Minnesota State Fair 101: Your guide to the Great Minnesota Get-Together for 2024

The Minnesota State Fair is nearly here. If you’re working on your game plan to fit in as many Pronto Pups, Sweet Martha’s chocolate chip cookies and corn-themed seed art pieces as you can, then you’ve come to the right place.

Here’s what you need to know to make the most out of your visit: 

When is the Minnesota State Fair? 

The Great Minnesota Get-Together runs Aug. 22 through Labor Day on Sept. 2 and you can get in as early as 7 a.m. to start on your fair adventure. Admission to the fairgrounds is open until 9 p.m. daily and the fairgrounds are open until 11 p.m. daily (except on Labor Day, when admission ends at 7 p.m. and fairgrounds close at 9 p.m.). Visit the fair’s website to learn more.

State Fair tickets 

General admission

You can purchase discount admission tickets for $15 online, by calling Etix at 1-800-514-3849 through Aug. 21, at the fairgrounds ticket office, at participating Cub stores and at various locations in greater Minnesota and Hudson, Wis., now through Aug. 21, subject to availability. You will be able to store your tickets on your phone, print them and even get them mailed to your home for an additional fee.

The day-of ticket price is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors (+65) and kids (5-12) and free for children 4 and under, with exceptions for certain groups on discount days. You can also buy tickets online from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. (limited to 12 tickets per order).

Pre-purchased tickets are not refundable.

Grandstand tickets

These tickets will get you into the fair’s Grandstand shows — but you will still need to purchase a general admission ticket to get into the fairgrounds. Get tickets on the Etix website or call Etix at 1-800-514-3849. 

The only concert that was nearly sold out as of a week before the fair was Ludacris & T-Pain. Some obstructed seats are still available and can be purchased by calling Etix.

Ride and attraction tickets

This year, the fair is adding two new rides to its Mighty Midway lineup: The Kraken, described as an 80-foot-tall pendulum ride, and The Defender, a propeller ride.

Just like last year, you will need a Fun Card to store all your purchased tickets to be used in Midway and Kidway rides. You can load up your card with as many tickets as you want but remember to use them all, as they will expire at the end of the State Fair.

Rides generally cost four to seven tickets and games cost three to six tickets, according to the fair.

Keep in mind that some classic rides and attractions such as Ye Old Mill, the Space Tower, the Skyride and the Butterfly House do not accept Fun Card credits, only cash or debit/credit card. 

Getting to the State Fair 

Driving

If you arrive by car, the State Fair offers limited parking spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis for $20 (cash or card). These parking lots open at 6 a.m. and they fill quickly every day. Overnight parking is not allowed. If you leave the parking lot and later want to return, you will have to pay the parking fee again.  

Biking 

If you want to ride your bike or non-licensed scooter, you can park in bike corrals, which are fenced-in areas monitored by a staff person. Locations are:

• South Bike Lot: Loop Gate (#9) on Como Avenue

• North Bike Lot: North End Gate (#2)

• West Bike Lot: Randall Ave-Buford Gate (#16)

Bike parking is free, unless the vehicle has a license plate (like a licensed scooter), in which case parking is $15.

If you want to park a motorcycle at the State Fair, you can park either in State Fair lots for the standard $20 or in a motorcycle lot on Como Avenue near the International Institute for $15. The motorcycle lot opens at 6 a.m. 

Public transportation 

Express buses

If you live in the Twin Cities, a resourceful and accessible way of arriving at the State Fair is via express buses operated by Metro Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) and SouthWest Transit. Drop-offs and pick-ups will be at the State Fair Transit Hub located at Gate No. 16.

The State Fair Express Buses feature free and accessible parking within the Twin Cities metro area. This year the fair is adding routes from Maplewood and Maple Grove, on top of the boarding locations in Blaine, Bloomington, Cottage Grove and Minnetonka.

For folks who live in the south metro area, the MVTA provides free parking and direct bus service from Eagan, Shakopee and Burnsville.

And a bus service through SouthWest Transit that runs from Chanhassen, Chaska and Eden Prairie is adding a route from Carver this year.

