NC State Fair 2026 Guide: Tickets, Parking, Food & Tips

There is no bigger celebration of local North Carolinian community than the NC State Fair – the largest annual event in North Carolina! Every year in October, as the temperatures are cooling (but still hot days linger) and the leaves change, the smell of cotton candy and the sounds of laughter and cheer fill the air over 11 cheer-filled days.

The NC State Fair is a huge event, which first began as a celebration of harvest, and has since become a staple part of Raleigh’s identity. It’s the place where you can indulge in thrilling fairground rides and carnival games, stuff your face with food truck food, pet farm animals, and see prize-winning pumpkins, as well as other free entertainment.

If you’re thinking of attending the NC State Fair this year, then this guide is for you – this is everything you need to know about the fair from what’s on, what to expect, and our personal tips for visiting based on our experience over the years!

When and where is the N.C. State Fair 2026?

In 2026, the State Fair is being held from October 15-25. The gate hours change each day that the fair is going on and can sometimes open at around 9am and close around 11:30pm. The opening hours for 2026 are as follows:

• Thursday 15th October: noon – 11:00pm
• Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October: 9:00am – 11:30pm
• Sunday 18th October – Thursday 22nd October: 9:00am – 11:00pm
• Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th October: 9:00am – 11:30pm
• Sunday 25th October: 9:00am – 11:00pm

The North Carolina State Fairgrounds are located in West Raleigh at the corner of Hillsborough Street and Blue Ridge Road. It is conveniently located to I-40, I-440, and I-540. Besides the NC State Fair, the fairgrounds host more than 600 events per year in the 400,000 square feet of building space on 344 acres. The grounds also offer 350 full-service RV access sites, and amenities include free parking.

NC State Fair Tickets

Let’s help you hopefully save a little bit of money and stress on getting your NC State Fair tickets. Discounted advance ticket sales are online before opening day from August 15 – October 15.

If you purchase advance tickets online or walk up Oct 1 – Oct 15, you will be paying $10 per adult and $5 per child and seniors. If you buy on the gate, this price increases to $13 for adults and $7 for children. Children aged 5 and under enter for free. Here are all the options:

• You can purchase discounted tickets online. Note that Cash, Visa, MasterCard and American Express will be accepted at all gate locations for ticket purchases.
• In person discount advance tickets can be purchased from Oct 1 – Oct 15 at the State Fairgrounds at Gate 9, the Dorton kiosk, and the State Farmers Market,
• Gate Admission tickets are just that. They do not include carnival rides such as the State Fair Flyer or the State Fair America 250 Wheel. They are all extra fares (learn more about discount ticket days in the tips for the NC State Fair section down below).
• Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen, and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay only $8 daily at the gate. ID required.
• The Fair releases a few ticket packages in advance of the Fair opening. Currently available is the
  • Dizzy Pass, which includes +1 Gate Admission Ticket +1 Unlimited Ride Wristband. ($38)
  • The State Fair Flyer, includes 1 Gate Admission Ticket +1 Round trip State Fair Flyer ticket ($17)
  • Bright Lights and Buckles (admission plus a rodeo ticket, $18
  • Sippin’ Spirits (admission plus a Still House cocktail, $23
  • America 250 Wheel includes 1 Gate Admission Ticket +1 Round trip State Fair America 250 Wheel -Flash Sale only on Oct 16
• Group Ticket Discount – If you have a large group of 40 people or more you can take advantage of the Group Discount Ticket, which saves $2 per ticket. Learn more about group tickets.
• If you buy a ticket on the day at the kiosk, there will be a $.10 ticketing fee.
• All ticket prices include sales tax.

How much does the NC State Fair cost for a family of 4?

Below is an example of what a day at the 2026 fair will cost 2 adults and 2 kids aged 6 to 12, buying everything in advance before October 15.

Item	Advance price (by Oct 15)	Family of 4
Gate admission	$10 adults, $5 kids	$30
Unlimited ride wristbands	$30 each	$120
State Fair Flyer round-trip	$10 each	$40
America 250 Wheel	$6 each	$24
Parking in official lots	Free	$0
Before food		$214

Now add food. Craig and I only went into the fair for a few hours last year. We ate lunch before we went and then just spent money on food for dinner. It was $20 for Craig, $12 for me and then $6 on ice cream. And $6 each for coffee. $50 for food. We do not indulge in the fair food, if that is your style, your food will cost a lot more! Fair food adds up fast, so set a number before you walk in.

