(Courtesy)
GRAND ISLAND – The 2026 Nebraska State Fair runs eleven days, each with its own theme, sponsor, and lineup of events. The Fair returns to Fonner Park in Grand Island from Friday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Advance gate tickets are $10, and every advance concert and event ticket includes gate admission. Tickets are available only at www.StateFair.org or the State Fair box office. The full run, day by day:
Friday, August 28: Opening Day
Presented by FNBO
Ticketed event:
Twisted Chrome — Nebraska Bush Pullers Truck & Tractor Pull, State Fair Motorsports Park (Adults $30/Ages 6–12 $20/5 & under free)
Major highlights:
Opening Ceremony & ribbon cutting, Earl May Fair Square.
New & Unique Food Contest, following opening ceremonies.
1868 Foundation’s Great Steak Debate, Big Iron Events Center, doors 6 p.m. (7th annual; tickets $75).
Nebraska’s Largest Classroom, grounds-wide (K–6 agricultural education).
Good to know: Advance gate admission $10. Lunch Bunch, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: the price paid at the gate is returned as a matching food voucher. Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair).
Saturday, August 29: County Fair Day
Presented by Nebraska Farm Bureau
Ticketed event:
Stampede Series — Rough Stock Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena (General 6 & older $25/VIP $45/5 & under free)
Major highlights:
Nebraska State Fair Marathon — certified Boston qualifier; starts and finishes on the fairgrounds.
Cowboy Mounted Shooting, US Foods Outdoor Arena.
Draft Horse Pull, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
Kids Cupcake Decorating Contest, 4-H/FFA Fieldhouse (ages 17 and under; on-site sign-up).
Texas Longhorn Non-Haltered Show, Grand District.
Good to know: Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair).
Sunday, August 30: 4-H Day
Presented by the City of Grand Island
Ticketed events:
NE Lottery Concert Series — Phil Wickham with Jamie MacDonald, Heartland Events Center, 6 p.m. [SOLD OUT]
Twisted Chrome — Crossroads Chaos: Figure 8 Racing, State Fair Motorsports Park (Adults $30/Ages 6–12 $16/Pit $41/5 & under free)
Major highlights:
300-drone show after dark (drones only; no fireworks).
4-H Final Drive, Five Points Bank Arena.
Galaxy of Stars Talent Contest Finals, ACP Park Stage.
Extreme Trail Challenge, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
Good to know: Sunday morning church services take place across the grounds. Phil Wickham begins at 6 p.m.
Monday, August 31: Older Nebraskans Day
Presented by CHI Health
Ticketed event:
NE Lottery Concert Series — KC & The Sunshine Band, Heartland Events Center, 2 p.m. matinee (Reserved 30/40/$55)
Major highlights:
Older Nebraskans Day Wellness Festival, Fonner Park Concourse.
Backyard Farmer Show taping & live Q&A, Raising Nebraska.
Food judging, 4-H/FFA Fieldhouse Stage: Breakfast Cook Off, Choc-tacular, and Smoothie contests.
Youth Ranch Horse Mentor Matchup, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
Good to know: KC & The Sunshine Band play a 2 p.m. matinee.
Tuesday, September 1: $2.50 Tuesday
Presented by The Mattress Hub
Major highlights:
Nebraska U.S. Senate Debate, Heartland Events Center (free; doors close at 6 p.m. when it begins).
Nebraska’s Largest Classroom, grounds-wide (K–6 agricultural education).
Music Bingo, Earl May Fair Square.
Barrel Racing Clinic with Kelly Conrado, US Foods Outdoor Arena.
Youth Dairy Goat Show & Junior Doe Show, Aurora Coop Pavilion.
Good to know: $2.50 gate admission all day (in celebration of America’s 250th). $2.50 vendor deals across the grounds.
Wednesday, September 2: $5 Wednesday
Presented by Nature Hill
Major highlights:
Nebraska’s Largest Classroom, grounds-wide (final classroom day).
Blue Ribbon Bargain Brochure (Sept. 2 & 3): grounds-wide deals, no coupons required; available at information kiosks or online. Presented by Middleton Electric.
GET LOUD Nebraska State Fair Showcase, Pump & Pantry Party Pit.
