Dates, entertainment, food and more

TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida State Fair will make its return to Tampa on Thursday, with the theme “America’s Sunniest Celebration” to honor America’s 250th birthday. Attendees can enjoy plenty of fun at the fairgrounds, including entertainment, rides, agriculture, food and more, with many new offerings this year.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 fair.

When is the Florida State Fair? ⏰

The Florida State Fair is scheduled to take place from Feb. 5 through Feb. 16.

Fair Hours:

Monday – Thursday:

• Entry Gates: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Ride Midway: Opens at 1 p.m.

Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day:

• Entry Gates: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• Ride Midway: Opens at 10:30 a.m.

Fair Ticket Prices 🎟️

Child (Ages 6-11):

• Monday – Thursday: $7
• Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day: $11

Adult (Ages 12-54):

• Monday – Thursday: $12
• Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day: $16

Senior (Ages 55+):

Ride Armband (All Ages):

• Monday – Thursday: $35
• Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day: $45

Additionally, the Florida State Fair will offer discounted tickets on the following days:

• Heroes Day (Feb. 5): Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, medical personnel (NEW), and teachers (NEW) with valid agency ID.
• Opening Day Bounce Back Deal (Feb. 5): (NEW) Every guest who enters with a paid admission ticket on opening day (Feb 5) will receive an additional admission ticket at no charge, valid for a single-day entry Feb. 6–16.
• $5 Freedom Friday: (Feb. 6): $5 admission and $5 parking after 5 p.m.
• Youth in Ag Day (Feb. 7): Free admission for FFA, YLPA, and 4-H members with ID, or in official dress or club shirt.
• BOGO Bowl Sunday (Feb. 8): Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, medical personnel (NEW), and teachers (NEW) with valid agency ID. (NEW) Buy One Get One admission and Buy One Get One ride armband after 3 p.m. (Both must be purchased at the gate and used the same day.) Free admission for Girl Scouts in uniform.
• Feeding Tampa Bay Day (Feb. 8): $1.00 from every ticket redeemed will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay.
• Exceptional Citizens Morning (Feb. 9): (NEW) Exceptional Citizens Morning from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Free admission for the exceptional citizen with an accompanying paid guest. Designed for guests with lifelong developmental, physical, and sensory disabilities. Sensory-friendly adjustments (lower sound and lighting). Midway opens at 1 p.m.
• Hospitality & Service Industry Day (Feb. 9): $5 admission all day for service and hospitality staff with employer ID.
• College Student Day (Feb. 9): $5 admission all day for college students with college ID.
• One Great Price (Feb. 10): $25 admission + unlimited rides (select specialty rides excluded), available all day.
• Senior Savings Day (Feb. 11): $5 admission all day for seniors 55+. Seniors also receive weekday admission (Mon–Fri) for $11.
• $3 Thursday (Feb. 12): $3 admission, plus select rides, games, and food items after 3 p.m.
• Family Day (Feb. 13): Persons 17 years of age or younger will receive free admission to the Florida State Fair until 5 p.m. with an admission paying parent or guardian, 21 years of age or older with a valid ID, for entry to the Florida State Fair. A parent or guardian can supervise up to 4 persons 17 years of age or younger.
• Youth in Ag Day (Feb. 14): Free admission for FFA, YLPA, and 4-H members with ID, or in official dress or club shirt.
• Salute to America Day (Feb. 16): Persons 17 years of age or younger will receive free admission to the Florida State Fair until 5 p.m. with an admission paying parent or guardian, 21 years of age or older with a valid ID, for entry to the Florida State Fair. A parent or guardian can supervise up to 4 persons 17 years of age or younger. (NEW) Free admission for active or retired military with valid military ID.

Purchase tickets for the Florida State Fair.

Fairgrounds Location 🗺️

The Florida State Fairgrounds are located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 North, Tampa, FL 33610.

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Fair Parking 🚗

View details and pricing for parking at the Florida State Fair.

New Fair Food 🍟

A new year at the Florida State Fair means new food to try. This year, attendees can look forward to delicious treats which include items true to this year’s “America’s Sunniest Celebration” theme like “America’s Birthday Cake Iced Tea,” “Red, White & Berry Smoothie” and “Star-Spangled Cookie Sundae,” along with popular dishes that feature cookie butter, Dubai chocolate and more. Here’s a list of some of this year’s additions.

