Looking for the ultimate summer celebration? The 2026 Great New York State Fair takes over the fairgrounds in Syracuse from August 26 to September 7, 2026, delivering 13 days of big-name entertainment, incredible food, and budget-friendly family fun. General admission is just $8.32, unlocking free access to daily concerts including performances by Sean Paul, Flo Rida, Melissa Etheridge, ZZ Top, and Third Eye Blind at Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

From new attractions like daily corgi races to deeply-discounted Tasty Tuesday bites to the always favorite 25-cent milk bar, explore this guide to the New York State Fair to discover the full 2026 concert lineup, ticket prices, and things to do. Photo by Warren Linhart-NYS Fair.

Jump To: Concert Lineup | What's New at the Fair | Things to Do | Ticket Prices

Who is performing at the 2026 Great New York State Fair?

A musician with long dark hair plays a white electric guitar on a stage with a drum set behind him and a backdrop displaying the band name "Quiet Riot" in red lettering at the Great New York State Fair. Photo by Warren Linhart-NYS Fair

With more than 40 performers spanning all genres and three concerts a day, all included with the price of admission, the Great New York State Fair is the best place to see some of today’s biggest artists without breaking the bank. Chevy Court will host concerts daily at 1pm and 6pm, welcoming to the stage 80s rockers Quiet Riot, 2000s teen pop idol Jesse McCartney, alt hip-hop hitmaker Gym Class Heroes, and more. Once the sun sets, Suburban Park lights up with nightly concerts starting at 8pm with an incredible lineup including All-American Rejects, Sean Paul, Melissa Etheridge, Flo Rida, Ashanti, ZZ Top, Trace Adkins, Robin Thicke, Wyclef Jean, and more.

New York State Fair Suburban Park Concert Lineup:

  • Wednesday, August 26 - The All-American Rejects
  • Thursday, August 27 - Sean Paul
  • Friday, August 28 - Melissa Etheridge
  • Saturday, August 29 - Third Eye Blind
  • Sunday, August 30 - Flo Rida
  • Monday, August 31 - Ashanti
  • Tuesday, September 1 - Scotty McCreery
  • Wednesday, September 2 - Tori Kelly
  • Thursday, September 3 - ZZ Top
  • Friday, September 4 - Violent Femmes
  • Saturday, September 5 - Trace Adkins
  • Sunday, September 6 - Robin Thicke
  • Monday, September 7 (6pm) - Wyclef Jean 

New York State Fair Chevy Court Concert Lineup:

  • Wednesday, August 26 (1pm) - The Commodores
  • Wednesday, August 26 (6pm) - Quiet Riot
  •  Thursday, August 27 (1pm) - The Calling
  •  Thursday, August 27 (6pm) - Cooper Alan
  •  Friday, August 28 (1pm) - Kenny Metcalf as Elton
  •  Friday, August 28 (6pm) - Brandy Clark
  •  Friday, August 28 (9pm) - DJ Pretty Mess
  •  Saturday, August 29 (1pm) - Moonlight Princesses
  •  Saturday, August 29 (6pm) - Maddox Batson
  •  Sunday, August 30 (1pm) - Gym Class Heroes
  •  Sunday, August 30 (6pm) - Air Supply
  •  Monday, August 31 (1pm) - Glenn Leonard’s Temptations Revue
  •  Monday, August 31 (6pm) - Hinder
  •  Tuesday, September 1 (1pm) - Neil Forever
  •  Tuesday, September 1 (6pm) - Pop 2000 Tour
  •  Wednesday, September 2 (1pm) - Wilson Phillips
  •  Wednesday, September 2 (6pm) - Priscilla Block
  •  Thursday, September 3 (1pm) - Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
  •  Thursday, September 3 (6pm) - Jesse McCartney
  •  Friday, September 4 (1pm) - Better Than Ezra
  •  Friday, September 4 (6pm) - Braxton Keith
  •  Friday, September 4 (9pm) - Shrek Rave
  •  Saturday, September 5 (12pm) - CJack Run - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Saturday, September 5 (2:15pm) - Kevin Stephens & Free Spirit - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Saturday, September 5 (3:20pm) - Magnetic Flow - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Saturday, September 5 (4:25pm) - Brownskin Band - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Saturday, September 5 (5:30pm) - TT315 - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Saturday, September 5 (7:30pm) - E.U. featuring Sugar Bear - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Saturday, September 5 (8:35pm) - Stokley - JAMS Funk Fest 2026
  •  Sunday, September 6 (1pm) - The Magic School Bus
  •  Sunday, September 6 (6pm) - Stella Lefty
  •  Monday, September 7 (12pm) - Yacht Rock Gold Experience
  •  Monday, September 7 (4pm) - Voyage

What’s New at the Great New York State Fair for 2026?

An aerial acrobat performing mid-air while suspended by a thick white rope against a dark background. She wears a long-sleeved red leotard with gold trim, black bottoms, and a sparkling headband, holding the rope with one hand while extending her other arm outward. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

Come one, come all! A three-ring circus is taking over the Expo Center with three performances daily, featuring high-flying trapeze artists and animal routines, plus meet-and-greets and a dog show between shows. Ski Extreme Productions is making its fair debut with daily gravity-defying water stunts at the Suburban Park Pond Area and you can get your daily dose of cuteness with The Fast and the Furriest Corgi Races at the Expo Center. Also, commemorate America’s 250th anniversary with the Great American Drone Show by Electric Sky on opening night (August 26) and August 27. Plus, this year’s sand sculpture and fair collector’s pin will recognize the nation’s semiquincentennial.

