Everything you need to know about the 2026 North Carolina State Fair
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N.C. State Fair returns to Raleigh Oct. 15-25. Photo: Alexis Clinton/Axios
The North Carolina State Fair is open Oct. 15-25. From Ferris wheels to farm animals to fried food — we’re giving you the rundown of the annual tradition.
Why it matters: The N.C. State Fair isn't just about deep-fried cheesecake and carnival rides. It's a way for North Carolinians to celebrate their shared roots, support small businesses and showcase agricultural innovation.
- Last year, nearly 1 million people visited the state fair.
Hours: Fairgrounds open daily at 9am except for opening day, when the gates open at noon. Gates close at 11:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 11pm every other day (but you must be in by 9:45pm). View the full schedule here.
- Location: 4285 Trinity Road in Raleigh.
- Cost: Entry is $10-$13 for adults and $0-$7 for kids. Purchase your ticket before Oct. 15 to save a few dollars. Or bring six canned food items on Oct. 22 to get in for free.
- There are discounts for military, seniors and group tickets. Tickets don’t include most rides.
- Pro tip: Bring a clear bag to go through the faster security line. Non-clear bags are allowed but discouraged. Read the Fair’s bag policy here.
How to get there
Drive: Set your GPS for 4285 Trinity Road in Raleigh. There are multiple free parking lots with shuttles that will take you to the fair.
Train: Avoid the traffic by taking the Amtrak train straight to the fairgrounds from destinations like Charlotte or Durham. It drops you off just steps away from Gate 1 of the fair.
- Times and prices vary. Select station NSF (North Carolina State Fair).
Fair food
You can find some of the wackiest, wildest food pairings you’ve ever seen at the fair.
What’s new: The fair added dozens of new foods this year, including oxtail empanadas, liquid cotton candy, birria hot cheese balls, pickle cheesecake, North Carolina poke bowls, pimento cheese bombs and lots, lots more.
What to do
There are game stands, fun houses and Ferris wheels as far as the eye can see. If you’re a thrill-seeker, check out the drop towers and inverted rides. The America 250 Wheel has 14-mile views.
- Bringing little ones? There’s even an entire ride zone designated for the kiddos.
- Another one the kids will love: The State Fair Ark, where you can check out more than 60 animals, including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.
- Stick around until after dark for nightly fireworks shows.
- Know before you go: More attractions can be found here.
Pro tip: If you don’t ride anything else, definitely get a ticket for the State Fair flyer, which gives you a view of the fair from up high. View all the rides and games.
Exhibits and vendors: Have you seen antique farm equipment from the early 1900s? Want to wander through fresh crops like okra, peanuts and sweet potatoes?
- The fair has several exhibits that allow guests to see all of them up close.
One of the most popular attractions is the Village of Yesteryear, which features more than 100 local artisans displaying and selling time-honored handmade wares.
- It's the 75th anniversary of the crafting paradise.
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Editor's note: This story was first published in fall 2021 and last updated Oct. 12, 2026.