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Guide to the NC State Fair
Do you want to visit the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh, NC this year? Here is what you need to know about the NC State Fair in Raleigh, including information on tickets, parking, and attractions.
The North Carolina State Fair is one of the biggest local celebrations in the state and is best known for its deep-fried food, thrilling rides, competitions, family-friendly events, and free entertainment. Welcoming more than 925,000 people last year, the NC State Fair is expected to draw close to one million visitors this year.
As one of the oldest and largest state fairs in the country, the NC State Fair is the perfect thing to do each fall with friends and family. Attracting visitors from all over the state, the fair significantly boosts tourism in Raleigh.
Whether you are a Raleigh resident or are traveling out of town to attend this year's NC State Fair, this guide is your ultimate resource for information about fair tickets, parking, attractions, food, and helpful tips to make your trip the best yet.
Check out this ultimate guide to the North Carolina State Fair
1. When and Where is the NC State Fair in 2024?
The North Carolina State Fair will be held from October 17th through October 27th, 2024, in Raleigh. It is a unique and family-friendly event. Nearly one million people visit the NC State Fair each fall, and it is considered the largest annual event in the state.
As one of the oldest state fairs in the country, this eleven-day event features thrilling rides and attractions, educational exhibits, delicious food, competitions, and nightly fireworks. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture organizes this fair each year at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, near North Carolina State University's campus, one of the best colleges in Raleigh.
2. Fair Tickets
Tickets to the NC State Fair can be bought in advance online as early as July 1st and are offered at a discounted price until October 18th. Discounted advance prices are available online from July 1st through October 17th, in person from October 3rd to October 17th, and at the Dorton Arena Kiosk on weekends.
Regular gate prices will be introduced online and in person from October 18th through October 27th. NC State Fair ticket pricing is as follows:
| Age Group | Discounted Advance Ticket Prices | Gate Ticket Prices |
| Adults ages 13 through 64 | $10 | $13 |
| Military Adults ages 13 through 64 | N/A | $8 |
| Youth ages six through 12 | $5 | $7 |
| Children ages five and under | Free | Free |
| Senior Adults ages 65 and older | $5 | $5 |
| Group Adult 40 or more tickets purchased | $8 | N/A |
| Group Youth 40 or more tickets purchased | $4 | N/A |
Ticket prices include state and local sales tax. All forms of payment are accepted at the gate, including cash, Mastercard, Visa, and American Express. All tickets must be bought before 9:45 PM on the day of attendance.
Special event tickets are also available and do not include fair admission. Special events include United Pullers of the Carolina Tractor Pull and Motorsports Mayhem at the Rand Grandstand and Draft Horse Pull and Mini Horse Pull at the Hunt Horse Complex. All special events are $10 admission per person.
3. Parking Information
One of the most important things about visiting the NC State Fair is knowing where to park for the event. Free parking is available at the Carter-Finley Football Stadium, the Lenovo Center, and State Fair property. The Lenovo Center will require reserved or paid parking on October 19th, October 25th, and October 26th due to events happening on these dates.
Many private lots and small parking lots owned by local businesses offer parking for fair visitors, but the NC State Fair does not control this parking and can be costly. If you are worried about parking, consider using a ride-share service or public transportation through the GoRaleigh bus service.
4. Special Events Days
Multiple special events are happening at the North Carolina State Fair this year, including the Homegrown Music Festival, which first debuted in 2015 and has remained a local favorite ever since. Featuring live music from local artists of varying genres, the festival is free with admission to the fair and is a great way to support North Carolina musicians.
Check out these other special event days at the fair this year:
- Wolfpack Day: On Thursday, October 17th, NC State University students will get $8 student admission at the gate by showing their NC State Student ID card.
- AccessABILITY Day: On Sunday, October 20th, vendors, rides, and games will operate without lights or music at their booths from 9 AM to 1 PM. Noise-canceling headphones will also be available for visitors who need them.
- Senior Citizens' Day: On Tuesday, October 22nd, seniors 65 and over will get free admission to the fair. Bojangles biscuits and coffee will also be served at the Senior Fun Fest.
- Military Appreciation Day: On Wednesday, October 23rd, there will be a parade starting at 10 AM, and the fair will pay tribute to members of the U.S. Military.
- Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day: On Thursday, October 24th, fairgoers can bring six cans of food to the gates in exchange for free admission.
5. Fun Attractions
One of the main reasons that everyone loves visiting the NC State Fair is for its numerous fun and exciting attractions. Every year, there is always something new to do at the fair, and 2024 is no different. Most attractions are open to all ages and can be enjoyed each day the fair is open.
Check out these local favorite attractions at the 2024 NC State Fair:
- Field of Dreams: Children can explore specialty gardens at the fair's miniature farm and learn where food is grown.
- North Carolina Public House: Located in the South Dorton Arena Lobby, fairgoers can purchase beer, wine, and cider. Tickets may be purchased in advance and are $10 each.
- Grandstand Shows: Tickets to the United Pullers of the Carolinas Tractor Pull and Motorsports Mayhem are separate from fair admission and can be bought at the gate.
- Free Grounds Entertainment: Magic shows, bird shows, comedy shows, and fire performances can be enjoyed across the fairgrounds. Check the daily schedule to learn more.
- State Fair Ark: More than 60 farm animals raised in North Carolina, including cows, sheep, goats, and pigs, will be displayed here.
- Antique Farm Equipment: Open daily, this display features a collection of vintage farm tools.
- Flower and Garden Show: This event features colorful arrangements, perennial and annual flowers, scented herbs, potted plants, themed gardens, and a bonsai exhibit.
