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(Courtesy)<\/p>\n
GRAND ISLAND \u2013 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:<\/p>\n
Friday, August 28: Opening Day<\/p>\n
Presented by FNBO
Ticketed event:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Twisted Chrome \u2014 Nebraska Bush Pullers Truck & Tractor Pull, State Fair Motorsports Park (Adults $30\/Ages 6\u201312 $20\/5 & under free)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Opening Ceremony & ribbon cutting, Earl May Fair Square.
\nNew & Unique Food Contest, following opening ceremonies.
\n1868 Foundation\u2019s Great Steak Debate, Big Iron Events Center, doors 6 p.m. (7th annual; tickets $75).
\nNebraska\u2019s Largest Classroom, grounds-wide (K\u20136 agricultural education).<\/p>\n
Good to know: Advance gate admission $10. Lunch Bunch, 10 a.m.\u20132 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).<\/p>\n
Saturday, August 29: County Fair Day<\/p>\n
Presented by Nebraska Farm Bureau
Ticketed event:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stampede Series \u2014 Rough Stock Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena (General 6 & older $25\/VIP $45\/5 & under free)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Nebraska State Fair Marathon \u2014 certified Boston qualifier; starts and finishes on the fairgrounds.
\nCowboy Mounted Shooting, US Foods Outdoor Arena.
\nDraft Horse Pull, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
\nKids Cupcake Decorating Contest, 4-H\/FFA Fieldhouse (ages 17 and under; on-site sign-up).
\nTexas Longhorn Non-Haltered Show, Grand District.<\/p>\n
Good to know: Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair).<\/p>\n
Sunday, August 30: 4-H Day<\/p>\n
Presented by the City of Grand Island
Ticketed events:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NE Lottery Concert Series \u2014 Phil Wickham with Jamie MacDonald, Heartland Events Center, 6 p.m.\u00a0 [SOLD OUT]
\nTwisted Chrome \u2014 Crossroads Chaos: Figure 8 Racing, State Fair Motorsports Park (Adults $30\/Ages 6\u201312 $16\/Pit $41\/5 & under free)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
300-drone show after dark (drones only; no fireworks).
\n4-H Final Drive, Five Points Bank Arena.
\nGalaxy of Stars Talent Contest Finals, ACP Park Stage.
\nExtreme Trail Challenge, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.<\/p>\n
Good to know: Sunday morning church services take place across the grounds. Phil Wickham begins at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n
Monday, August 31: Older Nebraskans Day<\/p>\n
Presented by CHI Health
Ticketed event:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NE Lottery Concert Series \u2014 KC & The Sunshine Band, Heartland Events Center, 2 p.m. matinee (Reserved 30\/40\/$55)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Older Nebraskans Day Wellness Festival, Fonner Park Concourse.
\nBackyard Farmer Show taping & live Q&A, Raising Nebraska.
\nFood judging, 4-H\/FFA Fieldhouse Stage: Breakfast Cook Off, Choc-tacular, and Smoothie contests.
\nYouth Ranch Horse Mentor Matchup, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.<\/p>\n
Good to know: KC & The Sunshine Band play a 2 p.m. matinee.<\/p>\n
Tuesday, September 1: $2.50 Tuesday<\/p>\n
Presented by The Mattress Hub<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Nebraska U.S. Senate Debate, Heartland Events Center (free; doors close at 6 p.m. when it begins).
\nNebraska\u2019s Largest Classroom, grounds-wide (K\u20136 agricultural education).
\nMusic Bingo, Earl May Fair Square.
\nBarrel Racing Clinic with Kelly Conrado, US Foods Outdoor Arena.
\nYouth Dairy Goat Show & Junior Doe Show, Aurora Coop Pavilion.<\/p>\n
Good to know: $2.50 gate admission all day (in celebration of America\u2019s 250th). $2.50 vendor deals across the grounds.<\/p>\n
Wednesday, September 2: $5 Wednesday<\/p>\n
Presented by Nature Hill<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Nebraska\u2019s Largest Classroom, grounds-wide (final classroom day).
\nBlue Ribbon Bargain Brochure (Sept. 2 & 3): grounds-wide deals, no coupons required; available at information kiosks or online. Presented by Middleton Electric.
\nGET LOUD Nebraska State Fair Showcase, Pump & Pantry Party Pit.
\nFood judging, 4-H\/FFA Fieldhouse Stage: Smoked Meats (1 p.m.), Patriotic Desserts: Celebrate America 250 (2 p.m.), Pie Contest (3 p.m.).
\nAntique Tractor Games, State Fair Motorsports Park.<\/p>\n
Good to know: $5 gate admission after 4 p.m. (guests 6 & older).<\/p>\n
Thursday, September 3: FFA Day<\/p>\n
Presented by Hornady<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
FFA Day, grounds-wide.
