Northern Indiana County Fairs 2025: Full Event Guide

County fairs are a summer staple in the Hoosier State. From 4-H projects and livestock to carnival rides and fair foods, there’s no shortage of fun experiences to be had at these gatherings across Indiana. Fair season in Indiana culminates with the Indiana State Fair, set for August 1-17 in Indianapolis.

Here’s your guide to northern Indiana county fairs you need to have on your radar for 2025.

Northern Indiana County Fair Cheat Sheet:

Here’s a deeper dive on some of the fairs outlined above.

LaPorte County Fair

Website: https://lpfair.com/
When: Saturday, July 5 - Saturday, July 12
Where: LaPorte County Fairgrounds, 2581 IN-2, LaPorte, IN 46350
Special Offer: Free admission to veterans and active-duty military members on Tuesday, July 8

The LaPorte County Fair is Indiana’s oldest county fair, with this year being the 179th edition. Pioneerland, first introduced to LaPorte County Fair attendees in 1995, is one of the most unique attractions at the fair. It includes a log cabin, blacksmith shop, one-room schoolhouse, post office, general store, farm bureau cabin, artisan barn, washhouse and other buildings depicting the 1800-1840s time period.

Country music artist Warren Zeiders, whose “Pretty Little Poison” was the number one hit on country radio in 2023, will perform on Thursday, July 10.

Kosciusko County Fair

Website: https://newtoncountyfair.weebly.com/
When: Sunday, July 6 - Saturday, July 12
Where: Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, 1400 E Smith St., Warsaw, IN 46580
Special Offers: Children aged 9 and under receive free admission; admission is $3 for seniors 65 and up; grandstand seating is free all week

The 108th Annual Kosciusko County Fair includes grandstand entry with price of admission. You can catch Xtreme Monster Madness (monster trucks) at 7 p.m. on both Tuesday, July 8, and Wednesday, July 9, or enjoy the annual truck and tractor pulls at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.

Newton County Pun’Kin Vine Fair

Website: https://newtoncountyfair.weebly.com/
When: Monday, July 7 - Saturday, July 12
Where: Newton County Fairgrounds, 12189 Punkin Vine Rd, Kentland, IN 47951

The 106th Annual Newton County Pun’Kin Vine Fair has grandstand events all week long, highlighted by a rodeo at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, dirt drag racing at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, and demolition derby at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Tickets are required to attend all grandstand events.

Blackford County Fair

Website: https://www.facebook.com/blackford4h/
When: Saturday, July 12 - Saturday, July 19
Where: Blackford County Fairgrounds, 310 E Park Ave, Hartford City, IN 47348

Enter the Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, July 12, or check out the Dress the Rabbit Contest in the Rabbit Barn on Tuesday, July 15. The Kiddie Tractor Pull is set for 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, followed by Kiss A Pig at 5:45 p.m. in the Show Arena on Friday, July 18.

Benton County Fair

Website: https://www.facebook.com/BentonCountyINFair/
When: Tuesday, July 15 - Sunday, July 20
Where: Benton County 4-H Fairgrounds, 2743 West State Road 352, Boswell, IN 47921

The BBQ Bash Cookout kicks off the fair from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15. Other things of note include the Antique Tractor Parade at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 18, and Go-Kart Races from the grandstands at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 19.

Elkhart County 4-H Fair

Website: https://www.4hfair.org/
When: Friday, July 18 - Saturday, July 26
Where: Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds, 17746-D County Rd 34, Goshen, IN 46528 Special Offers: $5 admission, $5 food deals and FREE big wheel rides from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Friday, July 18

This is one of the nation’s biggest county fairs, welcoming an average of 200,000 attendees annually, and its grandstands concert series rivals that of any county fair in the state. How’s this for a five-day lineup? The Barenaked Ladies (Friday, July 18), T.I. (Saturday, July 19), Anne Wilson (Sunday, July 20), Nate Smith (Monday, July 21), and Skillet (Tuesday, July 22). Those in the grandstands can also enjoy a drone show on July 21-22, rodeo on Friday, July 25, and demolition derby on Saturday, July 26.

Tippecanoe County 4-H Fair

Website: https://tippe4hfair.org/
When: Friday, July 18 - Saturday, July 26
Where: Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds, 1406 Teal Road, Lafayette, IN 47905
Special Offer: “Last Night Fair Special” means every carnival ride takes just one ticket on Saturday, July 26

Livestock shows take place every evening in the Coliseum, but on Thursday, July 24, there are three contests in the Coliseum you’ve got to see, including pie eating at 5:30 p.m., animal calling at 7:30 p.m., and greased watermelon (it’s the unknown of what it is that’s intriguing) at 8 p.m.

Lake County Fair

Website: https://www.lake-county-fair.com/
When: Friday, August 1 - Sunday, August 10
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S Court St., Crown Point, IN 46307

This is the only Indiana county fair that overlaps entirely with the Indiana State Fair, but for Hoosiers in the region that can’t make it to the state fair in Indianapolis, the Lake County Fair is a great alternative. The first Lake County Fair took place in 1852, and it has grown to become one of Indiana’s best county fairs. Grandstands events include monster truck shows from August 1-3, micro wrestling on Tuesday, August 5, and demolition derby on August 9-10.

Fair-goer Checklist:

• Check the forecast to know if inclement weather could interrupt fair plans.

• Pack sunscreen and bug spray – you’ll be outdoors for hours!

• Purchase carnival ride wristbands and parking in advance; they’re often discounted online.

• The heart of county fairs are the 4-H barns and exhibits. Show them some love!

• Most fair websites have some sort of special offer; take advantage before going!

Planning a Trip Down South?

If you're heading south, check out our full guide to Southern Indiana County Fairs 2025 for even more fried food, tractor pulls, and 4-H showcases across the Hoosier state.

Or explore other summer events and hidden gems in Southern Indiana to plan your road trip right.