Wait until you’re at the gate and admission alone jumps from $30 to $40 ($13 adults, $7 kids) Wristbands go from $30 to $40 each , adding another $40 across the family. Buying ahead is the easiest $50 you’ll save all day.

Is the wristband worth it? Most rides take 5 to 6 tickets. In advance, $30 buys you 54 tickets, which is about 9 or 10 rides. So if your kid will do 10 rides or more, get the wristband. If they’ll do 4 and want to spend the rest of the day at the pig races and the giant pumpkins, buy a ticket card instead.

The cheap version. Skip the rides and the Flyer, pack snacks and water bottles (both allowed), and park free. That’s $30 for the whole family before food. The free stuff is where we spent most of our time anyway: the Homegrown music stages, the livestock at the Ark, the Flower & Garden Show and the fireworks.

Getting to the NC State Fair by Train

A special, temporary Amtrak train station is also in operation during the Fair dates. The train stop is located outside Gate 2, just steps away from the fun. The special train stop is wheelchair accessible. Inbound trains will be 80 or 72 with outbound on 77 or 79. This allows you to customize your arrival and departure times to maximize your fun. Use Station Code NSF and get your trip booked: www.ncbytrain.org.

GoRaleigh Shuttles

Ride the GoRaleigh shuttle bus and you can avoid the parking hassle. They will carry passengers to the state fairgrounds from Dix Park Sunflower Field – Lot A on Hunt Drive 8:30 a.m. – Fair Closing | Non-Stop Express Shuttle – Every 30 Minutes. Round trip fare is $5 (one-way is $4). Seniors 65 & older and passengers with disabilities are half fare at $2.50 (one-way is $$2). 

Payment can be paid through cash or by using the UMO app. Children under 40” tall ride free. The GoPass is not valid on State Fair routes.

Parking at the NC State Fair

Dogwood Lot

• FREE off-site parking is available at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek. With quick access to I-40 via Wade Avenue, this is the easiest lot to access as you make your way to the Fair!
• FREE shuttles – drop you off just across from Gate 8 on Trinity Road on the Carter Finley Stadium side of the road. Pick up will occur at the same location. Shuttles will run continuously.
• Amenities on site will include a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines.
• Address: 4501 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Cardinal Lot

• FREE off-site parking off Hwy 54/Chapel Hill Road just past I-40 Exit 290 on your way to the fairgrounds.
• FREE shuttles – drop you off just across from our new Gate 7 off Youth Center Dr. Pick up will occur at the same location. Shuttles will run continuously.
• Amenities on site will include a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines.
• Address: 5766 Chapel Hill Road Road, Raleigh, NC 27607

Carter-Finley Football Stadium, Lenovo Centre & State Fair Property

• Free parking is available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Football Stadium and Lenovo Center properties.
• Fairgoers are encouraged to take Wade Avenue to the Edwards Mill Extension to park in these lots. There may be exceptions if events are scheduled at Carter-Finley or Lenovo Center.
• There is now an underground tunnel connecting you from Carter Finley to the fairgrounds, saving a lot of hassle and stress crossing that road and dealing with the insane traffic.
• NOTE: Recreational vehicles are not allowed to remain in the parking spaces managed by the State Fair between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.

Neighboring Private Lots

During the Fair, neighboring residents frequently convert parts of their property to small parking lots for a varying fee. Keep in mind that this is not controlled by the NC State Fair. Use your own discretio

A brief history of the NC State Fair

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture has been running the fair every year since 1853. And every year brings something new, whether it’s a new ride, a dish, or different vendors – no two years are the same, and so it’s well worth visiting every year. Held in Raleigh every October at the NC State Fairgrounds, about a 15-minute drive west of downtown Raleigh, the State Fair draws in over a million visitors each year.

It began as a humble agricultural show as a way to celebrate another year of harvest and was the brainchild of the ambitious North Carolina State Agricultural Society. Its mission was to celebrate the state’s farmers, foster innovation in agriculture, and bring the community together under one festive roof — or rather, one open sky.

Those early fairs were modest and would have had livestock competitions, crop displays, and a scattering of homemade goods, but as the state grew, the fair did too, and each year it grew in size (only interrupted by the Civil War and World War II), but has always kept its roots as an agricultural show.

The North Carolina State Fair’s mission is to showcase and promote the state’s agriculture, agribusiness, arts, crafts and culture. It’s an opportunity for the state’s ever-increasing urban population to learn about agriculture through educational and competitive exhibits in the areas of livestock, horticulture, cooking, folk art and much more. More than $700,000 in prize money is awarded each year.

