The Minnesota State Fair is almost here! And it’s Thursday, August 27th through Labor Day, September 7th, 2026.
I’m super bummed that summer goes so fast, but I’m happy that we have a fabulous state fair, one that was rated the #1 state fair in the nation!
Here is a list of the ways you can save money at the fair this year!
To sum it up, I personally recommend:
1) getting your ticket in advance (or going on a special deal day),
2) sharing a Blue Ribbon coupon book with someone else (there are WAY too many coupons for one family to use),
3) studying the map, the schedules of free events and entertainment, and the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide before you go to plan out your visit,
4) parking for free and using their free bus transportation to and from the fair,
5) bringing your own water bottle and filling it up for free at water fountains throughout the fair,
6) using their free app to help you find your way around. It also provides real-time schedules, interactive maps, and search tools for food, shopping, and entertainment right from your phone.
Unfortunately, there’s no discount for Sweet Martha’s Cookies. But they’re still ohh so worth it…
Here are all the ways you can save, gathered from my own experiences plus directly from State Fair materials.
First, get your tickets in advance to save on admission!
GOOD NEWS – prices have not gone up this year for admission tickets or midway rides.
Before-the-Fair Savings
Pre-fair discount tickets are your best bet for savings:
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Admission tickets – $17 (valid any day, any age; kids 4 & under are free). That’s $3 off the adult price and $1 off seniors/kids prices. Get them before August 26th!
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Mighty Midway & Kidway Fun Cards – $20 for 25 tickets, $40 for 50, $80 for 100, or $160 for 200.
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Blue Ribbon Bargain Book – $5, packed with 112 coupons for food, merchandise, and attractions.
Get them through August 26th at:
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The State Fair Ticket Office (1640 Como Ave.)
The deadline for ordering them by mail has passed.
Regular Fair-Time Prices
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Adults (13–64) – $20
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Seniors (65+) – $18
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Kids (5–12) – $18
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Children 4 & under – FREE
Mighty Midway & Kidway prices during the fair:
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$1 per ticket
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$40 for 44 tickets
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$70 for 80 tickets
Special Deal Days in 2026
Opening Day (Thu, Aug. 27st)
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Adults: $18, Seniors/Kids: $15 at the gate.
Seniors Days (Mon, Aug. 31st & Thu, Sept. 3rd)
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Seniors (65+): $15 at the gate.
Military Appreciation Day (Tue, Sept. 1st)
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Active, retired, and veteran military + spouses: $15 with military ID.
Kids Days (Wed, Sept. 2nd & Mon, Sept. 7th)
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Kids (5–12): $15 at the gate.
Many vendors also offer special day deals on these dates — look for the official sign or check the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide.
Mighty Midway & Kidway Specials
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All-day ride & game specials – Thursday, Aug. 27 Monday, Aug. 31 Tuesday, Sept. 1 Wednesday, Sept. 2 Monday, Sept. 7 (Rides & games close at 8 p.m.)
Free & Cheap Ways of Getting to the Fair
Parking can be expensive and a hassle, so there are many other ways to get to the fair! Every year we take the bus shuttle from a location near the fair. It’s free and the shuttles come every few minutes so we’ve never had to wait long.
Take the bus! Free parking with free shuttle bus service to and from the fair is available at 32 locations within a short distance of the fairgrounds. Visit this website for a full list of Park & Ride locations.
State Fair Express Bus service is offered by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit from several sites throughout the Twin Cities area. There is a small fee for these busses. There are other bus routes that can get you there as well. Visit their website here for info.
Take an Uber or Lyft! They have designated drop off and pick up places for these. Get info here.
Ride your bike! They have free secured bicycle parking for up to 900 bikes. Find info here.
Otherwise, parking in State Fairgrounds lots is $25 (cash or credit/debit). Spaces fill up fast so come early.
SAVINGS!
Blue Ribbon Bargain Book
112 coupons, valid all 12 days. $5 at the ticket office, Cub stores, and on-site during the fair. Proceeds support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Get it at any information booth or here.
Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide
Free guide with discount info, freebies, and contests.
New & Free Attractions in 2026
There are plenty of new things to see and do at the Minnesota State Fair this year — and many of them are included with your admission!
- Ultimate Dinosaurs – Explore life-size dinosaur skeleton casts, real fossils, augmented reality interactives and more in this hands-on exhibit from the Science Museum of Minnesota. You can even see real Minnesota fossils and learn about Minnesota’s new official State Fossil, the giant beaver! It’s free with fair admission and is open all 12 days. Located in the North End Event Center.
