The Arizona State Fair is back for 2026, and this year's edition — themed "A State of Wonder" — runs October 1 through November 1, Thursdays through Sundays only, at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in central Phoenix. A century-plus of tradition, the glow of the Midway against the downtown skyline, fair food you'll regret exactly once a year, and a concert series where the ticket includes your admission. Here's everything you need to plan the trip, including the part most people plan last: how you're actually getting there and back.
When Is the Arizona State Fair in 2026?
October 1 through November 1, 2026, open four days a week — Thursdays through Sundays. Gates open at noon every fair day. Last entry is 9 pm on Thursdays and Sundays, and 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with the barns closing at 9 and the exhibit halls at 10. Plan a Thursday or Sunday afternoon if you want the calmer version; Friday and Saturday nights are the full sensory experience, crowds included.
How Much Are Tickets?
Gate admission for 2026, with taxes and fees included:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Kids under 4 | Free |
| Child (5–12) | $12 |
| Adult (13+) | $20 |
| Senior (62+) | $14 |
| Military (with ID) | $12 |
| First Responders (with ID) | $12 |
Ride credits on the Midway are separate from admission. The fair also runs admission deals throughout its run — this year's opening promotions included a four-tickets-for-$20.26 offer — so it's worth checking azstatefair.com before you buy at the gate. Clear bags are encouraged for faster entry, and every bag gets inspected.
The 2026 Coliseum Concert Series
Six headliners play the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum this year: Gin Blossoms (October 2), All Time Low (October 10), Russell Dickerson (October 17), plus Becky G, Public Enemy, and The Offspring. Every show starts at 7 pm with no opening act — and here's the part that makes these some of the best-value concerts in Phoenix: every concert ticket includes reserved Coliseum seating and fair admission. Dates and tickets for the full lineup are at azstatefair.com/concerts.
Where Is the Fairgrounds — and What's Parking Like?
The Arizona State Fairgrounds sits at 1826 W. McDowell Road, Phoenix — the corner of 19th Avenue and McDowell, just northwest of downtown. The North and West parking lots open at 10 am daily.
Now the honest part. This corner of Phoenix was not designed for a hundred thousand weekend visitors. On concert nights and peak Saturdays, the official lots fill, the surrounding streets crawl, and leaving the lot after close can take longer than the drive that got you there. You have three realistic options: arrive early and park official, take the Valley Metro light rail (it runs right along 19th Avenue, a short walk from the gates), or have someone else do the driving entirely.
That third option is what we do. Our special event transportation in Phoenix drops your group at the gate, stages nearby, and picks you up at a set point the minute you text — no lot, no exit crawl, no splitting up the group across rideshares that surge the second the Coliseum lets out. For families, date nights, and anyone going to a concert, it turns the worst part of the fair into the easiest.
Fair Day FAQ
What days is the fair open?
Thursdays through Sundays only, October 1 – November 1, 2026. It is closed Monday through Wednesday.
How much is admission to the Arizona State Fair?
Adults (13+) are $20, kids 5–12 are $12, seniors 62+ are $14, and kids under 4 get in free — all with taxes and fees included. Military and first responders with ID pay $12.
Do concert tickets include fair admission?
Yes. Every Coliseum Concert Series ticket includes reserved seating for the show and admission to the fair itself.
Where do I get dropped off if I'm not parking?
Set your drop-off and pickup on the McDowell Road or 19th Avenue side near the main gates, and agree on the exact pickup corner before you go in — cell service gets slow when the whole fair leaves at once. If you book with us, your chauffeur handles the staging and texts you the pin.
Going with a group? A Sprinter fits fourteen fair-goers and one cooler of leftover funnel-cake regret. Book the ride the same day you buy concert tickets — October weekends fill our calendar fast.
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