Shock over prices at 2025 Sydney Easter Show as families spend $400-500 to attend

Between the price of food, entry, rides and showbags, some families are spending $400-500 for a day at Sydney’s famous Royal Easter Show.

It’s an annual tradition for many families in NSW, but prices at this year’s Sydney Royal Easter Show have gotten some loyalists off-side.

Many were left gobsmacked at how much a day of rides, showbags and country fun costs in 2025. Showgoers shared how much they spent on individual items at the show including $22 for a cup of gnocchi, $9 for a glass of lemonade and $20 for a Bertie Beetle showbag.

“Easter show is for the elites now,” someone wrote on social media after seeing photos of some of the food stall signage.

It included a kebab for $20, an Acai bowl for $18, a cheese stick for $8, and a crookie - a cross between croissant and a cookie - for $14.

“I’m waiting for my bank loan to get approved before I go!”, one person joked, while another said, “What a rip-off.”

A woman who shared photos of what she and her family ate along with what they paid for them was inundated with similar comments, including incredulity at having paid $15 for two scones.

“The scones and cream cost no more than $1 to make. That is daylight robbery,” one person said.

The more deluxe Bertie Beetle bags cost $20 and $25 each but you can still get a basic one for $5. Picture: Instagram/BertieBeetle

A large cup of lemonade goes for $9 and a cheese stick for $8. Picture: TikTok

A one metre long stick of fruit pieces will set you back $35. Picture: TikTok

“These prices are insane and for families would be astronomical,” said another, while a third reminded everyone that the prices are comparable to many takeaway food venues across Sydney.

A Lake Macquarie mum told news.com.au she easily spent between $400 and $500 taking her family of four to the show with food being one of the biggest expenses.

“Food was pricey, it’s basically restaurant prices for food truck food these days,” she said.

“It was definitely more expensive than last year. Early bird tickets this year were the same price ($45 for adults) as normal show tickets last year, food was a bit more expensive and the showbags for the kids were $32 each, so it all adds up over the day.”

On social media, a mum with three kids said she spent $543 for her family to go, and another mum who purchased early bird after 4pm tickets spent $390 for her family of three.

Many parents whose children love the show say that the expense is justified by the fact that it is such a long and varied day for the family.

Nikki Potter complained about the lines, prices and lack of seating in the shade after going on a really hot and sunny day. Picture: TikTok/Nikkithechameleon

One person pointed out that eating out in Sydney is expensive almost everywhere now. Picture: TikTok/westsydvibes

This cup of gnocchi cost $22. Picture: TikTok/Ch10e_18

This showgoer was a fan of almost everything she ate and drank but people online were a little shocked by the prices. Picture: TikTok/Ch10e_18

Influencer Nikki Potter let her thoughts loose on social media on Monday saying, “I went to the Easter show today and it was a hellscape!”

“The crowds were insane, the queues to get anywhere or buy anything were insane,” she went on, “The showbags are out of control, most of the starting prices for the showbags were like $30, $32. Even Bertie Beetle is $20, it used to be like $5 in my day!”

Many were up in arms following her comment about the humble Bertie Beetle bags, however the $20 price tag is only attached to the Bonanza bag which includes either a soccer ball, mug set or helicopter hat along with 15 chocolates.

There’s also a vintage Bertie bag for $25, but for those just after a cheap piece of nostalgia, you can still buy a Bertie Blue showbag with five Berties and two Kitkats for $5.

Elsewhere on social media, a video of a massive line to get into the show at 11am on Sunday morning picked up close to 18,000 likes.

The line at the entrance to the show on Sunday morning. Picture: TikTok/thefoodinbox

“No cost-of-living crisis here!” was a popular comment.

“Everyone complaining about the cost of living and they’re all going to the Easter show,” said another person.

Others have told news.com.au that while they encountered lines, they were quick moving and weren’t a problem.

Turnout at the show, which opened on Friday and is set to run until Tuesday 22 April, doesn’t appear to have been impacted by the rising cost of living, with huge numbers of people still descending on the Sydney Showgrounds for Easter holiday fun.

The nostalgia associated with the show and many activities on offer continue to be big drawcards in what is now its 202nd year.

News.com.au has contacted Sydney Royal Easter Show.