Fill Your Kids’ Summer Bucket List with Family Fun at The Great New York State Fair

Free Daily Admission for Kids 12 and Under!

Free Admission for SUNY Students and Youth 18 and Under on Thursday, August 27

As summer days wane and the start of the school year approaches, The Great New York State Fair is the perfect place for families to squeeze in one more round of seasonal fun. With sights, sounds and surprises around every corner, the New York State Fairgrounds offer something special for kids of all ages. And with free admission for children 12 and younger, there's no better time to make one more summer memory at The Fair! Check out all the kids-approved events below:

New This Year!

The Fair introduces STEAM Day! On Thursday, August 27, children and their families can explore hands-on activities that bring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to life. Visit the Syracuse City School District booth at the Chevy Court Pavilion to learn how STEAM education inspires curiosity, creativity, and learning for all ages, and discover the District's new Syracuse STEAM School-the first school of its kind in the region.

To add creative flair to Student Youth Day on August 27, the Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen will be hosting Youth Cookie Decorating from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free to kids who visit the lower level of the Wegmans Creative Arts Center, formerly the Art & Home Center.

On Friday, August 28, kids are invited to take center stage for the Kiddie Tractor Pull in the Toyota Coliseum. Beginning at noon, this pint-sized version of the beloved tractor pull invites youth registrants to test their strength and see how far they can pull their tractors in this raucous and entertaining competition. Space is limited, so interested youth should register by visiting the Antique Tractor Exhibit before the show or by contacting Jim Griswold at (607) 423-6244. Additional Kiddie Tractor Pulls will take place Saturday, August 29, and Saturday, September 5.

Also, in the Toyota Coliseum, on Saturday, August 29, two great events will bring fairgoers a closer look at the wonderful world of horses. At 10:30am, 4-H Youth will present the 4-H Driving and Miniature Horse Show, where they will test their driving and in-hand skills. Later on, at 5 p.m., join 4-H youth for a Meet the Horses Educational Event to learn more about the magnificent horses staying at the Great New York State Fair.

Music and Entertainment - Included with Admission!

For K-Pop-loving kids, the Demon Hunters tribute act Moonlight Princesses will take the Chevy Court stage on Saturday, August 29 at 1 p.m. with a character-inspired performance featuring HUNTR/X favorites like "Takedown" and the global smash hit, "Golden."

Then, on Sunday, September 6, The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System brings the beloved books series to Chevy Court for an action-packed adventure. Families can join Ms. Frizzle and the gang on an intergalactic journey filled with excitement, humor, and educational discovery.

Also included with free admission, children (and grown-ups, too!) have access to 17 entertainment acts across the grounds, from high-flying jet skis to gravity-defying stilt walkers. Kid-recommended acts include:

• Birds of Prey, hosted by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. (sponsored by Cutco)
• Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show (sponsored by The New York 529 College Savings Program)
• The Coronas Family Petting Zoo
• Circus Hollywood - in the Exposition Center! (sponsored by Chevy)
• The Fast and the Furriest Corgi Races (sponsored by Micron)
• Hollywood Racing Pigs (sponsored by Pinnacle Spas)
• Stilt Circus (sponsored by Strong Spas)
• Ski Extreme Productions

To learn more about times and locations of The Fair's grounds entertainment acts, visit our site: Fair Events Calendar - The Great New York State Fair.

Exciting Exhibits for All Ages

Are your kids trying to perfect their animal noises? The Fair is the place to teach them! Families will have the opportunity to learn about farm animals and the exhibitors who care for these loveable creatures. Explore The Fair's animal barns showcasing chickens, llamas, horses, pigs, cows, sheep, and more. Can they cock-a-doodle-doo? Call on the Poultry Barn for the Rooster Crowing Contest. Ever toss a hay bale? Let your kids try their hand by visiting the Beef Barn. Don't miss the Dairy Discovery Center to share in the incredible journey that New York's nearly 3,000 dairy producers take to bring fresh milk from farm to fridge.

Alongside New York agriculture, dozens of New York State agencies are taking part in the 13-day Fair. New York State Troopers and their canine partners offer captivating shows every day, from underwater recovery missions, rollover demonstrations, rappelling buildings, and so much more. Live performances take place all day in the exhibit space between the Horticulture Building and the Midway. Have a fire and rescue fan in your family? Check out the C&S Companies Science & Industry Building for Safety Town and House of Hazards for a hands-on experience in first aid and fire safety.

For the littlest fans of big machinery, the Historical Train Exhibit features five vintage passenger railcars with historical ties to New York, as well as an operating model railroad for kids! While you're exploring, don't miss the Antique Tractor Exhibit, which showcases restored and vintage tractors from farmers and collectors across the state.

While making your way around the Fairgrounds, capture your summer memories at one of The Fair's many photo spots. From selfie stations to the iconic I Love New York and Great New York State Fair logo signs, you can capture endless memories in one click.

It's the Kids' Time to Shine: Youth Programming

On Thursday, August 27, students 18 and younger as well as all SUNY students receive free admission to The Fair for Student Youth Day. In addition to Student Youth Day, fairgoers interested in farming or a career in agriculture can learn from the experts during Agriculture Career Day, also on Thursday, August 27. Led by New York Agriculture in the Classroom (NYAITC), fairgoers can get a peek at what careers in agriculture look like today and in the future and participate in an agriculture career-themed scavenger hunt to enter for a chance to win one of two Nintendo Switches! In addition to Agriculture Career Day, New York students from across New York State show off their tremendous skills in agriculture, science, and robotics during all 13 days of the Fair. Demonstrations take place daily in the Youth Building and FFA Building on the west side of the Fairgrounds. More details and information about Student Youth Day can be found here.

For those small fairgoers who prefer to sit back and take in the experience, there are numerous children's competitions and showcases taking place across The Fairgrounds. From the Youth Dog Show to the Youth Goat Costume Contest to artistic displays of fine arts, poetry, photography in the Wegmans Creative Arts Center and dancing and singing in the four cultural villages and much, much more, The Fair offers something for everyone. Visit the schedule for a full list of events.

Sensory-Friendly Programming

For families who need a break from all the action, they can go visit one of The Fair's three Sensory Spaces. Sponsored by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, The Calming Sensory Room is located inside the Wegmans Creative Arts Center and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., providing a quiet, low light space with relaxing activities. The Outdoor Activity Sensory Area, which was introduced in 2025 and is located outside the Wegmans Creative Arts Center, features tactile activities designed for those who need a space to explore and receive sensory input. Across the Fairgrounds, the Calming Sensory Shed is open daily from noon to 8 p.m. located by Gate 10. These spaces provide Fairgoers with a quiet retreat amid all the excitement. For those who are looking for a gentler Fair, visit us during Sensory Friendly Day on Wednesday, September 2. For details, check out our Special Days page.

About The Great New York State Fair

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. All concerts are included in the price of admission. Tickets are on sale now at The Fair's website, nysfair.ny.gov. Packed with value, a single admission ticket costs $8 and includes access to all grounds entertainment and The Fair's award-winning concert lineup. In addition, a Frequent Fairgoer ticket option is available for $25.

The Fair continues to be one of the most affordable fairs in the nation, with admission remaining free for those aged 65 and older along with children 12 years old and under.

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state's CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

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