The Indiana State Fair comes around once a year, and it’s a chance to embrace your Hoosier roots. With so many things to get excited about, it can be hard to keep a visit under budget. Here’s how to make the most out of your trip to the fair, which runs Aug. 2-18.Â
Plan ahead and save money
Buy tickets before Aug. 1 and save 20% off admission, plus get discounts on parking and food.
General admission tickets cost $13, and parking is $8. Family discounts for groups of four are a great option and you can pay a little extra for food vouchers.Â
If you’re a fan of carnival rides, buy your Midway wristband in advance for $25 — and save 38% off the regular price. The wristband acts as an unlimited pass for most rides.
Take advantage of discount days for deals on tickets, food and activities
$2 Tuesdays: Aug. 6 and 13
Enjoy $2 gate admission, Midway ride tickets and food options at every vendor.
Military and first responders’ day: Wednesday, Aug. 7
Free admission for first responders and current and former military members and their families with a valid ID.
BMV discount day: Thursday, Aug. 8
Grab a digital voucher from the BMV’s website for 50% off admission.
Free ticket from IndyStar: Monday, Aug. 12
Visit the IndyStar website on Aug. 12 to grab a ticket for free admission to the fair on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
AAA day: Thursday, Aug. 15
Free admission with a valid AAA membership card. One entry per valid credential.
Pedal and park: Daily
Save $1 on admission by biking to the fairgrounds and using the free bike rack on the Monon Trail north of 38th Street.
Value menus: Daily
Look for $5 value menus at various vendors to taste all of your fair favorites — from funnel cakes to french fries — without breaking your budget.Â
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Free concerts at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage
Three Dog Night will kick off this year’s lineup of free concerts on Aug. 2, and tribute bands and original artists will rock the house every night.
Three Dog Night, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2
Hard Day’s Night: 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3Â
Live and Let Die: The music of Paul McCartney: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3
Gladys Knight: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4
84: A Van Halen Tribute: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6
Buddy Guy: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7
Dogstar (featuring Bret Domrose, Rob Mailhouse and Keanu Reeves): 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8Â
Bell Biv Devoe: 7:30 Friday, Aug. 9
A Tribute to Taylor Swift: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
Blessing Offor: 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
Newsboys : 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11
Latino-Fest con La Sonora Dinamita: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13
Happy Together Tour (featuring The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, The Association, Badfinger’s Joey Molland, The Vogues & The Cowsills): 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14
Sublime with Rome: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15
Gary Allan: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16
Lita Ford: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
Yolanda Adams: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18
Other free, fun things to do
Whether you’re into animals, oddities or the strange combination of smells that waft through the fairgrounds, there are more than 100 free and budget-friendly ways to make the most out of your trip without spending more than the price of admission.
- Get ready to get weird with a mullet championship, a watermelon seed catapult contest, a cheeseball contest and a canine aquatics competition.
- Cool off at the new splash pad at MHS Family Park.
- Find free crafts and activities throughout the fair and use the free tractor shuttle to get around the fairgrounds and avoid long walks with littles.
- Pet baby animals, learn about Indiana birds of prey, watch a horse race, interact with reptiles, and watch 4-H shows.
- Watch the tractor pull, see antique machinery, attend a conversation with local farmers and check out the Ole Time Farm Auction.
- Get a glimpse into the past with things like the Pioneer Village, the Indiana History Train and Hook’s Museum & Soda Fountain.
- See handmade quilts, murals and crafting demonstrations all over the fairgrounds. Be sure to stop by the Illuminate! Outdoors exhibit in the Backyard to see giant light sculptures.Â
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