Aug. 24 – Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023
79 Days 8 Hours 10 Mins
General Info
2020 Cancellation
The 2020 Minnesota State Fair was canceled on May 22, 2020. A message from Minnesota State Fair General Manager Jerry Hammer: “Dear Friends, We’ve been working hard and doing our very best with preparations for the 2020 State Fair. The picture was cloudy in March, but things have cleared up considerably since then. Right now […]
Accessibility Guide
Welcome to the Great Minnesota Get-Together! We offer a variety of services so that our guests can make the most of their visit to the 12 best days of summer. This guide applies to the 2022 Minnesota State Fair, Aug. 25 through Labor Day, Sept. 5. (All information subject to change.) Printable Accessibility Guide Jump […]
Avoiding Construction
Summer 2022: Immediately west of the State Fairgrounds, Cleveland Avenue is closed from Buford Avenue to Como Avenue. Guests wanting to travel on Cleveland Avenue between Larpenteur and Como avenues should use the detour via Larpenteur, Highway 280 and Energy Park Drive. Those who need to access the fairgrounds through the Buford gate (open to […]
Contact Us
Mailing & Physical Address Minnesota State Fair 1265 Snelling Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55108-3003 Maps & Directions Phone Number 651-288-4400 Email Contact Us! More Information (Click each link for more department information) Accessibility Guest Services 651-288-4448 Advertising Amateur Talent Contest 651-288-4395 Becoming a Vendor 651-288-4456 Competition Department 651-288-4417 Concessions & Exhibits 651-288-4456 Daily Parade […]
Daily Schedules
Use the following links to view PDF versions of the 2023 daily schedules. Links will go live as information becomes available. Printed daily schedules can also be picked up at any information booth during the State Fair (check out a State Fair map for locations). All information is subject to change. For the most up-to-date […]
Facility Rental
Where Minnesota Gets Together Year-Round! Creating memories and bringing traditions to life… 365 days a year! Events & Facility Rental Looking for the perfect venue for your next get-together? Consider renting one of our many versatile State Fair buildings (subject to seasonal availability). We offer great rates, friendly and professional staff, free parking, a convenient […]
Grandstand Info Guide
Accessible Seating Guests using wheelchairs may enter by way of the elevators at the east and west ends of the Grandstand, the ramp at the west end of the Grandstand near the elevator, or the Grandstand Ramp from Carnes Avenue. If you’d like to use an elevator, we recommend the larger elevator on the east […]
Groups
Party Together! Get your group together at Heffron Park’s Horton Pavilions during the State Fair! Located just east of the Grandstand, this by-reservation-only picnic area welcomes groups, rain or shine. A great place for company picnics, appreciation dinners, class reunions, anniversary parties or family celebrations! Private, covered pavilion event space available between 8 a.m. and […]
History: Historic Buildings & Landmarks
History Walking Tour The History Walking Tour (both this virtual version and the self-guided walking tour at the fairgrounds) was developed by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and the Minnesota Historical Society. History Walking Tour Brochure 4-H Building This magnificent three-story, monolithic concrete structure commands a view of the entire fairgrounds and surrounding vicinity. Built […]
History: Historical Photo Gallery
1903 The (Main) Agriculture Building 1906 Crowd at the Grandstand and Infield 1907 View of the Hippodrome from the Grandstand 1909 Construction of the current Grandstand 1912 Streetcar Loop south of the Grandstand 1913 Cattle judging in the Hippodrome 1922 Lillian Boyer ascending a rope in a car-to-plane stunt 1927 Aircraft Show on Machinery Hill […]
History: Overview
After three years of territorial fairs, the first Minnesota State Fair was held in 1859 near what became downtown Minneapolis. This was a year after Minnesota was granted statehood. During the fair’s early years, the site of the exposition changed annually with stops in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Red Wing, Winona and Owatonna. In the […]
History: Trivia
What is the oldest food concession on the fairgrounds? Hamline Church Dining Hall, which began operating in 1897 When did the All You Can Drink Milk tradition begin? 1955 Fresh French Fries made its debut at the fair in what year? 1973 When was the Pronto Pup introduced at the State Fair? 1947 In what […]
Hours
General Fairgrounds Admission 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Labor Day Fairgrounds Hours 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Labor Day Online Ticket Sales Fair Time 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Labor Day Guest Services Bargain Book & State […]
Inclement Weather
