Happy State Fair Season!
Admission/Hours
Admission into the Iowa State Fair is $16 per day for ages 12+ and $10 for ages 6 to 11. You can save $5 ($3 for kids) on each ticket if you purchase them in advance online. Online ticket sales end on August 12th at 11:59 p.m.
According to the official website, “cash and credit cards are accepted at all of the Iowa State Fair food stands and vendors.”
Here are the fair hours for 2026:
- Grounds
- August 13th through 22nd from 8 a.m. to midnight (no entry/re-entry after 10 p.m.)
- Sunday, August 23rd from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Buildings
- Daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Fair Safety
The Iowa State Fair website has an entire page dedicated to safety protocols and rules for anyone planning to attend in 2026. Here are things that are NOT allowed inside of the fairgrounds:
- Weapons/Firearms
- Marijuana/Marijuana-enriched products
- Fireworks
- Drones
- Bikes/Skateboards
- Pets (except for ADA-certified service animals)
- Costumes/character attire
- Offensive or gang-related clothing
- Unauthorized distribution materials
- Running
If you’re attending one of the shows at the Grandstand or Elwell Family Park, there are additional restrictions in place. Prohibited items include:
- Backpacks/Large bags
- Professional video/audio equipment
- Go Pros
- Selfie Sticks
- Large banners
- Umbrellas
- Chairs
- Laser pointers
- Glass/Metal containers
The Iowa State Fair website says that they reserve the right “to search all bags, backpacks, coolers, purses, containers, etc., upon entry to the Fair and upon request while on the Fairgrounds. Refusal to comply will result in denied entry or removal from the Fairgrounds. Additional bag screening will be conducted upon entering the Grandstand.”
Parking
There is vehicle parking available in the A, B and C Lots off University Avenue for $10. Each of the lots has a free Blue Line Parking Shuttle that will take you to the admission gates. Motorcycles may park in any of the lots, but there is also a designated area for motorcycles in the NE corner of Lot A. You can check out the shuttle map HERE…