How Much Is Admission to the Illinois State Fair?

Are you searching for an exciting day out or something to do with the kids? Look no further than Illinois state fair! This year’s 10-day celebration includes world-renowned concert artists, free entertainment, a carnival with foods from around the world, horse racing and more!

Admission

The cost of admission to the Illinois State Fair varies based on when you go and which ticket type you purchase. Typically, those attending on Fridays and Saturdays pay $10 for adults and $5 for children; additionally, parking at the fairgrounds costs just $5!

If you plan on spending a lot of time at the fair, consider purchasing either a Mega Pass or Jumbo Pass for all rides available. These passes can be bought from Emmerson Building for about $90 and $100 respectively.

For those looking to save some money, they can purchase a Bargain Bracelet which is valid for all rides Sunday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., except the Giant Slide or Sky Glide.

One way to save money is by purchasing tickets for concerts at the fair. Different acts perform each year and most are free to view.

At the fair each year, Styx is one of the most beloved bands and they will be performing in August alongside Hank Williams Jr. For music enthusiasts everywhere, this promises to be an excellent show not to be missed!

In addition to concert events, the Illinois state fair offers many free activities that will ensure you have a great time without breaking your budget. Stages throughout the fairgrounds provide free entertainment such as Apex, Lincoln, Main Street and Grand Central.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture Tent is also worth visiting, featuring an area for kids to ride a tractor and pet pigs as well as shows showcasing the state’s farmers. The dairy building also displays samples from milk, cheeses and ice cream for visitors to sample.

Parking

The Illinois State Fair is an annual event held in Springfield that celebrates the state’s agricultural heritage and offers plenty of entertainment, rides, food and fun for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or have attended before, you’re sure to discover something new at every turn.

Estimates suggest that over 700,000 visitors attend the fair annually, many of whom opt to park on-site. There are various methods of paying for parking which vary based on which day you attend.

Tickets to the fair cost around $10, though senior citizens can save some money by purchasing their tickets in advance. In addition to gate admission and parking passes, there are also booklets that grant free entry on certain days.

Mega and Jumbo passes offer unlimited entry to the fair for an amount of time, though these are more expensive options. These passes do come with extras like access to Giant Slide and unlimited rides on Midway rides.

In addition to the fair’s main entrance, there is a separate gate for people with disabilities as well as an accessible ticket counter and wheelchair rentals. Furthermore, there is a tram that runs full tours around the grounds throughout the day.

The fairgrounds are vast, so you’ll likely need to stay for at least a few days to experience all that the fair has to offer. To make things easier, there are several places you can stay on-site such as an RV campground near the action. Prices for campsites range from $50-$60 per night; just remember to reserve your spot early!

Rides

The Illinois State Fair is one of Springfield’s premier events, offering entertainment and rides for all ages. Visitors can enjoy concerts, musical acts, livestock shows, contests, exhibits and more over 10 days in August.

Music plays an integral role at the state fair, with renowned concert artists performing daily. The grandstand shows offer a diverse selection of musical genres to please everyone’s palates. Some of the acts are incredibly well-known, such as country star Sam Hunt or all-around megastar Demi Lovato.

Other entertainment includes the Kids Korner for family enjoyment and the Ethnic Village with dishes from 15 different nationalities plus two international beer booths. Additionally, Illinois Department of Agriculture will be on hand with their Farmers Market and special play area for young children.

Rides are a major highlight of the fair, offering over 100 carnival and adventure rides to choose from. The Mega-Drop, with its 130 foot drop, provides riders with an exhilarating chance to flip upside down and swing around.

Prior to arriving at the fair, it’s wise to plan your rides and attractions so as to avoid long lines. Additionally, there are often discounts for seniors, children, service personnel and first responders which can help save you money.

At the fair, rides can be thrilling but also dangerous if you aren’t careful. To protect yourself and others from injury, bring along either a helmet or life jacket for added protection.

Navigating the fair is easiest with a map or app. Furthermore, purchasing a Mega Pass allows you to ride all rides at an economical price.

Food

The Illinois State Fair brings together a diverse range of cultures and foods in one place. From Adventure Village with its carnival rides to Ethnic Village, there’s something for everyone at this annual event held in late August each year.

The fair also features a range of entertainment, such as musical artists, horse racing, classic carnival rides and livestock auctions. Plus you can sample food and beverages from 155 vendors – everything from foot-long corn dogs to kettle corn!

If you’re in search of a quick snack, deep-fried Oreos or Snickers are perfect. For something more substantial, grab one of our hamburger or corndog on a stick options.

For a delicious lunch, try the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Burger – a meat patty topped with hot liquid cheese and pickled jalapenos. It’s like a cross between the traditional hamburger and corndog!

Another delicious fair snack is cheese-on-a-stick, served from the Wisconsin Cheese wagon.

Some visitors to the fair enjoy getting a few alcoholic drinks as well. Many bar owners offer specialty drinks like blueberry lemonade and grapefruit margaritas.

The fair also offers food specials like Feeding Frenzy from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day during the event.

The Illinois State Fair also offers the Small Plates, Big Tastes promotion. During this time you can sample-sized items from each vendor in Village of Cultures for only $3 – an excellent way to explore something new without breaking your budget.

Entertainment

The Illinois State Fair is one of the state’s premier events, providing visitors with plenty of entertainment. From world-renowned concert artists to food, carnival rides and a corn dog competition, the event truly has something for everyone.

Country duo Brooks & Dunn will return to Grandstand stage on Sunday, Aug. 14 with Southern Illinois native Kendell Marvel opening for them.

Rock band Disturbed will perform on the Grandstand stage Friday, Aug. 12. With over 17 million albums sold worldwide, they’re renowned for their powerful collaborations with artists like Carrie Underwood, Breland and Sasha Alex Sloan.

Sam Hunt will headline a concert on the main stage on Friday, August 12. The multi-Platinum selling singer and songwriter released his sophomore album SOUTHSIDE in 2020 and is renowned for his powerful collaborations with other music artists.

On the Grandstand stage, there will be a host of other artists including The Ides of March with founder Jim Peterik from Berwyn who made his mark with “Vehicle” back in 1970 and has been performing ever since.

The Grandstand stage is expected to be packed, with many tickets going on sale soon. Other artists scheduled for the Grandstand stage include Nelson, Elle King, Shaggy and TLC.

In addition to musical acts, the fair offers a range of events such as horse shows and rodeos, auto races and tractor pulls. It’s an excellent chance for visitors to explore Springfield’s unique culture firsthand.

The Illinois State Fair is a 10-day celebration of agriculture with fun activities for everyone to enjoy. It’s also an excellent opportunity to learn about Illinois’ food, music and history – making it a must-see event for locals as well as visitors alike! To see the full schedule and make plans to attend, please check it out now.