Last updated October 14, 2026 · By Magnolia Megan
The NC State Fair can be as cheap or as pricey as you make it. The good news: there are real ways to get in free in 2026, and buying early knocks money off both admission and rides. Just know that advance prices end Thursday, Oct. 15, which is opening day.
Every way to save in 2026
- Free: weekday lunch pass, Hunger Relief Day (Oct. 22), Senior Citizens' Day (Oct. 20), Military Appreciation Day (Oct. 21), and kids 5 and under every day.
- Cheaper: advance admission ($10 vs. $13), advance wristbands ($30 vs. $40), the $38 Dizzy Pass, and $8 College Day on Oct. 15.
- Free to do: parking, outside food and drinks, exhibits, livestock, and free shows.
Watch: 6 ways to save at the fair
Prefer video? We covered six of these money saving tips in part 1 of our NC State Fair series on Instagram.
The NC State Fair lunch pass: free admission on weekdays
Monday through Friday, you can walk in during lunch and get every penny back:
- Go to Gate 9 off Trinity Road or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Buy a lunch card for $20, cash only.
- Return the card to the same gate you entered by 1:30 p.m. the same day for a full $20 cash refund.
It is adult admission only and does not include food. It is not offered on Saturdays or Sundays, and if you leave after 1:30 p.m. you keep the card and lose the $20. This is a refundable lunch admission, not a discounted all day ticket.
Free admission: Hunger Relief Day, Thursday, Oct. 22
Bring six nonperishable food items per person to any gate and trade them for a free admission ticket. Eighteen items gets three people in. The program has run since 1993 and supports the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
The fair's most needed items:
- Peanut butter and jams in larger plastic jars
- Pasta
- Tuna, chicken, or salmon in pouches or pop top cans
- Ready to eat or ready to heat meals, like ravioli in pop top cans
- Dried or canned fruit in sealed containers
- Granola or protein bars in boxes
Skip anything in glass, since glass is not allowed at the fair.
Free and discounted special days
| Date | Special day | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Thu. Oct. 15 | College Day | $8 admission for North Carolina college students with a valid student ID, at the gate that day only |
| Sun. Oct. 18 | Sensory Day | No ride lights or music until 1 p.m., acoustic music only, and a Chill Out Zone in the Graham Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Tue. Oct. 20 | Senior Citizens' Day | Free admission for ages 65 and up |
| Wed. Oct. 21 | Military Appreciation Day | Free admission for military personnel and veterans plus three guests, with proof of service |
| Thu. Oct. 22 | Hunger Relief Day | Free admission for six nonperishable food items per person |
Not every special day is a discount. Sensory Day is about a quieter morning, not cheaper tickets. Military members and their dependents ages 13 to 64 can also get $8 gate admission on any day with ID, and veterans get the same price for themselves plus one guest.
Buy admission in advance
| Ticket | Advance (through Oct. 15) | At the fair (Oct. 16 to 25) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 13 to 64 | $10 | $13 |
| Kids 6 to 12 | $5 | $7 |
| Kids 5 and under | Free | Free |
| Seniors 65 and up | $5 | $5 |
Advance tickets are sold online through Oct. 15 and in person at the Dorton Arena kiosk, Gate 9, and the State Farmers Market through Oct. 15. Online prices are shown with taxes and fees included. Groups of 40 or more pay $8 per adult and $4 per youth.
NC State Fair wristband prices for 2026
| Wristband | Price | When |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited ride wristband, advance | $30 | Through Oct. 15 |
| Unlimited ride wristband, at the fair | $40 | Oct. 16 to 25 |
| RFID fee (each new wristband or ride card) | $2 | Always |
| Dizzy Pass (admission plus wristband) | $38 | Online only, through Oct. 15 |
Unlimited ride wristbands are $30 in advance and $40 during the fair, plus a $2 RFID fee for each new wristband or ride card. That is $10 saved per rider, or $40 for a family of four who all ride. Each wristband is good for one day of your choice.
