The UK’s caravan and motorhome show season kicks off in January with regional events building toward the flagship February gathering at NEC Birmingham—nearly 19 acres of vehicles, accessories, and industry activity that draws over 420 exhibitors and 700 new leisure vehicles. Ireland runs its own parallel circuit from Dublin’s RDS Simmonscourt, a smaller but focused event co-located with the Holiday World Show.

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UK’s Biggest Show: NEC Birmingham, 19 acres ·
Ireland Event: All Ireland Caravan & Motorhome Show, Dublin ·
NEC Dates: 17–22 February 2026 ·
Dublin Venue: RDS

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact ticket pricing for Dublin RDS show
  • Opening times for Dublin show
  • Full exhibitor list for Dublin beyond 60 professionals
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • CGUARD discount code expires 23:59 February 16, 2026
  • October NEC show confirmed as separate large event
  • Bailey confirmed in Hall 3 Stand 3020 at NEC Feb show

Key specifications for the two main venues place NEC Birmingham as the dominant UK venue with the larger footprint, while RDS Dublin serves as Ireland’s primary exhibition space for the caravan sector.

Label Value
Top UK Venue NEC Birmingham
Ireland Venue RDS Dublin
Organizer Example holidayworldshow.com
Show Size 19 acres at NEC

Camping and Caravan Show 2026

The UK caravan calendar kicks off with the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at NEC Birmingham, running from February 17 to 22, 2026. According to Caravan Guard (industry publication covering UK leisure vehicles), this is “the UK’s biggest start-of-year event for caravanners, motorhomers and campervanners.” The show fills nearly 19 acres across five massive halls with over 420 exhibitors and around 700 new leisure vehicles available to explore.

Key Dates

  • NEC Birmingham: February 17–22, 2026 (verified by seven independent sources including exhibitors)
  • Manchester Central: January 15–18, 2026
  • SEC Glasgow: February 5–8, 2026

Locations

NEC Birmingham dominates the UK scene with its sheer scale—the February show alone occupies nearly 19 acres across five halls. Regional alternatives include Manchester Central and SEC Glasgow, both offering more intimate alternatives for those unwilling to navigate the Birmingham behemoth.

Highlights

Bailey has confirmed its presence at the February show in Hall 3, Stand 3020, displaying three new models. Multiple exhibitors including Robbie Roams and Lowdhams have confirmed attendance, lending credibility to the event’s significance as the industry’s annual kickoff.

Bottom line: For UK buyers, the NEC February show is the season opener worth planning around—but book tickets early to save £7 per person.

Caravan and Motorhome Show Dublin 2026

The All Ireland Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show takes place at RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, from January 23 to 25, 2026. The event runs alongside the Holiday World Show, giving visitors a combined ticket that covers both the caravan-focused exhibition and broader holiday planning options.

Venue Details

RDS Simmonscourt hosts the three-day event, which brings together over 60 industry professionals for what Holiday World Show (the organizer) calls “Ireland’s premier showcase for luxury caravan holiday homes, motorhomes, touring caravans, and a full range of accessories.” The venue’s Simmonscourt location provides easy access from central Dublin.

What to See

  • Luxury caravan holiday homes
  • Motorhomes and campervans
  • Touring caravans
  • Accessories and equipment
  • Co-located Holiday World Show sections

Visitor Info

Tickets for the Holiday World Show Dublin are valid for two adults and two children on any day of their choice, according to Premier Tickets (ticket retailer). This family-friendly structure makes it accessible for groups visiting the caravan exhibition alongside the broader holiday show.

Bottom line: Irish buyers get a focused, manageable show in late January—but the RDS Dublin event is substantially smaller than the Birmingham NEC showcase.

Caravan and camping show Ireland

The Irish caravan show circuit centers on Dublin’s RDS venue, with the All Ireland Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show serving as the flagship event in January. Unlike the UK, Ireland does not host an NEC Birmingham equivalent—there is no “NEC Dublin.” The query confusion around “NEC Dublin” stems from buyers searching for a large venue event, but the RDS Simmonscourt is the established venue for Ireland’s national caravan showcase.