\nBlue Ribbon Bargain Brochure (Sept. 2 & 3): grounds-wide deals, no coupons required. Presented by Middleton Electric.
\nOpen Class Beef Supreme Drive, Five Points Bank Arena.
\nCattle Dog Clinic with Tony Jetensky, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
\nEdgerton Explorit Center, Raising Nebraska (hands-on science; live birds of prey).<\/p>\n
Good to know: $5 gate admission after 4 p.m. (guests 6 & older).<\/p>\n
Friday, September 4: Fair-tastic Friday!<\/p>\n
Presented by AMGL
Ticketed event:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NE Lottery Concert Series \u2014 Home Free, TD Landing (free with gate admission).<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Remarkable Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena (inclusive rodeo).
\nCraft Show, BigIron Events Center.
\nFair-tastic Friday Resource Fair, Marketplace.
\nOpen Class Dairy Show, Five Points Bank Arena.
\nMany Moccasins Dance Troupe, ACP Park Stage.<\/p>\n
Good to know: Sensory-friendly day, geared toward guests with developmental and physical disabilities. Lunch Bunch, 10 a.m.\u20132 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).<\/p>\n
Saturday, September 5: Family Day<\/p>\n
Presented by Five Points Bank
Ticketed events:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NE Lottery Concert Series \u2014 Shinedown with Dexter and the Moonrocks, TD Landing (General $85\/Pit $95\/VIP $115)
\nStampede Series \u2014 Ranch Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena (General 6 & older $20\/VIP $40\/5 & under free)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Nebraska State Fair Puzzle Championship, Raising Nebraska.
\nCraft Show, BigIron Events Center.
\nMorning Yoga, Kramer\u2019s Sustainability Pavilion.
\nCattle Dog Trials, Thompson Foods Indoor Arena.
\nAntique Tractor Pull, State Fair Motorsports Park.<\/p>\n
Good to know: Fireworks and drone show after dark (see Lights Over the Fair).<\/p>\n
Sunday, September 6: \u00a1Fiesta Latina!<\/p>\n
Presented by Motoplex USA
Ticketed event:\u00a0<\/p>\n
NE Lottery Concert Series \u2014 HARDY with McCoy Moore, TD Landing (General $78\/Pit $87\/VIP $107)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
\u00a1Fiesta Latina! Celebrating our Ra\u00edces, grounds-wide (Latino culture, music, and food; free with admission).
\nChainsaw Carving Auction, ACP Park Stage.
\nChicken Calling & Rooster Crowing Competition, Earl May Fair Square.
\nCruise-In Car Display, Nebraska Building.
\nGrupo Folklorico Belleza de Nuestra Tierra, Earl May Fair Square (folkl\u00f3rico dance).<\/p>\n
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.)<\/p>\n
Monday, September 7: Veterans Day (Labor Day)<\/p>\n
Presented by Case IH
Ticketed event:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Twisted Chrome \u2014 Nebraska Demolition Derby Championship, State Fair Motorsports Park (Adults $30\/Ages 6\u201312 $16\/Pit $41\/5 & under free)<\/p>\n
Major highlights:<\/p>\n
Veterans Day Program, Heartland Events Center.
\nVeterans Resource Fair, Heartland Events Center.
\nAll-American Pie Eating Contest, Earl May Fair Square.
\nNebraska High School Rodeo, US Foods Outdoor Arena.
\nFFA Championship Selection, Five Points Bank Arena.<\/p>\n
Good to know: Final day of the Fair.<\/p>\n
Lights Over the Fair: fireworks & drone shows \u2014 Fireworks and drone shows both weekends. Shows begin at approximately 10 p.m., pending concert end times.<\/p>\n
Friday, Aug. 28 \u2014 Fireworks + 300-drone show
\nSaturday, Aug. 29 \u2014 Fireworks + 300-drone show
\nSunday, Aug. 30 \u2014 Drone show only (no fireworks)
\nFriday, Sept. 4 \u2014 Fireworks + 300-drone show
\nSaturday, Sept. 5 \u2014 Fireworks + 300-drone show
\nSunday, Sept. 6 \u2014 Fireworks + 300-drone show<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Courtesy) GRAND ISLAND \u2013 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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26700,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[5203,5204,5206,5207,5205,5184,5182,5180,5183,5181,192,927,5208],"class_list":["post-26699","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-nebraska","tag-central-nebraska","tag-grand-island","tag-hastings","tag-huskers","tag-kearney","tag-nebraska","tag-nebraska-dining","tag-nebraska-food","tag-nebraska-grocery-stores","tag-nebraska-restaurants","tag-news","tag-sports","tag-unk"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/vive.im\/@dc\/117318667677294583","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26699","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26699"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26699\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26699"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26699"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.diningandcooking.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26699"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}