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Last updated: 29 September 2026
If you keep tarantulas, isopods, roaches, mantids, beetles, ants or other invertebrates, this guide brings together UK invert, arachnid, ant and entomology shows for 2026 and 2027, with official links where available, plus practical advice for visiting.
As a UK-based bioactive and vivarium specialist, I use these shows myself to meet breeders, discover new species and bloodlines, find specialist suppliers and keep up with what is happening in the hobby. This page is maintained as a living UK invert show calendar, so new dates will be added as organisers confirm them.
Important: show dates, venues and opening times can occasionally change. I link to organiser or ticket pages wherever possible, so please check the relevant link before making a long journey.
📅 Remaining 2026 UK Invert Shows
Most of the 2026 show season has now taken place, but there are still several excellent events between October and December.
OCTOBER 2026
- Central Invertebrate Show – Coventry – Sunday 4 October 2026
Venue: Sports Connexion, Coventry, CV8 3FL.
Time: 11:00am–4:00pm.
A large central UK show featuring live invertebrates, specialist suppliers, equipment, exhibits, workshops and family activities.
Tickets and official information: Central Invertebrate Show 2026 - Clare’s Surrey Invert Show – Woking – Sunday 25 October 2026
Venue: Woking Leisure Centre, GU22 9BA.
Visitor hours: approximately 11:00am–4:00pm.
Community-focused invert show with breeders, hobbyists, livestock and specialist supplies.
Official information and tickets: Clare’s Invert Shows - Mildenhall Halloween Invert Show – Mildenhall / Bury St Edmunds area – Saturday 31 October 2026
Seasonal Halloween invert event featuring spiders, insects and other invertebrates.
Check organiser and trader pages before travelling for final venue and visitor information.
NOVEMBER 2026
- Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Entomological Society Annual Insect Show – Derby – Saturday 14 November 2026
Venue: Atrium, Kedleston Road Campus, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby, DE22 1GB.
Time: 10:30am–4:30pm.
Free entry – advance reservation is not required.
A celebration of insects and their relatives with interactive displays, live exhibits, mounted specimens, wildlife organisations and talks. Suitable for beginners, families and experienced entomologists.
Information: Annual Insect Show 2026 - Southern Invertebrate Show – Eastleigh – Sunday 29 November 2026
Venue: Places Leisure Eastleigh, SO50 9NL.
Time: 11:00am–4:00pm.
One of the main southern UK invert events, bringing together breeders, hobbyists and specialist suppliers.
Tickets and official information: Invert Shows – Southern Invertebrate Show
DECEMBER 2026
- Midlands Entomological Fayre – Ollerton, Nottinghamshire – Sunday 6 December 2026
Venue: Dukeries Leisure Centre, Ollerton, NG22 9JJ.
Long-running entomology-focused event with insects, specimens, books, specialist traders and enthusiasts.
Please check current organiser information before travelling.
🆕 2027 UK Invert Shows – Confirmed Dates
The 2027 calendar is already beginning to take shape. I will add shows here as dates are confirmed by organisers or venues rather than simply assuming that an annual event will return on its usual weekend.
FEBRUARY 2027
- The Great Ant Exhibition – Sheffield – Saturday 13 February 2027
Sheffield event from Ants on a Rock, focused on ants and ant keeping alongside the wider invert hobby.
Expect ant colonies, queens, formicaria, equipment and specialist exhibitors.
Official information: Ants on a Rock
APRIL 2027
- The Cornwall Invert Show – Cornwall – Sunday 18 April 2027
Venue: Royal Cornwall Events Centre, PL27 7JE.
Time: 10:30am–4:00pm.
A new addition to this calendar and a useful event for invert keepers in Cornwall and the South West.
Tickets and information: Clare’s Invert Shows
MAY 2027
- Tyne and Wear Invert Show – Gateshead – Saturday 8 May 2027
Venue: Gateshead International Stadium, Neilson Road, Gateshead, NE10 0EF.
Pre-booked ticket entry: 10:30am. Pay-on-the-door entry: 11:00am. Show closes at 4:00pm.