In the event of severe weather at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, law enforcement and staff will work closely to ensure the safety of all. If you are on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds when severe weather becomes imminent: During the State Fair, we use a WEA (wireless emergency alert) system, an official, national alert system. This […]
Kids Guide
Visiting with Young Children Use these tips to plan your visit with young fair fans. (All information subject to change.) Ways to Save Admission Children 4 and under are always free – every day! Admission for kids ages 5-12 is discounted on these days when you purchase tickets at the gate: Opening Day, Aug. 25 […]
Maps
Driving Directions Coming from the north: Take I-35W south. Merge onto Highway 36 East via Exit 23B on the left. Exit onto Snelling Avenue South. Coming from the south: Take I-35W north to I-94 East. Exit on Snelling Avenue, then turn left and head north. Or take I-35E north to I-94 west. Exit on Snelling […]
Minnesota State Fair Campground
Campground Registrations for 2023 are full. Please email or call the campground office to be placed on the waiting list. Information is subject to change. Please check back periodically for updates. If you’re the general public (not a vendor, entertainer, employee or livestock exhibitor) and would like to be added to the email list to receive […]
Minnesota State Fair Foundation
The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that preserves and improves the historic Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and supports State Fair agricultural, scientific and educational programs. To learn more about the Foundation, its impact and how to contribute, visit msffoundation.org. Benches & Tables Placing a personalized bench or table on the fairgrounds is […]
Other Shopping Opportunities
Looking for ways to get your State Fair shopping fix? Want to have a small piece of the Minnesota State Fair in your home? Check out these options! StateFairWear.com T-shirts and sweatshirts and buttons and drinkware, oh my! There’s something for everyone at StateFairWear.com. Visit this site to get your hands on exclusive Minnesota State […]
Our Commitment to Privacy
Your privacy is important to the Minnesota State Fair. To better protect your privacy we provide this notice explaining our online information practices and the choices you can make about the way your information is collected and used. To make this notice easy to find, we make it available on our homepage. The Information We […]
Shopping Destinations
Visitors headed to the Minnesota State Fair certainly won’t find a shortage of shopping, specialty merchants and unique artisans. From goods, gadgets and gear to crafts, collectibles and confections, the hundreds of vendors on the fairgrounds offer exceptional merchandise and stellar savings. In addition to the great shopping in the locations listed below, while you’re […]
Specialty Brews & Beverages
The Minnesota State Fair announces 47 brand-new beverages premiering or found only at the 2022 fair. In addition, there will be 43 returning beverages found only at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. In all, the fair features 300+ brews and beverages. These 47 brand-new beverages are premiering at the 2022 fair: Arctic Moscow Mule Slushie A […]
Take the Fair with You!
2022 Minnesota State Fair App Visit app.mnstatefair.org in your Safari web browser to download our 2022 app (new in 2021). Install it before coming to the Minnesota State Fair; our cutting-edge app allows you to quickly search food, merchandise and the schedule even if you do not have a good cell or Wi-Fi connection while […]
Website Accessibility Statement
Goal of Accessibility for All The Minnesota State Fair strives to provide a positive and inclusive customer experience by enabling all of our customers to gather information and transact business through our website. Whether you are using assistive technologies such as a screen reader, magnifier, voice recognition software or captions for videos, our goal is […]
Winter Storage Information
Minnesota State Fair Storage Information April 1 Storage Pick-Up Rescheduled for April 3: Due to the potential for winter weather on Saturday, April 1, we are moving the April 1 vehicle/unit storage pick-up to Monday, April 3. (Unfortunately, this is not an April Fool’s joke.) For example, if you were supposed to arrive at 11 […]
History: Timeline
1850-1859 1854: Minnesota Territorial Agricultural Society founded (governing body of the fair) 1855: First territorial fair, held in Minneapolis 1857: Territorial fair moves to St. Paul 1858: Minnesota admitted to the Union (no fair due to lack of funds) 1859: First State Fair, held in Minneapolis 1860-1869 1860: State Fair held at Fort Snelling 1861: […]
History: 2022 Anniversaries
Anniversaries 145 Years 1877: First year people arrived to the fairgrounds (located in Minneapolis) by streetcars 135 Years 1887: A mock battle between Union and Confederate soldiers performed by Grand Army of the Republic veterans brought in an estimated crowd of 75,000-85,000 130 Years 1892: 1,000 shade trees and shrubs were planted throughout the fairgrounds […]