- Films at the Fair – Enjoy five nights of Minnesota-made short films and animation at the Pet Pavilions. Screenings take place at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 4-6. Admission is free with your fair admission.
- Cultural Destinations Day – On Sunday, Sept. 6, Dan Patch Park will celebrate Minnesota’s diverse cultural traditions with music, dance, art, food, storytelling and more. It’s all centered around the theme “Many Rhythms. One Celebration.” Free with fair admission.
- America 250 Celebrations – Since 2026 marks America’s 250th birthday, you’ll find patriotic displays, gardens, exhibits, competitions and historical activities throughout the fairgrounds. There’s even a two-mile self-guided History Walking Tour with 12 stops. Complete eight or more stops and you can collect a prize!
- 75 Years of the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum – The Coliseum has undergone its first major renovation in 75 years and is back open for the fair. Stop in to see the newly renovated space, free livestock and horse shows, vendors and displays about the building’s history.
- Fairchild’s 60th Birthday – Fairchild, one of the State Fair’s beloved gopher mascots, is celebrating his 60th birthday! You can give him a birthday high-five at Visitors Plaza at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
- 25 Years of Miracles – The CHS Miracle of Birth Center celebrates 25 years of giving fairgoers an up-close look at farm animal births and teaching visitors about livestock and modern agriculture.
- Eco Experience Turns 20 – The Eco Experience is celebrating 20 years at the fair with exhibits and activities focused on recycling, climate-smart food systems, electric vehicles, e-bikes, power tools, water quality and more.
- Prince Tribute at Gates Ajar – The Gates Ajar garden pays tribute to Minnesota music legend Prince with purple flowers, special lighting and a photo-worthy display inspired by Prince’s iconic symbol and First Avenue.
- Giant Sing Along – Sing along to the music of Prince each evening during this special tribute, with a field of microphones and a giant screen with lyrics. It runs 8-9 p.m. Aug. 27-Sept. 6 and 7-8 p.m. Sept. 7.
- Free live music and entertainment – There are hundreds of free performances throughout the fairgrounds, so you can enjoy plenty of entertainment without spending extra money.
- Nightly fireworks – End your day at the fair with the nightly fireworks spectacular.
- Daily parade – The parade takes place every day at 2 p.m. and features the high school marching band competition. It is also ASL interpreted.
- Free exhibits and educational experiences – Check out favorites like the Eco Experience, DNR exhibits, the Moo Booth, livestock and horse exhibits, the Kemps Little Farm Hands experience and much more.
- Free horse and livestock shows – See a wide variety of horse breeds and one of the Midwest’s largest livestock exhibitions, featuring cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, llamas, alpacas and more.
- Creative Activities & Fine Arts – See Minnesota’s best needlework, baking, canning, handcrafts and artwork, including the state’s largest juried art exhibition.
- The Great Big Wheel is back – While the new America Wheel is a ticketed attraction, the fair also offers the Great Big Wheel, Skyride and SkyGlider for amazing views of the fairgrounds.
- Seven Selfie Spots – Look for the official Selfie Spot badges marking seven locations around the fairgrounds that are perfect for taking photos and making memories.
And if you’re looking for even more free things to do, check the Minnesota State Fair’s daily schedules before you go. There are so many free shows, exhibits and activities that you could easily fill a whole day without spending extra money on entertainment!
For a full list of free entertainment, check their website.
Instagram-Worthy Spots
Find the official Selfie Spots around the fairgrounds (marked with a badge) — perfect for capturing those fair memories.
MORE FREE STUFF AT THE FAIR
Free Trolley Rides
You can get free trolley rides! Two free trolleys service the area from Dan Patch Avenue to Cooper Street to Randall Ave to Underwood Street to Murphy Avenue to Cooper Street to Randall Avenue to Cosgrove Street and back to Dan Patch Avenue from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, going both directions. No service from 2-3 p.m. daily due to the parade. One of the two trolleys is ADA accessible.
These were great a day it rained when we were there and we didn’t want to get soaked walking back to the bus stop!
Free Information booths
These are throughout the fair and stocked with free maps.
Free daily schedules and free ID wristbands to help reunite lost children and vulnerable adults with their families or guardians. I recommend getting the ID wristbands if you have little ones, for peace of mind!
A Free Wi-Fi hotspot at the west Grandstand Plaza
This is great if you need good internet access.
First Aid Stations
These are located at the west and east ends of the fairgrounds.
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