Celebrate This Year’s Exciting Special Days at The 2026 Great New York State Fair

From honoring New York's agricultural heritage to celebrating the people, cultures, and communities that make the Empire State unique, The Great New York State Fair today announced its lineup of Special Days. Running from Opening Day on Wednesday, August 26, through Labor Day, September 7, The Fair will feature themed celebrations recognizing New York's diverse industries, organizations, and traditions alongside the Fair's world-class entertainment, iconic food, and interactive exhibits.

Fairgoers can expect spirited activities, including live performances, demonstrations, competitions, and activities designed to highlight each day's theme. The Fair's Special Days include returning favorites like LGBTQ+ Pride Day, Women's Day, and Armed Forces Day, and new additions-including Grape Day and STEAM Day-offering fresh opportunities to celebrate the agriculture, innovation, and people that help make New York one of a kind.

To learn more about Special Days at the Fair, visit The Fair's website.

Special Days at the 2026 Great New York State Fair:

Wednesday, August 26 - Opening Day
The Great New York State Fair officially starts for the 2026 season! Gates open at 9:00 a.m. Purchase a special Wacky Wednesday Wristband this day and score the Midway Ride All Day pass for only $30. The Midway is open daily from 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 27 - Grape Day, Agriculture Career Day, Student Youth Day

• Grape Day returns! The Fair spotlights the importance of grapes to New York agriculture, including fun-filled activities to educate fairgoers about the State's superfruit and to promote New York's wine and grape industry.

• Interested in farming or a profession in agriculture? Agriculture Career Day is the perfect opportunity to learn from experts in the field. 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 Ag Career-themed scavenger hunt to enter for a chance to win an iPad!

• Load up the van with the kiddos-Student Youth Day means students and youth aged 18-and-under receive free admission to the Great New York State Fair. And, new this year: SUNY students receive free admission to The Fair with valid student ID.

• New this year: STEAM Day! The Fair invites fairgoers to 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.

Friday, August 28 - LGBTQ+ Pride Day and New Americans Day

• Our annual LGBTQ+ Pride Day returns to the Fair! Recognizing 15 years of the Marriage Equality Act in New York, fairgoers can witness the Pride Flag raising ceremony, attend the resource fair, take part in the all-new Pride CommUNITY Celebration, and participate in a full array of community events all day long.

• The Fair is proud to once again host New Americans Day, which honors New York's diverse immigrant communities. The day includes a resource fair, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Expo Center.

Monday, August 31 - Law Enforcement Day, State Parks Day, and Maple Day

• Active duty and retired New York State law enforcement receive free admission (presenting badge or ID upon entry) to the New York State Fair for Law Enforcement Day. Join us at the Horticulture Building at 11:15 a.m. as we honor fallen officers in the line of duty for the Law Enforcement Ceremony.

• Are you a New York State Park passholder? State Parks Day allows anyone with an Empire Pass, Access Pass, Lifetime Liberty Pass, or Golden Park Program pass to receive free entry. Celebrate State Parks Day by visiting the smallest State Park in New York, right here at The Fairgrounds!

• Maple Day, sponsored by the New York State Maple Producers Association, will give fairgoers an opportunity to not only taste the delicious goodness of pure maple syrup but also to learn about it too. Be sure to stop by the New York Maple Exhibit in the Horticulture Building for all-things maple.

Tuesday, September 1 - Fire, Rescue and EMS Day, Beef Day, and Tasty Tuesday

• On Fire, Rescue and EMS Day, sponsored by National Grid, we honor the brave men and women of fire, emergency services, and EMS agencies with free admission to any active or retired member of a fire department, emergency services, or EMS organization who has a picture ID from that department or organization. A special ceremony will also take place outside the Horticulture Building beginning at 11 a.m.