Food judging, 4-H/FFA Fieldhouse Stage: Smoked Meats (1 p.m.), Patriotic Desserts: Celebrate America 250 (2 p.m.), Pie Contest (3 p.m.).
Antique Tractor Games, State Fair Motorsports Park.
Good to know: $5 gate admission after 4 p.m. (guests 6 & older).
Thursday, September 3: FFA Day
Presented by Hornady
Major highlights:
FFA Day, grounds-wide.
Blue Ribbon Bargain Brochure (Sept. 2 & 3): grounds-wide deals, no coupons required. Presented by Middleton Electric.
Open Class Beef Supreme Drive, Five Points Bank Arena.
Cattle Dog Clinic with Tony Jetensky, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
Edgerton Explorit Center, Raising Nebraska (hands-on science; live birds of prey).
Good to know: $5 gate admission after 4 p.m. (guests 6 & older).
Friday, September 4: Fair-tastic Friday!
Presented by AMGL
Ticketed event:
NE Lottery Concert Series — Home Free, TD Landing (free with gate admission).
Major highlights:
Remarkable Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena (inclusive rodeo).
Craft Show, BigIron Events Center.
Fair-tastic Friday Resource Fair, Marketplace.
Open Class Dairy Show, Five Points Bank Arena.
Many Moccasins Dance Troupe, ACP Park Stage.
Good to know: Sensory-friendly day, geared toward guests with developmental and physical disabilities. Lunch Bunch, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: the price paid at the gate is returned as a matching food voucher. Home Free is free with gate admission. Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair).
Saturday, September 5: Family Day
Presented by Five Points Bank
Ticketed events:
NE Lottery Concert Series — Shinedown with Dexter and the Moonrocks, TD Landing (General $85/Pit $95/VIP $115)
Stampede Series — Ranch Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena (General 6 & older $20/VIP $40/5 & under free)
Major highlights:
Nebraska State Fair Puzzle Championship, Raising Nebraska.
Craft Show, BigIron Events Center.
Morning Yoga, Kramer’s Sustainability Pavilion.
Cattle Dog Trials, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
Antique Tractor Pull, State Fair Motorsports Park.
Good to know: Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair).
Sunday, September 6: ¡Fiesta Latina!
Presented by Motoplex USA
Ticketed event:
NE Lottery Concert Series — HARDY with McCoy Moore, TD Landing (General $78/Pit $87/VIP $107)
Major highlights:
¡Fiesta Latina! Celebrating our Raíces, grounds-wide (Latino culture, music, and food; free with admission).
Chainsaw Carving Auction, ACP Park Stage.
Chicken Calling & Rooster Crowing Competition, Earl May Fair Square.
Cruise-In Car Display, Nebraska Building.
Grupo Folklorico Belleza de Nuestra Tierra, Earl May Fair Square (folklórico dance).
Good to know: Sunday morning church services take place across the grounds. Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair). (HARDY is always styled in all caps.)
Monday, September 7: Veterans Day (Labor Day)
Presented by Case IH
Ticketed event:
Twisted Chrome — Nebraska Demolition Derby Championship, State Fair Motorsports Park (Adults $30/Ages 6–12 $16/Pit $41/5 & under free)
Major highlights:
Veterans Day Program, Heartland Events Center.
Veterans Resource Fair, Heartland Events Center.
All-American Pie Eating Contest, Earl May Fair Square.
Nebraska High School Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena.
FFA Championship Selection, Five Points Bank Arena.
Good to know: Final day of the Fair.
Lights Over the Fair: fireworks & drone shows — Fireworks and drone shows both weekends. Shows begin at approximately 10 p.m., pending concert end times.
Friday, Aug. 28 — Fireworks + 300-drone show
Saturday, Aug. 29 — Fireworks + 300-drone show
Sunday, Aug. 30 — Drone show only (no fireworks)
Friday, Sept. 4 — Fireworks + 300-drone show
Saturday, Sept. 5 — Fireworks + 300-drone show
Sunday, Sept. 6 — Fireworks + 300-drone show
It All Happens Here: The 2026 Nebraska State Fair returns to Fonner Park in Grand Island for its 17th year, running Friday, August 28 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. More information is available at www.StateFair.org.
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