Official 2026 Minnesota State Fair Daily Guide To Themes, Concerts, Discount Days
The Great Minnesota Get-Together is almost here, running a full 12 days from Thursday, August 27, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Twelve days is a lot to plan, whether you're a die-hard who goes three times or someone squeezing in one perfect trip.
So we built you a cheat sheet — a day-by-day guide to the entire 2026 fair, with each day's theme and what it means, the fair hours, who's headlining the Grandstand, and which free acts are worth planning your evening around. A few things happen every day, so we won't repeat them below: the daily parade steps off at 2 p.m., mascot meet-and-greets run at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and amateur talent contest preliminaries take the stage nightly.
A quick word on theme days: several unlock real savings at the gate. Regular admission is $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and kids, so the $15 discount days are worth targeting — and advance tickets at $17 beat the gate price any day through August 26.
The Grandstand lineup swings from Bonnie Raitt and "Weird Al" to Brad Paisley, HARDY, AJR, and a TLC throwback. However, some of the best music never costs a dime, so we've paired the ticketed Grandstand with the free stages for all 12 days.
Your Daily Guide To The 2026 Minnesota State Fair
Before we explore the highlights of what each day has to offer, it might be a good idea to have a map of the fairgrounds handy.
Now, on to all the fun.
Thursday, August 27 — Opening Day & STEM Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
The gates swing open with reduced admission for everyone — adults $18, seniors and kids $15 — plus food and merchandise deals and all-day ride discounts. STEM Day fills Dan Patch Park with hands-on science, and dino fans can catch paleontologists at Fossil Corner throughout the weekend.
Grandstand Stage: Bonnie Raitt with special guest Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Vertical Horizon at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); Nur-D at the West End Market's Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Friday, August 28 — Governor's Fire Prevention Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
Firefighters and safety crews take over Dan Patch Park with demonstrations built for families, from truck tours to hands-on fire-safety lessons. It's a favorite with the kids, and the Fossil Corner paleontologist meet-ups continue.
Grandstand Stage: "Weird Al" Yankovic's Bigger & Weirder Tour with Puddles Pity Party, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Vertical Horizon at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); Nur-D at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Saturday, August 29 — 4-H Day & Hubbard Hometown Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
A celebration of Minnesota's 4-H youth and the small-town community spirit that fills the fairgrounds. Expect a heavy showing of livestock exhibitors and blue-ribbon projects, with the final day of Fossil Corner meet-ups.
Grandstand Stage: Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Homecoming — A Celebration of the Minneapolis Sound, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Margo Price at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); The Honeydogs at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Sunday, August 30 — Indigenous Peoples Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
A day honoring Native culture and community with special programming, performances, and vendors centered at Dan Patch Park. It's a rich, meaningful stop between the midway and the barns.
Grandstand Stage: Sierra Ferrell's Heavy Petal Tour with special guest Tanya Tucker, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Margo Price at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); The Honeydogs at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Monday, August 31 — Seniors Day & Mental Health Awareness
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
Anyone 65 and up gets in for $15 with all-day ride discounts, and the day spotlights mental health resources at Dan Patch Park. There's also a sensory-friendly morning on the rides — the Kidway runs 9-11 a.m. and the Mighty Midway 10 a.m. to noon with reduced lights and sound.
Grandstand Stage: Tommy James & The Shondells and Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: The Sugarhill Gang with Melle Mel & Scorpio at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); Keith Secola and the Rangers at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Tuesday, September 1 — Military Appreciation Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
One of the fair's most moving days, opening with a Bandshell ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Active, retired, and veteran military — plus spouses and children of active-duty members — receive $15 admission with valid service documentation, along with all-day ride discounts.
Grandstand Stage: After Rod Stewart cancelled his show that was scheduled on this date, the Minnesota State Fair booked Hairball to play. This is a FREE show (with fair admission). The venue will open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.
Free Stages: The Sugarhill Gang with Melle Mel & Scorpio at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); Keith Secola and the Rangers at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Wednesday, September 2 — Kids Day & Theater Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
Children ages 5-12 get in for $15 with ride and game deals, and ETC Productions stages Frozen Jr. for the little ones on Theater Day. Fossil Corner's paleontologist meet-ups also return through the weekend.
Grandstand Stage: AJR with special guests Quinn XCII and Avery Cochrane, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Yacht Rock Revue at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); The Cactus Blossoms at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Thursday, September 3 — Seniors Day & Stretch & Stroll
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
Seniors 65 and up again pay just $15 at the gate for a Medica Stretch & Stroll morning at Dan Patch Park. Note that this date does not include the ride discounts, so plan a leisurely, walk-and-graze kind of day.
Grandstand Stage: Brad Paisley with Jake Worthington and Laci Kaye Booth, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Yacht Rock Revue at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); The Cactus Blossoms at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Friday, September 4 — MPR Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
Minnesota Public Radio broadcasts live from the grounds all day, and fans can catch familiar voices and programming around the fair. It's a great day for people-watching and podcast lovers alike.
Grandstand Stage: HARDY with special guest McCoy Moore, 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Urban Classic Presents Revelation — A Retrospective of the Minneapolis Sound at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); First Avenue Goes To The Fair at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Saturday, September 5 — FFA Day & Pan-Latino Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
A celebration of future farmers and Minnesota's Latino communities, with music, food, and culture centered at Dan Patch Park. It's also the last night of the amateur talent contest preliminaries before Sunday's finals.
Grandstand Stage: TLC and Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue — "It's Iconic," 7 p.m.
Free Stages: Urban Classic Presents Revelation at the Luther Auto Bandshell (8:30 p.m.); First Avenue Goes To The Fair at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Sunday, September 6 — Friends of the Fair & Cultural Destinations Day
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. (grounds open until 11 p.m.)
A day thanking the fair's supporters and spotlighting Minnesota's cultural communities. The big draw tonight is the amateur talent contest finals — and the Grandstand seat is free — as everyday performers chase the title.
Grandstand Stage: Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals, 7:30 p.m. (free).
Free Stages: Durry at the Luther Auto Bandshell (7:30 p.m.); Maygen & The Birdwatcher at the Schilling Amphitheater (8 p.m.).
Monday, September 7 — Kids Day & Hmong Minnesota Day (Labor Day)
Fair Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (grounds open until 8 p.m.; rides and games will close at 8 p.m.).
The grand finale honors Minnesota's Hmong community, with children ages 5-12 getting in for $15 and vendors rolling out end-of-fair specials. Remember the shorter Labor Day hours so you don't cut your last visit short.
Grandstand Stage: CeCe Winans — More Than This World Tour, 3 p.m.
Free Stages: Durry at the Luther Auto Bandshell (7 p.m.); Maygen & The Birdwatcher at the Schilling Amphitheater (7:30 p.m.).
That's all the fun — 12 days, dozens of headliners and hundreds of free shows. However you build your trip, the fair belongs to everyone: the kid on the midway, the senior swaying at the Bandshell, the family splitting one giant bucket of cookies.
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