For twelve days every summer, an entire state transforms into one giant party. Street food fills the air. Live music echoes across the fairgrounds. Kids sprint toward rides while parents try to decide between sweet corn and cheese curds. If you have never been, you are missing one of the most beloved traditions in America. If you go every year, 2026 gives you even more reasons to come back.
The 2026 edition runs from Thursday, August 27, through Monday, September 7, which is Labor Day. That gives you twelve full days to experience everything the Great Minnesota Get-Together has to offer.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Event Name | Minnesota State Fair 2026 |
| Nickname | The Great Minnesota Get-Together |
| Dates | August 27 to September 7, 2026 |
| Location | Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55108 |
| Phone | 651-288-4400 |
| General Hours | 6 a.m. to midnight daily |
| Labor Day Hours | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., with admission until 6 p.m. |
| Children 4 and Under | Always free |
| Pre-Fair Adult Discount Tickets | $17 online through August 26 |
| Website | mnstatefair.org |
The fairgrounds open at 6 a.m. daily, though most food vendors and attractions begin operating around 9 a.m. Arriving early is one of the smartest strategies, especially for families with young children. Weekday mornings are typically the quietest. Crowds build significantly on weekends and on Kids Day.
Getting There and Parking
The fairgrounds sit in Falcon Heights, directly between St. Paul and Minneapolis. Driving to the fair is an option, but parking costs $17 at the fairgrounds and fills up fast. A much easier choice is the free park and ride service from locations across the metro. Metro Transit buses and light rail also serve the fairgrounds during the fair. Children aged five and under ride Metro Transit for free. If you bring a stroller, make sure it collapses, since buses and trains require a foldable design.
Admission Tickets and Discount Days
Tickets are straightforward and genuinely affordable compared to most major events. Here is a breakdown of what to expect.
| Ticket Type | Price |
| Pre-fair adult (ages 13+) online discount | $17 through August 26 |
| Child (ages 5 to 12) online discount | $15 through August 26 |
| Children 4 and under | Always free |
| Opening Day and select Kids Day gate discounts | Available at the gate only |
| Grandstand concerts | Separate tickets required |
| Kidway Fun Card (25 ride tickets) | $20 |
| Kidway Fun Card (50 ride tickets) | $40 |
| Kidway Fun Card (200 ride tickets) | $160 |
Pre-fair discount tickets go on sale online through the official website. They are available as free mobile downloads or print-at-home options, or by mail for a small extra fee. The Ticket Office also opens on July 13 at 1640 Como Avenue. Select Cub Foods locations across the metro carry tickets starting July 12 as well.
The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book is worth buying in advance. It contains coupons that save money on food, rides, and attractions throughout the fair.
Must-See Attractions for Every Visitor
The Grandstand Concert Series
Every night at 7 p.m., the Grandstand hosts a major concert. Tickets for Grandstand shows are sold separately from general admission and range from $52 to $133.75 depending on the artist and seat location. The Labor Day show begins at 3 p.m. instead. Check the official site at mnstatefair.org for the full lineup and ticket links as the fair approaches.
International Space Station Experience
This free hands-on experience runs all twelve days of the fair. The whole family can explore what it feels like to travel to and live aboard the International Space Station. It is completely included with general admission and runs throughout the entire fair run. This is one of the year’s most talked-about new attractions, and it suits children and adults equally well.
The CHS Miracle of Birth Center
Nothing captures young children’s attention quite like meeting a baby animal that is less than a week old. The CHS Miracle of Birth Center is one of the fair’s most beloved stops. Staff members are on hand to educate visitors on newborn lambs, goats, calves, and piglets. Pre-recorded birth footage also screens at the center. Older children find it fascinating. Infants and toddlers light up at the sight of the tiny animals. Arrive early in the day, since the space gets warm and crowded as the day progresses.
The Livestock Complex and Animal Barns
Beyond the Miracle of Birth Center, the full Livestock Complex gives families the chance to meet cows, horses, llamas, chickens, ducks, sheep, and goats in their barns. The Cattle Barn, Horse Barn, and Sheep and Poultry Barn each have their own character. Hand wash stations are available at the entrances to all livestock buildings. These barns are best visited in the morning before temperatures rise.
Mighty Midway and Kidway
Mighty Midway is the traditional thrill-ride zone for older kids and adults. Kidway is the gentler version, designed for younger visitors. Kidway features fun houses, bumper boats, swings, mini rollercoasters, and rides shaped like trucks, trains, motorcycles, and whales. Ride tickets are purchased through the digital Fun Card system. Buy Fun Cards in advance online for the best pricing.
Discount ride days offer reduced ticket prices at both Midway and Kidway on specific dates. Check the official website for the 2026 discount ride day schedule closer to the fair.
The Family Fair at Baldwin Park
Baldwin Park sits on the north end of the fairgrounds and offers kids-focused programming all day long. Live entertainment includes music, dancing, puppets, and magic shows. The area is generally less congested than the main midway zones, making it one of the most relaxing stops for parents with young children. You can park a stroller in the shade and let the kids enjoy the shows without fighting the crowds.
The Daily Parade
A free daily parade winds through the fairgrounds at 2 p.m. It features performers, animals, floats, and music. For toddlers and young children, the parade is genuinely delightful. Position yourself along the route with a snack and enjoy the show.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Building
This building is a quieter, air-conditioned option that suits babies and toddlers well. Colorful crops, flowers, and art exhibits give infants plenty to look at. Additionally, the Agriculture Building is the place to pick up apple cider freezes and fresh fruit smoothies, which make excellent snacks for small children.
