We are delighted to introduce our Family Tent. This is something new for 2026 and will provide a variety of activities for families to enjoy.

We have been working with a number of different groups to create a varied package of activities.

We have a packed programme in the Family Tent that will help compliment the entertainment we will be offering across the showground.

Children must be accompanied whilst they take part in the activities. The West United Agricultural & Horticultural Society and the activity providers can refuse participation should children be unaccompanied.

Below you will find the activity sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday.  There are some changes on each day so be sure to check out the times to help you plan your days at the West Show.

Although the groups will be in the tent throughout the show, they will be providing specific activities during these times.

The Nature Commission will be joining us with a variety of activities, these will include colouring and bird spotting where you can test out your binocular skills and try to find the birds hidden in our tent. You will also get the chance to become a Mini-Beast Hunter and see what creepy crawlies you can find lurking around the show ground.

10.30am – 12.15pm

To celebrate the 160th anniversary of the publication of Victor Hugo’s great novel about Guernsey, Toilers of the Sea, the Victor Hugo Centre, supported by the Social Investment Fund, commissioned our new kinetic Octopus sculpture by talented local artist James Kitts.

The Octopus is visiting for the day from Sark and is searching desperately for his name. Can you help him find it?

12.15pm – 1.00pm

Join the Guille-Allès Library team and unlock your creativity with their crafting session where you will get to make your own animal bookmark to take home with you.

1.30pm – 2.30pm

Come take a seat by our Story Telling Chair and listen to the different tales the Guille-Allès Library have selected especially for you to hear.

3.15pm – 4.00pm

Join the Guernsey Museums & Galleries and the Guernsey Language Commission as they take over our activity space.  They will have different activities for you to enjoy.

You will also have a very special retelling of the Gruffalo by Julia Childs in Guernesiais when the Guernsey Language Commission takes a seat at the special Story Telling Chair.

A variety of books in Guernesiais will be available to purchase from the Guernsey Museums & Galleries and Guernsey Language Commission stand.

4.15pm – 5.00pm

5.00pm – 7.00pm

Join us for the West Show Bean Jar Competition, this will see competitors go head to head as they hope to win our special Bean Jar Trophy and be crowned the Best Bean Jar in Show!

Immediately following the competition (approx 7.15pm) will be live music with songs and tunes from folk band Falls the Dew.  So settle down for a relaxing evening with family and friends.

A small bar will be available with a limited selection of alcoholic and soft drinks.

7.00pm – 8.30pm

Back for a second day of activities and a few changes to the timings, we have set out the activities and times to help you plan your day.

Although the groups will be in the tent throughout the show, they will be providing specific activities during these times.

Join the Guernsey Museums & Galleries and the Guernsey Language Commission as they take over our activity space.  They will have different activities for you to enjoy.

You will also have a very special retelling of the Gruffalo by Julia Childs in Guernesiais when the Guernsey Language Commission takes a seat at the special Story Telling Chair.

A variety of books in Guernesiais will be available to purchase from the Guernsey Museums & Galleries and Guernsey Language Commission stand.

10.00am – 12.00pm

To celebrate the 160th anniversary of the publication of Victor Hugo’s great novel about Guernsey, Toilers of the Sea, the Victor Hugo Centre, supported by the Social Investment Fund, commissioned our new kinetic Octopus sculpture by talented local artist James Kitts.

The Octopus is visiting for the day from Sark and is searching desperately for his name. Can you help him find it?

12.15pm – 1.00pm

Join the Guille-Allès Library team and unlock your creativity with their crafting session where you will get to make your own animal bookmark to take home with you.

1.30pm – 2.30pm

Come take a seat by our Story Telling Chair and listen to the different tales the Guille-Allès Library have selected especially for you to hear.

3.15pm – 4.00pm

The Nature Commission will be joining us with a variety of activities, these will include colouring and bird spotting where you can test out your binocular skills and try to find the birds hidden in our tent. You will also get the chance to become a Mini-Beast Hunter and see what creepy crawlies you can find lurking around the show ground.

4.15pm – 5.00pm

Come and get your groove on with the L’Assembllaie D’Guernesiais.  They will be teaching you some traditional Guernsey dancing routines and have different games for you to play to round off our Family Tent activities for 2026.

5.00pm – 6.00pm

The tent will close from 6pm on Thursday, there will continue to be entertainment in the main arena and live music will be in the Beer Tent.  Don’t forget to pick up your meat draw tickets from the Beer tent during the afternoon – you’ll need to hot foot it over to the Beer Tent to try and catch the Vraiceater’s meat draw starting at 6pm!

6.00pm

To find out more about the organisations supporting the activities within the Family Tent, please click on the links below.