This will be the second Tyne and Wear Invert Show. Under-12s are currently listed as free, with refreshments and free parking available.
Tickets and information: Tyne and Wear Invert Show 2027 - British Tarantula Society Exhibition – Warwickshire – Sunday 16 May 2027
Venue: Warwickshire Event Centre, near Leamington Spa.
One of the UK’s major specialist arachnid and invertebrate events, attracting breeders, societies, suppliers and enthusiasts from the UK and overseas.
Official information: British Tarantula Society Exhibition - Bournemouth Bug Show – Bournemouth – Sunday 30 May 2027
Venue: BH Live Littledown, Bournemouth, BH7 7DX.
Standard admission: 11:00am–4:00pm, with earlier access available for qualifying advance tickets.
Family-friendly invert event with breeders, specialist traders, displays and supplies.
Tickets and information: Bournemouth Bug Show 2027
SEPTEMBER 2027
- East Yorkshire Invert Show – Driffield – Sunday 19 September 2027
Venue: The Driffield Showground, YO25 9FB.
Time: 10:30am–4:00pm.
Another useful regional addition to the UK invert calendar, organised by Clare’s Invert Shows.
Tickets and information: Clare’s Invert Shows
2027 – DATE STILL TO BE CONFIRMED
- The Great Ant Exhibition – Bristol – 2027 date to be confirmed.
The Bristol edition is expected to return, but I will add the date here once the organiser publishes a confirmed 2027 date.
Official information: Ants on a Rock
📚 2026 UK Invert Shows – Earlier Events
For reference, these are some of the major UK invert, arachnid, ant and entomology events that have already taken place during 2026. Keeping them here makes the page useful when looking for recurring shows that may return in 2027.
- 25 January – South East Arachnid Show (SEAS) – Ashford, Kent
- 15 February – Hertfordshire Invert & Arachnid Show – Welwyn Garden City
- 22 February – The Great Ant Exhibition – Sheffield
- 22 February – South Western Invert Show – Taunton
- 29 March – Northern Invertebrate Show – Barnsley
- 5 April – Midlands Entomological Fayre – Ollerton
- 12 April – Darkside Markets Invert Show – Rugeley
- 25 April – Ant Show UK – Milton Keynes
- 26 April – Capital Invert Show – London
- 17 May – British Tarantula Society Exhibition – Warwickshire
- 31 May – Bournemouth Bug Show – Bournemouth
- 7 June – Northwestern Invertebrate Show – Wigan
- 7 June – International Herpetological Society Breeders Meeting – Blackpool
- 11 July – Hampshire Invert Show – Fleet
- 18 July – The Invert, Ant & Arachnid Exhibition – Stoke-on-Trent
- 26 July – Western Invertebrate Show – Bristol
- 1 August – The Great Ant Exhibition – Bristol / Keynsham
- 9 August – International Herpetological Society Breeders Meeting – Blackpool
- 15 August – Creepy Crawley Invertebrate Expo – Plymouth
- 23 August – Essex Arachnid & Invert Show – Brentwood
- 30 August – Scottish Invert Show – Glasgow
- 13 September – Eastern Invert Show – Gillingham
- 26 September – Amateur Entomologists’ Society (AES) Show – Kempton Park
🧭 What to Expect at a UK Invert Show
If this is your first invert show, here’s a realistic idea of what the day looks like and how to make the most of it.
Typical traders & tables
- Live inverts: tarantulas and slings, true spiders, scorpions, isopods, millipedes, roaches, beetles, mantids, stick insects, snails and more.
- Ant-focused stands: at ant-heavy events expect colonies, queens, formicaria, outworlds, specialist foods and ant-keeping equipment.
- Dry goods & enclosures: tubs, glass and acrylic enclosures, 3D-printed accessories, ventilation solutions, decorations, hides and water bowls.
- Bioactive supplies: substrates, cork, leaf litter, springtail cultures, mosses and plants suitable for invertebrate setups.
- Societies & education: larger entomology shows often include societies, natural-history organisations, educational displays and talks.
Practical tips from a keeper’s point of view
- Arrive early. If you’re looking for a particular species or bloodline, the most sought-after animals can disappear quickly.
