High Plains State Fairs
State fairs across the U.S. are much more than just a collection of rides and fried food; they are vibrant celebrations deeply woven into the fabric of American family life and agricultural heritage.
For generations, state fairs have served as a cherished tradition, offering families a chance to connect with their roots, marvel at prize-winning livestock, cheer on aspiring 4-H and FFA members, and enjoy a kaleidoscope of entertainment.
From the iconic butter sculptures and thrilling carnival midways to the unique local exhibits and the unforgettable smells of cotton candy and popcorn, state fairs create lasting memories, passing down a cultural legacy that honors the ingenuity, hard work, and community spirit of rural and urban America alike.
October 16 – 25, 2026
Arkansas State Fair: 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock, AR – [MAP]
The Arkansas State Fair is held every year in Little Rock, offering a wide range of entertainment from carnival rides and concerts to rodeo performances. It also heavily features agricultural exhibits and competitions, including livestock shows for 4-H and FFA youth.
August 28 – September 7, 2026
Colorado State Fair: 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo, CO – [MAP]
The Colorado State Fair is held in Pueblo, celebrating the state’s agriculture, industry, and culture since 1872. It features exciting rodeos, major concerts, a lively carnival midway, and diverse exhibits showcasing everything from livestock to creative arts.
August 13 – 23, 2026
Iowa State Fair: 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA – [MAP]
The Iowa State Fair, held annually in Des Moines, is one of the nation’s largest and most famous state fairs, renowned for its iconic butter cow, diverse food options (especially “on a stick”), and extensive agricultural exhibits. This “Fair Sweet Fair” offers 11 days of grandstand concerts, carnival rides, and a celebration of Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage and vibrant community spirit.
September 11 – 20, 2026
Kansas State Fair: 2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS – [MAP]
The Kansas State Fair is an annual event held in Hutchinson, Kansas, every September, drawing over 350,000 visitors to celebrate all things Kansas. It features a wide array of attractions, from thrilling carnival rides and grandstand entertainment to agricultural exhibits, educational displays, and delicious fair food.
August 13-23, 2026
Missouri State Fair: 2503 W 16th St, Sedalia, MO – [MAP]
The Missouri State Fair is a yearly eleven-day event held in Sedalia, Missouri, celebrating the state’s agriculture and culture. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of attractions including live concerts, carnival rides, livestock shows, competitive exhibits, and a variety of food vendors.
July 24 – August 1, 2026
Montana State Fair: 400 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT – [MAP]
The Montana State Fair is an annual event held at the Montana ExpoPark in Great Falls, offering a diverse array of entertainment and exhibits. Visitors can enjoy live music concerts, thrilling carnival rides, competitive rodeo action, horse racing, agricultural displays, and a wide selection of fair food.
August 7-15, 2026
MontanaFair: 399 Hwy 312, Billings, MT – [MAP]
MontanaFair, held annually at MetraPark in Billings, is the largest event in the region, drawing nearly a quarter of a million attendees. This nine-day agricultural celebration features a wide array of attractions, including carnival rides, live entertainment, rodeo and motorcross events, competitive exhibits, and diverse food options.
August 28 – September 7, 2026
Nebraska State Fair: 501 E Fonner Park Rd Suite 200, Grand Island, NE – [MAP]
The Nebraska State Fair is an annual event held in Grand Island, Nebraska, typically spanning 11 days and concluding on Labor Day. It showcases the state’s strong agricultural roots and vibrant community spirit through a diverse range of entertainment, competitions, and exhibits.
September 10-20, 2026
New Mexico State Fair: 300 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM – [MAP]
The New Mexico State Fair is an annual celebration held in Albuquerque that showcases the state’s unique blend of culture, agriculture, and artistic heritage. Visitors can experience everything from thrilling carnival rides and live entertainment to traditional New Mexican cuisine, competitive exhibits, and diverse cultural displays.
September 30 – October 4, 2026
Southern New Mexico State Fair: 12125 Robert Larson Blvd, Las Cruces, NM – [MAP]
The Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo is held yearly in Las Cruces, offering a diverse array of entertainment and agricultural showcases. Visitors can enjoy thrilling midway rides, live music, competitive livestock shows, and exciting rodeo action, celebrating the region’s unique heritage.
