The Ferris wheel and attractions at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island at sunset.Updated Aug. 22, 2026.
By Hola Nebraska
The 11-day fair runs through Sept. 7 in Grand Island. Opening-day admission will be free before noon, while regular gate prices are $12 for adults and $6 for youth and seniors.
GRAND ISLAND, NE — The 2026 Nebraska State Fair opens Friday, Aug. 28, with agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, livestock competitions, free entertainment and concerts scheduled through Labor Day.
Everyone can enter free before noon on opening day. After that promotion ends, gate admission will cost $12 for adults ages 13 through 59 and $6 for youth ages 6 through 12 and adults age 60 or older. Children age 5 and younger enter free.
Parking at the fairgrounds will be free. The fair will also operate free shuttles from Sam’s Club in Grand Island beginning at 9 a.m. each day.
The main concert schedule includes Phil Wickham, KC and the Sunshine Band, Home Free, Shinedown and HARDY. Advance tickets for paid concerts include admission to the fairgrounds on the day of the performance.
Nebraska State Fair 2026
- Dates: Aug. 28 through Sept. 7.
- Location: Nebraska State Fairgrounds, 501 E. Fonner Park Road, Grand Island.
- Adult admission: $12 for ages 13 through 59.
- Youth and senior admission: $6.
- Children age 5 and younger: Free.
- Opening morning: Free admission before noon Aug. 28.
- Parking and off-site shuttles: Free.
- Fair office: 308-382-1620.
En español: Consulta la guía en español de la Feria Estatal de Nebraska 2026.
Five major concerts are scheduled between Aug. 30 and Sept. 6
The concert schedule includes two indoor performances at the BigIron Events Center and three outdoor shows at TD Landing.
| Date | Artist | Time | Venue | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, Aug. 30 | Phil Wickham with Jamie MacDonald | 6 p.m. | BigIron Events Center | $55–$76 |
| Monday, Aug. 31 | KC and the Sunshine Band | 2 p.m. | BigIron Events Center | $30–$55 |
| Friday, Sept. 4 | Home Free | 7:30 p.m. | TD Landing | Included with gate admission |
| Saturday, Sept. 5 | Shinedown with Dexter and the Moonrocks | 7:30 p.m. | TD Landing | Starting at $85 before Aug. 27 |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | HARDY with McCoy Moore | 7:30 p.m. | TD Landing | Starting at $78 before Aug. 27 |
Home Free is a free show with general fair admission. A separate concert ticket is not required, although the fair sells optional VIP access.
Shinedown tickets start at $85 for general admission and $95 for the pit through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 27. Starting Aug. 28, those prices increase to $95 and $105. VIP access is listed as sold out.
HARDY tickets start at $78 for general admission and $87 for the pit through Aug. 27. Those prices rise to $87 and $97 beginning Aug. 28. VIP access is also listed as sold out.
The listed concert prices may increase with Etix service charges, sales tax or card fees. The State Fair box office and Etix are the fair’s authorized ticket outlets.
The complete lineup and ticket links remain available through the Nebraska State Fair entertainment schedule.
Adult admission is $12 and children age 5 or younger enter free
Regular gate prices are based on age:
| Admission type | Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 13–59 | $12 |
| Senior | 60 and older | $6 |
| Youth | 6–12 | $6 |
| Child | 5 and younger | Free |
Advance tickets for paid concerts, rodeos and motorsports events include admission to the fairgrounds for the day of the event. Online service charges may apply.
General admission is available online, at Pump & Pantry stores and at the fairgrounds. Each general-admission ticket can be scanned once on any single day of the fair.
Opening morning will be free and other days have discounts
Admission will be free for everyone before noon Friday, Aug. 28. The regular gate prices begin after the opening-morning promotion ends.
Additional discounts include:
- Tuesday, Sept. 1: $2.50 admission for visitors age 6 and older.
- Wednesday, Sept. 2: $5 admission after 4 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 3: $5 admission after 4 p.m.
- Monday, Sept. 7: Free admission for veterans and active-duty military personnel with valid military or government-issued identification.
The Lunch Bunch promotion will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, and Friday, Sept. 4. A full-price gate ticket purchased on-site during those hours includes a food voucher with the same value.
For example, a visitor purchasing a $12 adult ticket during Lunch Bunch receives a $12 food voucher.
Current admission offers remain available through the official Nebraska State Fair pricing information.
Free parking is available at two fairground entrances
The west parking entrance is near South Locust Street and State Fair Boulevard. The address for navigation is 700 E. Stolley Park Road.
The east entrance is near Fonner Park Road and Stuhr Road. The navigation address is 1203 S. Stuhr Road.
Accessible parking is available at the main entrance and Gate 6A. Spaces remain subject to availability.
The fair also operates free off-site parking and shuttle service from Sam’s Club, 1510 N. Diers Ave.
Buses leave Sam’s Club at the top of each hour beginning at 9 a.m. They leave the fairgrounds at the half-hour from Gate 5A near the 4-H and FFA Building.
Shuttle service will continue until:
- 10:30 p.m. from Aug. 28 through Sept. 3.
- 11:30 p.m. from Sept. 4 through Sept. 6.
- 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7.
Parking maps and shuttle information are available through the Nebraska State Fair parking guide.
Fairground gates open daily at 7 a.m.
The entrance gates open at 7 a.m. each day. Vendor and entertainment buildings begin operating at 9 a.m.
The Nebraska Building will remain open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 6. It will close at 7 p.m. on the final day.
Same-day reentry requires a hand stamp obtained before leaving the fairgrounds. A ticket cannot be used again on a different date.
Strollers and wagons are allowed. Pets cannot enter unless they are qualifying service animals or animals registered for a fair competition.
Carnival wristbands cost $37 or $42 during the fair
Wade Shows carnival rides require a wristband or ride credits in addition to gate admission.
Unlimited one-day wristbands cost $37 Monday through Thursday and $42 Friday through Sunday.
Ride cards cost $12 for eight credits, $25 for 20 credits or $50 for 50 credits, plus applicable fees.
On Monday, Sept. 7, carnival rides will cost one credit from 5 to 7 p.m.
Fiesta Latina will include a parade, performances and car display
Fiesta Latina: Celebrating Our Raíces will take place throughout the fairgrounds Sunday, Sept. 6.
A Cruise-In Car Display begins at 10 a.m. The Fiesta Latina Celebration Parade follows at 2 p.m.
The schedule also includes music, dancing and performances by participating cultural organizations. Fiesta Latina activities are included with general gate admission unless an individual event states otherwise.
The current Fiesta Latina program is available through the Nebraska State Fair’s Fiesta Latina schedule.
Rodeos, racing and demolition events require separate tickets
The fair’s other reserved events include:
- Truck and Tractor Pull: Aug. 28 at 6 p.m.; $20–$30.
- Roughstock Rodeo: Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.; $25–$45.
- Figure 8 Racing: Aug. 30 at 4 p.m.; $16–$41.
- Ranch Rodeo: Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m.; $20–$40.
- Demolition Derby: Sept. 7 at 2 p.m.; $16–$41.
Advance tickets for those paid events include gate admission for the same day. Additional online fees may apply.
The Nebraska State Fair opens at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, in Grand Island. Admission will be free before noon, and general questions can be directed to the fair office at 308-382-1620.
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