The 2026 Utah State Fair celebrates its 170th anniversary from Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 20 at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. This Utah State Fair guide covers verified admission, a substantial discount calendar, parking and TRAX, food planning, accessibility, agriculture, entertainment and practical FAQs.
State Fair Scout checked current official pages on August 28, 2026. Dates, on-site admission, parking and promotion-day prices are published. Food vendors, arena inventory and daily schedules can still change, so use the official links below for the final version of a visit plan.
2026 dates, location and anniversary
The fair runs for 11 days at 155 North 1000 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116. The Fairpark sits at North Temple and 1000 West, just west of downtown. Event listings confirm September 10-20, while the daily online calendar supplies individual show and attraction times.
Founded in 1856, the Utah State Fair reaches its 170th anniversary in 2026. The organizer describes the fair as a statewide showcase of agriculture, education, innovation, community and entertainment. It has been held at the historic Fairpark since 1902. The anniversary is not only a theme: opening day carries dedicated pricing, giveaways and birthday activities.
General fair hours are posted at the entrance and may vary by day. Because the official calendar begins some educational and livestock events in the morning while entertainment continues into the evening, rely on the selected date’s event list rather than assuming every building, ride and food stand opens together.
On-site admission and ticket choices
Regular on-site admission has no added ticket fee and costs $15 for adults ages 13-61, $10 for seniors age 62 and older, and $10 for youth ages 6-12. Children age five and younger enter free. A season pass costs $60.
The official ticket page sells presale admission, advance all-you-can-ride passes and Fair Fun’dles that combine admission and rides. Advance quantities can be limited, and the Ejection Seat is excluded from all-you-can-ride products. AXS Mobile ID is used for digital tickets, so download and sign in to the app before reaching the gate.
A ticket to an arena concert, rodeo, Jaripeo, demolition derby or monster-truck show includes same-day fair admission. That inclusion can be more valuable than purchasing gate admission separately. Compare the arena ticket terms and date before completing both transactions, especially when buying for a group.
2026 discounts by date
The published promotion calendar offers several meaningful ways to save. These prices are generally on-site only and valid only on the named date. Discounts cannot be combined, and identification may be required.
- Thursday, September 10: the 170th Birthday Party features $9 admission, $10 off an all-you-can-ride pass and 170 giveaways.
- Friday, September 11: Patriot Day gives free admission to active military members, veterans and eligible first responders with valid service identification.
- Monday, September 14: Family Day gives free admission to youth age 12 and younger, $10 adult admission and $32 all-you-can-ride passes.
- Tuesday, September 15: buy two adult admissions and get one free. Selected rides cost $2 from noon to 4 p.m., same-day fair admission unlocks $2 off parking, and participating vendors offer two-for specials.
- Wednesday, September 16: visitors age 62 and older enter free for Senior Day. Current school educators also enter free with active school identification.
- Thursday, September 17: Thrifty Thursday admission is $10 for adults and $6 for youth and seniors, with $10 off all-you-can-ride passes and selected vendor offers.
Qualifying school groups have a separate weekday field-trip rate of $1 per student, teacher and chaperone at the required one-to-three chaperone ratio. School vehicles and chaperone vehicles arriving directly with a bus may receive complimentary parking. Read the field-trip guide because public rides, most food vendors and grounds entertainment do not necessarily operate during early school hours.
Parking at the Fairpark
On-site parking uses two main public lots. Lot B costs $15 and is entered from North Temple south of the Fairpark. Lot C costs $20 and is entered from 1000 West. VIP parking enters from 300 North, with availability and price handled separately.
Remote shuttle parking costs $10 at Lot E, located at the Utah State Tax Commission west of Redwood Road. It is available nights and weekends. That option may be easier when on-site lots are busy, but a daytime weekday visitor should not assume Lot E is operating.
Tuesday’s promotion takes $2 off parking with a same-day admission purchase. Parking charges are posted at the entrance and remain subject to operational changes. Street parking may exist around the Fairpark, but local restrictions and walking distance make official lots or transit more predictable.