Crop Art and Butter Sculptures
The fine arts and creative exhibits inside the main buildings are free with admission and include the famous butter sculpture. Each year, a new Princess Kay of the Milky Way is carved in butter and displayed in a refrigerated glass case. It is quirky, fun, and genuinely unlike anything else at any other event.
Baby-Friendly Stops and Parent Resources
The fairgrounds are well equipped for families with infants and very young children. Here is everything you need to know before you arrive with a baby.
Family and Baby Care Center
The main Family and Baby Care facility sits on West Dan Patch Avenue, south of West End Market and north of Mighty Midway. It offers private nursing rooms on a first-come basis, diaper changing facilities, and a climate-controlled space for feeding. Hours at this location run daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with shortened hours on Labor Day.
KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center
The KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center on the west side of Underwood Street, between Carnes and Judson avenues, provides diaper changing, nursing, pumping, feeding, and a dedicated sensory comfort space. It also includes an adult-size changing table. It operates daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and is a convenient second option when the main care center is busy.
Additional Nursing Locations
| Location | Details |
| myTalk 107.1 Radio Booth | Dedicated nursing space, west side of Underwood Street |
| TPT Twin Cities PBS Booth | Mom and baby space, Underwood at Lee Avenue |
| Momentum Refresh | Nursing available |
Stroller and Wagon Rentals
HomeTown Mobility operates five rental locations inside the fairgrounds. Single strollers rent for $20 and double strollers for $25. Wagons and electric mobility scooters are also available. Rentals are first-come, first-served. If you bring your own stroller, a model with a canopy is highly recommended to protect young children from the sun.
ID Safety Wristbands
Free ID wristbands are available at all information booths and at the Family and Baby Care Center. These wristbands help staff reunite lost children with their families quickly. Picking one up for each child as soon as you arrive is strongly recommended, especially for toddlers who may wander in large crowds.
Phone Charging Stations
Phone charging stations are available at the AT&T booth near the Pet Pavilions, Renewal by Andersen on Cosgrove Street, and Bobby and Steve’s Auto World on Cooper Street. Keeping your phone charged is important for navigation, payments, and staying connected with your group.
Must-Try Fair Foods
The food is the reason many Minnesotans come back every single year. Hundreds of vendors and more than 60 new foods appear each edition. The classics remain essential.
- Sweet Martha’s Cookies: warm chocolate chip cookies sold by the bucket. Lines are long and worth every minute.
- Pronto Pups: the original State Fair corn dog, made with pancake batter since 1947.
- Fried cheese curds: squeaky, golden, and completely irresistible.
- Minnesota sweet corn: roasted on site and genuinely one of the best bites of summer.
- All-you-can-drink milk for $2 at the Dairy Building.
- Roasted corn for $3 at the Corn Roast stand.
- Apple cider freezies at the Agriculture Building, a perfect baby-friendly snack.
Sensory-Friendly Options
The fair offers a dedicated Sensory-Friendly Morning at Mighty Midway and Kidway. During these hours, lights are dimmed and sound levels are reduced to create a more comfortable experience for visitors with sensory sensitivities. ASL interpretation services are available for select Grandstand performances, provided you request tickets in the ASL section at least 14 days in advance. Full details are available in the official Accessibility Guide on the fair website.
Conclusion
The Minnesota State Fair 2026 runs from August 27 to September 7 at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. Admission starts at $17 for adults with pre-purchased discount tickets, and children four and under are always free. Families with babies and young children will find outstanding support throughout the fairgrounds, including multiple nursing and diaper-changing stations, stroller and wagon rentals, free ID safety wristbands, and shaded gathering areas at Baldwin Park. Must-see stops include the International Space Station experience, the CHS Miracle of Birth Center, the Livestock Complex, Kidway rides, the daily 2 p.m. parade, and the Grandstand Concert Series each evening. The fair’s classic foods, from Sweet Martha’s Cookies to fried cheese curds to roasted corn, complete the experience. With twelve full days and something for every age, the 2026 edition is the Great Minnesota Get-Together at its very best.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Minnesota State Fair in 2026 and where is it held?
The fair runs from Thursday, August 27 through Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, located at 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, Minnesota. The grounds are open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight, with modified hours on Labor Day.
How much do admission tickets cost and where can I buy them?
Pre-fair discount adult tickets cost $17 online through August 26. Child tickets for ages 5 to 12 are $15 online. Children four and under are always free. Tickets are available through the official website at mnstatefair.org, by phone through Etix at 800-514-3849, at the Ticket Office starting July 13, and at select Cub Foods locations from July 12. Gate prices are slightly higher than online prices.
Are there baby-changing and nursing facilities at the fair?
Yes. The main Family and Baby Care Center on West Dan Patch Avenue offers private nursing rooms, diaper changing, and a climate-controlled space. The KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center on Underwood Street provides nursing, pumping, changing, feeding, and a sensory comfort space with an adult-size changing table. Additional nursing spaces are at the myTalk 107.1 booth, the TPT Twin Cities PBS booth, and Momentum Refresh.
Can I bring a stroller, and are rentals available?
Strollers and wagons are welcome throughout the fairgrounds. If you are arriving by bus or light rail, bring a collapsible model. HomeTown Mobility rents single strollers for $20 and double strollers for $25 at five locations inside the fairgrounds on a first-come, first-served basis. Wagons and electric mobility scooters are also available to rent.
What are the best attractions for young children and toddlers at the fair?
Top picks for young children include the CHS Miracle of Birth Center with live newborn farm animals, the Family Fair at Baldwin Park with daily puppet shows, magic, and music, the Kidway ride zone with gentle rides for small children, the daily parade at 2 p.m., and the International Space Station hands-on experience. The Agriculture and Horticulture Building is air-conditioned and a great low-stimulation stop for babies.
