Budget-conscious families can find deals this year at the North Carolina State Fair.

NC State Fair admission

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Buy your NC State Fair tickets in advance to save admission. Advance tickets can be purchased online through Thursday, Oct. 16.

Advance tickets for adults are $10, compared with $13 at the gate, and tickets for children ages 6 to 12 tickets are $5, compared with $7 at the gate. Kids under 6 get inside the fair for free.

There are some special dates people can get into the fair for either a discount or no cost:

  • Daily military discount: Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay only $8 daily at the gate each day of the NC State Fair.
    • Thursday, Oct. 16: $8 admission for N.C. State students who show ID card
      • Tuesday, Oct. 21: Free admission for seniors 65 and older
        • Wednesday, Oct. 22: With *proof of identification, military personnel plus one guest will gain free entry to the fair.
          • Thursday, Oct. 23: Free admission for anyone who brings 6 cans of food

            Finally, the NC State Fair offers several package options so people can save money. See the list and buy online.

            Save on NC State Fair rides

            If you or your children plan to ride a lot of rides, buying an unlimited ride wristband is the way to go. Wristbands will be scanned at each ride, and you can purchase them online or at the fair.

            • Discount $30 unlimited ride wristbands are on sale through Oct. 16.
              • Unlimited ride wristbands cost $40 after Oct. 16.
                • Each wristband will be valid for one day only during the 2023 N.C. State Fair.

                  General tickets cost $1 per ride ticket. Children’s rides are typically 2 to 3 tickets each, and larger rides range from 3 to 6 tickets each. That means one adult could get about 8 rides in before the unlimited wristband pays for itself.

                  People who buy the wristband vouchers online in advance can redeem them at Ride Ticket Plazas located near Gates 7, 8 and 9 or front of Dorton Arena. Look for the neon green tents with stars on top.

                  Save on NC State Fair Flyer and SkyGrazer

                  The NC State Fair Flyer can get you from one side of the fair to the other, but it requires a different kind of ticket.

                  Discount tickets for the NC State Fair Flyer cost $6 (one-way) or $9 (round-trip) through Oct. 16. After Oct. 16, the tickets cost $7 and $10.

                  You can also save a dollar by buying tickets in advance for the giant Ferris wheel aka the State Fair SkyGazer. State Fair SkyGazer tickets are $6 in advance. that price goes up to $7 on Oct. 17. 

                  These can also be purchased online.

                  What's free at the NC State Fair?

                  Families can also save money by taking advantage of some of the free entertainment at the fair.

                  Free shows:

                  • The Birdman: World Class Bird Shows - Near Gate 7 in the Conservation Forest
                    • Casey's Clubhouse - Kiddieland: Magic shows and clown acts
                      • The Conjurer Fortune Machine - Near Scott Building
                        • Cast In Bronze bell show - Heritage Circle
                          • Cowboy Andy Rotz Wild West Show - Near Gate 10
                            • Fire Safety Show - Coastal Credit Union Family Fun Zone at Cotton Park
                              • Melody Farm Follies - Agri Supply Exposition Center Breezeway

                                Free music:

                                • Heritage Circle Bluegrass & Folk Stage
                                  • The Live and Local Waterfall Music Stage

                                    Great for kids:

                                    • Southland Dairy Farmers Mobile Milking Classroom - between Graham Building and Expo Center
                                      • Rock-It the Robot will be roaming Kiddieland