The Kentucky State Fair is the official state fair of Kentucky, and it takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
The 2026 Kentucky State Fair runs August 20-30 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. Visit kystatefair.org for the full schedule and daily events.
The fair is 11 days in August. Please see the top of the website for this year's dates.
Ticket information is available on the tickets page in June each year.
All items found or turned in to Kentucky State Fair staff will be taken to the Kentucky Exposition Center Security Office (next to the box office). Visit the Lost and Found Online Center here.
Gates open at 7:00 AM daily. Opening times for halls and exhibits can vary by day, so check kystatefair.org/hours for the complete schedule.
We sure do! They change from year-to-year. Check the tickets page for more info.
Kissel Entertainment, our Midway provider, is officially Sensory Inclusive certified by KultureCity. The company is the first of its kind to receive the certification. Read about what that means here.
Louisville has a wide selection of hotel accommodations that will fit any budget. Click here to view available hotels by the Kentucky Exposition Center, home to the Kentucky State Fair.
All restrooms are wheelchair accessible and all buildings can be accessed by ramps. Elevators are located in the lobby of Broadbent Arena and in the east and west concourses of Freedom Hall. For accessible seating at the World's Championship Horse Show, call (502) 367-5144.
We are unable to cash personal checks. Locations of ATMs vary, but are typically found outside West Hall Lobby, in South Wing B Lobby, inside Freedom Hall’s front entrance, in Broadbent Arena’s concourse and in North Wing Lobby.
First aid locations are located at South Wing, Freedom Hall, Midway Trailer (by KSP post), and L Lot concert venue (during concerts only).
Bad weather can close, delay or cancel some attractions and events. In the event of inclement weather, the Kentucky State Fair does not offer refunds or rainchecks.
Overnight RV parking is allowed only in the Kentucky Exposition Center Lot F. Sites are available with reservations only. Electric and water hookups are not available. Contact (502) 367-5380 for more information or fill out a request form here.
The Kentucky Exposition Center is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is only allowed outdoors.
Wheelchairs and scooter rentals are available at the West Lawn next to the Accessible Parking Lot N through Scooter Time Rentals.
Purses, backpacks, book bags, water bottles, and strollers are permitted. Coolers are prohibited.
Coolers, glass bottles and containers are not permitted on the grounds. Outside alcohol is prohibited by Kentucky Alcohol Beverage Control Regulation.
Weapons not in compliance with Kentucky State and Federal law are prohibited. Attendees violating admission conditions are subject to enforcement action from State Police and or removal from the fair. The safety of everyone is our top priority.
The unauthorized use of aerial drones are prohibited and subject to FAA enforcement due to airport proximity.
Ticket sales by individuals is prohibited. To purchase tickets for an event, please visit the Kentucky Exposition Center Ticket Office.
You must have purchased and be located within our RV camping location to stay overnight. Otherwise, leaving your vehicle is prohibited and subject to being towed.
Before dropping your trailer, please verify through your primary point of contact that it is in the authorized location. Unauthorized dropping of any trailers is prohibited.
Attendees violating admission conditions are subject to enforcement action from State Police and or removal from the fair. The safety of everyone is our top priority.
All unauthorized fireworks and alarming devices are prohibited. Attendees violating admission conditions are subject to enforcement action from State Police and or removal from the fair. The safety of everyone is our top priority.
Unauthorized use of sound amplification devices is prohibited per KAR 1:100 (6).
Yes. However, The use of bicycles beyond designated corrals at entrance gates, the possession or use of segways/hoverboards, skateboards, kick scooters, unauthorized golf carts, and ATVs.
Service dogs are allowed in all areas. Non-service dogs are allowed in most areas of the Fair except the World's Championship Horse Show and the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series. All dogs must be on a leash.
Golf carts and ATVs must be permitted by the Kentucky State Fair and operated by an individual with a valid state driver’s license.
Vendors change from year-to-year and will be updated on the Visitor's Map page.
Online form is available here.
Per Kentucky Revised Statute 159.035(4), students applying for an excused absence to attend the Kentucky State Fair shall be granted one (1) day of excused absence. Take a look at this document for the full statute. This policy was put in place in a response to the conflict of starting school earlier and impacting the Fair.
When you submit this application, we will email you a form that contains the necessary details to provide to the teacher or administration at your school. Unless your school requires it, a signature from a fair employee is not required.
Gates open at 7:00 AM daily. Opening times for halls and exhibits can vary by day, so check kystatefair.org/hours for the complete schedule.
The final day of the 2026 Kentucky State Fair is August 30. All exhibits, rides, and attractions will be open on the last day. However, there will not be a concert on the main stage on the final day.
There are no refunds or rain checks for the Ky State Fair tickets.
Children 5 and under are admitted FREE. No ticket needed for your little one!
Kentucky Kingdom season pass holders get different perks for the Kentucky State Fair. Please check the Kentucky Kingdom website for the latest updates.
Yes! The fair offers special pricing on select days for military members, veterans, and their family members. The fair also offers special discounts for homeschool families. Visit kystatefair.org/tickets for more details and to fill out the form.
The full 2026 entertainment lineup can be found at https://kystatefair.org/visit/entertainment-activities.
The Texas Roadhouse Concert Series is FREE with fair admission! There are no VIP or pit passes available for concerts.
The Texas Roadhouse Concert Series is held at the outdoor concert stage in Lot L near Broadbent Arena. Seating is first-come, first-served. Chairs are not allowed to be brought inside the area.
