Alright, let’s hop straight in—here’s the low-down on reptile shows in the UK over the next couple of years. I’ve dug out official info, and tossed in a few cheeky cross-links to Frogfather content and trusted external sources.

Planning your next UK reptile or invertebrate show trip? This guide pulls together the key dates, venues, and event types for 2025–2026 so you can plan ahead for shopping, networking, or just a good old-fashioned herp nerd day out.

Below you’ll find a quick-reference table followed by more detail on each event, plus links to official organisers for last-minute changes.

Quick reference: UK reptile & invert events (2025–2026)

Note: Smaller local encounters, pet-shop “reptile days” and many regional invert fairs aren’t all listed here. For a more detailed breakdown of spider, isopod, mantis and invert-only days, see the dedicated page: UK Invertebrate Fairs 2025/26 – All the Dates, Times & Whereabouts.

1. IHS Reptile Shows (International Herpetological Society)

The International Herpetological Society (IHS) runs some of the most important UK reptile and amphibian breeder meetings. These are classic “table” shows: private breeders, hobbyists and a good mix of specialist traders selling everything from dry goods and equipment to live reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

IHS shows in 2026

• Dates: 7 June 2026 & 9 August 2026
• Venue: Norbreck Castle Hotel, Queen’s Promenade, Norbreck, Blackpool, FY2 9AA
• Parking: Free on-site parking for exhibitors and attendees (registration usually entered on a tablet at the entrance).
• Tickets: No pre-paid tickets – you pay on the door.

Typical entry prices (check the IHS site before you travel):

• IHS members: ~£5
• Non-members / FBH affiliates: ~£10
• Under-16s: free when accompanied by an adult

Opening times (subject to change): doors usually open around 10:15 am for IHS / FBH members and 10:45 am for non-members, with the show winding down mid-afternoon.

Because the IHS has had to adjust dates and venues in recent years, it’s always worth double-checking the latest info directly on their official site: IHS Breeders Meetings / Shows.

2. AQUAH 2025 – UK’s big public aquatics & reptiles event

AQUAH is pitched as the UK’s largest aquatics and reptiles B2C event. It’s heavy on aquariums, fish and corals, but also includes reptile and invert-friendly stands, equipment and décor – handy if you’re building bioactive vivariums or paludariums.

• Dates: 20–21 September 2025
• Venue: NAEC Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh Park, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2LZ
• Format: big public show with exhibitors, product launches, demos and talks.

Full details and tickets: AQUAH official site.

3. British Tarantula Society Exhibition (BTS)

The BTS Exhibition is not a reptile show – it’s a pure invertebrate event – but it’s so important for tarantula and invert keepers that it earns a place in any serious UK “show calendar”. Expect tarantulas, scorpions, isopods, millipedes, roaches, books, art and every invert-adjacent accessory you can imagine.

BTS Exhibition 2025

• Date: Sunday 18 May 2025
• Venue: Warwickshire Event Centre, CV31 1FE
• Opening times: typically 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Typical entry: around £6 adults, £4 children (with BTS member discounts)

BTS Exhibition 2026

• Date: Sunday 17 May 2026
• Venue: Warwickshire Event Centre, CV31 1FE
• Details & tickets: via the official BTS Exhibition site: BTS Exhibition – official site

Important: BTS is invert-only. Reptiles and other vertebrates are not sold and can’t be traded there – which makes it perfect if you’re mainly into spiders, isopods and other creepy-crawlies.

4. BHS & ARC events – conferences and venom-focused days

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation & BHS Joint Scientific Meeting 2025

• Date: 29 November 2025
• Venue: Bournemouth Natural Science Society
• Style: one-day scientific meeting with talks and presentations – more academic than a trading “show”, but very valuable if you’re into conservation and research.

Venom Day 2025

• Date: 6 December 2025
• Venue: Bangor University
• Focus: venomous reptiles, amphibians and related research – lecture-style talks rather than stalls of animals.

2026 AHH / BHS Drayton Manor Conference

• Dates: 21–22 March 2026
• Venue: Drayton Manor Park Hotel
• Format: two-day conference with talks, workshops, socials and networking for serious herp keepers, vets and researchers.

All of these are listed on the British Herpetological Society’s events page, which is worth bookmarking: BHS upcoming events.

