Indiana State Fair: Everything You Need to Know
The Indiana State Fair runs August 7–23, 2026 (closed Mondays) at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. This year the fair leans into baseball, with a stacked free concert lineup, deep-fried favorites, rides, animal barns, and more than 100 free attractions. It is the event to mark on your Indiana summer calendar.
Here is everything you need to know before you go, from discount days and hours to free shows and parking tips.
Ready to plan your visit? Grab your tickets now and skip the lines.
Buy Indiana State Fair tickets here!
A Hoosier Summer Tradition
The Indiana State Fair is one of the state’s oldest and largest annual gatherings, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the fairgrounds on East 38th Street every August.
The 2026 theme is “Always A Hit,” presented by the Indianapolis Indians, a celebration of Indiana’s baseball tradition carried by the tagline “Batter Up, Indiana!” Expect baseball-themed exhibits, interactive sports activations, and programming that runs from home runs to hometown fun.
Key Dates, Hours & Admission
Dates: August 7–23, 2026 (closed Mondays, August 10 and 17)
Location: Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis
Theme: “Always A Hit,” presented by the Indianapolis Indians
Parking: $10 per vehicle. Lots are the Fairgrounds Infield, the South Lot on 38th Street across from the Main Gate, and the Indiana School for the Deaf on 42nd Street. Ride your bike and save $1 on admission
Shuttle: free tractor shuttles run throughout the grounds daily
Hours:
Gates: open 8 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closing is 11 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. Last entry is 8 p.m. every day
Buildings and exhibits: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Minor policy: anyone under 18 needs a parent, guardian or chaperone age 25 or older after 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and after 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday
Closed Mondays, August 10 and 17
Ticket Prices & Discount Days
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the fair on a budget:
Advance tickets: $14 (plus a $1 fee) online through August 6, a 22% savings off gate admission. Buy ahead and save.
Kids 5 and under: always free.
Then there are the themed discount days:
Discount Day | Date(s) | Deal |
|---|---|---|
$2 Tuesdays | Aug 11 & Aug 18 | $2 gate admission, $2 Midway rides, and $2 food options. |
Military & First Responders’ Day | Aug 12 | Free admission for current and former military, first responders, and their families with valid ID. |
Indianapolis Indians’ Family Day | Aug 13 | Half off gate admission with a printed or digital voucher from IndyIndians.com. |
Hoosier Lottery Day | Aug 15 | Adults 18 and up with paid admission get a free $1 scratch-off with a gate flyer, while supplies last. |
Farmers’ Day | Aug 19 | Free admission with the ticket printed in the August 17 IndyStar. |
AAA Day | Aug 20 | Free admission with a valid AAA membership card at the gate. |
Deals are added as the fair nears, so check the official Deals & Discounts page. Buying online also lets you skip the gate lines.
Hoosier Lottery Free Stage Concert Lineup
Every show at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage is free with paid admission. Seating is first-come, first-served, and concerts start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted. There are no shows on Mondays, August 10 and 17, when the fair is closed. Two acts came off the 2026 bill: The Beach Boys postponed their August 7 show to 2027 (the fair is refunding premium reserved seating) and Bret Michaels cancelled. Here is the 2026 lineup:
Date | Artist |
|---|---|
Fri, Aug 7 | The Spinners (6 p.m.) and The Four Tops (7:30 p.m.) |
Sat, Aug 8 | TUSK (Fleetwood Mac tribute) |
Sun, Aug 9 | Josiah Queen |
Tue, Aug 11 | Clayton Anderson |
Wed, Aug 12 | Vixen (6:30 p.m.) and Warrant (7:30 p.m.) |
Thu, Aug 13 | Busta Rhymes |
Fri, Aug 14 | Grand Funk Railroad |
Sat, Aug 15 | DJ Golden Hour: A Tribute to Demon Hunters |
Sun, Aug 16 | Trace Adkins |
Tue, Aug 18 | Los Sementales de Nuevo León |
Wed, Aug 19 | Happy Together Tour |
Thu, Aug 20 | Gene Simmons |
Fri, Aug 21 | Sammy Kershaw (6 p.m.) and Craig Morgan (7:30 p.m.) |
Sat, Aug 22 | Don McLean |
Sun, Aug 23 | Tasha Cobbs Leonard |
New for 2026
The fair is rolling out several first-time attractions this year:
Rewind: A VHS Revival, an immersive tribute to the movie posters and video-rental stores of the 1980s through the 2000s.
A mini-Victory Field wiffle ball diamond for fans at Schumacher Stadium.
The Indianapolis Indians’ Big-League Barn Shop.
Nearly 50 brand-new Taste of the Fair food creations.
The return of the Big Top Circus, presented by Bee Window.
Free Things to Do at the Indiana State Fair
Not everything at the fair costs extra. More than 100 experiences are included with admission:
Learn to cast at Bank Fishing 101 in the DNR complex.
Catch the Hot Air Balloon Race on August 8 at 6:45 a.m., launching from the Infield.
Watch the daily parade down Main Street.
Walk through the livestock barns and meet the stars of Indiana agriculture.
Cheer on the pups at the DockDogs competition, running August 7 through 16.
You can find the full list of free attractions at indianastatefair.com.
Top 5 Things You Can’t Miss
The Four Tops, The Spinners, Gene Simmons and the rest of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage lineup.
$2 Tuesdays, with discounted admission, rides, and food.
“Rewind: A VHS Revival,” the fair’s new immersive nostalgia exhibit.
DockDogs through August 16, and the August 8 sunrise balloon race.
Deep-fried everything and a fair-famous lemon shake-up.
More Indiana State Fair Guides
Want the full Indiana State Fair experience?
Ready to plan your visit? Grab your tickets now and skip the lines. Buy Indiana State Fair tickets here!
Let’s Make It a Fair to Remember
Whether you’re in it for the lemon shake-ups, live music, or livestock, the Indiana State Fair has something for every kind of Hoosier. Grab your crew, wear comfy shoes, and don’t forget to tag @GetIndiana in your funnel cake photos.
Have a favorite fair tradition or a planning tip? Drop it in the comments or send us a message on Instagram. We’ll see you at the fairgrounds!