Concerts begin at 8:00 PM. The concert area opens at 6:30 PM. Bad weather can close, delay, or cancel some attractions and events. In the event of inclement weather, the Kentucky State Fair does not offer refunds or rainchecks. Any weather-related updates will promptly be posted to the KY State Fair social media accounts.
The Budweiser Music Tent features free live music daily throughout the fair and is located just outside the West Wing Lobby on the West Lawn. The full schedule is at https://kystatefair.org/visit/entertainment-activities.
Sensory Awareness Day offers a welcoming environment in Thrill Ville for guests with sensory needs with reduced noise and stimulation. All admissions for the special event are handled through our event partners, FEAT of Louisville and the Kentucky Autism Training Center.
Beerfest is a 21+ curated tasting event featuring Kentucky-made craft beer. Minors are not permitted in the BEERFEST area even when accompanied by an adult.
The Kentucky State Fair does not have a First Responder Day. However, Military Day is a special promotional day for active and retired military members and their families. Special promo dates are posted at kystatefair.org/tickets.
Thrill Ville ride wristbands are $30 if purchased before August 20 and $35 if purchased on or after August 20. Individual ride tickets are also available. Purchase at kystatefair.org/tickets or at Thrill Ville on the fairgrounds. Wristbands offer unlimited rides and are the better value if you plan to ride all day.
Yes! All rides and attractions in Thrill Ville will be open on the final day of the fair. For specific hours, visit kystatefair.org/hours.
Yes! Thrill Ville has a kiddie section with rides designed for younger children. Some rides have height requirements. The Information Center within Thrill Ville will have more information.
Thrill Ville is the Kentucky State Fair's midway area featuring carnival rides, games, and family fun. Ride wristbands and individual tickets are required.
Yes, ADA-accessible parking is available. The main accessible parking lot is in Lot N, between the midway and Ky Kingdom. Parking fills quickly, so we recommend arriving early or visiting during the weekdays when crowds are smaller.
The rideshare pickup and drop-off area is located near Gate 1. Look for signage directing you to the designated rideshare zone.
The Ky State Fair shuttle runs throughout fair hours. Service typically ends 30 minutes after the fair closes.
Leashed or caged dogs are allowed at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Owners are required to clean up after their animal.
The Kentucky State Fair does not have a clear bag policy; however, all bags are subject to search.
Re-entry is not permitted with general admission tickets.
The Kentucky State Fair has a minor attendance policy in effect every day of the fair. Please reference the full policy at https://kystatefair.org/about/policies.
Yes! There are various animals at the fair at any given time. For a detailed list of days you can see specific species in the West Wing, visit https://kystatefair.org/hours. If you're planning to visit on Monday, the West Wing barns are closed, but you can visit Discovery Farm in the South Wing to see animals up close.
The West Wing, West Hall, and Pavilion close most nights at 9 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the final day of the fair. To find the specific days animals will be on site, visit kystatefair.org/hours.
The World's Championship Horse Show happens in Freedom Hall August 22-29, 2026. For tickets and details, visit wchorseshow.com.
The Junior Dairy Cattle Costume Contest happens in Broadbent Arena. For this year's date and time, check https://kystatefair.org/visit/schedule.
Competitive livestock entries are submitted through the online system at kystatefair.org/compete. Registration opens in May and closes mid-July. For specific questions, email entry@kyvenues.com.
Livestock show photographers vary by year and species. Contact entry@kyvenues.com for photographer contact information.
We are not able to share exhibitor contact information directly. We recommend connecting with breed associations or searching for the breeder through local livestock groups.
Our food vendors vary year-to-year. For a list of concessionaires, visit https://kystatefair.org/food-vendors.
Food options vary by vendor. We recommend checking with individual vendors about gluten-free options.
Motorized scooter and wheelchair rentals are available on the West Lawn. Pricing and availability can be accessed through Scooter Time Rentals.
Nursing and family rest areas are available in the West Hall and South Wing hallway.
All Lost & Found items are loaded to a live database. Visit https://kyexpo.org/lost-and-found/ to see if your item has been turned in.
The Ky State Fair map is available on-site in our Visitors Guide, on the mobile app, or at https://kystatefair.org/visit/visitors-map.
Official KSF merchandise, including shirts, hats, and posters, is available at the fair merchandise booth on the fairgrounds and online at https://merch.kyvenues.com/pages/kentucky-state-fair/. The merchandise booth is typically open at the same time as the indoor exhibits. For specific hours, visit https://kystatefair.org/hours.
Competitive livestock entries are submitted through the online system at kystatefair.org/compete. Registration opens in May and closes mid-July. For specific questions, email entry@kyvenues.com. Entry drop-off dates and times vary by category. Check the Premium List for specific dates and times.
Please email entry@kyvenues.com with your name and entry details, and we will follow up with you.
Results are posted at https://kystatefair.org/results typically within a week of the fair ending. However, some results may be posted during the fair.
Vendor applications are available at https://kystatefair.org/get-involved. There is a long waitlist for retail and food vendors, but we will contact you if a spot opens. Seasonal job openings are posted at https://kystatefair.org/about. Applications typically open in the summer for temporary employees. We would love to have you on the team!
For entertainment inquiries, please contact Triangle Talent. We are unable to accept unsolicited booking requests via social media.
You can reach the Kentucky State Fair by visiting https://kystatefair.org/about/contact.
The Kentucky Exposition Center is a public venue. Professional photography and videography are being captured at this event. By remaining in the venue, you consent to being included in photography and video used for promotional purposes. This notice is posted at our entrances. However, we understand some individuals have extenuating circumstances. Please email communications@kyvenues.com with a link to the specific post, and we will address it right away.