2025 N.C. State Fair: New foods, free parking & everything to know

It’s time to open the gates to North Carolina’s largest annual event: the 2025 N.C. State Fair.

Get ready for eleven days of thrill rides, deep-fried delights, livestock shows, live music and more as the fair returns to Raleigh Thursday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 26.

This year, organizers say there will be a “blend of time-honored favorites with new acts, foods and rides.”

Here’s everything to know if you want to go:

When is the N.C. State Fair? What are the hours?

The fair will run from Thursday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 26. Here are the daily hours of operation:

• Thursday, Oct. 16: noon - 11 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 17-Saturday, Oct. 18: 9 a.m.- 11:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 19-Thursday, Oct. 23 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 24- Saturday Oct. 25: 9 a.m.- 11:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 26: 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

According to the state fair website, you must purchase admission tickets and be inside the gates prior to 9:45 p.m. Otherwise, you will not be able to re-enter.

How much do N.C. State Fair tickets cost?

Discounted advance tickets will be available for purchase through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16:

• Adults (13-64): $10
• Youth (6-12): $5
• Children (5 and under): Free
• Senior adults (65+): $5
• Group of adults (40+ tickets): $8
• Group of youths (40+ tickets): $4

Afterwards, tickets can be purchased at regular gate prices online or in-person:

• Adults (13-64): $13
• Youth (6-12): $7
• Children (5 and under): Free
• Senior adults (65+): $5

Are there any N.C. State Fair ticket discounts?

There will be a daily military discount for active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64), in which tickets are $8 at the gate.

The same discount is offered for veterans, along with discounted ticket rates for a dependent or guest.

Here are some additional discounted tickets and passes that will be available for all fairgoers through Thursday, Oct. 16:

• $14 State Fair SkyGazer: Includes one gate admission ticket and one State Fair SkyGazer ticket
• $17 State Fair Flyer: Includes one gate admission ticket and one round-trip state fair flyer ticket
• $17 Kegs & Corks Pass: Includes one gate admission ticket, one NC Public House Beer/Wine ticket for a craft beer or wine. Available online only.
• $38 Dizzy Pass: Includes one gate admission ticket and one unlimited ride wristband. Available online only.

There are also several special event days with discounts and deals during the fair:

• Wolfpack Day (Thursday, Oct. 16): $8 admission for N.C. State students with university I.D. card.
• Senior Citizens’ Day (Tuesday, Oct. 21): Free admission for guests age 65+ with Bojangles’ biscuits and coffee beginning at 9 a.m. while supplies last.
• Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day (Thursday, Oct. 23): Free admission for guests who bring in six canned goods.

Will the N.C. State Fair have a lunch pass this year?

Yes! Here’s how to use the special deal:

• Visit Gate 9 off Trinity Road, or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekdays.
• Purchase a lunch card for $20 with cash.
• Buy your lunch from fair food vendors on site, who may take cash and/or credit cards.
• Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate you entered for a full $20 cash refund.

Reminder: The lunch pass cards are good only on the day purchased, for adult admission, and food is not included.

Are rides or attractions included with my NC State Fair ticket?

Separate tickets must be purchased for rides and attractions. Here is a price breakdown for advance ride tickets, which can be purchased before Thursday, Oct. 16:

• Ride ticket cards: $10 for 18 ride tickets
• Unlimited ride wristbands: $30 per wristband
• State Fair Flyer: $6 one way or $9 roundtrip
• State Fair SkyGazer: $6

Here are the regular costs for rides and attractions at the fair or online from Oct. 17-26:

• Ride ticket cards: $1 per ticket 
• Unlimited ride wristbands: $40 per wristband
• State Fair Flyer: $7 one way or $10 roundtrip 
• State Fair SkyGazer: $7

What new entertainment will be at the fair?

Organizers say the fair will have several new attractions and roller coasters, including a wild West-style roping and knife-throwing show from Andy Rotz, a live interactive “Zoltar” style fortune experience along with three new thrill rides:

• The Colossus, which balances eight riders each on opposite ends of a giant pendulum, before looping around 360 degrees.
• The Flip Side, a pendulum-style ride that swings riders high into the sky, while each row can roll riders upside down and the seats rotate in a circle.
• Kamikaze, which sends riders in opposite directions until both enclosed carts at the base meet with riders upside down at the peak of the ride.

What about new foods and drinks?

The fair’s food and drink lineup includes 86 new items from sweet to savory, and a mix of both, including pickle juice popsicles, deep-fried chicken feet, cotton candy iced tea and more.

You can also find the full list online at ncagr.gov/divisions/ncstatefair/2025/attractions/newin25.

What parking options are available? Are there any free lots?

Free parking is available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Football Stadium and Lenovo Center properties, except when there will be reserved/paid parking Oct. 16, Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 at Lenovo Center.

If you’re looking for free parking, state fair organizers encourage drivers to take Wade Avenue to the Edwards Mill Extension into those lots.

There will also be free shuttles running continuously with drop off and pick up across Trinity Road at Gate 8 on the Carter Finley Stadium side of the road for the Dogwood Lot, and at Gate 7 off Youth Center Dr. for those who park off Hwy 54/Chapel Hill Rd.

Will there be Amtrak train and public bus drop-offs?

NC By Train and Amtrak will once again be offering service right to the fairgrounds for those who board from Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury, High Point, Greensboro, Burlington, Durham and Cary.

Tickets can be booked online using station code “NSF” at ncbytrain.org.

GoRaleigh and Go Durham are also offering rides to Gate 1 at the fairgrounds:

Raleigh bus service will have a non-stop express shuttle every 30 minutes from the Garner station at 1407 Garner Station Blvd. Round trip fare is $5 and $4 one-way for adults, half fare for seniors 65 & older and passengers with disabilities. Children can ride for free.

For those coming from Durham, shuttle rides from Durham Station at 515 W. Pettigrew St. will be free.

How accessible is the NC State Fair?

• Parking: There are more than 100 designated parking spaces for visitors with disabilities in the paved parking lot at the corner of Blue Ridge Rd. and Trinity Rd. near Gate 10.
• Wheelchair & scooter rentals: Wheelchair and electric scooters will be available on a first come, first serve basis from vendors set up near gates 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
• Tram services: An inner perimeter tram operates inside the gates of the fairgrounds with stops at Gate 1, Gate 10, Dorton Arena and Gate 8.
• Stroller & wagon rentals: Stroller and wagons will be available on a first come, first service basis from vendors set up near gates 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
• Restrooms: Changing tables for children are available in all restrooms. The Scott Building has universal changing tables and mothers’ rooms. The Agri Supply Exposition Center has universal changing tables, mothers’ rooms and family restrooms. The Martin Building has mothers’ rooms and family restrooms.

Are pets allowed in the fairgrounds?

All pets are prohibited at the fair, but service dogs are allowed.

Does the fair have a clear bag policy?

No. Fairgoers are encouraged to bring clear bags of any size, but non-clear bags will be allowed and subject to search before entry to the fairgrounds.

What items can and cannot be brought to the fair?

Outside food and drink, water bottles, diaper bags with baby or toddler supplies and medications are allowed on the fairgrounds, but alcoholic beverages, drugs, firearms, knives, brass knuckles, batons and/or weapons of any type are prohibited.

You can find more information about the state fair online at ncstatefair.org.

This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "2025 N.C. State Fair: New foods, free parking & everything to know."