The Ultimate Indiana State Fair Guide

Updated July 2024

Seeking the most fulfilling experience at the Indiana State Fair? Look no further! Known as the state’s grandest multi-day event, the Indiana State Fair has been a beloved Hoosier tradition since 1852. This guide provides valuable tips, general information, and insider insights to help you maximize your fairground adventure. Prepare for many exhilarating activities, thrilling rides, captivating concerts, and delectable food options. The 2024 theme is The Art & Nature of Fun, presented by Newfields.

2024 State Fair Information

Dates: August 2-18 (closed on Mondays)

Admission Cost:
General Admission: $16
Children 5 & Under: FREE

Parking Cost:
Online and at the gate: $10

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New to 2024 at the Indiana State Fair

• Celebrating The Beatles at the Indiana State Fair – A full day of Fab Four-themed programming on Saturday, August 3, with activations and content. Celebrating the 60th of when the band performed two historic, sold-out shows at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 1964. The celebration will include a matinee, concert, artifacts, themed activities, food, and drinks.
• Gold & Glory Anniversary—This is a momentous occasion for a special anniversary celebration in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes at the Indiana State Fair. This historic event celebrates a century of excitement, tradition, and community spirit, paying tribute to the cherished memories and thrilling moments that have defined this iconic competition over the years.
• Artscape! Where Imagination Grows: Visit the Newfields Harvest Pavilion Exhibit for art demos, performances, and outdoor-inspired free play.
• Illuminate! Outdoors: Back by popular demand, we’re moving last year’s smash hit ILLUMINATE! outdoors to The Backyard with 14 all-new immersive lantern sculptures.
• 406FMX High Air Tour is a Freestyle Motocross Team that brings the top riders in the world, from X-Games and Nitro Circus, to put on a huge 90-minute motocross extravaganza. Don’t miss it—this nail-biting, engine-revving performance is here for three days only at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand! Performance times vary; check daily, August 9–11. Tickets are $10.
• Mommatown: Discover the miracle of life on the farm at Momma Town. Stroll through the Mac Reynolds Barn, meet baby chicks and piglets, and learn about animal parenting.
• Pogo Fred: Pogo Fred holds multiple Guinness World Records for his extreme pogo stick stunts and is regarded as one of the best jumpers on the planet! Stop by Main Street at 1, 3, and 6 PM to experience this incredible stunt show full of tricks and flips!
• State Fair Outdoor Basketball Courts: Our brand-new outdoor court is now open and is a permanent addition to the Fair! It is open daily for free play from 9 AM to 9 PM and is located just inside Gate 12. Camps and contests vary; check daily.
• Chris Lantz Extreme Sculpting: Sawdust will fly, and the chainsaw will roar as internationally award-winning chainsaw artist Chris Lantz transforms an ordinary log into an extraordinary work of art. His thrilling & fast-paced show will amaze viewers of all ages — you’ll have to see it to believe it!
• State Fair Splash Pad: Check out our newest permanent fixture—the State Fair Splash Pad, a gentle water play experience and a perfect gathering spot for families! It is located in MHS Family Fun Park and is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM.
• The Great American Duck Race: One Water Track, four duck lanes, and countless smiles! Whether you’ve chosen to participate or not, everyone’s a winner in this unique and educational swimming game! Wander into MHS Family Fun Park at 12, 2, 4, and 6:30 PM to catch The Great American Duck Race. An additional 10:30 AM show will take place on Saturdays and Sundays.
• WTHR Olympic Zone: Immerse yourself in the spirit of sporting excellence. WTHR’s Olympic-themed activation celebrates athleticism and unity, captivating fairgoers of all ages.
• Family-Friendly Movies: Gather under the open sky at our enchanting outdoor movie theatre. Cozy on blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy blockbusters, timeless classics, and family-friendly films projected on a giant screen.
• Indiana Lore & Tall Tails: This immersive exhibit highlights the tall tales Hoosiers have shared for generations. You’ll learn the supernatural history of houses and buildings, bridges and railways, parks and cemeteries, and seemingly impossible creatures that lurk across the State! Travel through regions of Indiana and trace the roots of our spooky past. The exhibit is open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM in MHS Family Fun Park.
• Baby Animal Feeding Experience: Create unforgettable memories with adorable young animals. Bond with them during our enchanting baby animal feeding adventure.