You will still see farm animals, prized vegetable growing competitions, and fresh local produce for sale. For many, the NC State Fair is the start of their Fall festivities and fun.

Watch our NC State Fair video below:

Directions to the NC State Fair

The physical address of the NC State Fairgrounds is 4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607. Easily accessible from the I-440 Beltline, I-40, as well as from Blue Ridge Road, Hillsborough Street) and Edwards Mill Road.

From Greensboro, Durham, Chapel Hill, or RDU Airport:

• I-40 East into Raleigh
• Exit Wade Avenue, Exit #289
• Exit Edwards Mill Road
• Follow signs to State Fair parking

From Fayetteville, Lumberton, South Carolina:

• I-95 North to I-40 West
• Exit Wade Avenue, Exit #289
• Exit Edwards Mill Road
• Follow signs to State Fair parking

From Wilmington, Jacksonville

• I-40 West to Raleigh
• Exit Wade Avenue, Exit #289
• Exit Edwards Mill Road
• Follow signs to State Fair parking

From Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury

• I-85 North to I-40 East to Raleigh
• Exit Wade Avenue, Exit #289
• Exit Edwards Mill Road
• Follow signs to State Fair parking

Tips for visiting the NC State Fair (save money & time)

1. NC State Fair Ride Wristbands

If you plan to go on a lot of rides at the fair, your best value will be to purchase a wristband for unlimited rides. You can do it online, or once you arrive at the fair. It costs $30 (pre-sale) or $40 at the kiosk at the Fair for unlimited rides.

NOTE: Unlimited Ride Wristbands do NOT include the gate admission to the Fair and are not valid at either of the Flyer or America 250 Wheel. Keep that in mind. Each wristband will be valid for one day only. Advance sale wristband vouchers will be redeemed at the Ride Ticket Plazas. Once the Fair begins, wristbands will be available both online and at carnival ticket booths.

Rider must be present at redemption for wristband to be applied. Ride Ticket Plazas are located near Gates 7, 8 and 9 or front of Dorton Arena.

Ride Ticket Cards for the NC State Fair

Ride ticket credits will be placed on a chipped card, which will be presented at each ride and automatically debited the ticket count for that ride. And ride ticket credits will now carry over year-to-year.

• Advance Sale: July 1-October 15. $10 for 18 ride tickets. Most rides require 5-6 tickets each.
• At the Fair or Online: October 15- 25. $1 per ticket at Ride Ticket Plazas, or $18 for 18 tickets online.

Once the Fair begins, ride ticket cards will be available both online, with in-person redemption, and at Ride Ticket Plazas (gate admission not included).

So, you can see you’ll only get around 3 rides for that price. An unlimited ride pass will be around the same price as 7-8 rides. See all tickets here. The NC State Fair can get expensive, especially if you have a large family, and if you are traveling from out of town and need accommodation in Raleigh. And here are recommended hotels near the NC State Fairgrounds

NC State Fair 2026 Discount Days

College Day

College Day (previously Wolfpack Dat) is when students can gain $8 admission tickets with their school identification or recent report card. These tickets are not available online! This year, Wolf Pack Day for NC State students is on Thursday October 15, 2026.

Senior Citizens Day

Senior Citizens Day is when attendees aged 65+ get free admission to the fair. Starting at 9am, the Fair also serves Bojangles biscuits and coffee on the Dorton Patio near the Waterfall at the Senior Fun Fest. A program with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music will kick off at 10 a.m.! For 2026, Senior Citizens Day will be on Tuesday, October 20.

Military Appreciation Day

The fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. Military for their service to the country on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. See a parade through the grounds at 10am starting in the carnival midway, the parade will make its way through Kiddieland, past the Scott Building and back through the carnival midway. See all special event days here.

Sensory Day (accessABILITY Day) presented by Bandwidth

Running from 9am – 1pm. on Sunday, Oct. 18, visitors can expect the following on Sensory Day (previously accessABILITY Day):

• Rides and games will open at 9 a.m. and will operate with no lights or music playing.
• Vendors will operate with no lights or music at their booths.
• Music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification.
• The public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements.

Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day

Each year, the fair designates one day as a food drive day. On Thursday 22nd October, bring six food items and get admission for free! This is a wonderful way to give back to your community and support your local food banks, whilst also gaining free admission. But, be warned, this will be the busiest day! So far fairgoers have donated over 5.8 million pounds of food to the food bank of central & eastern North Carolina. Note: the following items are in the highest demand, so if you’re not sure what to bring, be sure to bring:

• Peanut butter
• Jams
• Chicken, tuna or salmon in cans
• Ravioli and other ready to heat meals
• Crackers in sealed boxes
• Dried or canned fruit
• Granola or protein bars

Best Time to go to the NC State Fair

We visited for an early opening at 10am – before they opened the rides. This gave us a chance to walk around, have some biscuits for breakfast, get our bearings, and be ready to ride. We had barely any lines for rides until the crowds poured in around midday. We got most of our rides out of our system by then. We will do anything to avoid crowds. That gave us the remainder of our time to wander around the fairgrounds and experience the other attractions at the fair.

Last year, we did visit in the afternoon on a Friday and was surprised that crowds weren’t that bad. It was wonderful to experience the Fair during the evening hours with all the flashing neon lights of the rides and games, the cozy firepit at the Heritage Circle, and the fireworks!

Free Lunch at the NC State Fair (weekdays)

Did you know on Mondays to Fridays, you can come into the fair during the hours of 11:30am to 1:30pm for FREE? The Weekday Lunch Pass Program is a clever way to get free admission to the NC State Fair. But it comes with a couple of conditions.

• You have to pay $20 cash for your two-hour free admission (it was $10 in previous years). If you leave by 1:30pm you get your money back.
• They’re only available entering through Gate 9 off Trinity Road or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street
• Lunch passes are available on weekdays.

But if you just want a brief experience of the fair – enough to chow down on some deep-fried BBQ, look at a few exhibitions, and maybe see a few strums of the guitar, this is the perfect way to avoid entry fee. Come in every day and see something different each time!

Bring your own water bottle

We do not encourage purchasing single-use plastic water bottles. It is bad for Mother Earth AND your wallet! Typically, the State Fair experiences the hot and humid weather of summer. It’s important you stay hydrated! You can bring in your own water bottle. There are two filling stations across from Casey’s Clubhouse and in the grassy area, under the trees, between Kiddieland and the Scott Building.

Plan your day in advance

As there are so many things to do at the North Carolina State Fair, including shows, exhibitions, rides, and live music, you will want to carefully plan your day before you arrive. Check out the daily Fair schedule to see what you are most interested in doing. Plan the non-scheduled events around them.

Be mindful that the further into the day it gets, the longer those ride times will be. That’s why it’s good for you to arrive early, get the rides out of the way with the small lines, and then you can enjoy all the other fun things the fair has to offer.

Top things to do at the N.C. State Fair

Your list of top things to do at the N.C. State Fair may be very different to ours. Your careful planning combined with our tips will help you figure that out. You can save a bit of money by skipping some of the rides, not overindulging on food, and taking advantage of the endless family activities and events inside the fair that are free to attend.

The NC State Fair has many free events and activities such as wild west shows, mobile dairy farms, fire safety shows, Cassey’s Clubhouse in Kiddieland, bird shows, roaming characters and street performers! Be sure to plan your days schedule ahead of time so you don’t miss any of the activities below.

Onn my list this year is the Cowboy Andy’s Wild West Show’s rapid fire wild west extravaganza including world-class trick roping, whip crackin, gun spinning, knife throwing, sharpshooting and K-9 performance. Here are what we found to be some of the top things to do at the State Fair.

This year, the new Midway Event Center officially opens to host the opening ceremony for the 2026 N.C. State Fair at noon on Oct. 16.

1. Enjoy the Rides and Games at Carnival Midway

Most visitors love the endless ride options from wild mouses and upside-down coasters and stomach turners, to haunted houses, high-flying swings, and spinning vomit inducing rides. Our girls loved the Genesis and the Mighty Mouse Coaster, but the Wacky Worm was their favorite ride of all.

Coaster lovers will want to ride the Super Cyclone, Alien Abduction Ring of Fire, and Freebird, and the Mega Drop will give you thrills and views of the park.

The rides tend to be similar each year, though they do open new ones each year. The Itsy-Bitsy Spider Wheel and the Sky Hawk were new in 2021, and each year we discover new ones added. The Air Raid always had a lengthy line but was way too spinny for us so we tend to skip it!

