Updated Aug. 26, 2026.
The 11-day fair runs through Sept. 7 in Grand Island. Opening-day admission is free before noon; regular gate prices are $12 and $6.
By Hola Nebraska
GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska — The 2026 Nebraska State Fair opens Friday, Aug. 28, with free admission for everyone before noon and free parking at the fairgrounds. The 11-day event continues through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.
After the opening-morning promotion ends, gate admission costs $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.
The fairgrounds are located at 501 E. Fonner Park Road in Grand Island. Gates open at 7 a.m. each day, while vendor and entertainment buildings begin operating at 9 a.m.
Free off-site parking and shuttle service will also be available from Sam’s Club at 1510 N. Diers Ave. Buses begin running at 9 a.m. daily.
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 shuttle: Free.
- Fair office: 308-382-1620.
- Box office: 308-384-0151.
En español: Consulta la guía en español de la Feria Estatal de Nebraska 2026.
Five 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 | Listed 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 | $85–$115 |
| Sunday, Sept. 6 | HARDY with McCoy Moore | 7:30 p.m. | TD Landing | $78–$107 |
Home Free is included with regular gate admission and does not require a separate concert ticket.
Advance tickets for the other four concerts include admission to the fairgrounds on the performance date. Prices vary by seating area, availability and applicable online fees.
The State Fair box office and Etix are the authorized ticket sellers. Current availability appears in the Nebraska State Fair concert and ticketed-event schedule.
Regular admission costs $12 for adults and $6 for youth and seniors
| Admission type | Age | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 13–59 | $12 |
| Senior | 60 and older | $6 |
| Youth | 6–12 | $6 |
| Child | 5 and younger | Free |
General admission is sold online, at Pump & Pantry stores and at the fairgrounds. Each general-admission ticket is valid for one scan on any single day between Aug. 28 and Sept. 7.
Advance tickets for paid concerts, rodeos and motorsports events include fair admission for the same date. Online service charges may apply.
Opening morning is free and three dates offer reduced admission
Everyone can enter without paying before noon Friday, Aug. 28. Regular gate prices begin after noon.
Additional admission offers 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 operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, and Friday, Sept. 4. A full-price admission purchased on-site during those hours includes a food voucher equal to the price paid.
On opening day, the Lunch Bunch promotion overlaps with free admission between 10 a.m. and noon. The food voucher is connected to purchasing a full-price admission ticket on-site.
Current conditions for each offer appear on the Nebraska State Fair admission and carnival pricing page.
Two entrances and the Sam’s Club shuttle offer free parking
The fairgrounds will operate two main parking areas without a parking charge:
- West entrance: 700 E. Stolley Park Road, near South Locust Street and State Fair Boulevard.
- East entrance: 1203 S. Stuhr Road, near Fonner Park Road and Stuhr Road.
Free off-site parking and shuttle service will operate from Sam’s Club at 1510 N. Diers Ave.
Buses leave the Sam’s Club parking lot at the top of each hour beginning at 9 a.m. They depart the fairgrounds at the half-hour from Gate 5A, near the 4-H and FFA Building.
Shuttle service continues 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.
Addresses, routes and the fairgrounds map are available through the Nebraska State Fair parking and transportation guide.
Same-day reentry requires a hand stamp
Visitors who leave the fairgrounds and plan to return later that day need a hand stamp before exiting. A gate ticket cannot be scanned again or reused on another date.
The Nebraska Building remains open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sunday, Sept. 6. It closes at 7 p.m. on Labor Day.
Carnival wristbands cost $37 or $42
Wade Shows carnival rides require a wristband or ride credits in addition to gate admission.
- Monday through Thursday wristband: $37.
- Friday through Sunday wristband: $42.
- Eight ride credits: $12 plus applicable fees.
- Twenty ride credits: $25 plus applicable fees.
- Fifty ride credits: $50 plus applicable fees.
On Monday, Sept. 7, carnival rides will cost one credit from 5 to 7 p.m. Wristbands and ride cards purchased or redeemed during the fair will be handled at Wade Shows booths inside the midway.
Fiesta Latina fills two stages Sept. 6
Fiesta Latina: Celebrating Our Raíces will take place throughout the fairgrounds Sunday, Sept. 6. The program includes a car display, a 2 p.m. parade and performances on two stages.
512: The Selena Experience will perform at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Other participants include the Hispanic Arts Center of Omaha, Mariachi Los Caballeros, Raíces de Mi Pueblo and folkloric dance groups from Omaha and Kearney.
Hola Nebraska’s complete Fiesta Latina schedule includes the parade, performers and times through the final 8 p.m. appearance.
Fiesta Latina activities are included with regular gate admission unless an individual event states otherwise.
Rodeos and motorsports require separate event tickets
- 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 these events include gate admission for the same day. Prices vary by seating area, and online fees may apply.
The Nebraska State Fair opens at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28. Admission will be free before noon. The fair office can be reached at 308-382-1620, while ticket questions can be directed to the box office at 308-384-0151.
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