The best day to attend the Minnesota State Fair, according to data
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Looking to beat the crowds at the Minnesota State Fair? Get there on opening day, probably.
The big picture: Since 1994, the first Thursday of the 12-day fair has averaged the lowest daily attendance — around 103,000 visitors, according to an Axios analysis.
- Labor Day weekend sees the biggest crowds — most frequently peaking on the fair's final Saturday, with 217,000 attendees on average.
Yes, but: Chill crowds are not guaranteed on weekdays.
- Last year's fair set opening day attendance record (138,875), and since 2022, attendance on the first Friday has surged 25% compared to the last five pre-COVID fairs.
Pro tips: Small crowd-seekers might try the fair's first Monday and second Thursday: Attendance on those days has slipped since the pandemic.
- The first weekend is always a better bet than the second, but crowds on Labor Day are usually a little bit smaller.
What we're watching: The weather. Cooler days drive attendance — and long-range forecasts call for sunshine and below-average temps through the fair's first week.
- Historically, highs in the 70s draw crowds 17% larger than highs in the 90s, our analysis of climate data found.
The intrigue: The State Fair hasn't eclipsed 2 million visitors since the pandemic. The gorgeous forecast — and hoards of hungry Minnesotans — could change that.