Minnesota State Fair 2024: What you need to know
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The Minnesota State Fair's gates are set to open Thursday at 7 a.m. and this year the fair is launching a new app to help fairgoers navigate the Great Minnesota Get Together.
When is the Minnesota State Fair?
The fair will run from Aug. 22 through Labor Day, Sept. 2.
Fairground hours are 7 a.m.-11 p.m. every day, but on Labor Day the fairgrounds will close at 9 p.m. Most buildings will close at 9 p.m., except on Labor Day, where most will close at 8 p.m.
How much does the fair cost?
Pre-fair admission tickets are at a discounted price of $15, and tickets bought at the time of the fair will cost $18 for adults.
For more information on tickets, click here.
Here's a breakdown of ticket pricing:
- Adults (13-64): $18
- Seniors (65+): $16
- Kids (5-12): $16
- Children (Four and under): Free
- Opening Day (Aug. 22), has discounted tickets at the entrance gates.$16 for adults (13-64)$13 for seniors (65+)$13 for kids (5-12)
- $16 for adults (13-64)
- $13 for seniors (65+)
- $13 for kids (5-12)
- Seniors Day (Aug. 26 and 29), $13 tickets for seniors 65+.
- Military Appreciation Day (Aug. 27), has discounted tickets for active military, their spouses and kids. Also for retired military, military veterans and their spouses. This also includes deals on merchandise and food for all fair guests.$13 for adults (13-64)$13 for seniors (65+)$13 for kids (5-12)
- $13 for adults (13-64)
- $13 for seniors (65+)
- $13 for kids (5-12)
- Kids Day (Aug. 28 and Sept. 2) is $13 for kids aged 5-12.
Transportation, parking options
The State Fair has multiple transportation and parking options, such as express buses, car and bike parking, free park-and-ride locations, and designated areas for ride-share services.
There is on-site parking in the Fairground Lots available on a first-come basis for $20, starting at 6 a.m.
DETAILS: Minnesota State Fair transportation options: What you need to know for 2024
New food and drinks at the State Fair
READ MORE: Minnesota State Fair: MN Craft Brewers Guild offers non-alcoholic flight option
The fair will feature 33 new foods and six new food vendors at this year's State Fair. That brings the total to 1,600 foods and 300 different concession locations.
NEW FOODS: Minnesota State Fair's new foods for 2024
The fair will feature 63 new drinks, with State Fair officials saying there are 46 exclusive beverages returning to the 2024 fair, which can be found here.
The price was also raised for the all-you-can-drink milk at the State Fair, increasing to $3, $1 more than 2023.
NEW DRINKS: Minnesota State Fair new beers, drinks for 2024
New attractions
There are many new attractions, rides and more at the State Fair this year.
The new Minnesota State Fair phone app will help people navigate the fair, and can be downloaded on your phone's app store.
There will be two new rides; The Kraken, a pendulum-style ride with a swinging arm, and The Defender, which is a propeller-style ride.
ALL NEW ATTRACTIONS: Minnesota State Fair new attractions for 2024
Grandstand shows
Here's the lineup for the Grandstand:
- Aug. 22: Becky G with Los Aptos
- Aug. 23: Chance the Rapper
- Aug. 24: Nate Bargatze: The Be Funny Tour
- Aug. 25: Blake Shelton with Emily Ann Roberts
- Aug. 26: Happy Together Tour 2024 featuring The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger, The Vogues and The Cowsills
- Aug. 27: Ludacris and T-Pain
- Aug. 28: Jon Pardi with Dillon Carmichael
- Aug. 29: Mötley Crüe with White Reaper
- Aug. 30: Matchbox Twenty with Beauty School Dropout
- Aug. 31: Stephen Sanchez
- Sept. 1: Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest Finals (free)
- Sept. 2: Kidz Bop Live 2024
Free shows and entertainment
There are over 900 shows, 100 plus acts all for free at the State Fair.
Click here for performances and schedules.
FOX 9 Minnesota State Fair booth schedule
(FOX 9)
Be sure to visit the FOX 9 booth by the Giant Slide while you're at the State Fair.
Come say "Hello" to your favorite FOX 9 personalities, get this year's free tote bag every day at 5 p.m., and test your luck with the FOX LOCAL claw machine, where you can win amazing prizes including an Amazon Fire Stick. You can also visit to thank Alix Kendall for 25 years being at FOX 9 and write best wishes on her retirement at the booth.
Here's what you can expect:
Join FOX 9 for live newscasts every day. Here's the schedule:
- 7-9 a.m.: FOX 9 Morning Newscasts every day
(FOX 9)
- 9-11 a.m.: FOX 9 Sunday Morning News on Sundays
- 9-10 a.m.: FOX 9 Good Day on weekdays
- 10 a.m. to noon: The Jason Show on weekdays
- 5-7 p.m.: FOX 9 evening news on weekdays
There will also be special tapings at the State Fair, including the PJ Fleck Show at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 22 and Enough Said on Fridays at 12:30 p.m.
Here's the full schedule:
Monday-Friday weekday schedule:
- 7-9 a.m.: FOX 9 Morning Newscasts
- 9-10 a.m.: FOX 9 Good Day
- 10 a.m.-noon: The Jason Show
- 1-4 p.m.: Claw machine
- 5-7 p.m.: FOX 9 Evening News and bag giveaway
Saturday, Aug. 24 schedule
- 7-9 a.m.: FOX 9 Morning Newscasts
- 10 a.m.-noon: Bag giveaway
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles preseason game viewing party
- 1-4 p.m.: Claw machine
- 5-7 p.m.: Bag giveaway
- 5:30 p.m.: Minnesota United game
Sunday, Aug. 25, schedule
- 7-9 a.m.: FOX 9 Morning Newscasts
- 9-11 a.m.: Wake up with FOX 9 Sunday Morning News
- 10 a.m.-noon: Claw machine
- 1-4 p.m.: Claw machine
- 5-7 p.m.: Bag giveaway
Saturday, Aug. 31, schedule
- 7-9 a.m.: FOX 9 Morning Newscasts
- 10 a.m.-noon: Claw machine
- 1-4 p.m.: Claw machine
- 5-6 p.m.: Bag giveaway
Sunday, Sept. 1, schedule
- 7-9 a.m.: FOX 9 Morning Newscasts
- 9-11 a.m.: Wake up with FOX 9 Sunday Morning News
- 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Claw machine
- 3-4 p.m.: Melissa Peterman: "Person, Place or Thing" game
- 5-6 p.m.: Bag giveaway
Monday, Sept. 2, schedule
- 10 a.m. to noon: Claw machine
- 1-4 p.m.: Claw machine
- 5-6 p.m.: Bag giveaway
*Note: This schedule is subject to change.
Map your route
Here is a map of the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. For more maps and directions, click here.
Map of the Minnesota State Fair Grounds.