TRAX, FrontRunner and bus options
Fairpark Station is on the UTA TRAX Green Line. The fair’s transportation page says TRAX generally operates from about 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Friday every 15 minutes and from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday every 20 minutes. Verify the trip in UTA’s current planner because event service and maintenance can change those intervals.
FrontRunner can connect regional travelers to Salt Lake City. The official fair page lists Monday-Friday service from about 5:10 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturday service from 7 a.m. to midnight, with no Sunday service. The same page also notes that weekday services end at 11:30 p.m., so consult UTA for the specific last train rather than relying on a general span.
Bus routes 519 and 520 serve the Fairpark area. Route 519 operates on weekdays and weekends with different intervals; Route 520 does not run Saturday or Sunday. TRAX is usually the simplest transit choice because the station is beside the grounds, but the best route depends on the origin and departure time.
Food highlights without guesswork
The fair’s 2026 media page promises local favorites, new culinary creations and returning food vendors, and the current concessions page confirms the 2026 vendor roster has closed. The public-facing food lineup was still developing when this guide was checked, so a responsible plan uses the final official vendor list or fair app rather than recycling an old year’s stand names.
Fair food is only one part of the culinary program. The 2026 competitive arts schedule includes home canning, candy, breads, desserts, cakes, muffins and table settings. Public viewing gives visitors a look at Utah-made entries even when they are budgeting for fewer concession purchases.
Tuesday’s two-for vendor offers and Thrifty Thursday’s selected discounts are the best published food-savings opportunities. Participating items vary and may sell out. A family can also bring outside food and drinks: the FAQ allows coolers after inspection, but glass, aluminum cans and outside alcohol are prohibited. Sealed water and empty reusable bottles are allowed under the current rules.
For visitors with allergies, vegetarian preferences or other dietary needs, the final vendor listing is a starting point, not a medical assurance. Ask the concessionaire about ingredients, preparation surfaces and cross-contact. Bringing a permitted backup snack can reduce pressure when a suitable stand has a long line or closes early.
Accessibility and guest services
Guests needing auxiliary communication aids or services should call the fair at 801-538-8400 at least three days before visiting. The same number is the most direct current contact for accommodation questions not answered on the site.
Electric mobility-scooter rentals are available inside Gate Y at the north end of the Fairpark. The FAQ does not publish a current reservation system or price, so call before the visit if a device is essential. Personal ADA scooters and wheelchairs are listed among allowed items at security screening.
First Aid is in the Guest Services Building on the north side of the park, just east of the Zion Building. That building also contains the lost-child area and a private Mothers Comfort room. Save the location in the map before separating a group.
Only qualifying service animals are allowed, apart from animals scheduled for exhibits or performances. Service dogs must remain under control by harness, leash, tether or the handler’s voice commands. Pets and emotional-support animals that do not meet the service-animal definition should remain at home.
The school program designates Wednesday morning for registered special-needs groups. That program is not the same as ordinary public admission and requires advance coordination. Visitors seeking a quieter experience should ask the fair office what accommodations and lower-stimulation timing apply to their situation.
Security, bags and useful allowed items
Everyone entering is screened. Allowed items include medically necessary prescription medicine, baby strollers and wagons, ADA mobility devices, qualifying service animals, sealed water, empty reusable water bottles and hydration packs, and cameras without detachable lenses.
Prohibited items include outside alcohol, glass containers, open drinks, fireworks, illegal drugs, large signs, laser pointers, canopy tents, bikes, recreational scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, drones and professional-grade cameras with long detachable lenses. Costumes, cosplay attire and clothing that can be mistaken for official personnel are also prohibited unless authorized.
Because outside food is allowed while some containers are not, pack deliberately. Use a permitted cooler, leave beverages sealed, and avoid glass or cans. Rules can be updated for safety, so review the official page after buying tickets.
