News : (Iowa State) Fair Sweet Fair, August 7-17

Fair Sweet Fair kicks off tomorrow-get ready for the sweetest days of the year!

Last Chance!

Purchase advance admission tickets online at www.iowastatefair.org or in person at the Iowa State Fair ticket office or area Hy-Vee and Fareway stores through TODAY, AUGUST 6. Advance admission tickets are good any one day of the Fair. Adult tickets are $11 and $7 for children ages 6-11. Children under 5 are free. August 7-17, admission tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for children. Skip the lines and save money!

To buy tickets click HERE!

Fair Hours

The Fair is open from 8 a.m. to midnight, August 7-16, and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 17.

Most buildings are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thrill Ville is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thrill Zone is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., weather permitting, and Thrill Town for little ones is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. All rides and games close at 9 p.m. on the last night, Sunday, August 17.

The Iowa State Fair Parade, August 6, 2025, at 6:15 p.m., serves as the official kick-off to the 2025 Iowa State Fair. The parade will travel from the Capitol down Grand Avenue and march west to 15th Street. Over 130 entries are registered in this year's parade. Awards will be given in band, horse and general categories. Iowa PBS will broadcast live starting at 6:15 p.m.

The Iowa State Fair parade is celebrating a special Iowa State Fair anniversary in 2025: 100 years of the Fiddlers' Contest.

Make sure to catch the Fiddlers' contests in Farm Bureau Pioneer Hall Friday, August 8-10. The Fiddlers' Championship will be held Sunday, August 10 at 3 p.m.

Kid's Activities

In between corn dogs and giant slide rides, there are lots of ways kids can learn about agriculture at the Iowa State Fair. Check out everything kids can do at the Fair, from Little Hands on the Farm, to Cowboy Boot Camp, to Kids Can Cook, to Blue Ribbon Kids' Club. It's enough to keep kids busy all 11 days!

Click HERE for Kid's Activities!

Plan Your Day!

Planning your day or days at the Fair is easy with our online daily program and official Iowa State Fair App. Search by date or keyword to create your very own personalized adventure.

FREE ENTERTAINMENT!

From rock and roll to rising country stars, top-notch tributes, family fun, and Fair favorites, it's a countdown to Fair Sweet Fair at the 2025 Iowa State Fair!

With over half a million dollars in free entertainment, get ready for the sweetest celebration of the summer.

Check out the list of FREE entertainment.

Don't miss out - buy your tickets to the best shows at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand, presented by Iowa Lottery on the Krause Group Stage.

Grandstand tickets are still available for most shows and can be purchased at www.iowastatefair.org. Beware of third-party ticket sellers and only purchase your Grandstand tickets from the Iowa State Fair.

To purchase tickets, CLICK HERE!