There’s an entire ride zone designated for little kids. Some of the other rides we’ve liked over the years are:

• Venetian Carousel (32″ tall to ride with an adult, 42″ alone) – Two-tiered and an elegantly beautiful carousel.
• Tesla AC (52″ tall to ride) – High voltage thrills with six brightly lit lightning bolts hovering above two-person cars that attach to spinning and dipping arms.
• Wipeout – Surf-themed ride. Riders face outward around the center orb as the ride churns in different directions, rocking and rolling like ocean waves.
• Techno Jump (must be 48″ to ride alone) – Spin in a circle while the arms of the ride rise and fall in different rhythmic sequences – up and down on alternating arms, up and down for all arms, a wave like upward and downward motion where one car follows the lead of the other ones or something different all together.

2026 New Rides: Twin Twister and a Vegas-themed spinning thrill ride called Casino and largest Ferris wheel to ever visit the N.C. State Fair – The America 250 Wheel! See below 👇

2. Ride the State Fair Flyer

Remember, your unlimited ride wristband won’t cover the State Fair Flyer – this experience comes at an extra cost. The Flyer is $7 one-way or $10 round-trip I highly recommend doing it though. It was my favorite thing to do at the State Fair. I loved riding the slow-moving chair lift for the birds-eye view of the rides spinning, people wandering around, and the omnipresent sounds of people enjoying themselves.

A one-way ticket should suffice for the 10-minute ride. The chairlift moves 1.400 feet across the midway and goes as high as 45 ft in the air.

3. Ride the America 250 Wheel (previously SkyGazer)

The 2026 fair has the America 250 Wheel, billed as the largest portable observation wheel in the world, at 230 feet, 75 feet taller than the Skygazer. It sits on the south side of Dorton Arena and costs $6 in advance or $7 at the fair. This is the biggest new thing at the 2026 fair,t has amazing views over Raleigh. See if you can time it like we did for sunset!

4. Indulge in food at the NC State Fair

If you like greasy Southern food and have a spare notch on your belt buckle, you will love overindulging on food at the State Fair. It wasn’t such a huge highlight for us – I have gluten intolerance and we like eating healthy. Craig and I will never forget our first state fair experience in 2004 and discovering giant turkey legs. We found it hilarious that people walk around eating them. It was a cultural experience, one that we’re still yet to try ourselves even though we love Turkey. Maybe this year!

In my previous teaching career, I remember each year during State Fair time my students avidly recalling their experiences indulging in the State Fair food. Their stories were culturally entertaining to me. It’s how I first learned of funnel cakes and chimney cakes. Other fair favorites are funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, cotton candy, and cheesy fries and tater tots (now that one I’ll do!). Below are a few classics we recommend:

• Howling Cow Ice Cream: a local ice cream from NC State. This local institution from the NC State University’s dairy farm has been serving creamy ice cream since the 40s and at the state fair since the 70s. (See our post on Historic Yates Mill County Park to learn where you can indulge in Howling Cow Ice cream on a regular day in Raleigh!)
• Buttery Biscuits: Craig enjoyed his melt-in-the-mouth ham breakfast biscuit from the First United Methodist Church of Cary, an NC State Fair staple since 1916.

• Peachey’s donuts: High on the list of food to try at the state Fair is the iconic Peachey’s donuts, a mobile bakery that also serves pretzels. Lines will be long. Last year they were insane with people waiting over an hour! I’m glad I’m gluten free so not tempted
• Neomonde has healthy food with kabobs, pita, and a delicious lamb nachos. They also have gluten free, pumpkin spice cupcakes BUT they were all out when we visited. Boo Hoo!
• Narrative Coffee crafts a pretty good cup, but boy was it expensive!
• We get a media sneak preview every year of the new foods. This year it will be Oct 12, so stay connected so you don’t miss our content. Instagram or Facebook. Best is to subscribe to our email newsletter – that way algorithms won’t get in the way of the updates, and it will get delivered straight to your inbox. 👇

New food for 2026 at the State fair

Here is a list of the new State fair foods for 2026. There are 84 new foods at the fair this year, and Biscoff is everywhere. It’s on a Korean corn dog, a donut, a coffee float and two banana puddings. Pickles show up in a cheesecake, Hawaiian rolls get deep fried with s’mores and bacon, and the international lineup includes birria egg rolls, Haitian plantain boats, Hungarian fry bread and a Dubai burger with lamb shawarma.

A few we have our eye on: the Dubai Burger (Urban Olive Mediterranean), Pickle Cheesecake (Davis Concessions/Mr. Pickle), NC Poke Bowl made with North Carolina seafood (Waypoint Oyster Bar) and the Carolina Yam N Ham Biscuit (Granny’s Country Kitchen).

