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The Ultimate Guide to Summer State Fairs

From food on a stick to the largest Ferris wheel in the country, these are some of the best state fairs in the U.S. to add to your summer bucket list.

Published May 12, 2025

Written by 

Jackie Sutherlin

As we turn the corner and face summer head-on, it's time to start planning your summer travel plans. Soon, we will start seeing all of the best summer state fairs opening their gates for the season, and I, for one, can't wait! I love state fairs. I love the weird and wacky food you can only find at a state fair, I love the carnival rides, and I always walk away with at least one piece of jewelry or knick-knack from a local vendor as a souvenir.

Here are some of the best summer state fairs you can't possibly miss this year:

Minnesota State Fair

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Lavin Photography/iStock Collection via Getty Images
  • Where: 1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108
  • Dates: August 21 to September 1, 2025

What started as a humble gathering to highlight agriculture in 1854 has grown to become one of the most popular state fairs in the country! Celebrate the end of summer with 12 days of livestock competitions, expositions, car shows, and so much more. Music and food play a significant role at the Minnesota State Fair. Be sure to check out the musical lineup before you go. For my thrill seekers, there will be plenty of rides and attractions at the Minnesota State Fair, including a haunted house! Be sure to keep the tradition going and enjoy classic attractions like the Giant Slide, the Space Tower, and the Great Big Wheel, one of the tallest traveling giant Ferris wheels in North America.

State Fair of Texas

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Robert Hensley/Flickr
  • Where: 925 S. Haskell, Dallas, TX 75223
  • Dates: September 26 to October 19, 2025

The State Fair of Texas has been celebrating all things Texan since 1886 and is one of the largest state fairs in the United States. It attracts over two million visitors every year! That’s not the only gold medal this state fair brings home; the 24-day extravaganza is also the longest-running fair in the nation! You know what they say: everything is bigger in Texas! That rings true at the State Fair of Texas, where you’ll find all your favorite state fair attractions, educational exhibits, livestock competitions, delicious food, and amusement park rides. Fair Park is also home to the world’s largest collection of Art Deco structures!

The Big E

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Lily Chou/Moment Collection via Getty Images
  • Where: 1305 Memorial Ave. West Springfield, MA 01089
  • Dates: September 12 to September 28, 2025

With an impressive 1.6 million attendees every year, The Big E is the third-largest state fair in the U.S. and the largest event on the East Coast. Fairgoers can expect hours of free entertainment across multiple stages, spectacular food from local vendors, and so much more. Don’t miss The Big E Parade (daily at 6 p.m.), where you can get a taste of a Mardi Gras-themed parade complete with high school marching bands, specialty floats, and antique vehicles. You might even catch a few Mardi Gras beads. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Iowa State Fair

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Henri Silverman/Photodisc Collection via Getty Images
  • Where: 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317
  • Dates: August 7 to August 17, 2025

Come out and celebrate the single largest event in Iowa, the Iowa State Fair. Attracting more than a million visitors every year, the Iowa State Fair is one of the largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the United States. There will be plenty of free live entertainment (see the lineup), but you may want to peep the schedule for the Grandstand Entertainment and buy tickets to one (or more) musical acts on that stage. Adult thrill seekers will enjoy Thrill Ville, and even the youngest adrenaline junkies will have their own space at the Iowa State Fair at Thrill Town, a kid-friendly section with plenty of rides for the youngsters. When you get hungry, over 200 food stands ensure you’ve got plenty of options, especially if you want some food on a stick.

Wisconsin State Fair

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Ken Mattison via Flickr
  • Where: 640 S 84th St, West Allis, WI 53214
  • Dates: July 31 to August 10, 2025

Celebrating its 174th year, the Wisconsin State Fair welcomes over a million visitors during its 11-day run. Wisconsin’s largest agricultural showcase isn’t complete until you visit the Ag Village, which features endless educational programs, exhibits, and thousands of animals. There will be plenty of food, live music, shopping, and of course, dozens of rides and attractions.

Which state fairs are you putting on your to-do list this year? I think I'm going to try to visit them all! An ambitious plan, I know.

For more summer travel inspiration, check out some of our favorite summer travel destinations in the U.S.

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