Aug. 27 – Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2026
110 Days 3 Hours 39 Mins
Every night during the State Fair at 6 p.m., crowds converge at the Luther Auto Bandshell to witness an event almost as legendary as corndogs and cotton candy. The annual Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest semifinals draw hundreds of fair guests who grab a seat to enjoy singers, dancers, instrumentalists, cloggers and every type of performer in between as they compete for the right to be named Minnesota’s top talent. Nightly first-place winners compete in the Amateur Talent Contest Finals, held in the Grandstand on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. This final round of competition features the 26 remaining contestants competing for more than $20,000 in cash awards!
Do you love the amateur talent contest and want more opportunities to cheer on the brave contestants? Auditions are free to watch and open to the public (see dates and times below). Bring a picnic to make an evening of it, or stop by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation Snack Shack for a treat!
Auditions for the 2026 Minnesota State Fair Amateur Talent Contest begin Monday, July 27 and will run through Sunday, Aug. 2 at the Luther Auto Bandshell. Monday through Friday will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday auditions begin at 11 a.m. From the acts that audition during that week, 30 preteen division acts, 42 teen division acts and 48 open division acts will advance to the semifinals during the State Fair. All acts who audition will receive a letter in the mail to let them know whether or not they are a semifinalist. Please allow approximately one week from the completion of all auditions to receive your letter.
Registration is now open for 2026 MSF Amateur Talent Contest auditions. Register online or mail in your completed entry form and fee to get scheduled for your in-person audition. For more details about the contest, check out the contest rules. All registrations must be received by Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 4 p.m. to secure an audition spot.
Interested in auditioning for the MSF Amateur Talent Contest in the future? To be added to next year's mailing list, please email msfent@mnstatefair.org with your name and address included.
County fairs throughout Minnesota are invited to send winners of their amateur talent contests to the State Fair competition. Semifinals are held the first nine evenings of the State Fair on the Family Fair Stage at Baldwin Park with the nightly first-place winners progressing to the MSF County Fair Talent Contest Finals, which take place on Saturday, Sept. 5. The first- and second-place finals winners in each division continue on in the competition by representing their counties in the MSF Amateur Talent Contest Finals on Sunday, Sept. 6 in the Grandstand.
For further information, please email msfent@mnstatefair.org.
Links will become active as information is available.
MSF Amateur Talent Contest:
Register Online Now!
Registration deadline: Wednesday, July 29 at 4 p.m.
County Fair Talent Contest:
