The 2026 South Carolina State Fair runs October 15-25 at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia. The official event blends agriculture, livestock and creative competitions with carnival rides, food stands, live entertainment and educational exhibits.
This independent page was checked against current official information on August 28, 2026. Dates, daily hours, admission and ride prices, promotions, parking and accessibility services are confirmed. Fair management may still adjust schedules or offerings for weather and operations, so follow the linked official pages for final day-of-visit details.
2026 fair dates, hours and Columbia entrances
The eleven-day run opens Thursday, October 15 and closes Sunday, October 25. Gate hours vary: noon openings on October 15, 18 and 25; 10 a.m. openings on Saturdays October 17 and 24; and 11 a.m. openings on the remaining days. Admission closes at 9 p.m. except the final Sunday, when it closes at 8 p.m.
Ride hours are longer. The midway opens at noon most days, at 11 a.m. on both Saturdays, and closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 p.m. on the final Sunday. Building hours generally follow admission openings and stay open until 9 or 10 p.m. Use the official hours page for the exact show date because gates, buildings and rides do not share one universal schedule.
The North Gate at 1200 Rosewood Drive is for pedestrians and drop-offs, not visitor parking. Drivers parking at the fair should use the South Gate area and the official GPS addresses listed below.
Fair tickets, ride prices and advance savings
Regular 2026 general admission is $20 at the gate. From September 16 through October 14, advance admission costs $10 at participating Circle K stores or $11 online, including the listed $1 service fee. During the fair, Circle K sells $15 admission and the official website lists $16 online admission. Seniors age 55 and older pay $15 at the gate on ordinary days, and children age five and younger enter free every day.
Opening Day, Thursday, October 15, has $5 gate admission. This is one of the simplest savings for visitors who can attend on a weekday and do not need a separate eligibility-based offer.
A ride voucher can be exchanged for either a Pay-One-Price wristband for unlimited rides on one day or a reloadable card containing 90 ride tickets. Advance vouchers cost $32 at Circle K or $33 online through October 14. During the fair, prices rise to $40 at Circle K, $41 online, $40 at the fairgrounds Monday through Thursday, and $42 Friday through Sunday. Individual ride cards are also sold at the fairgrounds. Most kiddie rides use nine tickets, while adult rides use 12 to 18. Ticket purchases are nonrefundable, and the fair warns visitors to buy only through its website, participating Circle K stores or official gates.
2026 discounts and special promotion days
The promotions calendar offers several targeted savings:
- October 15: $5 Opening Day admission, free admission for two with a valid South Carolina Farm Bureau membership card, and free admission for FFA students with membership cards.
- October 17: free admission with an official 4-H membership card.
- October 19: $5 College Day admission at the gate with current college identification, plus free Military Appreciation admission for active and retired military members and eligible dependents with proper ID.
- October 20: another Military Appreciation Day; students with the official Physics Day wristband may enter free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- October 21: seniors age 55 and older pay $5 at the gate and receive free Ferris wheel and Double Decker Merry-Go-Round rides.
- October 22: Sensory-Friendly Morning and Exceptional Citizens Day include specific free-admission opportunities described in the accessibility section below.
Weekday Lunch Bunch runs from noon to 2 p.m., except on opening day. A visitor pays for a refundable $20 ticket and receives the money back by returning the ticket to the booth by 2 p.m. The fair also advertises participating $5 food items throughout the run. Read each offer’s identification, timing and gate-purchase requirements before traveling.
Parking, traffic, buses and rideshare
Standard fairgrounds parking costs $10 per vehicle at Lexington Health Fair Park. Enter through Gate 6 at 901 George Rogers Boulevard, Gate 7 at 1041 George Rogers Boulevard, or Gate 10 at 901 Bluff Road. Payment is by credit card, debit card or Apple Pay, with no convenience fee and no returns. Full-size school buses and senior care vans receive free parking or drop-off treatment under the official policy.
Saturday, October 24 requires extra planning because South Carolina hosts Tennessee at nearby Williams-Brice Stadium. Fair parking rises to $20 that day, traffic is expected to be heavy, and reserved football parking passes are not valid for fair parking. Arrive early, carpool if practical, and follow active traffic signs because gates may close when capacity is reached.
The COMET Route 61 is the published public-transit option. The fair says it runs hourly from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and stops at the fairgrounds. Buses, rideshare vehicles and passenger drop-offs use the North Gate on Rosewood Drive just past Gate 1 near the Rocket. Vehicles may load and unload there but may not park.
2026 food highlights and budget choices
The official food and drink guide says the fair has more than 90 stands. Returning staples include Fiske Fries, foot-long corn dogs, Greek salads, turkey legs and fried Oreos. The current 2026 page also lists new concessions and specialty dishes, although menus and availability can change during the fair.
