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If you keep tarantulas, isopods, roaches, mantids, beetles, ants or any other invertebrates, 2026 is a brilliant year to get out to some UK shows. This guide pulls together confirmed UK invert, arachnid, ant and entomology events for 2026, with official links where they exist, plus practical advice, travel tips and FAQs.

As a UK-based bioactive and vivarium specialist, I use these shows personally to meet breeders, pick up new bloodlines and stock up on supplies. Use this page as a living reference and always double-check organiser links before travelling, as dates and venues can change.

📅 2026 UK Invert Show Calendar (Month by Month)

JANUARY

• South East Arachnid Show (SEAS) – Ashford, Kent – 25 January 2026
  Venue: Ashford International Hotel, Simone Weil Avenue, Ashford, TN24 8UX.
  Official info: South East Arachnid Show Facebook page

FEBRUARY

• Hertfordshire Invert & Arachnid Show – Welwyn Garden City – 15 February 2026
  Venue: Ridgeway Academy, AL7 2AF.
  Tickets / info: Hertfordshire Invert & Arachnid Show event listing
• The Great Ant Exhibition – Sheffield – Sheffield – 22 February 2026
  Venue: All Saints Sports Centre, 95 Norfolk Park Rd, Sheffield, S2 2RU.
  Official info: The Great Ant Exhibition Sheffield 2026 (Ants on a Rock)
• South Western Invert Show – Taunton – 22 February 2026
  Venue: usually Wellspring Leisure Centre (TA2 7QP).
  Check organiser / trader pages (e.g. Invert Shows UK, local invert traders) for 2026 ticket links closer to the time.

MARCH

• Northern Invert Show – Barnsley – 29 March 2026
  Venue: typically Barnsley Metrodome, S71 1AN.
  Keep an eye on trader pages and national invert show calendars for official 2026 ticket links.

APRIL

• Midlands Entomological Fayre – Ollerton, Notts – 5 April 2026
  Long-running entomology-focused fayre with insects, preserved specimens, books and some live inverts.
• Darkside Markets Invert Show – Rugeley, Staffordshire – 12 April 2026
  Alternative-style market with inverts, oddities and related traders.
• Ant Show UK – Milton Keynes – 25 April 2026
  Ant-centric event – colonies, formicaria, talks and ant-keeping gear.
• Capital Invert Show – London – 26 April 2026
  London-area invertebrate fair. Watch national invert calendars and trader social media for tickets.

MAY

• British Tarantula Society (BTS) Exhibition – Warwickshire Event Centre, near Leamington Spa – 17 May 2026
  Official site: BTS Exhibition website
  Info hub: BTS Exhibition 2026 page
• Bournemouth Bug Show – Bournemouth – 31 May 2026
  Venue: BH Live Littledown, BH7 7DX.
  Tickets: Bournemouth Bug Show 2026 tickets

JUNE

• Northwestern Invertebrate Show – Wigan – 7 June 2026
  Invert-only show for the North West (tarantulas, inverts, supplies).
• International Herpetological Society (IHS) Breeders Meeting – Blackpool – 7 June 2026
  Venue: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queen’s Promenade, FY2 9AA.
  Official info: IHS Breeder Meetings & Shows page
• BugX Invert Show – Horsham, West Sussex – June 2026 (date TBC)
  Check organiser pages for confirmed 2026 date and tickets.

JULY

• Hampshire Invert Show – Fleet – 11 July 2026
• The Invert, Ant & Arachnid Exhibition – Stoke-on-Trent – 18 July 2026
  Venue: Bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, ST4 4EG.
  Official info: The Invert, Ant & Arachnid Exhibition (Ants on a Rock)
• Western Invert Show – Bristol – 26 July 2026
  West-country invert show; check national invert show calendars for latest ticket links.

AUGUST

• The Great Ant Exhibition – Bristol – Bristol / Keynsham – 1 August 2026
  Venue: Wellsway School Sports Centre, Keynsham, BS31 1PH.
  Official info: The Great Ant Exhibition Bristol 2026
• International Herpetological Society (IHS) Breeders Meeting – Blackpool – 9 August 2026
  Venue: Norbreck Castle Hotel, FY2 9AA.
  Details: IHS official shows page
• The Essex Arachnid & Invert Show – Brentwood – 23 August 2026
• Scottish Invert Show – Glasgow – 30 August 2026

SEPTEMBER

• Eastern Invert Show – Gillingham – 13 September 2026
• Amateur Entomologists’ Society (AES) Show – Kempton Park – 26 September 2026
  Long-running entomology show with a strong insect and invert presence.

