The 2024 North Carolina State Fair is a beloved annual tradition, offering something for everyone. From thrilling rides and delicious food to educational exhibits and live entertainment, there's always something to enjoy.
The fair will be held at the State Fairgrounds located at 4285 Trinity Road in Raleigh between Oct. 17 and Oct. 27.
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Here are some ways to help you make the most of your experience, whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned fairgoer:
Tickets and pricing 🎟️
General Admission:
- Adults (ages 13-64): $10 in advance, $13 at the gate
- Children (ages 6-12): $5 in advance, $7 at the gate
- Seniors (65+): $5 both in advance and at the gate
- Children under 5: Free
Gates times:
- Thursday, October 17 - Noon - 11 p.m.
- Friday, October 18 - Saturday, October 19: 9 a.m. - Midnight
- Sunday, October 20 - Thursday, October 24: 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
- Friday, October 25 - Saturday, October 26: 9 a.m. - Midnight
- Sunday, October 27 - 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
What's new at the North Carolina Fair? 🎡🎪🎠
The fair will feature 72 new food items, including a variety of sweet and savory options. Here are a few of the most notable new foods to try:
- Acai & Dragon Fruit Bowl (Brazilian Bowls): Açaí bowl with fresh fruit, such as dragon fruit, bananas, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Affogato (Magdalena's Chimney Cakes): A dessert made by pouring a shot of espresso over vanilla ice cream.
- Cake Parfaits (Cool Runnings Jamaican): Red velvet, brandy almond and lemon meringue cake parfait served in a covered jar.
- Carmel Apple Mini Cakes (Hot Chix Hotcakes and chicken): Mini pancakes covered in apple pieces, caramel sauce and whipped cream.
- Chocolate dipped strawberry iced tea (Tiki tea): Fresh brewed strawberry flavored iced tea infused with Hershey's chocolate syrup and garnished with three hand-dipped chocolate strawberries.
- Cotton Candy mini cakes (Hot Chix Hotcakes and chicken: Mini pancakes covered in whipped cream, cotton candy syrup and topping.
- Fried hazelnut croissant (Lafarm bakery): Mini layered pastry fried and drizzled with hazelnut topping.
- Peach Cobbler Pizza Cone (Kono Pizza): It consists of a warm pizza cone filled with peach filling, topped with cinnamon crumbs and icing.
- Simba Dessert (Safari Eats): Fried viapati stuffed with sweet apple filling, topped with vanilla ice cream drizzled with old-fashioned caramel sauce.
- Strawberries & Cream Waffle Stick (Waffle Chix): Strawberry shortcake cookie dough baked inside a Belgian waffle, covered with whipped topping and strawberry sauce. Served on a stick.
- Strawberry Lemonade Donut (Fluffy's Hand Cut Donuts): A fluffy donut topped with tangy lemon frosting, strawberry lemonade crumbles, garnished with a freeze-dried strawberry slice and gummy candy.
- Sweet Cheese Pie (Mediterranean Grill): Cheese stuffed pancake, fried and dipped in a sweet syrup. Served hot with pistachio and chocolate syrup.
- Big Bacon Wrapped in Cheese on a Stick (Bubba's Bacon): This is a bacon and cheese on a stick, deep fried to perfection.
In addition to these new food items, the NC State Fair will also be featuring a variety of new food trucks and vendors.
New ground entertainment
- Birdman World Class Bird Show: Witness a spectacular display of avian acrobatics featuring parrots, owls, and hawks. Learn about their natural habitats and conservation efforts while enjoying their incredible tricks.
- Agri-cadabra: The Magic of Agriculture: Discover the fascinating connection between healthy eating and agriculture, with a focus on local farming practices.
- Brad Comedy Hypnosis Show: Join Brad Matchett for a hilarious and family-friendly hypnosis show. Watch as volunteers experience unforgettable moments under his hypnotic spell.