Roundtrip tickets are $5 to $6. Learn more on the fair website.

Taxis, rideshare apps 

Rideshare 

Planning to get an Uber, Lyft or other app-based ride service? The State Fair offers two designated drop-off and pick-up points near the fairgrounds: at the northeast end of the fairgrounds outside the North End Gate No. 2 and at the south end of the fairgrounds in the parking lot across from Gate No. 7 and the Dairy Building.  

Taxis 

If you prefer a regular taxi, the designated taxi space is Loop Gate No. 9 on Como Avenue on the south side of the fairgrounds. 

Park and ride 

If you prefer to avoid parking at the fairgrounds, you can park in public spaces near the fairgrounds and be dropped off by State Fair buses for free. This year, the free shuttle will serve 31 nearby lots. Find more information on pickups and drop-offs on their website.

10 things you should bring to the fair

1) Comfortable shoes

If you want to walk around the fairgrounds and enjoy the fair all day, you need to make sure you are wearing good shoes. Soft and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

2) Water

Save money on beverages by bringing your own refillable water bottle, jug or hydration pack. There are 20 water fountains and refill stations across the fairgrounds. Here’s a list of where you can find them and a map of where they are:

• International Bazaar

• Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

• Agriculture Horticulture Building

• DNR Stage

• Food Building

• The Garden

• Grandstand

• Mighty Midway

• History & Heritage Center

• Restrooms at Visitors Plaza

• Education Building

• 4-H Building

• Restrooms near Great Big Wheel

• Eco Experience Progress Center

• Little Farm Hands

• Campground

• Restrooms near SkyGlider

• Corner of Dan Patch Ave and Cooper St

• Corner of Carnes Ave and Nelson St

3) Portable charger

There are a few places that offer free charging stations (such as the Renewal by Andersen booth), but it is a good idea to have another way to charge your phone — especially if you are planning to spend all day at the fair.

4) A map

We know it sounds a little bit old school, but maps — either printed or digital — can save you time and help you navigate the fair grounds.

5) Summer gear

Minnesota weather can be unpredictable, but we are still in the warm summer season. Bring sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

6) Cash

Not all vendors or attractions accept cards. Save yourself the additional fees and long lines at the ATM and have some cash on you.  

7) Hand sanitizer

Consider bringing sanitizer to keep your hands clean in between all that fair food you will eat.

8) Napkins or cleaning wipes

In case that food gets a little messy, having something on hand to clean up a spill from the new deep-fried ranch dressing is a good idea, too.

9) Bag

Have a place to carry important items like your phone, wallet, keys and all the items we mentioned above. Otherwise, important items can “get lost” when you go on fun rides such as the SkyGlider.

Backpacks, bags and coolers are permitted on the fairgrounds, but are subject to search. There are no lockers or a bag check at the State Fair.

10) A plan

With dozens of booths, concerts, food and beverages to choose from, we advise you to come up with a list of priorities and a plan on where to go and how to get there.

This year, the Minnesota State Fair is launching a mobile app with maps, schedules, a food finder and more. You can find it in the App Store and Google Play Store.

5 things you cannot bring to fairgrounds 

The fair’s security program includes walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates. Bags, purses, coolers and packages will be subject to search. Find a full list of prohibited items on the fair website.

1) Pets

Pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds, with the exception of service dogs or animals approved as part of an exhibition. Emotional-support animals are not allowed.

2) Drugs or alcohol

You cannot bring or consume outside alcohol, cannabis or any illegal substances. 

3) Selfie sticks, drones and recording of performances

Selfie sticks are prohibited in the Grandstand concert venue, free entertainment stage seating areas and on rides at Mighty Midway, Kidway, Adventure Park and ticketed attractions. So if you would love to snap a selfie, you will have to do it the old school way.

The State Fair also prohibits unauthorized operation or use of any unmanned aerial vehicle, or drone, on or above the fairgrounds.

You are welcome to bring cameras to the fair, but recording of performances on free entertainment stages is prohibited. For Grandstand performances, audio and video recording is not permitted, and still photography may be restricted depending on the artist.

