The 2026 Oklahoma State Fair runs September 17-27 at OKC Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Boulevard in Oklahoma City. The eleven-day event combines Oklahoma agriculture, creative arts, livestock competitions, family exhibits, carnival rides, live shows and a large food-vendor lineup.
This independent planning page was checked against the fair’s current official information on August 28, 2026. Dates, public hours, discount days, parking guidance and accessibility services are confirmed. Individual events, menu items and prices can still change, so use the linked official sources for a final same-day check.
2026 dates, location and public hours
The fair opens Thursday, September 17 and closes Sunday, September 27. Public activities begin at 10 a.m. daily. Buildings close at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Outside vendors remain open one half-hour later: 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Carnival opening times follow a different schedule. The midway opens at 11 a.m. Monday, 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Carnival closing times are set by management and can vary. Some livestock and equine activities begin before the main gate time; visitors attending an early show should use the gate nearest the barns and buy admission in advance because ticket sellers may not be available before 10 a.m.
The official youth policy matters for evening visits. Guests under 18 must be with a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone age 25 or older after 5 p.m. An eligible adult may accompany no more than five minors and must remain at the fair. Bring identification if the rule may apply to your group.
Tickets, discounts and ways to save
The fair sells admission through the OKC Fair Park box office, its official online ticket partner, by phone at 405-948-6800, and at participating metro-area OnCue stores. Advance admission and carnival armbands cost less before opening day, while online and card purchases may add fees. The official admission chart is presented as an image, so this page does not guess at a standard gate price. Check the live ticket page before buying.
The strongest confirmed 2026 savings are tied to specific dates:
- Thrifty Thursdays, September 17 and 24: admission is $8 when purchased by September 16 or $10 at the gate. Children age five and younger are free. A ride-all-day armband is listed at $25, with exclusions possible.
- Military Monday, September 21: active-duty members, retirees, veterans and their spouses receive free outside-gate admission with military identification.
- Taste of the Fair Tuesday, September 22: outside-gate admission is $4, participating food vendors offer $4 items, the coupon book is $4, and the America 250 Wheel has $4 tickets.
- Senior Day, September 23: guests age 55 and older receive free admission with identification. A free senior accessibility shuttle is scheduled from the Hurricane Harbor parking lot from 9 a.m. to 9:45 p.m., subject to limited parking.
- College Day, September 24: a current college ID qualifies the holder for $5 gate admission.
The Little Book of BIG DEAL$ is the fair’s official coupon book. The organizer says it contains more than 60 coupons and over $250 in potential savings on food, attractions and shopping. It is sold after the fair begins at outside ticket booths, the box office, InFAIRmation booths and the Made in Oklahoma Store. Look at the offers before buying; the book delivers its best value when several planned purchases match its coupons.
Parking, gates and free trams
OKC Fair Park has both paid and free parking approached from NW 10th Street, May Avenue and Reno Avenue. The current plan-your-visit page directs paid traffic to Gates 5, 6, 9 and 10 and free traffic to Gates 1, 3 and 6. Gates 3, 4 and 7 are not public entrances and require special permits, so follow the current map and roadway signs instead of navigating to a gate number alone.
Paid parking is cashless. Bring a physical credit or debit card and expect a processing fee; the accessibility page says tap-to-pay options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are not accepted for arrival parking. Free parking can fill farther from the entrance, so allow time for the walk, security screening and ticket scanning.
Inside the grounds, free trams begin operating daily at 10 a.m. and travel around the inner perimeter. They are useful for families, visitors with limited stamina, and anyone linking attractions on opposite sides of the fair. Mark the nearest tram stop and a group meeting point on the official map before separating.
2026 food highlights and the Food Finder
The official Food Finder is live for 2026 and is more useful than a static vendor list. It can be searched by vendor, item or food type, with filters for new dishes, deep-fried food, savory choices, sweets, specialty drinks, the coupon book and Taste of the Fair Tuesday. Each listing includes a location or booth number when available, so visitors can plan a route instead of wandering the entire property for one item.
Current menu listings show a wide range beyond standard corn dogs and funnel cakes. Examples include Sweet Tea Chicken and grilled peaches from 1907, Deep Fried Pecan Pie at Taste of OKC, a Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake from Wade Shows Funnel Cake, and Deep-Fried Peaches & Cream from Our Place. Chan’s Eatery lists Korean corn dogs and an iced coffee with ube milk foam. Availability can change during the run, and a listing is not a guarantee that every item will be in stock all day.