View more information on this year’s new food at the Florida State Fair. Scroll down for a food location map.

America’s Birthday Cake Iced Tea	Arepa Pig Mac
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Tiki Tea	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Shockley’s Food Service
Birria Street Corn	Birria Street Taco Pizza
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Wade Shows Turkey Leg	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Pizza Emporium
Chocolate Cookie Butter Dream Funnel Cake	CinnaMozza Korean Corn Dog
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Georges Fun Foods / Funnel Cake	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Goldenkdog
Cookie Butter Frozen Cheesecake	Deep Fried Cuban Burrito
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Polar Bear Concessions	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Chester’s Gators & Taters
Deep-Fried Cheesecake Trio	Dill Devil
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Ormes Deep Fried Treats	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: The Pickle Jar
Dreamy Orangeade	Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: DeAnna’s Fried Banana Pudding	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Wade Shows Funnel Cake
Flamin’ Hot Elote Fries	Grilled Campfire S’more Sandwich
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Shockley’s Food Service	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Sunshine Concessions
Hot Honey Apple Fries	Hot Honey Jalapeño Popper Donut
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Apple Fries	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts
Nashville Hot Chicken Tots	Peanut Butter Fluff Quesadilla
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Tot & Mac	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Mexican Grill
Philly Steak & Cheese Baked Potato	Red, White & Berry Smoothie
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Spudtastic Potato	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Cinnamon Saloon
Pierogi Platter	Reese’s Pieces Donut Burger
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Macken’s Sliders	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: DeAnna’s Donut Burger
Salty Caramel Bavarian Donut	Star-Spangled Cookie Sundae
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Peachey’s Baking Company	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Sugar Mama’s GF Sweet Treats
Surf n Turf Alfredo Sundae	Sushi Corn Dog
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: DeAnna’s Steak Sundae	Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Meatball Factory
The Sesame Sweet Heat Clucker
Courtesy: Florida State Fair Location: Seasoned Green

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Entertainment 🎶

The Florida State Fair offers a variety of entertainment and acts for the whole family. Attractions include circus shows, magicians, pig racing, eating contests, fireworks and more.

Here are some new entertainment and event additions at the Florida State Fair this year:

• Spirit in the Sky Drone Show:  Illuminating 250 Years of Freedom
• Star-Spangled Fireworks Spectacular
• Celebrating America250 Hologram Show & Time Travel Through Florida Agriculture
• Tribute to the Troops
• Butter Sculpture: Sunny’s America 250 Road Trip
• Racing Corgis: Freedom Dash
• A Tribute to the American Daredevil
• Rock-N-Circus
• Johnny Tractor and Friends
• AmirrorCAN Men
• The Living Statue

See the rest of the attractions at the Florida State Fair.

There will also be dozens of live musical acts. Here is this year’s lineup:

• Strolling Boombox
• Mark Dobson One Man Band
• Dennis Lee Band
• The Dweebs
• Dig a Pony
• Bynge
• Southern Express
• Gotta Groove Band
• The Bus Stop Band
• Frankie Raye
• Rockland Road
• Buffalo Barfield
• Jay Taylor
• Dusek Brothers
• Mylon
• Rekindled Bits of Grass
• Frank Dancey
• D’Amore
• Smokey Jones and the $3 Pistols
• Actual Bank Robbers
• Tribute to the Troops
• Something Major
• Women of Woodstock
• Hell on Heels

View Florida State Fair live music schedules and locations.

Agriculture 🐮

The Florida State Fair is known for spotlighting the state’s agricultural history. Here are some of the agriculture attractions and exhibits that guests can look forward to:

• Ag Hall of Fame
• Cattle Ranching Museum
• Camel Rides
• Fish & Wildlife Exhibit
• Forest Discovery Center
• Coronas Family Zoo
• Livestock Barns
• Pony Rides
• Thank a Florida Farmer & Voices of Florida Agriculture

View more exhibits and competitions at the Florida State Fair.

Fair App 📱

The Florida State Fair launched an app last year that allows fairgoers to access the information they need and plan their day with ease. The app includes an interactive map, daily schedule, food and more. It is available on Apple iOS and Google Play.