Upcoming Events

  • All Ireland Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show: January 23–25, 2026
  • Holiday World Show (co-located): January 23–25, 2026

Local Venues

RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin Ballsbridge serves as Ireland’s primary exhibition venue for the caravan and motorhome sector. The venue also hosts other major exhibitions including the Holiday World Show, which shares dates and venue space with the All Ireland Caravan event.

Ireland Focus

The January Dublin show emphasizes the holiday aspect alongside the vehicle display, positioning itself as part of broader holiday planning rather than purely a trade or purchase event. This differentiates it from the Birmingham NEC shows, which focus more heavily on vehicle sales and industry activity.

Bottom line: Ireland’s caravan scene centers on one major January show in Dublin—not a year-round circuit. Plan accordingly if you’re traveling from Northern Ireland or cross-border.

RDS Motorhome Show

The RDS Motorhome Show falls under the broader All Ireland Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show umbrella, running January 23–25, 2026 at RDS Simmonscourt. The three-day event combines motorhome displays with touring caravan and accessory sections, creating a comprehensive snapshot of the Irish market.

Event Schedule

The event runs across three consecutive days with single-ticket admission valid for any day of attendance. The co-location with Holiday World Show means visitors can pivot between the motorhome exhibition and holiday planning booths without additional entry requirements.

Tickets

  • Holiday World Show tickets cover both events
  • Family tickets available (2 adults + 2 children)
  • Single-day or multi-day options

Exhibitors

Over 60 industry professionals participate in the Dublin show, according to Holiday World Show (the organizer). This figure positions the event as a solid showcase for the Irish market, though notably smaller than the 420+ exhibitors at NEC Birmingham’s February event.

Bottom line: Dublin’s RDS Motorhome Show is a regional highlight with strong family ticket options—but don’t mistake it for the scale of Birmingham’s NEC.

NEC Motorhome Show 2026 Dates tickets

The NEC Birmingham hosts two major caravan and motorhome events in 2026: the February Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show (February 17–22) and the October Motorhome & Caravan Show (October 13–18). Both are significant events, but they serve different purposes in the industry calendar.

Ticket Options

For the February show, early bird tickets cost £12 using code CGUARD before 23:59 on February 16, 2026. On-the-day tickets are £19 with a £1.25 transaction fee included, and parking is covered. Children 15 and under enter free with a paying adult (maximum two children per adult), though all attendees require a ticket.

The October show offers advance tickets at £14.95 before 23:59 on October 12, 2026, with on-the-day pricing at £19.95. Children under 16 enter free with a paying adult at the October event (max two per adult).

Discounts

  • February NEC: £12 with CGUARD code (expires February 16, 2026)
  • October NEC: £14.95 advance price
  • Manchester: Free tickets using code EXPRESTON
  • SEC Glasgow: SECEXPLORE discount code available

Booking Guide

Tickets are non-refundable across all NEC shows, per Caravan Guard (industry publication). For the best deal on the February NEC event, secure the CGUARD code before the deadline—saving £7 per ticket compared to walk-up pricing. The October show’s larger footprint (85,000m² compared to 19 acres in February) accommodates over 1000 new 2027 models.

Bottom line: February NEC early bird at £12 is the best value ticket in UK caravan shows—but the October event offers more floor space and newer model-year vehicles if your timing allows.

Event Timeline

Organizers schedule UK shows in two main windows: early-year events from January through February, and an October showcase at the NEC that uses a larger footprint for end-of-year releases.

Date Event Venue
January 15–18, 2026 Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Show Manchester Central
January 23–25, 2026 All Ireland Caravan Show RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin
February 5–8, 2026 Scottish Motorhome and Caravan Show SEC Glasgow
February 17–22, 2026 Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show NEC Birmingham
October 13–18, 2026 Motorhome & Caravan Show NEC Birmingham

The pattern is clear: UK shows cluster in two waves—January/February for early planning and October for model-year closeouts. Ireland’s single January show aligns with the early-season planning wave rather than October’s release cycle.

What the Industry Says

The UK’s biggest start-of-year event for caravanners, motorhomers and campervanners.

— Caravan Guard (industry publication)

Ireland’s premier showcase for luxury caravan holiday homes, motorhomes, touring caravans, and a full range of accessories.

— Holiday World Show (organizer)

Spanning nearly 19 acres across five huge halls… more than 420 exhibitors and around 700 new leisure vehicles.

