The Indiana State Fair runs Aug. 7–23, 2026, with midway rides, animals, fair food, daily entertainment and a baseball-themed “Always a Hit!” celebration presented by the Indianapolis Indians. The fair is closed Mondays.
General admission is $18 at the gate, but families who plan around advance sales, discount days and included entertainment can bring that total down quickly. Children ages 5 and younger are admitted free.
Once inside, the fair publishes a list of 100 free things to do at the Indiana State Fair, from tractor shuttles and putt-putt to the DNR Fishing Pond and FAIRadise Splash Pad.
Related Article: Fun Activities for $5 or Less in Indianapolis
Indiana State Fair Discounts and Deals for 2026
1. Buy advance tickets and ride wristbands by Aug. 6
Advance prices are available through 11:59 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 6. General admission is $14 online, compared with $18 at the gate, and advance parking is $9, compared with $10 onsite.
The $57 Family Four Pack includes four admission tickets and one parking pass. The $105 Foodie Family Four Pack includes four admission tickets, one parking pass and $50 in Fair Bucks. Fair Bucks can be used at food and beverage concessionaires outside the Midway. The tickets in either pack don’t all have to be used on the same day.
Advance Midway wristbands are $33 online, including the processing fee. Wristbands are valid only Aug. 7, 12–14, 19–21 and 23. Onsite wristband sales end at 8:30 p.m. on eligible days. Wristbands do not include fair admission or parking. Purchase advance offers through the official Indiana State Fair ticket page.
2. Go on a $2 Tuesday
The fair’s two $2 Tuesdays are Aug. 11 and 18. Admission is $2, Midway ride tickets are $2 and every food stand has at least one $2 food option. The $2 admission tickets are available online and at the gates only on those two dates.
3. Plan around a special admission day
The fair has four additional discount days that can cut the admission price in half or eliminate it entirely:
- Military and First Responders’ Day, Wednesday, Aug. 12: First responders, including nurses, current and former military members and their families receive free admission with valid identification presented at the gate.
- Indianapolis Indians’ Family Day, Thursday, Aug. 13: Present a printed or digital Indianapolis Indians Family Day voucher for half off gate admission, which brings a ticket to $9. One voucher may be redeemed per person.
- IndyStar Free Ticket, Wednesday, Aug. 19: Check the Monday, Aug. 17, IndyStar for a free ticket that can be redeemed at the fair gates only on Aug. 19, Farmers’ Day.
- AAA Day, Thursday, Aug. 20: AAA cardholders receive free admission by presenting a valid membership card at the gate. Each person must present a valid card.
Bonus: On Hoosier Lottery Day, Saturday, Aug. 15, adults ages 18 and older with paid admission can redeem a flyer received at a walk-in gate for one free $1 scratch-off ticket at Hoosier Lottery Town, while supplies last.
4. Ride a bike to the fair and save $1
Visitors who ride a bicycle to the fair can save $1 on admission by using the free secured bicycle racks along the Monon Trail north of 38th Street or at Fall Creek Parkway and 39th Street. It will not transform the family budget, but it also avoids the $10 onsite parking charge.
5. Build the visit around a Hoosier Lottery Free Stage concert
All Hoosier Lottery Free Stage concerts are included with paid fair admission. General seating is first come, first served and visitors may bring their own lawn chairs. Reserved and premium seating upgrades are available for an additional charge.
The lineup includes The Spinners, The Four Tops, TUSK, Warrant, Busta Rhymes, Grand Funk Railroad, Trace Adkins, Gene Simmons, Craig Morgan, Don McLean and more. Check the complete Hoosier Lottery Free Stage schedule before choosing a fair day.
For more outdoor music around Indianapolis, check out our guide to free summer concerts.
6. Use the $5 Value Menu instead of ordering blindly
The fair’s $5 Value Menu includes food and drinks priced at $5 or less from participating vendors around the grounds.
Pick up a $5 Value Menu map at any Indiana State Fair information booth to plan food stops before everyone is hungry enough to agree to a $14 snack.
7. Start with the 100 free activities
Before paying for extra attractions, look through the fair’s official list of 100 free things to do. Activities included with admission range from putt-putt golf, the DNR Fishing Pond and the butterfly exhibit to Little Hands on the Farm, the FAIRadise Splash Pad and free tractor shuttle rides around the grounds.
Times and availability vary, so grab a daily schedule at a gate or information booth when arriving. Planning two or three included activities between rides and food stops makes it much easier to spend the day at the fair without paying for something every 15 minutes.
Indiana State Fair Dates, Hours and Location
Dates: Friday, Aug. 7–Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026. Closed Mondays.
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Hours: Gates open at 8 a.m., with last entry at 8 p.m. The gates open at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, for the hot air balloon race. Fair closing times vary by day, so check the official Indiana State Fair hours before heading out.
Minor policy: Visitors younger than 18 must enter with a parent, legal guardian or chaperone age 25 or older after 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and after 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Each adult may chaperone up to four minors. Fair staff check identification at the gate.
Discount details, vouchers and participating vendors can change. Review the fair’s current deals and discounts before choosing a date.
