Showground is accessible from all major routes.

For more information about the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, please visit: https://rwas.wales/