• Held in coordination with the New York Beef Council, Beef Day offers hands-on activities, education and entertainment celebrating New York's beef producers and highlighting the important role the beef industry plays in New York agriculture. Fairgoers can explore delicious beef recipes, discover cooking resources, learn more about preparing beef and connect with industry leaders. The FREE Cow Ear Giveaway also returns this year, with fairgoers invited to stop by the New York Beef Council booth to receive a complimentary pair of the iconic Cow Ears, while supplies last. Guests can then show off their Cow Ears in the Council's Beef Day Photo Contest by snapping a photo for a chance to win a beef-themed prize package.

• Treat your taste buds to select samples of some of The Fair's most popular foods for just $3-$5 on Tasty Tuesday. It's the perfect chance to try more of your favorites (or discover a new one!) without breaking the bank. Visit the Tasty Tuesday page for participating vendors. *Wade Shows Midway will also be participating.

Wednesday, September 2 - Women's Day and Sensory Friendly Day

• Women's Day, sponsored by Fidelis Care and WellCare by Fidelis Care, spotlights the women who make New York great. Fairgoers can take part in the Women's Day Health & Wellness Mini-Fair held from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Chevy Court Pavilion, and honorees will be recognized at the Women's Day Breakfast, which highlights women in agriculture who inspire and encourage growth in our local communities-tickets on sale now.

• Sensory Friendly Day features dimmed lights, sounds, music, and public announcements from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. across the entire Fairgrounds for those that are sensitive to noise. Sponsored by Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

• Wacky Wednesday Wristband returns! Fairgoers can buy the Midway Ride All Day pass for only $30. The Midway is open daily from 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 3 - Armed Forces Day, Dairy Day, and Stomp Out Stigma

• Active duty and retired military personnel receive free admission to the New York State Fair for Armed Forces Day, sponsored by National Grid (present Military ID Card, form DD-214 or NYS Driver License, Learner Permit or non-driver ID card with a veteran designation upon entry). The Armed Forces Day Ceremony features all branches of the U.S. military and will take place in front of the Horticulture Building at 11 a.m.

• Dairy Day, sponsored by Garelick Farms, celebrates our thriving New York dairy industry! The day kicks off with the Dairy Day Breakfast, which recognizes honorees of the Dairy of Distinction Awards, the PRO-DAIRY Service Awards, and the winners of the New York State Dairy Products Competition. Guests can then stop by the Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen to witness the annual media Milkshake Contest, where contestants will compete for the most delicious-and presentable-milkshake! There will also be educational demonstrations and information displayed throughout the Fairgrounds. Don't forget to stop at the Dairy Products Building for a $.25 cup of perfectly chilled milk or a peek at the Butter Sculpture!

• Stomp Out Stigma Day promotes hope and recovery for those who may be struggling with addiction by providing resources and services. Beginning at 9 a.m., fairgoers can Chalk the Walk by drawing inspirational messages as people enter the main gate. From there, guests can head over to the Wegmans Creative Arts Center to create overdose awareness and remembrance ornaments and take part in the Stomp Out Stigma Resource Fair.

Friday, September 4 - Native Americans Day

• Native Americans Day celebrates New York's indigenous roots and deep cultural heritage. Watch our Native American Flag Raising Ceremony and experience various cultural performances and crafts in the Haudenosaunee Cultural Village all day! Members of Native American tribes receive free admission on this day. ID is not required.

Saturday, September 5 - Rhythm & Resources Job Fair

• In conjunction with JAMS FunkFest, the Rhythm & Resources Job Fair will be held at the Chevy Court Pavilion from noon until 9:30 p.m., with several participating organizations providing information and resources to interested fairgoers, including Syracuse University, Byrne Dairy, SUNY Upstate, and many more. Come for the music and stay for the career opportunities!

Monday, September 7 - Labor Day
The Great New York State Fair ends ceremoniously, as the annual Labor Day parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. from the Expo Center. Stay for the night fireworks show that will dazzle the sky!

Reminders

• Children 12 years of age and under are admitted free every day.
• Seniors 65 years of age and over are admitted free every day.
• Students and youth 18 years of age and under and those with valid SUNY ID are admitted free on Thursday, August 27 for Student Youth Day and SUNY Day
• Unused 2025 admission tickets will not be accepted during the 2026 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 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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