- Got to Be NC Agriculture Pavillion: Check out cooking demonstrations and buy goods from local vendors.
- Heritage Circle: Located near the Flower Show, this section of the fair features an exhibit area with a church, cider house, tobacco barn, and old gristmill.
- N.C. Forest Service: Learn about forestry in North Carolina, meet forest rangers, and learn how to prevent wildfires at this popular fair exhibit area.
- Soil and Water Conservation: Located with the N.C. Forest Service, learn about the importance of Soil and Water Conservation and how it affects your daily life.
- Village of Yesteryear: Featuring over 75 artists and crafters, the fair offers various handmade crafts for sale, from pottery to hand-spun wool yarn.
6. Rides
From the giant Ferris wheel to the high-flying swings, the NC State Fair will have nearly 100 rides and games to check out. Each year, new attractions and rides are introduced, and tickets will be available specifically for rides online in advance or in person at the fair itself.
Just so you know, ride ticket cards and tickets to the State Fair Flyer and the State Fair Skygazer do not include admission to the fair. Certain rides at the fair take different ticket amounts, so investing in an unlimited ride wristband might be a good idea.
The State Fair Flyer is a skylift that takes you from one side of the fair to the other. The State Fair Skygazer is the biggest Ferris wheel on the fairgrounds and offers spectacular views from the top.
Ticket pricing for rides at the NC State Fair is as follows:
| Type of Ride Ticket | Advance Sale Price (July 1st - October 17th) | At the Fair (October 18th - October 27th) |
| Ride Ticket Card | $10 for 18 ride tickets | $1 per ticket |
| Unlimited Ride Wristband | $30 per wristband | $40 per wristband |
| State Fair Flyer | $6 one way or $9 round trip | $7 one way or $10 round trip |
| State Fair SkyGazer | $6 | $7 |
7. Food
One of the best reasons to visit the NC State Fair is the food. Considered a huge economic draw for vendors, the North Carolina State Fair offers various food options, including deep-fried foods, turkey legs, macaroni and cheese, and jerk chicken.
Many fairgoers skip the rides altogether and walk around to try the foods and indulge in deep-fried Oreos. No matter what outrageous dish you crave, the fair is bound to serve it.
New food vendors are introduced each year, so it will be interesting to see what is new. Some of the most popular food vendors guaranteed to return this year include Howling Cow Ice Cream, Peachey's Baking Company, Neomonde, and La Farm Bakery. Many vendors at the fair have their own restaurants, food trucks, or ice cream shops in Raleigh.
8. Helpful Tips
Whether this is your first time visiting the NC State Fair or you are a seasoned fairgoer, the fair can seem overwhelming with so much to do and see. Welcoming thousands of visitors each day, it is essential to have a game plan in place and plan your trip so that you can check out the things that interest you the most.
Here are some helpful tips to ensure that you have a fantastic experience at the 2024 NC State Fair:
Come Prepared
Check the attractions and vendor list beforehand so that you know what you do not want to miss once you arrive at the fair. A daily schedule and NC State Fair Map are available online.
Visit on a Discount Day
Multiple discount days, from Wolfpack Day to Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day, offer visitors discounted admission prices. The money saved on admission can be used for food and rides inside the fair.
Take a Picture of the Gate You Entered Through
The NC State Fairgrounds is 344 acres and has 40,000 square feet of building space, making it easy to get lost. Make sure to take a picture of the gate you entered through and where you parked your car to know where to return at the end of the night.
Do Not Rush
The fair has so many food vendors, rides, attractions, and special events to check out that it can be hard to fit everything you want to see into one day. Luckily, the NC State Fair is an eleven-day event, which allows you plenty of time to visit more than once. Since you can always come back and do anything that you missed the first day, do not rush and take the time to explore.
9. Competitions
The NC State Fair features many competitions each year, and the entry registration deadline is September 15th. From baking competitions to a youth writing competition, the NC State Fair is a great place to showcase and celebrate local talent. To learn more about the NC State Fair Competitions, check out the General Entry Premium Book.
10. Fireworks
One of the best things about visiting the NC State Fair is enjoying nightly fireworks. Fireworks begin each night at 9:45 PM over a large pond and will celebrate the end of each fair day. The best places to view the fireworks are at Gate Eight and near Heritage Circle.
FAQs
Do you need cash at the NC State Fair?
Yes, some vendors at the NC State Fair only take cash, so it is a good idea to bring some just in case to make certain purchases. ATMs are available at the fairgrounds.
How long does the state fair last in North Carolina?
The NC State Fair is an eleven-day event that occurs annually in mid-October and attracts a million visitors from all over the state.
What can you bring to the NC State Fair?
Offering two security checkpoints at each gate, bags of any size are allowed as long as they are clear. Outside food and drink, medications, water bottles, and diaper bags are permitted, but alcohol, drugs, firearms, knives, or weapons of any kind are not allowed.
Do they serve alcohol at the NC State Fair?
Yes, alcohol is served at the NC State Fair but only at the NC Public House, which is located on the south side of Dorton Arena. The only alcohol served is beer and wine; there is a limit of one beer and wine ticket per person per visit to the Public House. IDs will be checked at the door.
Methodology
Information and data collected about the NC State Fair was sourced from the North Carolina Department of Agricultre and Consumer Services and ABC 11 Eyewitness News.
NC State Fair Guide - Final Thoughts
Visiting the North Carolina State Fair is a popular fall activity along with going to a pumpkin patch and planning a trip to a haunted house. Most Raleigh residents love going to the fair and look forward to it every year.
If you want to move to Raleigh so that you can be closer to the state fair, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty. We are here to help you find your dream home in one of the best places to live in North Carolina.