4) Weapons

Weapons and objects that appear to be weapons are not allowed. This includes self-defense items like pepper spray, mace and stun guns.

5) Bikes, skateboards, hoverboards, skates

You can bring your own personal conveyance vehicles such as strollers, wagons, wheelchairs or electric mobility scooters, or rent them from HomeTown Mobility starting at $20 per day.

Minnesota State Fair on a budget  

Here are our top tips to save money at the fair.

1) Discount tickets in advance

In addition to discounted admission tickets ahead of opening day, you can also get tickets for Midway and Kidway rides and games at the cheapest rate if you buy ahead of opening day.

Advance tickets are $20 for 25 tickets (or 80 cents per ticket) and available in 25-ticket sets. During the fair, tickets are $1 for an individual ticket, $30 for 33 (90.9 cents per ticket) or $60 for 70 tickets (85.7 cents per ticket).

2) Volunteer for free admission

The fair is offering a free ticket to anyone who volunteers to help out for shifts of 2 to 3.25 hours. You can sign up as a group or as a single person.

Volunteer opportunities include helping out with photo opportunities and crafts at the Alphabet Forest and guiding children through the agricultural process at Kemp Little Farm Hands (where you also get a free T-shirt!). See all opportunities on mnstatefair.org.

3) Blue Ribbon Bargain Book

For just $5 you can get the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book which features 100 coupons with great deals on classic foods (no new foods, sorry), attractions at the Mighty Midway and fun things to buy.

You can buy one at any Cub location or at the fair. The cheapest Midway and Kidway tickets can be found in the book, at $21 for a Fun Card with 33 tickets (63.3 cents per ticket), but the coupon is only for one card.

Some food and drink coupons offer up to 50 percent off, such as $3 off a $6 Minnesota Honey Producers Association lemonade or $5 off a $12 deep-fried Monte Cristo sandwich at The Sandwich Stop.

4) Bring your own food and drinks

Food costs can get pricey at the fair, especially for families. If you don’t mind skipping out on fair food, preparing your own is a great way to save money. The fair allows guests to bring outside food and coolers, as well as nonalcoholic outside drinks.

One note: Coolers are not allowed at the Grandstand.

5) Discount days for kids, seniors, veterans

Take advantage of special discounts throughout the fair for seniors, kids and military families. Admission must be bought at the gate for reduced pricing. Here are the discount days:

• Opening Day, Thursday, Aug. 22: Admission for adults (13 to 64) is $16, admission for kids (5-12) is $13. All-day deals available on merchandise and food and at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Friday, Aug. 23: Early bird specials available for all until 1 p.m. at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Seniors Day, Monday Aug. 26: Senior admission (65+) is $13, and there are early bird specials for all until 1 p.m. at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Military Appreciation Day, Tuesday, Aug. 27: Admission for military families, veterans and spouses is $13 with valid military service documentation and there are all-day deals at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Kids Day, Wednesday, Aug. 28: Admission for kids (5-12) is $13, and there are all-day deals at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Seniors Day, Thursday, Aug. 29: Admission for seniors (65+) is $13, and there are early bird specials until 1 p.m. at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Friday, Aug. 30: Early bird specials available for all until 1 p.m. at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

• Kids Day, Monday, Sept. 2: Admission for kids (5-12) is $13, and there are all-day deals at Mighty Midway & Kidway.

6) Free entertainment

Check out of the State Fair’s daily schedule. From live entertainment to special activities and attractions, the fair will be hosting 547 free events. Explore each of them by going to their official website and filtering the events by date, location, category and even keywords.  

From local to worldwide bands, the fair also offers 900 shows and 100+ acts for no cost. Click to see the full lineup. 

7) Go on the last day

Labor Day, the last day of the State Fair, will be packed with deals on food and merchandise. Find the flyer with all the information on the website or at any information booth.

MPR News reporter Nicole Ki contributed to this story.

Correction (Aug. 20, 2024): An earlier version of this story misstated the price of admission tickets on the opening day for adults. That number has been corrected.

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