10 More Ways to Have Fun at the Great New York State Fair

As the oldest state fair in the country, the Great New York State Fair has been delighting visitors since 1841, and you can expect to see all the classic fair favorites across the 375-acre fairgrounds. From tasting local treats to visiting cultural villages to snapping photos of the famous butter sculpture, here are 10 ways to experience the fun of the fair, whether you’re a first-time visitor or lifelong fan.

Bustling Great New York State Fair midway lined with colorful food vendor booths like "Chester's Gators & Taters" under a blue sky. 
1. Treat your taste buds to unbeatable bites at even better prices on Tasty Tuesday, September 1! For one day only you can sample some of the fair's most popular eats for just $3–$5 each, including Big G’s famous bourbon chicken, chicken and nachos from Chester's Gators & Taters, Country Corner’s chocolate-covered bacon, a wing flight from Limp Lizard, chicken 'n waffles from Funk 'n Waffles, Jamaican jerk curly fries from Wild Bill's Curly Fries, and more from participating vendors.

Bandaloni, the one-man band street performer, wearing a bright green shirt, red tie, and a helmet full of instruments plays a black acoustic guitar and harmonica while kicking out his leg for a cheering crowd at the Great New York State Fair. Photo by John Haeger-Empire Expo Center

2. Be amazed by the great traveling one-man-band Bandaloni, stilt performers, and other roaming entertainers as you tour the New York State Fairgrounds.

 Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

3. Find reasons to celebrate at Special Fair Days—taste New York’s superfruit during Grape Day; join a flag-raising ceremony, attend the resource fair, and catch performances by Melissa Etheridge and Brandy Clark as New York marks the 15th anniversary of the Marriage Equality Act during Pride Day at the Fair; sweeten your fair experience at Maple Day; enjoy demonstrations and trivia during Dairy Day; and more. 

A colorful swing carousel carnival ride spinning riders through the clear blue sky in suspended seats at the Great New York State Fair. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

4. Spin, zip, swing, slide, and fly on over 60 rides and test your skills with fair games along the Midway.

A detailed sand sculpture carved with the bold lettering "THE FAIR" above a banner reading "THE GREAT NEW YORK STATE FAIR." Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

5. Watch the annual sand sculpture take shape inside the Center of Progress Building and admire this year’s butter sculpture in the Dairy Products Building.

A man with a white beard uses a chainsaw to carve a log on a wooden sawhorse as wood shavings fly through the air at the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show during the the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

6. Witness exciting demonstrations like the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show and cheer on your favorites at the Arm Wrestling Competition, Goat Costume Contest, Hay Bale Toss Contest, and more.

Four small pigs run side-by-side down a wood-shaving track toward the camera during a pig race beneath checkered flags at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

7. Place your bets on the Hollywood Pig Races, catch a horse show, watch dogs perform tricks, take a pony or camel ride at the Coronas Family Petting Zoo, and make new furry and feathered friends including cows, llamas, goats, rabbits, baby chicks and more. Also visit the butterfly exhibit and see marine life native to New York at the DEC Aquarium.

A smiling young couple stands outside "The Milk Bar" building holding small paper cups, laughing together at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair

8. Grab an ice cold cup of white or chocolate milk for just 25 cents from the Milk Bar at the Dairy Products Building and raise a glass to New York State agriculture!

A young child wearing traditional Indigenous regalia, including a feathered headdress and a purple patterned tunic, performs a dance with focused intensity at the Great New York State Fair. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

9. Watch live performances, sample authentic dishes, and immerse yourself in culture and traditions at the Asian, Haudenosaunee, Pan-African, and Latino villages.

A round wooden display table featuring regional New York State packaged foods, local chips, jams, and small chalkboard signs reading "Staff Favs" at the Great New York State Fair. Photo by Michael J. Okoniewski-NYS Fair 

10. Visit the I LOVE NY Experiences for games, prizes and virtual tour of the Empire State and sample local goodies from Taste NY vendors.

With 13 fun-filled days on tap, this is just a sampling of all the things you can see and do at The Great New York State Fair. You can also get up close with majestic birds of prey at State Park at The Fair, see what’s cooking at the Wegmans Demonstration Kitchen, get your fortune from The Living Zultar, step back in time at the Historic Train Exhibit, witness “America’s Master Mentalist" Jon Stetson’s mind-reading talents in action, watch K-9 and diving demonstrations at the New York State Police exhibit, and so much more. Check out the full schedule of events to make your plans!

How much do tickets cost to the Great New York State Fair?

A smiling family with three kids walks happily at the Great New York State Fair, holding cotton candy, toys, and prizes. Bright vendor stalls and banners line the background.

The Great New York State Fair, happening in Syracuse from August 26, 2026 - September 7, 2026, is one of the most affordable ways to have fun this summer. General admission tickets are $8.32 (children younger than 12 and adults 65 and older are admitted free daily) and general paid parking is $12.41. For $25.70, you can purchase the Frequent Fairgoer pass valid for one admission each day of the fair. All tickets can be purchased online.

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