- Casey's Clubhouse: Meet Casey Cardinal, Kiddieland's friendly mascot, and receive a commemorative button.
- Ember Fire Arts: Be mesmerized by the fiery performances of Ember Fire Arts, a local artist who shares the secrets behind her captivating displays.
- Fire Safety Show: Learn about fire safety with the N.C. Department of Insurance Office of the State Fire Marshal. Enjoy interactive demonstrations, puppet shows, and magic tricks that teach kids and families about fire prevention.
- Heritage Circle Bluegrass & Folk Stage: Experience the rich musical heritage of North Carolina with toe-tapping bluegrass and folk performances.
- Hog Diggity Dogs, and More!: Enjoy a fast-paced, family-friendly show filled with laughter, audience participation, and surprises.
- The Live and Local Waterfall Music Stage: Discover your new favorite band with a diverse lineup of local talent.
- Melody Farm Follies: Join Rocky Broccoli and his vegetable friends for an entertaining animatronic theater show. Sing, dance, and learn about the importance of healthy eating.
- Rock-It the Robot: Meet this towering, friendly robot and experience his interactive light show.
- Southland Dairy Farmers Mobile Milking Classroom: Learn about the dairy farming process, from milking a cow to the journey milk takes to your table.
Special Event days
- NC State (Wolfpack) Day: Thursday, October 17
- AccessABILITY Day: Sunday, October 20
- Senior Citizen Day: Tuesday, October 22
- Military Appreciation Day: Wednesday, October 23
- Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day: Thursday, October 24
N.C. State Fair bag policy
There will be two security checkpoints at each gate. Those fairgoers who bring a clear bag will go through a much quicker inspection, while those with an opaque bag will go through the bag search line. Guests are encouraged to use a clear bag. There is no size limit to the clear bag used.
NC State Fair parking: Where to park for free
Free parking is available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Football Stadium and Lenovo Center properties. Fairgoers are encouraged to take Wade Avenue to the Edwards Mill Extension to park in these lots. Pay attention to officers directing traffic.
There may be exceptions if events are scheduled at Carter-Finley or Lenovo Center. Lenovo Center parking will be reserved/paid parking on the following dates:
- Friday, October 18
- Saturday, October 19
- Friday, October 25
- Saturday, October 26
Recreational vehicles are not allowed to remain in the parking spaces managed by the NC State Fair between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.
Shuttle options near the fair
Free shuttles will run continuously and drop you off at the fairgrounds.
Dogwood lot: The NC State Fair offers free off-site parking at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek (4501 Reedy Creek Road) with free shuttles dropping you off just across from Gate 8 on Trinity Road. Shuttles will run continuously. Drop off and pick up will be across Trinity Road at Gate 8 on the Carter-Finley Stadium side of the road. There will be a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines.
Dogwood lot hours: Thursday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. until one hour after gates close; and Friday, Oct. 18 - Sunday, Oct. 27: 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close.
Cardinal lot: The NC State Fair offers also offers free off-site parking off N.C. Highway 54/Chapel Hill Road (5766 Chapel Hill Road) just past I-40 Exit 290 with free shuttles to Gate 7 off Youth Center Drive. Pick up will occur at the same location. Shuttles will run continuously. Amenities on site will include a covered waiting area, portable restroom facilities and drink machines.
Cardinal lot hours: Thursday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. until one hour after gates close; and Friday, Oct. 18 - Sunday, Oct. 27: 9 a.m. until one hour after gates close.
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Visit WRAL at the fair
Visit WRAL while you’re at the North Carolina State Fair! We are located in our usual spot, right next to Dorton Arena.
State Fair Cares launches donation drive for Hurricane Helene relief efforts
The N.C. State Fair added a donation tab to its website, allowing fairgoers to support Western North Carolina disaster relief when buying tickets. All donations will go to MANNA FoodBank, which lost its warehouse in Hurricane Helene.
When you buy tickets online ahead of your State Fair visit, you'll be prompted to donate to State Fair Cares.