September 17-27, 2026
Oklahoma State Fair: 3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK – [MAP]
The Oklahoma State Fair is an annual event held in Oklahoma City, celebrating the state’s diverse agricultural heritage, culture, and commerce. Visitors can enjoy a wide array of attractions including thrilling carnival rides, live entertainment, competitive exhibits showcasing livestock and crafts, and a vast selection of delicious fair food.
October 1-11, 2026
Tulsa State Fair: 4145 E 21st St, Tulsa, OK – [MAP]
The Tulsa State Fair is a major annual event held in Oklahoma City, typically in late September, offering 11 days of diverse entertainment and educational experiences. It draws over a million visitors with attractions such as thrilling carnival rides, live music concerts, agricultural exhibits, and a vast array of unique food options.
August 21-29, 2026
Central States Fair: 800 San Francisco St, Rapid City, SD – [MAP]
The Central States Fair is an annual event held in Rapid City, South Dakota, celebrating community, culture, and agriculture. Typically taking place in mid-August, it features a range of attractions including carnival rides, grandstand entertainment like rodeos and concerts, and various competitive exhibits.
July 31 – August 8, 2026
Sioux Empire Fair: 100 N Lyon Blvd, Sioux Falls, SD – [MAP]
The Central States Fair is an annual event held in Rapid City, South Dakota, celebrating community, culture, and agriculture. Typically taking place in mid-August, it features a range of attractions including carnival rides, grandstand entertainment like rodeos and concerts, and various competitive exhibits.
September 25 – October 18, 2026
State Fair of Texas: 3809 Grand Ave, Dallas, TX – [MAP]
The State Fair of Texas is an iconic annual event held in Dallas at historic Fair Park, known for being the longest-running state fair in the nation, lasting 24 consecutive days each fall. Visitors flock to see Big Tex, ride the Texas Star Ferris Wheel, enjoy endless fried food concoctions, and experience a vast array of entertainment, livestock shows, and exhibits.
September 25 – October 4, 2026
East Texas State Fair: 204 Patton Lane Tyler, TX – [MAP]
The East Texas State Fair, held annually in Tyler, Texas, is focused on promoting education, entertainment, and a spirit of competition within the community. It emphasizes the region’s agricultural heritage and provides a diverse range of attractions for families, including carnival rides, live shows, and competitive exhibits.
August 21-30, 2026
North Texas Fair and Rodeo: 2217 N Carroll Blvd, Denton, TX – [MAP]
The North Texas Fair and Rodeo is an annual event held in Denton, Texas, offering ten nights of entertainment focused on preserving and promoting western heritage and values. Visitors can enjoy a lively atmosphere with country music concerts, first-class rodeos, livestock shows, carnival rides, and a variety of food and vendors.
September 3-6, 2026
Central Texas State Fair: 301 West Loop 121, Belton, TX – [MAP]
The Central Texas State Fair is an annual event held in Belton, Texas, typically around late August or early September. It offers a lively atmosphere with thrilling carnival rides, live music concerts featuring popular artists, professional bull riding, and various exhibits celebrating the region’s agricultural heritage.
October 8-18, 2026
Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo: 4601 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX – [MAP]
The Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo is an annual event held in Waco, Texas, typically in early October, celebrating the region’s agricultural traditions and community spirit. It offers a range of attractions, including professional rodeo performances, live music concerts, a carnival midway, livestock shows, and competitive exhibits.
September 4-13, 2026
Permian Basin Fair & Exposition: 218 W 46th St, Odessa, TX – [MAP]
The Permian Basin Fair & Exposition is an annual event held in Odessa, Texas. It offers a wide variety of attractions, including thrilling carnival rides, live entertainment, livestock shows, competitive exhibits in creative arts, and a focus on promoting the Western lifestyle.
September 18-27, 2026
Tri-State Fair & Rodeo: 3301 SE 10th Ave, Amarillo, TX – [MAP]
The Tri-State Fair & Rodeo is an annual event held in Amarillo, Texas, typically in September, serving as a significant gathering for the Texas Panhandle and surrounding states. It features a diverse range of attractions including top-tier rodeo competitions, live entertainment, a bustling carnival midway, extensive livestock shows, and various exhibits.
August 11-15, 2026
Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo: 400 W Center St, Douglas, WY – [MAP]
The Wyoming State Fair and Rodeo is an annual event held in Douglas, Wyoming, celebrating the state’s agriculture, education, youth, and Western lifestyle. Visitors can enjoy thrilling PRCA rodeos, live music concerts, a carnival, demolition derby, and a wide array of livestock and static exhibits.