Time is running out on the 2026 NC State Fair. The fair wraps up its run at the NC State Fairgrounds in Raleigh on Sunday, October 25, which means this final weekend is your last chance this year to catch one of North Carolina’s biggest traditions. If you’ve been putting off your fair visit, consider this your sign: the rides, the food and the fireworks are all still here, but only for a few more days.
What to Eat
The fair’s food lineup is the stuff of legend, and 2026 raised the bar with more than 80 new food items joining the classics. Come hungry and pace yourself — from sweet to savory to deep-fried everything, the food vendors are half the reason to go. New treats are scattered across the fairgrounds, so keep an eye out for this year’s debut items alongside the funnel cakes and turkey legs you know and love.
What to Ride
For thrill seekers, the skyline star this year is the 230-foot America 250 Wheel, a towering Ferris wheel with views across the whole fairgrounds. Prefer a different perspective? Hop on the State Fair Flyer, the sky ride that glides you above the crowds from one end of the fair to the other — part transportation, part attraction in its own right.
What to See
Beyond the rides and food, the fair packs in live entertainment. The Homegrown Music Fest brings performances to the Waterfall Stage, free with your fair admission. And when the sun goes down, stick around: nightly fireworks light up the sky over the fairgrounds, the perfect end to a fair day.
Tips for the Final Weekend
The last weekend is always one of the busiest, so plan ahead. Go early to beat the biggest crowds and the midday sun, and give yourself extra time for parking and traffic around Trinity Road — the fairgrounds fill up fast on Saturdays. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, and check the fair’s official site for the day’s schedule before you head out.
Event Details
- Date: Through Sunday, October 25, 2026 (final weekend)
- Time: Daily; check the official site for hours
- Venue: NC State Fairgrounds
- Address: 4285 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
- Tickets: $13 adults, $7 ages 6-12, $5 seniors, free for kids 5 and under
Tickets
Admission to the NC State Fair is $13 for adults, $7 for ages 6-12, $5 for seniors, and free for kids 5 and under. Get tickets and find full details on the fair’s official website at ncstatefair.org.