OCTOBER

• Central Invert Show – Coventry – 4 October 2026
• Clare’s Invert Show – Surrey – 25 October 2026
• Mildenhall Halloween Invert Show – Bury St Edmunds – October / November 2026 (date TBC)

NOVEMBER

• Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Annual Insect Show – Southwell – November 2026 (date TBC)
• Southern Invert Show – Southampton – 29 November 2026
  Venue is usually Places Leisure Eastleigh (check 2026 event listing for confirmation).

DECEMBER

• Midlands Entomological Fayre – Ollerton, Notts – 6 December 2026

🧭 What to Expect at a UK Invert Show

If this is your first invert show, here’s a realistic idea of what the day actually 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 and more.
• Ant-focused stands: at ant-heavy events (like The Great Ant Exhibition) expect ant colonies, queens, formicaria, outworlds and specialist ant foods.
• Dry goods & enclosures: tubs, glass and acrylic enclosures, 3D-printed units, ventilation solutions, decorations, hides and water bowls.
• Bioactive supplies: substrates, cork, leaf litter, springtail cultures, mosses and plants suitable for invertebrate setups.
• Info stands: societies, magazines, sometimes conservation or education groups, especially at larger shows like BTS and IHS.

Practical tips from a keeper’s point of view

• Arrive early. The rare morphs and best-priced animals go first. If you’re after something specific, be there near opening time.
• Bring a species list. Decide what you’re genuinely prepared to keep – temperature, humidity, feeding, venom level – and stick to it. It’s very easy to impulse-buy.
• Bring secure, ventilated tubs. Most sellers provide suitable transport pots, but it’s wise to have your own spare deli cups or tubs in case something needs rehousing or double-tubbing.
• Cash still matters. Many traders now accept card, but cash is faster and sometimes preferred for live animals.
• Think about the journey home. Keep animals shaded from strong sun, avoid extreme cold, and don’t leave them in a hot car. A rucksack or insulated bag with the tubs inside is ideal.
• Ask questions. Good breeders are happy to talk husbandry, feeding, growth rate and adult size. Use that expertise – it’s one of the biggest benefits of going in person.
• Check show rules. Some events have specific rules on photography, handling, or which species can be sold. Always respect those and any welfare notices.

📝 Responsible buying & welfare considerations

• Research before you buy: know the adult size, enclosure requirements and lifespan of any species you’re considering.
• Avoid mixing species at home unless you fully understand the risks (predation, stress, competition).
• Quarantine new arrivals away from existing collections, especially if you keep sensitive or expensive animals.
• Follow UK law: make sure any species you purchase is legal to keep and transport, and always adhere to venue and organiser rules.

❓ 2026 UK Invert Shows – FAQ

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

It depends on the event. Larger shows (like the BTS Exhibition, The Great Ant Exhibition, Bournemouth Bug Show or IHS meetings) often have online ticket options or at least clear pricing and entry details on their websites or Facebook pages. Smaller community shows may be pay-on-the-door only. Always check the official link listed above before travelling.

Are these shows suitable for beginners?

Yes. Many shows are very beginner-friendly and you’ll find plenty of hardy starter species such as common isopods, beginner tarantulas, roaches, snails and stick insects, plus advice from stallholders. If you’re totally new, it’s a good idea to walk the hall once before buying anything so you can compare prices and talk to several breeders.

Can I bring kids?

Most UK invert shows are family-friendly and many offer discounted or even free entry for children under a certain age. That said, there can be crowds, hot rooms and sensitive animals, so keeping a close eye on younger children is essential.

What should I bring with me?

• Cash and a bank card
• Secure ventilated tubs (spares)
• A backpack or small bag to carry purchases
• A written list of species you’re interested in (and hard limits!)
• Any pre-booked ticket confirmation on your phone

Can I handle animals at these shows?

Some events have handling or education stands (especially family-oriented shows). However, most traders will not allow handling of sale animals for safety and welfare reasons. Always ask before touching any enclosure or tub – and never open containers on tables without permission.

Do these shows only sell spiders and tarantulas?

No. While many are spider-heavy (especially the BTS Exhibition and regional arachnid shows), most UK invert shows also have isopods, roaches, beetles, mantids, millipedes and more. Ant-focused events like The Great Ant Exhibition also include general invert and bioactive traders.

Will this page be updated?

Yes – this 2026 calendar is intended as a living resource. As organisers publish more details or tweak dates and venues, I’ll update the listings and links so you’ve always got a single place to check what’s on.

🔍If you spot a new 2026 invert show that isn’t listed yet, or a date/venue that’s changed, feel free to get in touch so I can keep this guide accurate for the whole community.