Minnesota State Fair Pro Tips
Plan your visit to the Minnesota State Fair with our in-depth guide on the costs, hours, attractions, and more.
The Great Minnesota Get-Together
Join in on all the fun from Thursday, August 21 through Monday, September 1 at the State Fairgrounds for the Great Minnesota Get-Together! This end-of-summer tradition, which is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, is held the 12 days leading up to Labor Day each year.
Plan Your Visit
Hours
Fairgrounds Admission
- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day
Fairground Hours
- 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Labor Day
Online Ticket Sales Fair Time
- 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day
Gate Ticket Sales Fair Time
- 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Labor Day
Admission
- Adults (13-64): $20
- Seniors (65+): $18
- Kids (5-12): $18
- Children (4 and under): Always Free!
Discount Days
Opening Day
Thursday, August 21
Discounted Admission
- $18 for Adults (13-64)
- $15 for Seniors (65+) & Kids (5-12)
Seniors Day
Monday, August 25 & Thursday, August 28
Discounted Admission
- $15 for Seniors (65+)
Military Appreciation Day
Tuesday, August 26
*All admission prices listed below require valid documentation of service
- $15 for kids, adults and seniors
Kids Day
Wednesday, August 27 & Monday, September 1
Discounted Admission
- $15 for kids (5-12)
Top 5 Minnesota State Fair Tips
Tip #1: Arrive Early
Beat the heat (and the crowds) by arriving when the gates open at 7 a.m. You won’t find everything open that early (typically happens by 9 a.m.), but it’s a great opportunity to grab some coffee, breakfast and navigate the streets with ease. Portable fans can be a lifesaver later in the day and we also recommend a refillable water bottle for free hydration (plus environmental brownie points).
Tip #2: Create a Budget-Friendly Itinerary
You know you’re going to end up going, so why not save yourself a little cash with pre-fair discount tickets? Tickets are available for $17 through August 20—get them online, the fairgrounds ticket office, by phone or at a variety of Twin Cities Cub locations.
The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book is your passport to savings at the fair. For just $5 you get 100 coupons with savings on food, merchandise and attractions that are valid for all 12 days of the fair!
Stop by any information booth for the Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide listing the day's best values, free stuff and hidden values at the fair.
Last Chance Fair: Your last chance to get deals on food and merchandise is on Labor Day! Find out which deals you can cash in on at any information booth or the fair website on Labor Day.
Tip #3: Plan for a Foodie Adventure
There is truly something for every tastebud at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Indulge in classic fair favorites like Sweet Martha's Cookie Jar, fresh-cut fries, and sweet corn on the cob, or explore the world of new and exotic fare from the 2025 new foods list.
The fair has an online Food Finder, which is your go-to for mapping out the 500+ menu items available.
- Did you know the State Fair has a grocery store and deli? Steichen’s, the slightly hidden market behind the Poultry Barn on Commissary Way, is your stop for general convenience store items and anything you may have forgotten at home.
- There are three Sweet Martha’s locations. You’ll nearly always find a line at the Grandstand and Carnes locations. Save yourself a little time by venturing out to the North End for the lesser trafficked Randall-Underwood stand. And you’re going to need milk to go with those cookies, and the best deal on dairy at the fair is the $2 All-You-Can-Drink Milk Stand kitty-corner from the Coliseum at Judson & Clough.
Tip #4: Bring Warm-Weather Essentials
Don't forget to pack a hat or sunglasses and regularly apply sunscreen to block the rays during the long hours of fun in the sun. Stay hydrated during your Minnesota State Fair visit by bringing your own water bottle. Coolers are permitted on the grounds of the fair, but they may be subject to search at the entrances. We also suggest wearing your most comfortable pair of walking shoes.
Tip #5: Explore Transportation and Parking Options
While the fair does provide limited on-site paid parking, it’s one of those “better get there early” kind of things.
We recommend taking Metro Transit’s State Fair Express (operating out of dozens of free parking sites in the Twin Cities) or utilizing the park & ride service from 30 locations around the fairgrounds.
FAQs
Fairground Accessibility
If you want to get from one end of the fair to the other without weaving through hundreds of fairgoers, it’s worth spending a few bucks on the Skyride, Skyglider or trolley (bonus that they’re fun to ride).
Electric mobility scooters, strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs, provided by HomeTown Mobility, are available to rent at five locations inside the main gates of the fairgrounds.
Visit the Minnesota State Fair Accessibility Guide to find more about rentals, charging stations, interpreting services, transportation, blind and low vision services, and more.
Can I leave the fair and come back on the same day?
If you would like to leave the grounds and re-enter, just get your hand stamped when you exit. Then, you can re-enter without purchasing another admission ticket during the hours the outside gates are open.
Hand stamps will be issued 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (6 p.m. on Labor Day).
Are bags allowed in the Fair?
Bags, purses, and coolers are allowed. However, they will be subject to search at each of the fair entrances.
Cash or Card?
Select merchandise, food vendors and ticketed attractions accept debit/ credit cards. If need cash during the fair, there are ATMs located throughout the grounds (marked with a "$" on the map). There is a $3.50 service fee applied to all transactions.
Lost & Found
Contact Lost & Found at lostandfound@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4555.
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