2026 state fair calendar: the fairs coming next
Fair season is not one weekend. It rolls from July into October, with different gate hours, concert rules, ride prices, and crowd patterns in every state. This calendar starts with confirmed parent fairs and links to the smaller county and 4-H fairs that happen closer to home.
Quick answer
Fair season is not one weekend. It rolls from July into October, with different gate hours, concert rules, ride prices, and crowd patterns in every state. This calendar starts with confirmed parent fairs and links to the smaller county and 4-H fairs that happen closer to home.
The next confirmed 2026 state fairs
The first useful choice is the date window, not the midway. North Dakota and California begin in mid-July; Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Alaska, New York, and Minnesota carry fair season through August and Labor Day; New Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas keep it going into fall.
These are parent-fair dates from official fair or state sources. Daily opening times, closed days, concert admission, ride wristbands, and parking can change within the run, so open the event page for the official schedule before choosing a day.
- July 17-25: North Dakota State Fair in Minot.
- July 17-August 2: California State Fair in Sacramento.
- July 29-August 9: Ohio State Fair in Columbus.
- August 6-16: Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis.
- August 7-23: Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, closed Mondays.
- August 13-23: Iowa State Fair in Des Moines and Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
- August 20-30: Kentucky State Fair in Louisville.
- August 21-September 7: Alaska State Fair in Palmer.
- August 26-September 7: The Great New York State Fair in Syracuse.
- August 27-September 7: Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights.
- August 28-September 7: Oregon State Fair in Salem.
- September 10-20: New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque.
- September 25-October 18: State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
- October 16-25: Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock.
County fairs are the closer, easier option
A state fair is the biggest anchor, but county fairs often deliver the same useful pieces with a shorter drive: 4-H and livestock shows, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, rides, food, local concerts, and kids days. Their calendars are usually published by county fair boards, extension offices, agricultural associations, or the fairgrounds itself.
Search by county as well as city. Fairgrounds often sit outside the city people use in everyday conversation, and a fair one county over may be closer than the event attached to your nearest metro.
Choose the right day inside a multi-day fair
Families usually get the easiest visit on an early weekday, a kids day, or a sensory-friendly morning. Concert and motorsports nights bring more energy and heavier traffic. Food-focused visitors should compare discount-food days, new-food lists, and whether vendors open at the same time as the gates.
A fair ticket may not include parking, rides, Grandstand concerts, or premium attractions. Compare the gate price, wristband price, special-event ticket, and re-entry rule before buying.
Parking, weather, and the last hour
Save the correct gate and parking lot before leaving. Large fairgrounds can have separate entrances for public parking, exhibitors, rideshare, shuttles, and concerts. On hot days, put livestock buildings, exhibits, and shaded stages between outdoor stretches rather than saving every indoor stop for the end.
The closing time on the website may not be the last gate admission, final ride start, or final shuttle. Check those separately, especially on the last Sunday or Labor Day.
Before you go
One last check saves the trip: open the official organizer, venue, or city page for the exact date, start time, admission, and weather or closure notes, then save the map and confirm parking. Listings move, so the official source is always the final word.
Common questions
Which state fairs are still coming in 2026?
Major upcoming fairs run from mid-July through October, including North Dakota, California, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Alaska, New York, Minnesota, Oregon, New Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas. Use the live state-fair page for the newest confirmed listings.
How do I find county fairs near me?
Search by county and neighboring counties, then check official county fair boards, 4-H or extension calendars, agricultural associations, and fairgrounds pages. The county-fair calendar keeps smaller fairs from being buried under state-fair results.
Does state fair admission include rides and concerts?
Not always. Gate admission, parking, ride wristbands, Grandstand concerts, rodeos, and premium attractions can be separate purchases. Check the official fair's pricing page before choosing a day.
