What the Alaska State Fair Is
The Alaska State Fair is the state's biggest annual event: a multi-week fair in Palmer with carnival rides, concerts, about 70 food vendors, competitive exhibits, giant vegetables, and 4-H and FFA livestock barns. It was first held in 1936 as a celebration for the families of the Matanuska Colony, the year the Knik River Bridge opened the first road link between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. The first fair featured a fair queen crowning, a baby show, boxing, horse races, dances, a rodeo and baseball games. The 2026 fair was the 90th. The 2025 fair set an attendance record of almost 388,800 people, up from 370,485 the year before.
What to See and Do
- Concerts: the 2026 Borealis Theatre main stage lineup was Max McNown, Twisted Sister with Sebastian Bach, deadmau5, Jesse McCartney and Lyle Lovett on the final weekend, with 15 performances in all. Reserved seats ran $49 to $99 and lawn seats $39 to $59.
- Rides: carnival rides from Golden Wheel Amusements, which marked its 60th anniversary at the 2026 fair. The Sea Ray was a new ride.
- Giant vegetables: the 30th annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off with a $1,000 top prize, held at Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits.
- Contests: the Great Alaska Beard Contest, the Alaska State Fair Fiddle Contest, a Yodeling Contest, Alaska's Got Talent finals and a Cosplay Contest.
- Grandstand: All Star Monster Trucks, with tickets of $19 for adults, $14 for kids 6-12 and $9 for kids 2-5.
- Show: a drone show over the fairgrounds on the final weekend evenings.
Livestock and Youth Exhibits
Livestock is a core part of the fair. The open livestock department at Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits ran a vet check and entry on Wednesday, August 26, from 4 to 8 p.m. Open sheep, goat and swine judging followed on Friday, August 28, noon to 4 p.m., and open dairy and beef judging on Saturday, August 29, noon to 4 p.m., with Master Showmanship starting after beef judging. A new Livestock Costume Contest ran Sunday, August 30, 2 to 4 p.m. Pick-up was Monday, August 31, 8 to 9 p.m. The Livestock Exhibits Guide 2026 on the fair website holds the classes and entry details.
The 4-H and FFA youth show separately, with showmanship and market judging in the first week of September and the 4-H Jr. Market Livestock Auction on the Saturday. In 2025 the auction sold 136 animals and raised more than $740,000. On the final Sunday, 4-H members dressed themselves and their small livestock in themed costumes for the 4-H Costume Critter Showcase at Craig Taylor Farm Exhibits.
Scholarships
The fair also awards college and vocational school scholarships to Alaska junior and senior high school students. For 2026, awards were $3,000, $2,000 and $1,500 for the top three, $1,000 for dependents of 4-H, FFA, vendor or Fair members, plus smaller recognition awards. Applications were due March 27, 2026, with an essay or creative project, a resume, a cover letter and a recommendation. Contact Kelly Larson, Fair Director of Community and Corporate Relations, at 907-746-7164.
Hours and Dates
The 2026 fair ran August 21 to September 7, open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking fees were waived for the fourth straight year, and the Alaska State Fair train ran on the final weekend. Special Days sponsored by various groups offered discounts, including for military members.
Where
Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer, AK 99645. Fair phone: 907-745-4827. Fair officials advise arriving early, following parking attendants, taking a photo of where you parked, and writing a phone number on a young child's wristband or arm.
Questions
When does the fair run?
The 2026 fair ran Aug. 21 to Sept. 7.
Is there a parking fee?
Not in 2026. Parking fees were waived for the fourth straight year.
Who do I call about livestock?
The Livestock Superintendent, Erin Sturdivant, at 907-315-8122.
Where do I find the livestock rules?
In the Livestock Exhibits Guide 2026 on the fair website.
Official Links
- Alaska State Fair
- Livestock exhibits
- Fair scholarships
- Alaska's News Source: the fair kicks off its 90th year
- Anchorage Daily News: final weekend highlights
- 2025 attendance record
Alaska State and Community Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Alaska youth livestock shows run through a few big fairs. In 2026 the Tanana Valley State Fair in Fairbanks ran July 31 to August 9 and the Alaska State Fair in Palmer ran August 21 to September 7, per Alaska's News Source and the exhibitor guide. The Kenai Peninsula Fair in Ninilchik and the Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines are the other main community fairs.
Livestock shows
The Palmer livestock show was September 1 to 7, with large livestock registration due August 10 and small livestock registration closing July 31. The Fairbanks 4-H and FFA market auction was Friday, August 7.
Ownership and entries
Poultry must be owned 60 days, rabbits and cavies must be ear-tattooed, and exhibitors may sell only one market animal unless auction rules allow otherwise.
Next steps
Ask your 4-H district office for your fair's exhibitor guide and deadlines.
Weights, possession dates and sale rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Alaska State and Community Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Mat-Su 4-H Mandatory Livestock Information Meeting at Palmer High
Fourth of four required spring meetings where Mat-Su 4-H and FFA families learn market-livestock rules before the fair, held in the Palmer High School ag building. Held each year; the 2026 session was March 19.
Palmer, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Mat-Su Copper River District Official event details - Mat-Su 4-H Livestock Rally Days
Large-livestock weigh-in, paperwork and small-livestock sign-ups for Mat-Su Copper River 4-H members heading to the Alaska State Fair; an alternate session ran June 5 at the Palmer High ag building. Held each year.
- Mat-Su 4-H Small Stock Camp
Two-day hands-on camp for young 4-H rabbit, poultry and other small-livestock exhibitors, held in the 4-H Building at the fairgrounds before the state fair. Held each year; most recent dates were July 23-24, 2026.
Palmer, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Mat-Su Copper River District Official event details - Alaska State Fair 4-H Small Livestock Conformation Shows
All-day judging of 4-H small-livestock market and breeding animals in the fairgrounds barn, the day after check-in and weigh-in. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 2, 2026.
Palmer, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Mat-Su Copper River District Official event details - Alaska State Fair 4-H Small Livestock Showmanship
Required showmanship class for 4-H small-livestock exhibitors, judged in the show ring at the Alaska State Fair. Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 3, 2026.
Palmer, AK | Organizer: UAF Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Mat-Su Copper River District Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.