Planning your next UK reptile show, amphibian event or invertebrate fair? This updated guide brings together the key confirmed dates, venues and event types for 2025–2026, with official organiser links wherever possible.

Last verified and updated: 9 June 2026.

Show dates, venues, ticket arrangements and exhibitor rules can change, sometimes at short notice. Always check the official organiser website or ticket page before travelling.

This guide is maintained by Frogfather, a Nottingham-based holder of a 4-star Animal Activities Licence issued by Nottingham City Council (Licence No. 225499), with practical experience keeping, breeding and transporting amphibians, invertebrates and bioactive vivarium livestock in the UK.

This page covers reptile, amphibian, invertebrate and relevant trade events. If you are mainly looking for spider, isopod, mantis or invert-only events, you may also want our dedicated guide: UK Invertebrate Fairs 2025/26 – All the Dates, Times & Whereabouts.

Quick reference: confirmed UK reptile, amphibian & invert events

Note: This page only lists events with enough public information to be useful. Some smaller local reptile days, pet-shop events and informal meets are not included unless details can be checked against an organiser page or ticket listing.

1. IHS Reptile Shows / Breeders Meetings

The International Herpetological Society (IHS) runs some of the best-known UK reptile and amphibian breeders meetings. These are classic table-style events, usually featuring private breeders, specialist hobbyists, dry goods sellers and equipment traders.

If you are attending an IHS event because you are researching dart frogs, it is worth looking at captive-bred dart frog species available in the UK before you travel. Knowing the difference between a bold display species, a thumbnail frog, an Oophaga, and a larger Dendrobates can save you from buying the wrong animal on impulse.

IHS confirmed dates in 2026

• Sunday 7 June 2026 – now passed
• Sunday 9 August 2026 – upcoming

Venue:
Norbreck Castle Hotel
Queen’s Promenade
Norbreck
Blackpool
FY2 9AA

Parking: Free on-site parking is normally available for exhibitors and attendees. The IHS notes that visitors should enter their vehicle registration on the tablet when entering the building.

Tickets: IHS shows are normally paid on the door rather than pre-booked.

Typical entry information:

• IHS members: reduced entry
• Non-members / FBH affiliates: standard visitor entry
• Under-16s: usually free when accompanied by an adult

Always verify before travelling: IHS Breeders Meetings / Shows official page.

2. British Tarantula Society Exhibition

The British Tarantula Society Exhibition is not a reptile show. It is an invertebrate exhibition. That distinction matters.

You should expect tarantulas, scorpions, isopods, beetles, roaches, mantids, books, art, equipment and other invert-related supplies. Reptiles and other vertebrates are not sold at BTS.

For bioactive keepers, this can still be one of the most useful events of the year. It is a good place to learn about clean-up crews, isopod nutrition, invert housing and specialist husbandry.

BTS Exhibition 2025

• Date: Sunday 18 May 2025
• Venue: Warwickshire Event Centre, CV31 1FE
• Status: Past event

39th BTS Exhibition 2026

• Date: Sunday 17 May 2026
• Venue: Warwickshire Event Centre, CV31 1FE
• Opening time: Public entry from 11:00 am
• Status: Past event

Official organiser page: British Tarantula Society Exhibition.

3. AQUAH 2025 – Aquatics, Reptiles & Display Inspiration

AQUAH 2025 was promoted as a large aquatics and reptiles event, with a strong trade presence, product displays, equipment, aquascaping inspiration and crossover appeal for vivarium and paludarium keepers.

• Dates: 20–21 September 2025
• Venue: NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2LZ
• Status: Past event

Although AQUAH is not a dart frog breeders meeting, it is relevant if you are building paludariums, automated misting systems, lighting setups or planted tropical displays.

For anyone planning a planted amphibian setup, our guide to cheap vs premium dart frog vivariums explains why long-term stability matters more than how a vivarium looks on day one.

4. BHS, AHH & Scientific Herpetology Events

Not every important herpetology event is a trading show. Some of the best events for serious keepers are conferences and scientific meetings.

ARC & BHS Joint Scientific Meeting 2025

• Date: 29 November 2025
• Venue: Bournemouth Natural Science Society
• Type: Scientific talks and conservation-focused presentations
• Status: Past event

Venom Day 2025

• Date: 6 December 2025
• Venue: Bangor University
• Type: Lectures and presentations focused on venomous reptiles, amphibians and related research
• Status: Past event

AHH / BHS Drayton Manor Conference 2026

• Dates: 21–22 March 2026
• Venue: Drayton Manor Park Hotel
• Type: Two-day husbandry and herpetology conference
• Status: Past event

These events are valuable because they sit closer to research, welfare and husbandry standards than ordinary shopping days. They are particularly useful if you are interested in serious captive care, amphibian welfare, conservation and evidence-based reptile keeping.

Official BHS events page: British Herpetological Society upcoming events.

5. Invertebrate Shows & Bioactive Supply Events

Invert shows are not reptile shows, but they are extremely useful for bioactive vivarium keepers.

If you keep dart frogs, mourning geckos, small amphibians, isopods or tropical plants, these events can be good places to find:

• isopods
• springtails
• mantids
• beetles
• tarantulas
• leaf litter
• cork bark
• bioactive décor
• specialist invert enclosures

If you are building or refreshing a bioactive setup after a show, our Springtail Supermix is designed to support live springtail cultures and help keep clean-up crew populations productive.

Southern Invertebrate Show 2025

• Date: Sunday 30 November 2025
• Venue: Place’s Leisure Eastleigh, SO50 9NL
• Status: Past event

For more invert-specific dates, use our dedicated guide: UK Invertebrate Fairs 2025/26 – All the Dates, Times & Whereabouts.

