Know Before You Go to the Iowa State Fair

Only 1 week, 168 hours, 10,080 minutes or 604,800 seconds until the 2026 Iowa State Fair! Here are a few things you should know before you go to the Iowa State Fair this year.

SAVE TIME & MONEY

Buy admission in advance at iowastatefair.org, the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office or select Hy-Vee and Fareway stores.

Adults: $11 advance / $16 at the Fair
Children ages 6-11: $7 advance / $10 at the Fair
Children 5 and under: Free
Advance tickets are valid any one day of the Fair.
Thrill Park savings: Purchase before August 13 to save!

Advance Thrill Pass: $30 for 50 credits, valid every day of the Fair for rides and games.
Advance One-Day Ride Wristband: $40, valid Monday-Wednesday for unlimited rides. Does not include games.
These advance deals end when the Fair begins.
During the Fair, Monday-Friday, rides and games in Thrill Town (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Thrill Ville (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) are $1 off.
Value Packs save $13 and are available at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office through August 12.

GRANDSTAND TICKETS

Grandstand tickets remain available for most shows at iowastatefair.org. Purchase directly from the Iowa State Fair and beware of third-party ticket sellers.

Select VIP Experience tickets are also available while supplies last.

GETTING TO THE FAIR

Uber, Lyft and taxis: Pick up and drop off at Gate 8 off Dean Avenue. For GPS, use 203 Rock Island, Des Moines, IA 50317.

Bus drop-off: Buses enter through Lot A off University Avenue and drop off at Gate 13, at the west end of Lot A.

On-site parking: Lots A, B and C are available off University Avenue for $10. Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted. ADA/Accessible Parking is available in paved and hard-packed areas.

Bicycle parking is free inside Gate 13.

NEW! FREE PARKING + BUS SERVICE

Southridge Mall: The new CIT Transportation service from Southridge Mall is free for all riders. Free parking will be marked in the mall parking lot. Buses run continuously from 8 a.m. to midnight. Fairgrounds service ends at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 23.

DART PARK & RIDE

Free parking and paid shuttle service are available from:

7th & Center Street Park & Ride - 830 6th Ave., Des Moines
Iowa State Capitol - E. 12th Street between E. Grand and E. Walnut
Buses run from 8 a.m. to midnight. Fair service ends at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 23.

PLAN YOUR DAY

Use the online daily program or official Iowa State Fair App to search by date or keyword and build your own Fair itinerary.

Plus, we're planning a full slate of special events, entertainment and competition to commemorate America's 250th birthday. Learn more at iowastatefair.org, plus get ready to light up your night! Don't miss the dazzling Drone Shows, presented by T-Mobile, JPMorganChase and Iowa Lottery, following the Grandstand shows each night, plus the Fireworks Spectacular presented by JPMorganChase.

BE COMFORTABLE

We've added more picnic tables and shade structures, including new shade east of the Barksdale's State Fair Cookie Building. New baby nursing/changing stations are located between the Grandstand and cookie building.

Plan for additional walking, wear comfortable shoes and stay hydrated. Water bottle filling stations are available throughout the Fairgrounds, or purchase water at Blue Ribbon Foundation water booths.

Fairgoer shuttles run between the First Church and Campgrounds, with a stop at Pioneer Hall.

New in 2026, the Iowa State Fair will offer complimentary Mobility Assistance Cart rides for Fairgoers who may need help navigating the Fairgrounds. Volunteer-operated six-seat golf carts will run daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from five designated Information Booth locations. The Mobility Assistance Carts will travel fixed routes between Information Booths, and passengers may be dropped off at the closest point along the route to their destination. These carts are intended to assist Fairgoers with mobility-related needs and are not individual mobility carts or rentals. Mobility Assistance Cart pick-up and drop-off locations will be at Gate 11, Gate 10, the Cattle Barn area at Rock Island and Logan, Grand Avenue in front of the Bud Tent, and near Gate 4 by the Fire Station. Look for the clearly marked "Mobility Assistance Cart" signs at each location.

Scooter rentals are available at Gates 8, 10, 11, 13 and 15 or can be reserved in advance through HomeTown Mobility.

FAIR HOURS

August 13-22: 8 a.m.-midnight

August 23: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.

Last admission: Enter before 10 p.m. August 13-22 and before 7 p.m. August 23.

SAFETY FIRST

New walk through bag checks and metal detectors. Bags, purses and soft-sided coolers are permitted but subject to inspection. Additional checks are conducted when entering the Grandstand.

Allowed items include:

Soft-sided coolers
Outside food and drink
Diaper bags and backpacks
Visit iowastatefair.org/safety for a complete list of prohibited items for the Fairgrounds, Grandstand and Elwell Family Park.
Weather can change quickly in Iowa. Weather alerts affecting the Fairgrounds will be announced grounds-wide. Weather that could affect events or concerts will be communicated directly to ticket holders and through social media.

In an emergency, First Aid stations are located near the Ag Building and at the Service Center on Grand Avenue.

Kid Find bracelets are available at Information Booths, the Iowa State Fair Public Safety Building, East Marketplace under the Grandstand and the Des Moines Media Group booth in front of the Grandstand.

FAIR TIPS

Dress for August weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Bring sunscreen and sealed bottles of water.
Cash and credit/debit cards are accepted at Fair food stands and vendors.
Bags, purses and soft-sided coolers are permitted but subject to inspection.
Stay up to date at iowastatefair.org or through the official Iowa State Fair App.
Text FAIR to 844.844.8508 for special offers, concert updates, daily activities, weather alerts and more.
First time at the Fair? Pick up a First Time Fairgoer brochure and special button at any Information Booth.
Most importantly, have fun! With more than 3,000 events in 11 days, there's something for everyone. Map out your day, enjoy the free entertainment, try a new food, ride a few rides and make some memories at the 2026 Iowa State Fair.

The 2026 Iowa State Fair, Fair Spirit, runs from August 13-23.