State | State Fair↓ | Fair Start Date 2025 | Fair End Date 2025 | Fair Website | Additional Fair Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wyoming | Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo | August 12, 2025 | August 16, 2025 | Source | Rodeo, agricultural exhibits, Ferris wheel rides, fair food, demolition derby | |
Wisconsin | Wisconsin State Fair | July 31, 2025 | August 10, 2025 | Source | Cream puffs, pig slide, cheese curds | |
Tennessee | Wilson County Tennessee State Fair | August 14, 2025 | August 23, 2025 | Source | Agricultural exhibits, country ham demonstration, deep-fried strawberry shortcake roll, Colombian-style arepas | |
Washington | Washington State Fair | June 27, 2025 | June 29, 2025 | Source | Concerts, major music acts, Lost 80’s Live show, large crowds | |
Arkansas | Washington County Fair | August 19, 2025 | August 25, 2025 | Source | Livestock shows, youth exhibits, horticulture displays, home economics, art competitions | |
Rhode Island | Washington County Fair | August 13, 2025 | August 17, 2025 | Source | Rhode Island has no official state fair, but the Washington County Fair unofficially fits the title | |
Utah | Utah State Fair | September 4, 2025 | September 14, 2025 | Source | Watermelon celebration, parade, car show, square dancing, softball tournament | |
New York | The Great New York State Fair | August 20, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Max Power robot, costumed actors, crafts, games, jousting contests, Maypole Dance | |
Massachusetts | The Big E (Eastern States Exposition) | September 12, 2025 | undefined NaN, NaN | Source | Daily Mardi Gras parade, circus, 19th-century village, guided tours, key lime pie on a stick, fair food | |
Texas | Texas State Fair | September 26, 2025 | October 19, 2025 | Source | Unique fair foods, Big Tex mascot, food debuts like deep-fried sweet tea, family-friendly traditions | |
West Virginia | State Fair of West Virginia | August 7, 2025 | August 16, 2025 | Source | Bengal tiger encounter, buckin’ bull ride, pig racing, draft horse pull, vintage car show | |
Virginia | State Fair of Virginia | September 26, 2025 | October 5, 2025 | Source | Pig races, pogo stunts, chainsaw carving, puppets, livestock competitions, student scholarships | |
South Dakota | South Dakota State Fair | August 27, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Music entertainment, dancing, traditional Czech foods, cultural heritage events | |
South Carolina | South Carolina State Fair | October 8, 2025 | October 19, 2025 | Source | Amusement rides, concerts, including Scotty McCreery and The Temptations | |
Oregon | Oregon State Fair | August 22, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Deep-fried coffee, lobster corn dog, apple pie fries, garden and floral exhibits, homegrown produce, farmer’s market, Best of the Best competitions, midway games | |
Oklahoma | Oklahoma State Fair | September 11, 2025 | September 21, 2025 | Source | Dairy farmers milking demo, Oklahoma Frontier Experience, live shark encounter, Xtreme Bulls, bull riding, country music concert | |
Ohio | Ohio State Fair | July 23, 2025 | August 3, 2025 | Source | Gator on a stick, Ohio Idol, Sternwheel boat celebrations, Little Miss and Little Mr. Sternwheel coronation, Rollin’ Oldies Car Show, photography contest | |
North Dakota | North Dakota State Fair | July 18, 2026 | July 26, 2025 | Source | Scandinavian entertainment, food, clothing, art and jewelry exhibits, performances by The Beach Boys, performances by Michael Bolton | |
North Carolina | North Carolina State Fair | October 16, 2025 | October 26, 2025 | Source | Antique farm machinery exhibit, field of dreams exhibit, Heritage Circle, Folk Festival, Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Show, deep-fried pimento cheese-filled wantons, high on the hog sandwich | |
New Mexico | New Mexico State Fair | September 4, 2025 | September 14, 2025 | Source | Native American attractions, Spanish Village, high-diving horse and mule shows (until 1991), costumed actors, crafts, games, jousting contests, Maypole Dance | |
New Jersey | New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show | August 1, 2025 | August 9, 2025 | Source | Pulled pork cheese fries, marshmallow sweet potato fries, gator mac and cheese, Oreo churros | |