— Caravan Guard (industry publication)

Spanning an incredible 85,000m² (11 Wembley football pitches).

— NEC (venue official)

The trade-off

February NEC buyers get the earliest access to new model-year vehicles—but October show visitors see the full 2027 lineup spread across 85,000m². If you’re buying now, February’s early-bird ticket at £12 is the smarter play. If you’re comparing model years, wait for October.

The catch

No dogs are allowed at NEC Birmingham shows except assistance dogs. If you’re traveling with pets, this policy is absolute across both February and October events—the venue enforces it uniformly.

Confirmed vs Rumored

Confirmed

  • NEC Birmingham February 17–22, 2026 (Caravan Guard, Lowdhams, Robbie Roams, CCM Show, YouTube preview, plus three additional sources)
  • RDS Dublin January 23–25, 2026 (Holiday World Show, Eventbrite)
  • NEC October 13–18, 2026 (NEC Official)
  • £12 early bird with CGUARD code (Caravan Guard)
  • £14.95 advance October NEC (NEC Official)
  • Bailey at Hall 3 Stand 3020 (CCM Show)

Unconfirmed

  • Dublin RDS opening times
  • Dublin ticket pricing structure
  • Full exhibitor list for Dublin beyond 60 professionals
  • Post-event attendance figures for 2026 shows

Summary

The 2026 caravan and motorhome show circuit offers UK and Ireland buyers two distinct windows: January through February for early-season planning across Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow, and Birmingham; and October for a large-scale NEC Birmingham closeout with the 2027 model lineup. The NEC February event remains the UK’s largest gathering with 19 acres, 420+ exhibitors, and £12 early bird tickets—but the October show nearly quadruples the floor space. For Irish buyers, the RDS Dublin event in late January remains the national flagship despite its smaller scale compared to Birmingham. UK buyers seeking value and early access should act on the February NEC early bird ticket at £12 before the February 16 deadline. Those comparing model years or wanting maximum floor space should target the October event at NEC Birmingham with 85,000m² and 1000+ vehicles. Irish buyers should book the January 23–25 Dublin show early given the three-day window and family ticket structure.

Related reading: Ireland Car Insurance Guide · Toyota Prado 2025 Specs

Caravan enthusiasts gearing up for Birmingham and Dublin can draw inspiration from the Caravan Messut 2025 Lahti, a key Nordic showcase of touring vehicles and accessories.

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Frequently asked questions

What should I bring to the Caravan and Camping Show?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, a notebook for pricing notes, and your driving licence if you plan to explore vehicle test drives. Tickets should be pre-booked online to avoid walk-up fees. Photography is generally welcome at exhibitor stands, though individual exhibitor policies vary.

Is the Caravan and camping show family-friendly?

Yes. Children enter free with a paying adult at both NEC events (max 2 children per adult). The Dublin Holiday World Show tickets cover 2 adults and 2 children together. Stroller access is available throughout venues, and family facilities are located throughout exhibition halls.

How long does the Motorhome Show last?

NEC Birmingham shows run for 6 days in February and 6 days in October. Dublin’s All Ireland show is a 3-day event (January 23–25). Manchester and Glasgow shows each run for 4 days. Most events open at 10am and close at 6pm daily.

Can I test drive vehicles at the show?

Test drive opportunities vary by exhibitor. Some manufacturers arrange on-site demonstrations or circuit drives, while others offer simulated cockpit experiences. Contact specific exhibitors in advance to confirm test drive availability for vehicles you’re interested in.

What exhibitors attend the Caravan Show?

Over 420 exhibitors attend the NEC Birmingham February show, including Bailey (confirmed Hall 3 Stand 3020), Robbie Roams, and Lowdhams. The Dublin show hosts over 60 industry professionals. Exhibitors range from major manufacturers to accessory suppliers and dealership networks.

Are there camping options at the event?

The shows themselves are indoor exhibitions rather than camping events. However, several venues offer on-site or nearby camping. NEC Birmingham has dedicated parking and nearby accommodation options. Check venue websites for specific camping arrangements at each location.

How to contact show organizers?

For NEC Birmingham events, visit the NEC website directly. For Dublin’s All Ireland show, contact Holiday World Show through their official website. Exhibitor contact details are typically available on each event’s official website closer to the show dates.