We will be attending a media preview on Oct 12 where we get to sample and judge the food. We’ll let you know our favorites. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Last year’s winners …

🥇 Savory Winner: Deep Fried Lamb Chop by Lawrence & Perry Barbecue — also Craig’s fave!
🥇 Sweet Winner: Cinna Mozza by Golden K Dog (we somehow missed this one 🤦‍♀️)

5. Grab a local brew at the NC Public House

Head to the NC Public House in the Dorton Arena for a pint of a local brew. There are dozens of breweries, wineries, cideries and craft soda makers from across North Carolina with a range of styles of their drinks. Beer+Wine tickets are $10 each, and tickets for craft sodas may be purchased on-site for $5 each. There is a limit of one Beer+Wine ticket per person (= 2 servings), per visit to the NC Public House.

Consider a Kegs & Corks package ticket. For $17 you get 1 FastTrack Gate Admission Ticket plus 1 NC Public House Beer+Wine ticket providing your choice of two 8oz. beer samples or two 3oz. There’ll be an exciting array of beers from NC craft breweries, and several brewing education opportunities including ask the brewer!

The NC Public House is open every day from noon until 10pm. On Sat, Oct 24 (6pm – 8pm) there’ll be a special N.C. Public House for N.C. Beer Night at the Fair! Along with pouring an exciting array of beers from N.C. craft breweries, there will be several brewing education opportunities for guests. Players from the Carolina Courage and their mascot Roary will also be there to sign autographs and help judge the annual steinholding contest.

6. Visit the NC State Fair at Night

Last year was the first time we visited the fair at nighttime and we loved it. It gave a different perspective to the experience, and we loved experiencing the flashing neon lights of the rides and games and seeing the fairgrounds lit up from the Skygazer (this year America 250 Wheel) and State Fair Flyer. We enjoyed sitting by the fire in the Village of Yesteryear while we waited for the fireworks to start.

We may have just gotten lucky, but it was pretty quiet at night on the day we left. Ride and food lines were fairly short, and we did not feel like our personal space was encroached upon! We recommend going in the afternoon, so you experience daylight hours as well.

7. Visit The Got to Be NC Agriculture Pavilion

For those wanting to learn more about North Carolina’s agricultural community, The Got to Be NC Pavilion is where you want to head. From local products to farmer spotlights, cooking demonstrations to pop-up competitions you can learn how important NC agriculture is to your everyday life. It will inspire you to support local!

There are stands filled with NC state produce for you to taste and take home with you! Look out for the NC State Fair Home Chef Cooking competition held in this pavilion (aka Dorton Arena) throughout the 11-day fair. This year’s competitions, featuring food categories such as the ‘EGG-stravagant Quiche challenge’ and “Not Your Classic BLT Sandwich.’”

These special cooking challenges are open only to home chefs who are residents of North Carolina, not professional chefs. Craig was a judge for one of the competitions last year and had a blast, although he had to loosen his belt quite a bit!

This year, after a 27-year break, country ham competitions will return to the State Fair, sponsored by the N.C. Farm Bureau!

8. Free live music at Homegrown Music Fest

The N.C. State Fair was the first state fair in the country to highlight local musical acts (began in 2015). The Homegrown Music Festival features more than 100 daily concerts and acoustic sets of local artists. All performances will take place at the Waterfall Stage. We ate lunch while listening to local talent at the Waterfall Stage. This year I’ll devote more time to listening to music. See the full schedule here. You’ll also find more homegrown artists at the Heritage Circle stage (see below)

9. Relax at the Flower and Garden Show

The Flower & Garden Show area is a true oasis for a long and muggy day. Follow the shady winding pathway through beautiful gardens and artistic plant displays. Demonstrations are held throughout the fair to help you learn how to grow plants. Climb on the giant Adirondack chair, or pose with our signature mum tree for a classic photo op. There are exotic birds in this area and on weekend nights you can check out the skills of a fire dancer.

The Flower Show is located near the Village of Yesteryear and Heritage Circle. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., except Oct. 16 when the exhibit will open at 12 p.m. This year, the Flower Show moves into its newly rebuilt log-covered building and the remodeled Holshouser Building opens.

10. Antique Farm Machinery Exhibit

Located near the Village of Yesteryear, The Antique Farm Machinery exhibit displays a collection of vintage farm tools ranging from traditional spinning wheels to aged hand reapers. Plus, an old milk bottle display and more than a dozen Allis-Chalmers, Farmall, John Deere and Silver King tractors from the 1930s through the 1950s. Open daily from 9am – 9:45pm, except on Thursday 16th October when it will open at 12pm.

