The best day to attend the Minnesota State Fair, according to data
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.

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.
