Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025
250 Days 0 Hours 15 Mins
The fourth annual Kickoff to Summer at the Fair will return May 23-26, 2024! This slice-of-the-fair event features more food and fun things to do than ever before – but with the laid-back patio vibe we all love about Minnesota summers. Favorite fair food and brews at nearly 40 vendors, music and entertainment free with admission, shopping at 20+ specialty Minnesota merchants, inflatable axe throwing, arcade games, mini golf, pickleball, Giant Slide rides, yard games, history tours, free parking, and so much more! Plus, the ever-popular Milk Run 5K Race will take place Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m.
To make this an extra-special experience, attendance is limited per day.
Save $3 when you buy in advance online! Tickets are $13 each online (fees and tax included) and $16 each at the gate via a QR code (credit/debit only; fees and tax included). Children 4 and under are free and do not require a ticket. Each ticket is valid for a specific day. You will choose your day when you purchase tickets. Attendance is limited per day. This event is rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable.
Note that tickets for this event are limited for each day, and some days may sell out.
Questions about tickets: Contact the Minnesota State Fair Ticket Office at tickets@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4427.
Is it safe to buy tickets from a source other than Etix? Unfortunately, as with any event ticket, you run the risk that a ticket bought from an unauthorized third party will not be valid when we scan it at the entrance. If your ticket is not valid, you will not be permitted to enter.
Fair food faves and refreshing summer beers! Visit our Menu & Vendor Offerings page and view our downloadable program and detailed event map sponsored by Re-Bath for additional details.
Spring into summer with live entertainment and plenty of fun activities! View our downloadable program and detailed event map sponsored by Re-Bath for additional details.
Three Stages of Free Entertainment!
Plus, check out even more live entertainment at Andy’s Grille, Cafe Caribe, Dino’s Gyros and RC’s BBQ!
Thursday, May 23
Friday, May 24
Saturday, May 25
Sunday, May 26
ASL Interpretation
ASL interpretation is available on Saturday, May 25: Trivia Mafia (11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.); History Tours (1, 4 p.m.). Additional ASL interpretation may also be provided upon request with 14 days advance notice. Please contact accessibility@mnstatefair.org or 651-288-4448 for information.
DJ Entertainment
Dance, sing and tap your toes to summertime tunes sponsored by Adagio Djay Entertainment. Providing a symphony of music, melodies and excitement into the perfect experience.
Say hello to our furry friends Fairborne & Fairchild
Watch for our beloved furry State Fair mascots sponsored by Mattress Firm – they’re done hibernating and ready to help us spring into summer! Find them in various locations around the fairgrounds throughout each day of the event.
Giant Slide
A chance to ride the slide in May! Tickets are $4; cash only. The slide is open weather permitting; if it rains, the slide will reopen when it dries.
Stop by the Adventure Zone, proudly sponsored by Human Touch, for mini golf, inflatable axe throwing and pickleball! Find fun activities for friends and family alike in one stop!
NEW – Play at The Arcade!
Stop by The Arcade, located on the north side of Dan Patch Ave. between Nelson and Underwood streets (see map – coming soon) for dozens of coin-operated arcade games – fun for all ages!
Stroll Through History with the Minnesota State Fair Foundation
Learn about the rich history of the fairgrounds on a guided historical walking tour brought to you by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. It’s free!
Plus, stop by to learn about the Minnesota State Fair Foundation‘s Friends of the Fair program. Donations help fund a wide range of fair projects, AND our Friends get some fair-time benefits too. Find it all south of Judson Ave. west of the Adventure Zone when you’re at Kickoff to Summer!
Roving Entertainment
ROCK-IT The Robot (Thursday-Sunday) and The Bubbler (Saturday & Sunday) will make their way throughout the fairgrounds each day. Keep an eye out for these interactive, engaging entertainers!
Skateboard Lessons & Demos
Pick up some sweet skateboard skills with lessons and demonstrations from 3rd Lair. 30-minute group lessons will cost $20 per rider, up to five riders per lesson. Equipment provided. Find them south of West Dan Patch Ave.
Trivia Mafia
Put your thinking caps on and play live trivia challenges led by the folks of Trivia Mafia, known for their popular games at local pubs, breweries and special events. Yes, there are prizes! Trivia Mafia is located in the Grandstand Building, sponsored by T-Mobile, lower level. Each session is approximately 45 minutes. It’s free to play!
Family Fun Zone
Join us at the Family Fun Zone located at Dan Patch Park, proudly sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. From beanbag toss to giant chess to Jenga and all sorts of board games, we’ll have a wide assortment of things to try with your friends and family! Check out board games from the games tent at Dan Patch Park. Free to play!
MathHappens and More
Visit DNR Park for a Pop Up Math Play Space for all ages brought to you by MathHappens! Plus, stop by the activity tent for fun DIY crafts for kids and adults alike. All free!
Win Door Prizes!
Winners from each day will be randomly drawn from all who purchased Kickoff to Summer at the Fair tickets through Etix and opted in to enter. Winners of fabulous prizes will be notified the week of June 3, sponsored by Minnesota Rusco!
Cheer on Our Milk Runners
The annual Milk Run 5K Race will take place Saturday, May 25 at 9 a.m. Come support our nearly 2,000 runners as they race through the fairgrounds. A valid admission ticket must be presented to enter the fairgrounds as a runner or spectator. Registration for runners closed March 26. Rain or shine.
Learn Life-Saving Skills
Just a few minutes is all it takes to learn about Hands-Only CPR and AEDs.
Learn the simplicity of using an AED. Stop by and visit with certified trainers and cardiac arrest survivors at the tent on Carnes Avenue, east of the Grandstand Ramp. Brought to you by the American Heart Association and the Center for Resuscitation Medicine at the University of Minnesota. National CPR and AED Awareness Week is June 1-7. This is a Minnesota State Fair Community Gives Together initiative.
Unique finds from artisans and merchants! Visit our Menu & Vendor Offerings page and view our downloadable program and detailed event map sponsored by Re-Bath for additional details.
Check out the downloadable program and detailed event map sponsored by Re-Bath, or pick up a copy at an information booth at the fairgrounds.
Food, beverages, merchandise and select activities are an additional cost.
Need tickets? Buy in advance online and save $3. Below is the information you need to know before you go:
HomeTown Mobility is accepting reservations for wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters. Reserve online (select “Kickoff to Summer on the MNSF grounds” from the list) or call HomeTown Mobility at 712-938-2029 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. (Note: Reservations made by phone are subject to a $5 call-in fee.) Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. Cancellation must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a refund, less a $5 cancellation fee per rental unit. A valid driver’s license or state ID is required when picking up your rental.
Fees
If rented on-site (without a reservation), all equipment is available on a first-come basis with no guarantee of availability.
At the Kickoff event, HomeTown Mobility will have two locations (see Parking & Entrance Map), one inside Gate 16 on the north, and one inside Gate 9 on the south by Como Avenue. Cash or credit accepted. Battery charging for personal scooters is not available at the HomeTown Mobility site.