11. See Giant Pumpkins and Animals at The Expo Center

One of the highlights each year is to see the incredible produce on display. Check out all the various fruit and vegetable entries, including the largest pumpkin and the largest watermelon in the Expo Center – all hoping to win the “biggest” prize. There is a photo op site near these giants. One of the most interesting categories is for unusual, shaped vegetables.

12. Watch a livestock show at State Fair Ark

It’s not just the vegetables competing, but animals as well. Goats, calves, and other livestock strut around the arena. You can even milk a cow at the N.C. State University Animal Science Club’s Milking Booth. It wouldn’t be a North Carolina fair without pigs to ogle at, and the baby chickens are always a crowd pleaser!

You’ll find a buzzing atmosphere at the Bee and Honey competition area. Beekeepers are on hand to talk about beekeeping and the critical role bees play in producing our food. See the livestock show schedule here.

Milking Demonstrations are held between the Graham Building and Expo Center. North Carolina’s diverse production of livestock is featured at the State Fair Ark, with more than 60 animals on display. The Ark’s Avenue of Champions will feature grand and reserve champions from the junior market steer, lamb, goat, turkey and barrow shows.

13. Grow in the Field of Dreams

Children will love spending time at the fair’s miniature farm, Field of Dreams. It’s an interactive experience helping them understand where their food comes from as they wander through all the steps involved in growing and marketing crops. This exhibit includes a coloring contest, mini John Deere tractor rides, rabbits, a turkey and a bonus photo area where families can take a snapshot from their day on the “farm.”

14. Step Back in Time at the Heritage Circle

Right near the Flower & Garden Show area is the Heritage Circle, a lovely area to have a more chilled State Fair Experience. It’s on the edge of the pond with picturesque scenery, old buildings like a schoolhouse and the Old Grist Mill. Volunteers are on hand to explain how the engine works and helps transform timber into boards.

Near here is also the Village of Yesteryear, which is a popular thing to do for fair attendees. We did not experience it. But inside the Holshouser Building are more than 75 artists and crafters such as blacksmiths and wood makers displaying their skills and selling their homemade crafts.

A popular experience in the Heritage Circle is drinking apple cider and eating hush puppies from the Grist Mill (while touring it). My favorite experience is listening to live music on the Bluegrass stage. I like the artists here – its chilled and definitely homegrown. For a unique fair experience, attend the church services on Sunday, 8:30 and 11 a.m. at the Church in Heritage Circle.

We did not stay at the State Fair until late in the evening, but the Tobacco Pavilion has a fire and storytelling at night. This area has the best view of the fireworks as they are set off right near the lake here

15. Taste local cocktail creations at the NC Stillhouse

Near the Tobacco Pavillion is the favorite Dent Cabin, for the State Fair known as the NC Stillhouse. where you can try out a new cigar while you sit a spell on the front porch.

On each of the 11 days of the fair there will be spirits from four Distillers Association of North Carolina member distilleries from the coast to the foothills. The drinks will be ready-to-pour cocktails, created with North Carolina spirits, for $15. There will be a limit of two drinks per person.

I liked it – it was kinda tucked away in the forest away from the chaos of the fair’s crowds and flashing lights. Grab a drink and rest awhile on the porch – may be a good spot for the fireworks.

16. High Five Big Smokey Bear & the NC Forest Service

Follow the path behind Heritage Circle and head up the hill, past Big Smoky, to the North Carolina Forest Service exhibit area to learn about our state’s rich history in forestry and how our forestland is a significant influence in the state, programs and services the N.C. Forest Service provides for the citizens of North Carolina. Meet forest rangers, see and touch forest service equipment (like helicopters), and learn how you can prevent wildfires.

Big Smokey” stands 21 feet tall, weighs more than 1,200 pounds, can talk, and has been entertaining and educating fairgoers since 1983. In this area you’ll also find The Birdman World Class Bird Show! We made sure we saw this last year and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot and the talking birds were hilarious! Speaking of birds, if you’re a fan, you may want to visit Sylvan Heights Bird Park, just over an hour from Raleigh.

17. Get loud at the Grandstand Shows

The Rand Grandstand is where you’ll find shows throughout the fair such as Tractor Pulls, Monster Trucks, and Motorsports Mayhem. These fair attractions are for an extra fee – currently listed at $10. The Tractor Pull was way too loud for us on the outside of the arena, but I know many of you will love it! Seats are capped at 2,500 so book early.

