Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now

State Fair

The 2026 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. For all of the events at the MPR booth and Dan Patch Park, go to mpr.org/statefair.

Here’s a guide to what to know before you go to the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, including information on tickets, transportation, attractions, what to bring and ways to save.

Your Fair photos: Flavor

I'm worried we don't have enough cotton candy. #statefair #tellmpr pic.twitter.com/8II9DrSwAC — Lauren Mihajlov (@lmihajlov) August 23, 2013 #mnstatefair #tellmpr here's a photo for the flavor challenge, honey from clover to buckwheat! pic.twitter.com/qtAUZ69fUn — Julia Schrenkler (@juliaschrenkler) August 23, 2013 Photo by bfreshphoto: “Best food at the fair: comet corn. Liquid nitrogen-dipped carmel corn with Read more →
by Michael Olson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
#fairhack trifecta: Save time at the booths, be prepared and remember where you parked

#fairhack trifecta: Save time at the booths, be prepared and remember where you parked

Today’s #fairhack is a three-parter from Julie Blaha of Ramsey, Minn.: Hack #1: Be prepared. Plan ahead, stay hydrated, wear comfortable shoes. It’s all about going in prepped and ready to go. Check out the list of events and food ahead of time, and figure out your must-sees. (If you have a smartphone, the fair’s Read more →
by Meg Martin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Still Life with Carousel: Photos of the state fair in silence

Still Life with Carousel: Photos of the state fair in silence

MPR News photographer Nikki Tundel spent the moments in the quiet before the entrance stalls opened and the fairgoers tumbled onto the midway seeking out the quiet spots, the peaceful spaces, across the state fairgrounds and in some unexpected places.  |   Browse the full gallery.  
by Meg Martin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
#fairhack of the day: Which way to the fair?

#fairhack of the day: Which way to the fair?

You’ve bought your ticket, you’ve packed your sunscreen, you’ve got your water bottle, you’ve mapped out your food plan. The only thing left is getting to the fair. But how? Our #fairhack guides share their wisdom. By bus. Metro Transit runs an express bus service — with a bus showing up once about every 15 minutes or half-hour,…
by Meg Martin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
State Fair photo challenge: Flavors

State Fair photo challenge: Flavors

MPR News seeks your opening weekend State Fair photos. To add a bit of a creative challenge to this call for photos we are looking for your images that capture or evoke flavors. You can submit you photos by adding #tellmpr to an Instagram or Twitter post, you could also add a photo to our…
by Michael Olson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Your Fair photos: Circles

Your Fair photos: Circles

MPR News issued a photo challenge to fairgoers yesterday to capture images of circles at the fair. As promised, here are the best: More images from Nikki Tundel, including many that don’t include circles, can be found here in a gallery of State Fair still lifes. Hey @mprnews, found some circles! Fried green tomatoes! #tellmpr…
by Michael Olson

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Five things you didn’t think you could do at the fair

Five things you didn’t think you could do at the fair

The gates have opened. It’s Day One of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, and already the lists of fair must-dos are piling up: Eat the food on a stick, see a parade, watch a few animal babies being born, shake the hands of a few politicians, take in some free entertainment… But this year at the Read more →
by Meg Martin

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!