Published highlights include Jim’s Fries with sweet potato fries and deep-fried baby potatoes, a giant hand-breaded tenderloin sandwich, Brody’s Mac & Cheese with smoked Gouda and Piggyback Mac, and Cantina Louie burrito bowls and nachos. More unusual choices include a Surf N Turf Alfredo Sundae built on garlic-parmesan fries, Cotton Candy Lemonade with fruit and blue butterfly tea, a Campfire Burger with baked beans, Gouda and a hot dog, and bacon pimento cheese fries.
For a manageable route, choose one full meal and one item to share, then note each stand number from the official guide. Visitors focused on price can check the participating $5 menu and use Lunch Bunch on an eligible weekday. A current listing is useful for planning, but it does not guarantee that an item will remain in stock all day.
Accessibility services and Sensory-Friendly Morning
Accessible parking is available with a valid state-issued disability plate or placard in Lexington Health Fair Park on a first-come, first-served basis. It uses the same $10 standard parking rate and Gates 6, 7 or 10. A driver may request directions for a South Gate passenger drop-off, while the North Gate on Rosewood Drive offers a shorter-walk drop-off area.
Stroller, wheelchair and scooter rentals are available at the South Gate. The current rates are $15 for an all-day stroller, $20 for an all-day wheelchair, and $60 for a scooter for four hours plus $10 for each additional hour. Deposits or government identification may be required, and scooter quantities are limited.
ADA-accessible ticket booths are available at both the North and South gates. The fairgrounds have accessible restroom stalls, a large family restroom in the Goodman Building, first aid in the Heath Building near the Rocket, and Guest Services for accommodation questions. Service dogs and qualifying miniature horses are permitted, but pets and emotional-support animals are not treated as service animals, and service animals may not ride carnival attractions.
On Thursday, October 22, Sensory-Friendly Morning runs from 10 a.m. to noon. Children and adults with autism or sensory-processing disorders may enter with one companion as guests before the regular opening and experience reduced stimulation. The same day’s current promotions list free admission for people with lifelong, developmental or physical disabilities and one companion, with ASL interpretation available through Guest Services. Questions can be directed to the accessibility coordinator at 803-799-3387 or geninfo@scstatefair.org.
Agriculture, competitions and family attractions
Agriculture remains the event’s core. The official attractions list includes livestock and equine shows, animals, flower shows, crafts and art, Heritage Village, the South Carolina Grown Marketplace, rides and multiple entertainment areas. The daily livestock calendar provides show dates and locations for cattle, horses, swine, goats and small-stock exhibits, while junior competitions give young exhibitors a visible role in the fair.
The nonprofit State Agricultural and Mechanical Society of South Carolina has sponsored the modern fair since 1869. Its educational mission continues through agricultural exhibits and the Ride of Your Life Scholarship program, which the organizer says has awarded nearly $6.5 million since 1997. That context helps explain why a visit is more than a midway trip: allow time for at least one livestock show, one competitive exhibit and one South Carolina-focused display.
Visitors comparing fall trips can also review the North Carolina State Fair, Georgia National Fair, State Fair of Virginia and Florida State Fair. Each has separate dates, ticket products and parking rules.
Clear bag and youth admission rules
All bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Medically necessary items and diaper bags accompanying a baby may be approved after inspection. Guests may bring one sealed water bottle or one empty refillable bottle. Outside food, weapons, pets, drones, tents and several other items are prohibited unless a stated exception applies.
The youth policy is stricter on weekends. Sunday through Thursday after 5 p.m., anyone under 18 must enter with a parent age 21 or older. On Friday and Saturday, that accompaniment rule applies from opening through closing. Review the current rules before sending teenagers to meet a group at the gate.
South Carolina State Fair FAQs
What are the 2026 fair dates?
The official run is Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Where should drivers go for parking?
Use Gate 6 at 901 George Rogers Boulevard, Gate 7 at 1041 George Rogers Boulevard, or Gate 10 at 901 Bluff Road. The Rosewood Drive North Gate is for pedestrians and drop-offs.
How much is regular admission?
General gate admission is $20. Lower advance, senior and promotion-day prices are available, and children age five and younger enter free.
How much is parking?
Standard parking is $10 per vehicle. It rises to $20 on Saturday, October 24 because of the nearby University of South Carolina football game.
Is public transportation available?
Yes. The official visitor page lists hourly COMET Route 61 service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a stop at the fairgrounds.
Can visitors leave and return?
The accessibility page specifically advises visitors taking a sensory break to obtain a hand stamp for same-day re-entry. If the vehicle leaves the parking lot, another parking fee applies when it returns.
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.