Nevada | Nevada State Fair | June 5, 2025 | June 8, 2025 | Source | Midway of fun, livestock shows, exhibits | |
Nebraska | Nebraska State Fair | August 22, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Cooking demonstrations, corny crafts, antique farm implement demo, sweet corn samples, sweet-corn ice cream, corn husk dolls, maize maze, corn snakes, corn-shucking contest, broom making from corn husks | |
Montana | Montana State Fair | June 26, 2025 | June 29, 2025 | Source | Comedy shows, All Star Stunt Dog show, supercross, rodeo, 4-H Quiz Bowl, Lady Houdini performance, Animal Cracker Conspiracy, Girl Scout Cookies, bourbon chicken skewers, specialty coffee drinks | |
Missouri | Missouri State Fair | August 7, 2025 | August 17, 2025 | Source | Amusement rides, concerts, tractor pulls, car racing, arts and crafts, camping, livestock competitions, produce competitions, skill contests, fried cheese-on-a-stick, red velvet funnel cake, fried green tomatoes | |
Mississippi | Mississippi State Fair | October 2, 2025 | October 13, 2025 | Source | Mile-long midway, exhibits, regional and national music artists, Sunday Gospel Concert, Tribute Artist Contest, local food vendors, pet parade, 5K run, movie poster exhibit, living history exhibit | |
Minnesota | Minnesota State Fair | August 21, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Butter cows, baby pig births, livestock competitions, fried food, ice palace, bobsledding, ice horse-racing, community events | |
Michigan | Michigan State Fair | August 28, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Butter cows, baby pig births, livestock competitions | |
New Hampshire | Master Sand Sculpting Classic | June 12, 2025 | June 14, 2025 | Source | Sand sculpting competition, sand sculpture workshops, illuminated sculptures, fireworks show | |
Maryland | Maryland State Fair | August 21, 2025 | August 24, 2025 | Source | Animal birthing center, calf births, piglet births, chick hatchlings, agricultural exhibits August 21 - 24 | August 28 - September 1 | September 4 - 7 | |
Louisiana | Louisiana State Fair | October 30, 2025 | November 16, 2025 | Source | Hay-bale decorating, antique tractor-pulling, BB Gun Competition, Bayou Arm Wrestling Championship, crawfish and crab boudin, fried crawfish, gators and taters, grilled bacon-wrapped shrimp-on-a-stick | |
Pennsylvania | Kutztown Festival | August 4, 2025 | August 9, 2025 | Source | Pennsylvania Dutch heritage exhibits, traditional crafts, music, food, live entertainment, demonstrations | |
Kentucky | Kentucky State Fair | August 14, 2025 | August 24, 2025 | Source | World Chicken Festival, chicken-related events, Colonel Harland Sanders tribute | |
Kansas | Kansas State Fair | September 5, 2025 | September 14, 2025 | Source | Wedding chapel, festival vendors, crafters, animals, carnival, car shows, fireworks | |
Iowa | Iowa State Fair | August 1, 2025 | August 17, 2025 | Source | Butter cow, deep-fried cupcakes, bacon-wrapped hot dog, food-on-a-stick, pigeon rolling, rooster crowing, fiddling, tractor pulling, monster arm wrestling, outhouse racing, cow chip throwing, Heritage Village | |
Indiana | Indiana State Fair | August 1, 2025 | August 17, 2025 | Source | Arts and crafts booths, food booths, Popcorn Panic race, Popcorn Parade, Cutest Baby Contest | |
Illinois | Illinois State Fair | August 7, 2025 | August 17, 2025 | Source | Fiddle and banjo contest, sheep-shearing contest, husband-calling contest, hog-calling contest | |
Idaho | Heritage Days | July 12, 2025 | July 20, 2025 | Source | Native American cultural exhibits, Lewis and Clark history, reenactments | |
Georgia | Georgia National Fair | October 2, 2025 | October 12, 2025 | Source | Stories of Agriculture Exhibit, wool spinning, cotton display, poultry hatchings, food for four exhibit, honey comparison, live beehive | |
Florida | Florida State Fair | February 5, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | Source | Cultural exhibits, historical displays, carnival rides, live performances | |
Connecticut | Durham Fair (unofficial state fair) | September 25, 2025 | September 28, 2025 | Source | Concerts,monster truck rally,demolition derby,meet & greets,livestock exhibits | |