Tips for saving money at the fair

Indiana State Fair Entertainment

• Hoosier Lottery FREE Stage—With more than a dozen nights of popular artists, there is bound to be a night you’ll want to take advantage of the free entertainment stage (free with admission). All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission unless you opt to purchase Premium Reserved VIP seating. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. unless noted otherwise; seating is first-come, first-serve, so you’ll want to arrive early!
• Hoosier Lottery Grandstand Events: Attendance to these is free or may require a paid ticket (see schedule and ticket options here).
• Midway Rides & Games – No fair is complete without carnival rides. Individual Midway tickets will be $1.50 each, or you can purchase a wristband onsite during the Fair for $40 or online. Wristbands are valid ONLY on Wednesdays, Fridays, and the last Sunday of the Fair (Aug 20). The Ball State Cardinal Super Wheel is a 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel with 36 individual climate-controlled gondolas (tickets are $10/person). The Sleep Number Skyrider will be available for $6 a rider (or 4 Midway tickets; wristbands are not valid on the Skyride).
• MHS Family Fun Park—Open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Family Fun Park is great for all ages. Go-karts and pony rides for the little ones will be available for an additional fee. Little Hands on the Bard, with 13 interactive barns, the Indiana History Train, the Otter Adventure, the Dino Experience, and a splash pad, can be found here.
• Pioneer Village – Located between the Machinery Field and the Family Fun Park, you’ll step back into the 1800s with a visit to the village.
• Livestock Barn & Buildings—Are you interested in meeting the sheep, horses, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, mules, donkeys, cattle, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and goats of the 4-H fair? You can visit them in these buildings.

2024 Indiana State Fair Food

Over forty new State Fair foods have been announced for the 2024 season! Take a look at what you’ll find. What will you try this year? You can see a description and photos of all the State Fair foods here. Fairgoers can vote on their favorite fair foods at the Information Booths or by scanning the QC codes displayed at each participating “Taste of the Fair” concession stand.

$5 Value Menu
Taste your way around the Fair for $5 or less! From savory classics to sweet indulgences, our budget-friendly options and an affordable dining experience.

1. All-American Mary, Urick Concessions
2. Aloha Hot Honey Chicken Nachos, Urick Concessions
3. Amish Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites, Wilson Concessions
4. BBQ Totchos, Wagner Food Services
5. Bison Smashburger Taco, Red Frazier Food Truck
6. Blue Ribbon Blueberry Milkshake, American Dairy Association
7. Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed Elephant Ear, The Bakerman
8. Boba Lemonade Shake-Up, Indiana Ribeye
9. Bratzilla, Urick Concessions
10. Chili Cheese Empanada, Newfields
11. Chili Cheese Frito Corn in a Cup, Wilson Concessions
12. Chocolate Caramel Coffee Float: “The Triple C Float,” Hook’s Drug Store Museum and Soda Fountain
13. Cinnamon Toast Crunch Funnel Cake, R & W Concessions
14. Cookie Butter Elephant Ear, Urick Concessions
15. Deep Fried Golden Oreo, Orme Deep Fried Treats
16. Dill Pickle Dr. Pepper, R & W Concessions
17. Dill Pickle Lemon Shake-Up, R & W Concessions
18. Fried Ice Cream Cone, Freud Family Foods
19. Fried Sugar Biscuit n’ BBQ with Apple Butter Sauce, Nitro Hog BBQ
20. Gravy and Taters, Colp’s Concessions 
21. Grilled Cheese Slammer, Freund Family Food
22. Happy Jack Sandwich, Black Leaf Vegan
23. Hoosier Cowboy Sandwich, Indiana Beef Cattle Association
24. Spicy Pickle Pizza, Swains Concessions
25. Hot Honey Pepperoni Pull Grilled Cheese, American Dairy Association
26. Indiana Pork Riblets, Indiana Pork Producers
27. Jerk Chicken Nachos, Jamaican Breeze Sports Bar & Grill
28. Melty Mess Grilled Cheese , American Dairy Association
29. Peach Shake Up, HI & Mighty
30. Peanut Butter & Jelly Chicken Wings, Urick Concessions
31. Shark Attack, Twisted Drinks And Food 
32. Strawberry Cheesecake Funnel Cake , LT Concessions 
33. Strawberry Shortcake, Twisted Drinks And Food 
34. Sun King’s State Fair Pickle Beer, Sun King Brewing
35. Sweet & Spicy Swine Pizza, Ginocchios Pizza
36. Sweet Chili Suga Daddy Sub, Gobble Gobble Food Tuck
37. Sweet Tea Slushy, Swains Concessions 
38. Tang-A-Rang Smoked Chicken Wings served with Kool-Aid Infused Pickles, Red Frazier Food Truck
39. THE EVERYTHING FRY, SW Concessions
40. The Korean Corn Dog, Meatball Factory LLC
41. Tropical Daze Float, McGrotha Foods
42. Ultimate Steak Nachos, Georgia’s Kitchen

