Lambeth Country Show

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{Use British English|date=November 2013}}

{{Infobox recurring event

| name = Lambeth Country Show

| image = Lambeth Country Show 2015 Main Stage.jpg

| caption = Aerial view of the main stage and field 2015

| frequency = Annual

| logo =

| logo_caption =

| location = Lambeth, England

| years_active = 1974-

| founders = Lambeth Council

| dates =

| last = {{start date|2025|6|7|df=y}} – {{end date|2025|6|8|df=y}}

| next = {{start date|2026|6|6|df=y}} – {{end date|2026|6|7|df=y}}

| genre =

| attendance = 120,000

| budget =

| patron =

| website = https://www.lambethcountryshow.co.uk/

}}

The Lambeth Country Show is a free festival that takes place annually in Brockwell Park in Lambeth, South London.{{cite web|url=https://www.lambethcountryshow.co.uk/about/|title=About the show – Lambeth Country Show|work=Lambethcountryshow.co.uk}}

The show was first founded as the annual Brockwell Park Flower Show in 1967. This was organised by the Lambeth Horticultural Society (LHS) and the Lambeth Arts & Recreation Association (LARA). Lambeth Council took over the management of the event in 1974 and developed it into what is today's show.{{cite web|url=https://www.lambethhorticulturalsociety.org.uk/about-us/|title=About Us – Lambeth Horticultural Society|publisher=Lambeth Horticultural Society}}

The festival hosts animal and livestock displays (courtesy of Vauxhall City Farm), agricultural demonstrations (in the past this has included steam traction engines), craft displays (including a popular vegetable sculpture competition), live music performances (with Sunday designated for roots reggae), local community and charity groups, food and stalls, a funfair, and an educational entertainment program for children.{{cite web|title=Lambeth Council website|url=http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Country-Show/AboutTheShow/index.htm|website=Lambeth.gov.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917065541/http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/Country-Show/AboutTheShow/index.htm|archive-date=17 September 2012|url-status=dead}}

File:Soul II Soul feat MC Chickaboo, Lambeth Country Show 2010, Brockwell Park (4804391326).jpg

Acts and artists to have played the main stage at the show have included Mad Professor, Saxon Sound, Alabama 3, Soul II Soul, Horace Andy, Twinkle Brothers, General Levy, Luciano, Loose Ends, Aswad, Max Romeo, Alison Limerick, Incognito, and Johnny Clarke.{{cite web|url=https://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/lambethcs|title=Lambeth Country Show – eFestivals|website=EFestivals}}

The 2012 show was originally cancelled, and then postponed to September, to avoid clashing with the London Olympics.{{cite web|url=https://brixtonblog.com/2012/04/lambeth-country-show-confirmed-with-400k-budget/|title=Lambeth Country Show confirmed with £400k budget|date=4 April 2012|work=Brixton Blog}}

In 2018, the council courted controversy by announcing that the previously open festival would be enclosed by a perimeter fence along with full bag searches and increased security.{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/lambeth-country-show-outrage-as-trumpesque-perimeter-fence-destroys-popular-family-event-in-south-london-a3893326.html|title=Lambeth Country Show: Outrage as perimeter fence 'destroys' popular family event in south London|work=Evening Standard|location=London|date=23 July 2018}}

The show has historically been held on the third weekend in July, but since 2023 moved to the second week of June as Lambeth Council handed over management of the show to a private events company as part of the Brockwell Live series of festivals held in the park.{{cite web|url=https://www.brixtonbuzz.com/2023/01/lambeth-council-considered-ending-the-country-show-before-deciding-to-hand-the-2023-event-over-to-the-private-sector/|title=Lambeth Council considered ending the Country Show before deciding to hand the 2023 event over to the private sector|work=Brixton Buzz|date=12 January 2023}}

The show celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/lambeth-country-show-set-for-its-50th-edition-this-weekend/|title=Lambeth Country Show set for its 50th edition this weekend|date=3 June 2024|work=Lambeth.gov.uk}}