Agriculture, competitions and educational value
The Utah State Fair recognizes thousands of 4-H, FFA and open-class participants. Livestock shows, agricultural education and competitive exhibits connect city visitors with the farms, food systems and skilled work represented across Utah. The daily calendar lists animals, competitions, demonstrations and presentations by time.
Competitive arts go well beyond livestock. Fine art, photography, baking, quilting, floriculture and other departments give local work a public stage. The culinary classes accept entries in fruit, vegetables, jams, jellies, syrups, juice, pickles, sauces, dehydrated and freeze-dried foods, candy, breads, desserts, cakes and muffins.
Families can use the Mobile Dairy Classroom, working-artist sessions and agriculture exhibits as anchors between rides. These scheduled programs are easier to miss than large attractions, but they are often included with admission and make the visit distinct from an ordinary carnival.
Entertainment and the 2026 schedule
The grounds program includes repeated free performances such as Extreme Lumberjacks, Flying Aces Pig Race, Mighty Mike, clowns, music and other acts. Times vary by date and some shows repeat several times, making it possible to catch a later performance without reorganizing the entire day.
Ticketed arena events include concerts and action events across the run. The official ticket page lists the 2026 concert series and packages; an arena ticket includes same-day fair admission. Arrive early enough to explore the fair before the show, but allow time for security and seat-finding.
Daily online schedules are preferable to a printed plan because the fair does not print a full daily schedule. The Utah State Fair app and website provide the current program. Screenshot important times in case mobile service is crowded.
Build a visit around priorities
A family focused on savings should compare Family Day, Tuesday two-for offers and Thrifty Thursday, then add parking or TRAX to the total. An adult attending an arena show should price the included admission before buying a separate gate ticket. A visitor focused on agriculture should arrive for morning livestock and educational events rather than beginning at the carnival.
Use three anchors: one scheduled show, one exhibit or barn area and one meal stop. Leave open space between them for lines and discoveries. The Fairpark is large enough that too many exact appointments create unnecessary crossings.
Salt Lake City’s September weather can shift from warm sun to a cool evening, so bring a light layer and check the hourly forecast. A refillable bottle is allowed when empty, which makes it easier to stay hydrated without carrying prohibited containers. Photograph the gate and parking-lot location on arrival, especially if the group plans to separate for an arena event.
For a lower-stress departure, check the last TRAX, FrontRunner or bus connection before entering and set a phone reminder. Drivers using the remote lot should also confirm the final shuttle time. An evening arena event can finish after some transit or parking services change frequency, and the published general service span is not a guarantee for every route.
Nearby fair planning pages include the New Mexico State Fair, Arizona State Fair, Colorado State Fair and State Fair of Texas. Check their dates and transport separately; the practical differences can matter more than driving distance.
Utah State Fair FAQs
What are the 2026 Utah State Fair dates?
The fair runs Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 20, 2026.
How much is regular admission?
On-site admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors age 62 and older, $10 for youth ages 6-12, and free for children age five and younger.
How much is parking?
Lot B is $15, Lot C is $20 and remote shuttle parking at Lot E is $10 when operating. VIP parking is separate.
Can I take TRAX?
Yes. Fairpark Station on the Green Line is beside the grounds. Use UTA’s live trip planner for the exact event-day schedule.
Does an arena ticket include fair admission?
Yes. The current promotions page says arena event tickets include same-day Utah State Fair admission.
Can I bring food and water?
Outside food and drinks are allowed after inspection, but glass, aluminum cans and outside alcohol are prohibited. Sealed water and empty refillable bottles are allowed.
Where are mobility rentals and First Aid?
Electric scooter rentals are inside Gate Y at the north end. First Aid is in the Guest Services Building near the Zion Building.
Updated August 28, 2026 by State Fair Scout. This independent guide combines verified official information with editorial planning advice and does not claim a firsthand visit. Dated official sources and correction information appear below.