- Bring a species list. Decide what you’re genuinely prepared to keep – including temperature, humidity, feeding, adult size and any venom considerations – before you arrive.
- Bring secure spare tubs. Sellers normally provide appropriate transport containers, but having a few suitable spare tubs is useful.
- Carry both cash and a bank card. Many traders accept cards, but smaller hobby breeders may still prefer cash.
- Think about the journey home. Keep animals away from direct sun, excessive heat and cold. An insulated bag can be extremely useful.
- Talk to breeders. Shows are a great opportunity to ask about husbandry, feeding, growth rates, breeding and adult size.
- Check the show’s rules. Individual organisers may have specific requirements covering photography, handling, livestock and welfare.
📝 Responsible Buying & Invertebrate Welfare
- Research before buying: understand adult size, lifespan, feeding and enclosure requirements before taking an animal home.
- Have the enclosure ready: ideally your permanent or suitable temporary enclosure should already be prepared before attending the show.
- Avoid unsuitable impulse purchases: an unusual animal at a show can be tempting, but only buy species whose needs you can confidently meet.
- Avoid mixing species unless you fully understand the potential risks of predation, stress and competition.
- Quarantine new arrivals where appropriate, particularly if you already maintain a substantial collection.
- Transport animals carefully: avoid overheating, chilling and unnecessary disturbance during the journey home.
- Follow UK law and show rules: ensure species are legal to keep and transport and follow any conditions imposed by the organiser or venue.
❓ UK Invert Shows 2026–2027 – FAQ
When are the next UK invert shows?
As of the latest update on 29 September 2026, the next major listed event is the Central Invertebrate Show in Coventry on 4 October 2026, followed by Clare’s Surrey Invert Show on 25 October and the Mildenhall Halloween Invert Show on 31 October. Further events take place during November and December, with confirmed 2027 dates listed above.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
It depends on the event. Larger shows often offer online advance tickets, while some smaller community and entomological events allow visitors simply to pay or enter on the day. The Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Annual Insect Show, for example, is currently advertised as free with no advance reservation required. Check the individual event link above before travelling.
Are invert shows suitable for beginners?
Yes. Many UK invert shows are very beginner-friendly. You’ll normally find breeders keeping everything from beginner-friendly isopods and stick insects to specialist tarantulas, scorpions, beetles and ants. If you’re new to the hobby, walking around the entire show before buying anything is a good way to compare animals, setups and advice.
Can I bring children?
Many UK invert shows are family-friendly and some offer free or discounted entry for children. Individual rules differ, however, so check the organiser’s information before attending.
What should I bring to an invert show?
- Cash and a bank card
- A secure bag or insulated carrier for purchases
- Suitable spare ventilated tubs
- A written shortlist of species you’re interested in
- Any advance ticket or QR code on your phone
- A little restraint – it is remarkably easy to come home with more animals than you intended!
Can I handle animals at invert shows?
Some family and educational events have supervised handling or encounter stands. Sale animals, however, generally shouldn’t be handled without the trader’s explicit permission. Never open a container or enclosure on a trader’s table yourself.
Do invert shows only sell spiders and tarantulas?
No. Although arachnids are a major part of the UK invert hobby, shows can include isopods, millipedes, beetles, mantids, stick insects, roaches, snails, ants and many other invertebrates. You’ll also find enclosures, substrates, bioactive supplies, plants, cork, leaf litter, equipment and specialist foods.
When will more 2027 show dates be added?
As soon as I can verify them. Rather than filling the calendar with estimated dates based on previous years, I prefer to wait until an organiser, venue or official ticket page confirms the event. That way this page remains genuinely useful when you’re planning a journey.
📣 Know About a UK Invert Show I’ve Missed?
This calendar is maintained as a community resource. If you organise an invertebrate, arachnid, ant, entomology or bug show in the UK, or you spot a confirmed event I’ve missed, please get in touch.
If possible, send me the event name, confirmed date, venue, postcode and an official organiser or ticket link. I’ll check the details and add suitable events to the calendar.
Bookmark this page and check back periodically – I’ll continue adding confirmed 2027 UK invert show dates as they are announced.
