With just one week to go until BBC Gardeners’ World Live and Good Food Show Summer returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 18–21 June 2026, here are the top 10 standout attractions to discover across the four-day spectacular shows, including everything from garden inspiration, celebrity appearances, live demonstrations and exciting new launches.

Stroll through spectacular Show Gardens
A highlight of any trip to BBC Gardeners’ World Live is exploring the creativity displayed in the spectacular Show Gardens. This year’s headline Show Garden, The Garden of Evolution, has been designed by Birmingham University Professor, and TV Presenter, Alice Roberts and promises an inspiring journey through the story of nature and biodiversity.

Experience the all-new Smoke & Fire Festival
Brand-new for 2026, the UK’s largest BBQ and live-fire food festival, Smoke & Fire Festival, makes its debut at BBC Gardeners’ World Live and Good Food Show Summer.

A show within a show, Smoke & Fire Festival promises four-days of flavour, theatre and outdoor living inspiration, bringing together some of the most exciting names in fire-cooking, including Austin, Texas-based chef Colter Peck, Daddy Bear Grills founder Wayne Smith and former Le Manoir chef Kuba Winkowski.

The dedicated Smoke & Fire Zone spans four specialist areas, including the Smoke & Fire Show Garden: Eat, Heat, Retreat, BBQ Alley, live demo stage, the MONOLITH BBQ School and theEmber Artisan Market. Visitors can explore stylish outdoor kitchens and entertaining spaces, discover leading BBQ brands and specialist suppliers, and shop everything from grills and smokers to artisan accessories, sauces and seasonings.

Celebrity Bites – new for 2026
Making its debut at Good Food Show Summer, Celebrity Bites brings visitors up close with some of the nation’s favourite personalities in a series of entertaining foodie chat sessions.

Hosted by chef Marcus Bean and mixologist Andy Clarke, guests Joanna Page, Angellica Bell, Greg Rutherford and The Fletchers will share favourite recipes, food memories and cocktails. Plus, £1 from every seat sold will be donated to the featured personalities’ chosen charities.

Set to be a must-see new feature, Celebrity Bites blends celebrity stories with delicious inspiration.

The Good Food Podcast will also be recorded live across the weekend, with guests including EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy and Claire Richards from Steps.

Beautiful Borders and APL Avenue
BBC Gardeners’ World Live’s ever-popular Beautiful Borders returns with this year’s enchanting theme, Once Upon a Time.

Featuring more than 30 imaginative designs, visitors can explore a magical collection of small-space gardens packed with creative ideas to inspire and recreate at home. This year also sees BBC Newsround presenter and allotmenteer De-Graft Mensah collaborate with professional gardener Lucy Chamberlain on a sustainable Make a Metre Matter Beautiful Border.

Visitors can also explore APL Avenue as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, featuring three brand-new stylish outdoor spaces inspired by everything from cult French cinema to wild British landscapes.

Discover sizzling summer tips and tricks and inspiration through live entertainment
The BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre offers inspirational talks from some of the nation’s best-loved experts, including Monty Don, Adam Frost and Frances Tophill. Plus, new this year,Professor Alice Roberts joins the line-up, plus TV presenter and host, Nicki Chapman shares insights into her city garden, with brand-new sessions just announced.

The new Garden Organic Grow Your Own Stage also brings together leading horticultural experts including Jekka McVicar, Rekha Mistry, Sue Kent and Ashley Edwards sharing hands-on advice for home growers.

Meanwhile, some of the biggest names in food, including James Martin, Lisa Faulkner and Si King take to the Big Kitchen theatre, serving up seasonal recipes in live demons.

Brand-new this year, visitors can also enjoy live music across the BBC Introducing Stage, showcasing up-and-coming acts and adding to the show’s summer festival atmosphere.

Health for Life Wheelbarrow Display
Returning for 2026, the much-loved School Wheelbarrow Competition is returning to BBC Gardeners’ World Live. Over 45 Birmingham-based primary schools are set to showcase their creativity and teamwork, transforming wheelbarrows into vibrant displays of flowers and vegetables. Following this year’s ‘Make a Meal Matter’ theme, the barrows have all been designed, planted and nurtured from seed. Full of playful imagination, it is a highlight for all visitors – with each visitor encouraged to vote for their favourite in the ‘People’s Choice Award’.

Adam Frost’s Tasting Table returns
Following its successful debut, Adam Frost’s Tasting Table returns for 2026, bringing together the worlds of gardening and gastronomy in one unique experience.

At the Table, Adam will be joined by special guests including Si King, Lisa Faulkner and James Martin to celebrate the journey from garden to plate. Featuring home-grown produce from the Packington Estate in Warwickshire, the future home of BBC Gardeners’ World Live and Good Food Show from 2027, this popular feature is set to inspire visitors with home-growing, garden to fork ideas!

Plants, Plants and More Plants!
Showcasing one of the UK’s largest collections of florals bursting with colour, fragrance and inspiration, the Floral Marquee and Plant Village remain must-visit destinations for gardeners and plant lovers alike. Visitors can browse displays from specialist growers and nurseries, enjoy the return of the International Orchid Show, get bespoke tips at the Plant Experts advice desk, discover the all-new Book Shop, featuring live book signings from favourite gardening personalities.

Inside the Halls, houseplant enthusiasts can also explore the dedicated Green Room Houseplant Studio, hosted by Sarah Gerrard-Jones, for expert advice and inspiration.

Bask in Mediterranean blue-zone energy with Jet2holidays, Greek Kitchen
Brand-new for 2026, the Greek Kitchen, brought to you by Jet2holidays and the Greek National Tourism Organisation, will be a celebration of Greek cooking, featuring authentic dishes, fresh seasonal ingredients, and modern Mediterranean twists. Hosted by Chris Bavin, with Chef Asimakis Chaniotis, visitors will experience the true taste of Greece, across food, culture and hospitality.

Unbeatable shopping opportunities
What’s more, in addition to the inspiration and hands-on experiences on offer, visitors can take full advantage of the one-stop, exceptional shopping opportunities across both events.

From specialist plant nurseries and gardening products to artisan food producers and exciting new culinary discoveries, there is plenty to browse and buy throughout the show. Whether searching for unique plants, outdoor living accessories, delicious treats or kitchen inspiration, visitors are sure to find something special to take home.

For more information and to book tickets to this year’s show, visit bbcgardenersworldlive.com or goodfoodshow.com/summer