United Pullers of the Carolinas

• Friday, October 16 – 6 p.m.
• Saturday, October 17 – Noon & 6 p.m.
• Sunday, October 18 – 1 p.m.

Motorsports Mayhem

• Friday, October 23 – 7:30 p.m. (Monster Trucks & Quad Racing)
• Saturday, October 24 – 7:30 p.m. (Monster Trucks, Quad Racing & Demolition Derby Championship featuring 4 & 6-Cylinder Cars)
• Sunday, October 25 – 2:30 p.m. (Monster Trucks, Quad Racing & Demolition Derby Championship featuring 4 & 6-Cylinder Minivans including SUVs, CRVs and Small Trucks and 8 Cylinder Cars)

18. Hunt Horse Complex Fair Events

It wouldn’t be a state fair without some horse events. The equestrian events at our Easter showgrounds in Australia were always my favorite thing to do. At the NC State Fair, you can see draft and miniature horse pulls and high school rodeos. They are $10 each but you can get some packages for discounted prices. See more here

18. See the Fireworks

Last year, we hung around for the fireworks and they were pretty good. I liked how they were over the lake with the replica lighthouse in the water. It was a nice effect. If you have the energy to stay until late, it could be one of the best things to do at the NC State Fair. The nightly fireworks start at 9:45pm over the large pond. The best place for viewing will be either near gate 8 or Heritage Circle. For me, the fireworks were on too late! 9:30 is my normal bedtime 😅

Highlights video 👇

Hotels near the N.C. State Fairgrounds

Here is a list of hotels to stay near the NC State Fairgrounds. You can also explore Airbnb rentals near the Fairgrounds. If it were me traveling to the NC State Fair and staying longer than just a day at the fair, I’d stay somewhere near downtown Raleigh and catch a ride into the Fair. That way you are closer to more things to do in Raleigh and great places to eat and stay. 

There isn’t a lot to do in the area where the fairgrounds are located. We love the Residence Inn Downtown Raleigh, especially for families. We also love the forest serenity of the StateView Hotel. And the Casso Hotel has a unique Raleigh boutique hotel vibe.

Here are a couple of options closer to the fairgrounds:

• Four Points by Sheraton Raleigh Arena: Located across from the Lenovo Center, this will be the closest hotel to the State Fair. The hotel has free airport shuttles, hot breakfast and evening receptions with free beverages and appetizers on Mon-Thurs, and a swimming pool.
• Hyatt Place Raleigh / Cary: This hotel is about 2.5 miles from the fairgrounds. It has a swimming pool and jacuzzi. Check availability and rates.
• Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh/Cary I-40 (Lenovo Center): Located just off Interstate 40, this hotel is 2.7 miles from the Lenovo Center. It serves a hot buffet breakfast every morning and features a modern fitness center that overlooks an outdoor pool surrounded by a lush forest. Check availability and rates.

Use the map below to help you find more accommodation options including vacation rentals.

Camping at the NC State Fair

Reservations for the NC State Fair campground are available 180-days out. Do not just pull into a campsite prior to having a reservation secured. Note: cash is no longer accepted for your camping stay. Payment must be made by credit card. The address is 801 Youth Center Drive. Learn more about the campground facilities, rules and what you can expect. And reserve your camping spot online. For more campgrounds near Raleigh (some may be too far for the State Fair)

FAQs about the NC State Fair

Final thoughts

This is not just a fair, this is the biggest event of the season. The NC State Fair draws about one million visitors over 11 days from across the state and beyond. When I was a child growing up in Australia, each year our family would attend the Royal Easter Show in Sydney. It was very similar to the NC State Fair, except on a much larger scale, and they had Show Bags – filled with treats and toys!

For the weeks and months leading up to the Easter Show, I’d do all the chores humanly possible to earn as much money as I could to spend on rides and show bags! The Sydney Royal Easter Show was an important tradition for our family to connect to each other and our culture and community. Those happy memories are still quite vivid and just as precious decades later.

What I most remember is the different version of my hard-working father. It was a time where he could really switch off, reconnect to joy, and enjoy the rewards of his sacrifice and commitment to providing for his family. I can now see why many hard-working Carolinians flock to the North Carolina State Fair every year. It’s an important annual tradition for NC natives for most of their lives.

They come to the fair to have fun on rides, listen to music, see animals, and devour all the greasy fair food on offer. And to let loose and create happy memories with those they love the most. I hope you enjoyed this guide to State Fair in North Carolina. If you have any questions, or suggestions of your own, please leave a comment down below!

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