Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025
40 Days 8 Hours 21 Mins
During the fair, please enter one of the gates marked on a State Fair map.
The Minnesota State Fair’s security program includes walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates. Bags, purses, coolers and packages will be subject to search at each of the State Fair’s entrances. View our prohibited items on our Allowed & Prohibited Items FAQ page.
Other items may be refused at the discretion of State Fair management or law enforcement. Marijuana smoking is not permitted throughout the fairgrounds.
During the fair, guests can be picked up and dropped off at the Loop Gate on Como Avenue (#9). Check out a State Fair map. Cars cannot wait here for more than a few minutes to pick up passengers.
Rideshare apps, such as Lyft and Uber, have two designated drop-off and pick-up points on the fairgrounds.
The State Fair has three free bike parking areas.
During the State Fair, motorcycle and motorized bike parking is available daily, starting at 6 a.m., for $15 in a lot on the south side of Como Avenue across from Gate #7. Motorcycles parked in other State Fair lots will be charged the regular $20 parking fee. Motorcycles are not permitted on the fairgrounds during the fair.
No. There is no overnight parking in the State Fair public lots.
Yes, charter buses can park free of charge in a designated parking lot.
MSP Airport is located in Bloomington, Minn., which is approximately 11 miles from the fairgrounds. You have a number of transportation options from or near the airport:
Lyft, Uber and other app-based ride services and taxis have designated pick-up locations at the airport. The State Fair also has designated drop-off and pick-up locations for these services. Depending on traffic, this is approximately a 25-minute trip.
Light rail serves MSP airport and can be an excellent, affordable way to get to the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Board the METRO Blue Line from Terminal 1 or 2 headed toward Mpls-Target Field (learn more about where to board the light rail at the airport) and take the train to the 46th St. Station. Exit the train, and walk a short distance NW to 46th St. Station Gate A. Board the METRO A Line bus headed toward Roseville/Snelling/46th St. Get off the bus at the Snelling & Como Station. Depending on traffic, this is approximately a 45-minute trip.
The Minnesota State Fair operates a free Park & Ride bus service from approximately 30 locations around the Twin Cities. The closest location to the airport is Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. You can either park here for free or get dropped off and take a free bus ride to the fairgrounds. Depending on traffic, this is approximately a 15-minute trip.
Metro Transit operates a State Fair Express Bus service from locations in the southern metro of the Twin Cities. The closest location to the airport is located in Bloomington at the 30th Ave. Park & Ride. You can either park here for free or get dropped off and take a non-stop bus ride to the fairgrounds for a nominal fee. The lot is two blocks east of Mall of America and close to a number of hotels near the mall. Depending on traffic, this is approximately a 25-minute trip.