Before you buy, know the exclusions. Wristbands do not cover the State Fair Flyer, the America 250 Wheel, or Casey's Big Slide. If you only want a few rides, credits may be cheaper: advance credits are $10 for 18, and at the fair each credit is $1. Most kids' rides take 2 to 4 credits, and kids under 40 inches ride slides and carousels free with a paying adult 16 or older.
The Dizzy Pass: $38 for admission and rides
The Dizzy Pass bundles one admission ticket and one unlimited ride wristband for $38. Bought separately in advance, the same two things are $40. At the gate, they are $53. It is sold online only, through Oct. 15.
Park for free
Official parking is free on State Fair, Carter Finley Stadium, and Lenovo Center property (Lenovo Center lots are paid on Wed. Oct. 21). The free park and ride lots off Reedy Creek Road and Chapel Hill Road come with free shuttles. Yard parking in the neighborhoods is run by residents, not the fair, and usually costs money. See our parking and transportation guide.
Bring your own food and water
Outside food, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed. Bring a soft lunch bag (hard sided and rolling coolers are not allowed), sealed water bottles, or an empty reusable bottle. Then you can save your food money for the one or two fair treats you really want. Our NC State Fair food guide can help you pick.
Enjoy what is free inside
Admission covers a lot: the Village of Yesteryear, livestock barns, the giant pumpkin in the Expo Center, free stage shows, more than 60 Homegrown Music Fest sets, and the Patriotic Light Show near Kiddieland every hour from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sample budgets for 2026
These use official 2026 prices. Food is left out on purpose, since it depends on your appetite. Set your own food number and add it in.
| Plan | Who | What you buy | Cost before food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget day | 2 adults | Lunch pass on a weekday, free parking, free shows and exhibits | $0 (with your $40 deposit back) |
| Budget family | 2 adults, 2 kids 6 to 12 | Hunger Relief Day with 24 food items, free parking | $0 plus the food donation |
| Standard family | 2 adults, 2 kids 6 to 12 | Advance admission, 2 advance wristbands for the kids | $30 + $64 = $94 |
| Same family, no planning | 2 adults, 2 kids 6 to 12 | Gate admission, 2 wristbands at the fair | $40 + $84 = $124 |
| Full experience | 1 adult | Dizzy Pass, America 250 Wheel, round trip on the Flyer, all in advance | $38 + $6 + $10 = $54, plus the $2 RFID fee |
Wristband totals include the $2 RFID fee per new wristband. Prices from the official NC State Fair ticket pages, checked Oct. 13, 2026.
For everything else, from hours to the bag policy, see our full 2026 NC State Fair guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get free admission to the NC State Fair?
Use the weekday lunch pass ($20 cash deposit, refunded if you return by 1:30 p.m.), bring six nonperishable food items on Hunger Relief Day (Oct. 22), or go on Senior Citizens' Day (Oct. 20, ages 65 and up) or Military Appreciation Day (Oct. 21). Kids 5 and under are always free.
How much is an NC State Fair wristband in 2026?
An unlimited ride wristband is $30 in advance through Oct. 15 or $40 at the fair from Oct. 16 to 25, plus a $2 RFID fee. Each wristband is good for one day.
Does the NC State Fair lunch pass work on weekends?
No. It is Monday through Friday only, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at Gate 1 or Gate 9.
Is food included with the lunch pass?
No. The lunch pass only covers adult admission. Food is extra.
What can I donate on Hunger Relief Day?
Six nonperishable items per person, like peanut butter in plastic jars, pasta, tuna in pouches or pop top cans, and granola bars. Avoid glass.
When do advance NC State Fair prices end?
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026. From Oct. 16, gate prices apply online and at the gates.
How much does the Dizzy Pass cost?
$38 for one admission ticket and one unlimited ride wristband, sold online only through Oct. 15.
Do ride wristbands cover every ride?
No. They do not cover the State Fair Flyer, the America 250 Wheel, or Casey's Big Slide.
Our 2026 NC State Fair series
