Aug. 22 – Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2024
322 Days 16 Hours 3 Mins
Enjoy a slice of the fair! Get together with family and friends, savor State Fair food favorites at 30+ vendors, raise a glass to a bright summer ahead, tap your toes to live music on three stages, enjoy activities and attractions for the whole family, shop 20+ specialty Minnesota merchants, and so much more! This is the ultimate way to kick back and relax at the iconic State Fairgrounds! Plus, there’s free parking!
To make this an extra-special experience, attendance is limited per day.
Tickets are $12.50 each when purchased in advance (fees and tax included) and $15.50 each during the event (via QR code, credit/debit only; fees and tax included). Save $3 when you buy in advance online! 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 651-288-4467.
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! View our downloadable program and detailed event map for additional details.
Spring into summer with live entertainment and plenty of fun activities! View our downloadable program and detailed event map for additional details.
Three Stages of Free Entertainment!
Thursday, May 25
Friday, May 26
Saturday, May 27
Sunday, May 28
ASL Interpretation
ASL interpretation is available for performances 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. Catch them at the Mattress Firm tent Thursday & Friday and 6 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m. & 6 p.m.!
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.
NEW – Mini Golf Games
Brought to you by Can Can Wonderland, play through a unique mini golf course with some State Fair-favorite themed holes. Located east of the Grandstand Ramp. Games are $7.
NEW – Play at the Pickleball Courts
Practice your pickleball prowess at courts located in the east Grandstand Plaza, brought to you by Lucky Shots Pickleball Club. Free to play!
NEW – Stroll Through History
Learn about the rich history of the fairgrounds on a guided historical walking tour brought to you by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Meet near the Giant Slide. It’s free!
NEW – 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!
NEW – 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 on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Ave. and Liggett St.
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!
Yard Games & Board Games
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! Yard games are in Dan Patch Park. Check out board games in Dan Patch Park from the games tent. Free to play! Proudly sponsored by Renewal by Andersen.
Learn About Friends of the Fair!
The Minnesota State Fair Foundation‘s Friends of the Fair donations help fund a wide range of fair projects, AND our Friends get some fair-time benefits too. Stop by one of the Friends of the Fair carts located near the info booths (see map) and sign up when you’re at Kickoff to Summer!
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 5, sponsored by Minnesota Rusco!
NEW – Cheer on Our Milk Runners!
Our largest Milk Run 5K Race ever, presented by By the Yard, will take place Saturday, May 27 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 28. Rain or shine.
Unique finds from artisans and merchants! View our downloadable program and detailed event map for additional details.
Bring a food donation for Second Harvest Heartland when you Kickoff to Summer! Most needed items include canned fruits and vegetables, canned meat (chicken, tuna and salmon), peanut butter, instant potatoes and rice, cereal and oatmeal, and low-sugar, low-sodium and gluten-free items. (Please no glass containers, perishable items or home-canned foods.) Financial contributions are also being accepted at 2harvest.org/kickofftosummer. Presented in partnership with Cub Foods. Thank you for your generosity!
Drop off your donations at either of our gates when you visit, view it on our map. Learn more on our Minnesota State Fair Community Gives Together webpage.
Check out the downloadable program and detailed event map, or pick up a copy at an information booth at the fairgrounds. The Kickoff to Summer event program & information booths are sponsored by Humana.
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 10 on the south by Como Avenue. Cash or credit accepted. Battery charging for personal scooters is not available at the HomeTown Mobility site.