The Great New York State Fair returns to the Syracuse fairgrounds for 13 days starting Wednesday, August 26 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. If you went last year, you were one of 925,989 people who walked through the gates.
Here is everything that matters: dates, costs, what is new, what is worth your time, and what to skip.
The Basics
Where: New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13209. The fairgrounds span 375 acres, accessible via Route 690 and I-81.
When: August 26 through September 7, 2026. Gates open at 9 a.m. daily. Grounds close at 11 p.m. (9 p.m. Labor Day) (hours vary by day and area).
Tickets: General admission runs $8.32 (including fees) depending on the day and your age. Children under 12 are typically free. Dollar days and discount promotions are announced closer to the fair.
Parking: Approximately $12.41 per vehicle (including fees) in official lots. Centro provides bus service from park-and-ride locations every 30 minutes. Last year, Centro provided 390,000 rides to the fair, an 18% increase. The Oswego County Park-N-Ride handled 629 additional rides. The on-grounds tram transported 100,000 fairgoers.
Pets: Service animals only. Leave the dog at home.
2025 FAIR BY THE NUMBERS
What nearly a million people consumed in 13 days
The Concert Lineup
The 2026 Chevrolet Music Series features 41 national recording acts across two stages, all included with admission. No extra tickets needed.
Chevy Court (near Gate 1) hosts concerts at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily, plus two special 9 p.m. shows on Fridays (August 28 and September 4).
Suburban Park (western end, past the Midway) hosts an 8 p.m. concert every evening.
CONFIRMED 2026 PERFORMERS
Full lineup at nysfair.ny.gov. All concerts included with admission.
The Food
The fair will feature 300+ vendors including over 25 new choices for 2026. The Taste NY Marketplace, which showcased 290+ products from 85+ vendors in 2025, has expanded into the Horticulture Building alongside the Tasting Yard and Pop-Up Market.
Numbers from 2025 that tell you what people actually eat: 9,177 maple ice cream cones, 2,900 maple milkshakes, 3,000 servings of maple popcorn, and 1,100+ pounds of maple sugar shapes. New York is a maple state, and the fair proves it.
Agriculture
The Dairy Cattle Birthing Center delivered 29 calves during the 2025 fair, bringing the total since the center opened to 425+. Agriculture Career Day drew 315 youth leaders ages 12-18, an 87% increase from 2024, with 25 FFA members running activities. Over 700 pounds of produce were donated from the Voice of the Farmer Garden. The fair features 350+ competitive categories across agricultural exhibits.
The Butter Sculpture
The annual butter sculpture is unveiled on opening day inside the Dairy Products Building. The 2025 sculpture celebrated dairy sustainability with a Wizard of Oz theme for the book’s 125th anniversary. The 2026 theme has not been announced yet. Every year, it draws one of the longest lines at the fair. Get there early.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
What to Know
- Dates: August 26 through September 7, 2026 (13 days)
- Location: 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY 13209
- Admission: $8.32 adults, kids under 12 free
- Parking: ~$12 (Centro bus every 30 min from park-and-ride)
- Concerts: 41 national acts, all free with admission
- 2025 attendance: 925,989 visitors
- Food vendors: 300+, including 25+ new for 2026
- App: 38,000+ downloads in 2025, includes maps and schedules
Sources: NYS Fair Official Site, 2025 Fair By The Numbers, WKTV. Photos: Pexels.