Delaware | Delaware State Fair | July 17, 2025 | July 26, 2025 | Source | Holding baby chicks, Twiggs the Giraffe, musical performances, Pig Kissing Contest | |
Colorado | Colorado State Fair | August 22, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Rodeo, demolition derby, chile contest | |
Vermont | Champlain Valley Fair | August 12, 2025 | August 16, 2025 | Source | Agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, demolition derby, butterfly encounter, gospel night, haunted house, street theater, circus arts, music, comedy | |
California | California State Fair | July 11, 2025 | July 27, 2025 | Source | Water park, monorail, thoroughbred racing, exotic animals, California Counties Exhibit | |
Maine | Bangor State Fair | July 24, 2025 | August 2, 2025 | Source | Horse-pulling, demolition derby, Alaskan bears, Bengal tigers, pogo-stunt shows, chainsaw carving exhibition | |
Arizona | Arizona State Fair | October 19, 2025 | October 26, 2025 | Source | Swimming pigs, monster trucks, concerts, carnival rides, figure 8 racing | |
Alaska | Alaska State Fair | August 15, 2025 | September 1, 2025 | Source | Giant vegetables, comedy shows, live music, rodeo, horse races | |
Alabama | Alabama National Fair | October 3, 2025 | October 13, 2025 | Source | Petting zoo, rodeo, concerts, carnival games, arts & crafts | |
Hawaii | 50th State Fair | May 25, 2025 | July 1, 2025 | Source | E.K. Fernandez Shows, petting zoo, fireworks |
As of 2023, all 50 state fairs are annual events.
Even though any ranking of state fairs is going to be a bit subjective, it is clear that there are some state fairs that are simply better than others. For example, one of the most popular state fairs in the country is the North Carolina State Fair. It is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, which is a part of the country that is rapidly growing. North Carolina has had a state fair for numerous decades, and it is a great opportunity for people to try some traditional fair food, enjoy a local music festival, and learn more about the tremendous livestock population in the state. It is a great location for family entertainment, providing attractions for people of all ages.
Even though the Northeastern United States is typically not associated with fairs, there are several hidden gems that might be worth exploring. For example, there are lots of people who love the New York State Fair. A lot of people think about New York City when they think about New York, but the state fair is actually located in Syracuse, New York. There are plenty of fun competitions, live music from famous artists, and even a celebrity milking contest. Do not forget to check out the New York Wine and Cheese Seminar, which is always a major highlight of the New York State Fair.
If there is a state that is synonymous with state fairs, it is definitely Texas. The Texas State Fair is popular for deep-frying just about anything you can get your hands on. Sure, there are some foods that are probably meant to be deep-fried, but people are consistently surprised by just what tastes good after it has been dropped in the fryer. For example, deep-fried chocolate and deep-fried pumpkin tend to make an appearance at the Texas state fair every year. Furthermore, Texas has a wide variety of carnival rides at the state fair that are definitely worth exploring. These are just a few of the biggest reasons why people will drive from all over the country just to visit the State Fair in Texas.
The Minnesota State Fair, which is located in St Paul, Minnesota, is also worth visiting. There are dozens of activities at the Minnesota State Fair, ranging from river raft rides to an adventure park. There is also a slingshot, giant slide, turbo bungee, and climbing wall located at the Minnesota State Fair. There is even an arts fair every year, which gives everyone an opportunity to support some of the local artists. There are high-profile names that tend to perform at the fair as well. For example, Def Leppard, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban have made appearances at the Minnesota State Fair in the past. Of course, there are plenty of traditional, delicious fair foods to try.