Indiana State Fair Parking

• Parking: Parking is first-come/first-serve and is $10 at the gate. You can purchase a parking pass online for $10 + a convenience fee. Parking is available at the Fairgrounds Infield, South Lot (38th Street), and at the Indiana School for the Deaf (42nd Street)
• Accessible Parking can be found in the southeast & -west corners of the infield, adjacent to the ADA-accessible walk tunnels — as well as in the South Lot, the Indiana School for the Deaf Lot, and behind the Indiana Arts Building
• Drop Off – if you are being dropped off by someone (Uber, Lyft, etc.), have your ride use address 3700 Woodland Avenues, Indianapolis, IN 46205 for the rideshare drop-off location. It is across from Gate 3.
• Bike to the Fair: Ride your bicycle to the Fair and save $1 off admission.
• Free Tractor Shuttle Rides: Hop on a tractor shuttle for FREE transportation around the
  grounds.
• IndyGo Public Transportation – Take IndyGo Routes 4 & 39 for drop-off at the State Fair entrance.

Know Before You Go! – Tips –

• Bag policy: all bags must be 9” x 10” x 12” or smaller. Fairgoers are NOT limited to the number of bags smaller than 9” x 10” x 12” that they bring in, and all bags will be searched. Empty reusable bottles, cups, and souvenir cups will be permitted. Any carry-in items for family care, such as diaper bags, water or snacks for children, or medical reasons, will be permitted—no medical proof or note is needed.
• Guests under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or chaperone (age 21+) to enter the State Fair after 6 pm. Each adult may chaperone up to six (6) individuals and must remain at the Fairgrounds while the minors they are chaperoning are still present
• Only service animals are permitted at the fair; no pets or emotional support animals are allowed.
• Smoking, including alternative smoking devices such as electronic and/or vapor, is prohibited except in designated smoking areas.
• You may leave and re-enter the fair the SAME day with a hand stamp. A new hand stamp will be used daily, available only until 7 pm.
• No person possessing a deadly weapon (including knives) shall be permitted onto or remain on the Fairgrounds; any person properly licensed to carry a firearm must secure the firearm in a locked compartment of his/her vehicle, and it shall not be visible to a passerby.
• Wear comfortable shoes! There is a lot of walking at the fair. A free shuttle service is available for anyone who wants a lift around the fair (please note that the shuttle gets pretty full, and there is often a wait on busy days).

Nearby things to do:

• Garfield Park’s Sunken Gardens in Indianapolis
• How to Spend a Day in Franklin, Indiana
• Spend a Day in Hendricks County, Indiana
• Spend a day in Greenfield, Indiana

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