It’s that time of year again, when the NC State Fair returns to Raleigh. The much anticipated NC tradition is a fall bucket list item for folks of all ages! Did you know that approximately 900,000 – 1.1 million people have visited the fair annually in recent years? That’s pretty amazing!
Whether you visit for the food, the rides, the music or the animals, there is so much to enjoy at the NC State Fair! If you’re looking to plan ahead, we’ve got you covered with all of the specifics and what you need to know before you go! Get out there and enjoy all that the NC State Fair has to offer!
Hours of Operation: This year the NC State Fair will run from Thursday, October 17th through Sunday, October 27th. Daily hours vary depending on the day, so click here for more information on daily hours of operation.
Parking, transit and overall accessibility information can be found here.
Advance tickets: Save time and avoid the lines and get your tickets in advance at your local Food Lion store (and save on the online transaction fees!) or directly online. Click here to purchase your fair admission tickets online. Fair rides require additional tickets that are not included with admission. Click here to purchase ride and attraction tickets.
100 Free things to do: There are 100 free things to do once you get through the gates. Competitions, exhibits, entertainment shows and more. Click here for the full list of free things to do at the fair.
New in 2019: One thing that fair goers love the most is the anticipation of ‘what’s new’ and they can’t wait to try the latest deep fried food or that new ride. Click here to see what’s new at the fair for 2019.
Shows / Exhibits / Contests: Wondering when particular shows, exhibits and contests will be taking place? Are you looking to save some money? Click here for the full daily schedule of events, including designated days for entry savings.
Discounts: Looking for a deal? Click here for discounts and special days.
General Information: Click here for quick access to general information and FAQs.
Directions and Fair Map: Click here.