5. Invert Shows calendar (Southern Invertebrate Show & more)

Invert Shows UK runs a nationwide circuit of invertebrate events: tarantulas, isopods, mantids, beetles and more. If you keep bioactive vivariums, they’re some of the best days out for stocking up on microfauna, décor and feeders.

Southern Invertebrate Show 2025 (Eastleigh)

• Date: Sunday 30 November 2025
• Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Venue: Place’s Leisure Eastleigh, SO50 9NL
• Tickets: via TicketTailor: Southern Invertebrate Show 2025 – tickets

This is a brilliant one if you’re travelling from the South Coast or want a big invert-only day that’s still very bioactive-friendly.

Other Invert Shows & fairs

Through 2025 there are multiple regional Invert Shows and similar events (SEAS, South West Invert Show, Northern, Western, Eastern and Central Invert Shows, AES at Kempton, and more). Rather than duplicate every spider and invert fair here, I’ve put them into a dedicated guide:

• UK Invertebrate Fairs 2025/26 – All the Dates, Times & Whereabouts
• For the latest ticket links from the organisers themselves: Invert Shows – TicketTailor event list

6. Trade & industry events (for shops, breeders & brands)

PATS 2026 – Pet & Aquatics Trade Show

• Dates: 27–29 September 2026
• Venue: NEC Birmingham
• Focus: pet & aquatics trade – covering reptiles, invertebrates and exotics alongside more mainstream pets. Ideal if you’re a retailer or brand looking to network and source stock.

Details and registration: PATS official site.

7. Planning your show season (and a quick Frogfather plug)

Whichever events you choose, a few tips:

• Always check the organiser’s website or social media a few days before travelling – dates, venues and rules can change at short notice.
• Bring cash – especially for livestock. Many reptile and invert traders still prefer cash for animals even if they take card for dry goods.
• Think biosecurity – quarantine any new animals and plants, and don’t share tubs or bags between vivariums.

If you’re into dart frogs, bioactive builds, isopods and tropical plants, you’ll find plenty of inspiration at these events – and if you need ready-made enclosures, the Frogfather shop is always open for UK-based vivariums, microfauna and accessories.

If you spot a new reptile or invert show that isn’t listed here yet, feel free to drop Frogfather a message so this page can stay up to date.

UK Reptile & Invertebrate Shows – Frequently Asked Questions

Are live reptiles and amphibians sold at UK reptile shows?

Yes. Most large reptile shows (such as IHS Breeders Meetings) allow the sale of captive-bred reptiles and amphibians. Invertebrate-only shows like BTS and many Invert Shows events do not sell reptiles.

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

Absolutely. Invert Shows, BTS, AES and many regional events specialise in tarantulas, isopods, mantids, beetles and other invertebrates. These are excellent events for bioactive keepers.

Do UK reptile shows require tickets in advance?

Some do, some don’t. Invert Shows and AQUAH usually sell tickets online in advance. IHS reptile shows generally take payment on the door. Always check the organiser’s website before travelling.

What should I bring to a reptile or invert show?

Bring cash for buying animals, reusable tubs for transport, a shopping bag, and any measurements/photos if you’re planning to buy an enclosure or décor. A small cool bag helps maintain stable temperatures during travel.

Are children allowed at reptile and invert shows?

Yes. Most UK shows are family-friendly, and many offer reduced or free entry for under-16s when accompanied by an adult.

Can I sell animals at a UK reptile show?

Only if you are a registered exhibitor or trader with the event organiser. General visitors are not permitted to bring animals to sell or trade.

Do these shows allow photography?

Most do, but photography of animals or vendors should be respectful. Some exhibitors request no flash or no photography at all—always ask if unsure.

Are dogs allowed at reptile or invert shows?

Usually not. Service dogs are typically allowed, but most exhibition halls do not permit pet dogs due to safety and hygiene rules.

When are the biggest reptile & invert shows in the UK?

The largest events each year include the IHS Breeders Meetings, the British Tarantula Society Exhibition (BTS), AQUAH, and the major Invert Shows events such as the Southern Invertebrate Show.

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

Always check the organiser’s official website or TicketTailor listing before travelling. Dates and venues can change at short notice.