6. PATS 2026 – Pet & Aquatics Trade Show

PATS is not a normal public reptile show. It is a trade-focused pet and aquatics exhibition.

That makes it more relevant for shops, breeders, brands, product makers and commercial vivarium businesses than for casual visitors looking to buy a gecko or frog.

• Dates: 27–29 September 2026
• Venue: NEC Birmingham
• Type: Trade exhibition
• Relevance: Pet trade, aquatics, reptiles, invertebrates, exotics, retail suppliers and product launches

Official organiser page: PATS 2026 official site.

Shows Awaiting 2026 Confirmation

Some reptile shows and regional events are frequently discussed in UK hobby groups before official dates are available. We do not add estimated dates to this page unless they can be checked against an organiser source.

Events often searched for include:

• Doncaster reptile show dates
• Kempton reptile show dates
• Portsmouth reptile and amphibian events
• Exeter reptile shows
• regional reptile shop open days

If official 2026 dates are announced for these or similar events, we will update this page. If you organise a UK reptile, amphibian or invertebrate event and want it checked for inclusion, you can contact Frogfather here.

Planning to Buy Dart Frogs at a Reptile Show?

Many keepers attend reptile shows intending to buy equipment and leave with animals as well. That is not automatically a problem, but amphibians should never be an impulse purchase.

Before buying dart frogs at a show, you should already have:

• a fully established vivarium
• reliable fruit fly cultures
• a quarantine plan
• appropriate heating, lighting and humidity control
• a proven supplementation routine
• a safe way to transport the animals home

One of the most common mistakes after reptile shows is buying frogs before the food and supplement routine is ready. Dart frogs need regular feeding with small live foods and consistent calcium, vitamin and mineral support.

For keepers looking to simplify that routine, our All-in-1 Vitamin & Mineral Dust was developed for dart frogs and other small insectivorous amphibians.

If you are still researching species, browse our current captive-bred dart frogs before travelling so you know what kind of setup, food and long-term care each species is likely to need.

Show-Day Biosecurity Tips

Reptile and invert shows are exciting, but they also bring together animals, plants, substrates, equipment and keepers from many different collections.

Basic biosecurity is worth taking seriously.

• Quarantine new animals before adding them to established setups.
• Keep show tubs separate from your main frog room equipment.
• Do not share transport containers between animals from different sources.
• Inspect plants carefully before adding them to bioactive vivariums.
• Wash hands or use sanitiser between handling tubs, plants and equipment.
• Avoid mixing species or morphs without a proper long-term plan.

For more on enclosure stability and avoiding long-term problems, read why some dart frog vivariums crash after 6–12 months.

Related Frogfather Guides

• Where Not to Buy Frogs in the UK: Red Flags, Risks and Common Scams
• Frogs for Sale in the UK: How to Buy Responsibly and What to Avoid
• What to Expect When You Receive Dart Frogs by Courier
• How to Quarantine Dart Frogs Properly in the UK
• Dart Frog Supplementation Guide
• The Real Difference Between Cheap and Premium Dart Frog Vivariums

UK Reptile & Invertebrate Shows – Frequently Asked Questions

Are live reptiles and amphibians sold at UK reptile shows?

Yes. Some large reptile shows and breeders meetings allow the sale of captive-bred reptiles and amphibians by registered exhibitors. Invertebrate-only events such as BTS do not sell reptiles or amphibians.

Can you buy dart frogs at UK reptile shows?

Sometimes. Availability depends on the event and exhibitors attending on the day. If you are hoping to buy dart frogs, research the species beforehand and make sure your vivarium, food cultures and supplementation routine are already in place.

Are dart frogs legal to buy in the UK?

Yes. Captive-bred dart frogs are legal to keep and breed in the UK. Some species may require additional documentation, so always buy from a responsible breeder who can explain origin, lineage and care requirements.

Can you buy isopods, tarantulas and other invertebrates at these events?

Yes. Invert shows, BTS and many regional events specialise in tarantulas, isopods, mantids, beetles and other invertebrates. They are also useful for bioactive vivarium keepers looking for clean-up crew species and specialist supplies.

Do UK reptile shows require tickets in advance?

Some do and some do not. IHS breeders meetings normally take payment on the door, while many invertebrate shows and larger public events use advance online ticketing. Always check the official organiser page before travelling.

What should I bring to a reptile or invert show?

Bring cash, secure transport tubs, a reusable bag, and photos or measurements if you are buying décor or equipment. A small insulated bag can help keep animals at a safer temperature during the journey home.

Are children allowed at reptile and invert shows?

Most UK reptile and invertebrate shows are family-friendly. Many offer reduced or free entry for under-16s when accompanied by an adult, but rules vary by organiser.

Can I sell animals at a UK reptile show?

Only if you are booked with the organiser as a trader or exhibitor and meet the event’s requirements. General visitors should not bring animals to sell or trade.

Are reptile shows good places to buy bioactive supplies?

Yes. Many shows include sellers offering plants, cork bark, leaf litter, isopods, springtails, substrates, lighting, hides and other bioactive vivarium supplies.

Do these shows allow photography?

Many do, but always be respectful. Ask before photographing animals, tables or people, and avoid flash where it may disturb animals or exhibitors.

Are dogs allowed at reptile or invert shows?

Usually not, apart from assistance dogs. Most exhibition halls do not permit pet dogs due to animal welfare, hygiene and safety considerations.

Where can I find the latest updates or last-minute changes?

Check the organiser’s official website, social media or ticket page before travelling. Dates, venues, entry times and rules can change at short notice.