A practical food plan is to save three choices in advance: one meal, one item to share, and one backup near the next scheduled attraction. On Tuesday, filter the finder for participating $4 items before entering the grounds. Outside food and drinks are generally prohibited, but the official FAQ allows food needed for medical purposes and formula, milk, or food for infants and toddlers.
Accessibility and visitor services
The fair’s 2026 accessibility page is unusually detailed. Accessible parking is offered near most gates, with both paid and free areas. Paid accessible parking is listed at $15 plus applicable fees. Use the accessibility map to choose the right approach because the location, price and distance vary by gate.
Wheelchairs, electric scooters, strollers, wagons and lockers are available at three rental points: on The Circle toward Gate 2, inside Gate 6 near the southwest side of the OG&E Coliseum, and inside Gate 9. The current listed rates are $25 for a wheelchair, $70 for a full-day scooter, $45 for a scooter after 5 p.m., $15 for a stroller, $20 for a wagon and $5 for an all-day locker. Rentals come from a third-party provider and can change. Advance wheelchair and scooter reservations are available through the provider linked on the official page.
Other confirmed services include four permanent adult changing stations, the staffed Momentum Refresh accessible mobile restroom on The Circle, calming spaces, and accessible seating for OG&E Coliseum shows. Accessible seats can be requested through the box office at 405-948-6800; companion seating is subject to availability.
The first Sunday, September 20, has Sensory-Friendly Time from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., when selected activities reduce noise and brightness. The Accessibility Expo is scheduled that day from noon to 5 p.m. in the Modern Living Building. Trained service animals are permitted. For accommodation questions, the fair lists adacoordinators@okstatefair.com, Relay Oklahoma 711 in English, and 1-800-662-4955 in Spanish. The downloadable 2026 accessibility guide is scheduled to appear by August 31, so check for it shortly before the visit.
Exhibits, agriculture and family attractions
The 2026 attractions mix included exhibits with separately priced experiences. The America 250 Wheel opens daily at 11 a.m.; the official page lists $4 advance tickets and $7 tickets during the fair. The Freedom 250 Truck, a traveling American history exhibit, is scheduled September 17-22 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with free admission.
For the fair’s agricultural core, start in Oklahoma Expo Hall. AGtropolis presents Oklahoma farming through animals, demonstrations and a farm-to-market experience designed for children. The same hall contains 4-H and FFA exhibits, while the Barnyard Birthing Center focuses on animal husbandry, veterinary science and newborn livestock. Creative Arts exhibits in the Oklahoma Arts Building feature work by Oklahoma makers and demonstrations such as pottery and metal sculpting.
The Family Fun Zone in the Bennett Event Center uses Route 66 as its 2026 theme and adds documentary footage, travel information and mini golf. Families should compare attraction times with the official schedule rather than trying to see every listing. Choose one agriculture stop, one creative exhibit and one entertainment block, then leave room for food and rest.
Travelers comparing nearby events can also review State Fair Scout’s pages for the Arkansas State Fair, Kansas State Fair, State Fair of Texas and New Mexico State Fair. Dates, admission rules and parking systems are different for each event.
Oklahoma State Fair FAQs
What are the 2026 Oklahoma State Fair dates?
The official dates are Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Where is the fair held?
The event is held at OKC Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.
What time does the fair open?
Public activities open at 10 a.m. daily. Building, outside-vendor and carnival closing or opening times differ by day, and early livestock or equine activities may use barn-area gates before 10 a.m.
Is parking free?
Both free and paid parking are available. The right entrance depends on the chosen lot, so consult the current map. Paid parking is cashless, and free trams operate inside the grounds beginning at 10 a.m.
Which day has the cheapest general admission?
Taste of the Fair Tuesday, September 22, lists $4 outside-gate admission for everyone. Military Monday, Senior Day and College Day may be less expensive for visitors who meet their eligibility rules.
Can I leave and return the same day?
Yes. The official FAQ says a hand stamp plus the original gate admission credential or ticket is required for same-day re-entry.
Updated August 28, 2026 by State Fair Scout. This independent guide combines verified official facts with editorial planning advice and does not claim a firsthand visit. Dated sources and correction information appear below.