What the Georgia National Fair Is
The Georgia National Fair is the largest fair in Georgia, held every October on a 1,100-acre fairground complex in Perry. It pairs a full carnival midway and free concerts with the youth livestock shows, youth and fine arts competitions and Georgia Grown exhibits that give the fair its agricultural roots. Organizers describe it as a cornerstone event that supports youth development, agricultural education and family traditions. The 2025 fair was the 36th annual edition and drew a record 612,706 visitors; the 2026 fair was the 37th, run by the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority under the theme "America250: Georgia Grown."
What You Can Do There
- Livestock: large youth livestock shows with Georgia 4-H and FFA exhibitors.
- Exhibits: youth and fine arts exhibits, home art competitions, the Baby Barn and the Stories of Agriculture exhibit.
- Concerts: nine free main-stage concerts with paid admission. The 2026 series included Hanson, Fuel, Jesse McCartney, Tracy Byrd, Lonestar and Rumba Latina.
- Midway and rides: a large carnival midway; the 155-foot New Georgia Wheel debuted in 2026.
- Daily shows: Robinson's Racing Pigs, the Nerveless Nocks Extreme Water Ski and Stunt Show and Sea Lion Splash.
- Fireworks: nightly over the main lake at 10 p.m.
Key Dates and Hours
The 2026 fair ran October 8 to 18, eleven days from Thursday through Sunday. The 2027 fair is slated for October 7 to 17.
| 2026 schedule | Times |
|---|---|
| Fairgrounds gates | 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily (opening day gates opened at 3 p.m.) |
| Midway, Monday to Friday | Noon to 11 p.m. |
| Midway, Saturday and Sunday | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Fireworks | 10 p.m. nightly |
Admission and Costs (2026 Fair)
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults 11 and up, card at the gate | $15 |
| Adults 11 and up, cash at the gate | $20 |
| Online presale, September 8 to October 7 | $14 before processing fees |
| Seniors 60 and up | $10 all fair |
| Children 3 to 10 | $5 at the gate, $4 online |
| Children 2 and under | Free |
| Season pass | $95 |
| Two-day pass | $25 |
| Mega Pass (unlimited rides plus admission) | $40 in advance |
| Ride armband | $30 to $35 (not sold on Saturdays or the first Sunday) |
Parking is free. Online ticket purchases carry a processing fee.
Discount and free days in 2026
- October 8, Opening Day: $10 for ages 11 and older.
- October 12, Patriotic Day: free for active-duty military, veterans, reservists and retirees plus immediate family, with valid ID.
- October 13, American Heroes Day: free for firefighters, law enforcement, dispatchers and EMTs plus immediate family, with agency ID; everyone else 11 and older pays $10.
- October 14, WOW Wednesday: $10 for ages 11 and older.
Where to Go
Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, 401 Larry Walker Parkway, Perry, GA 31069, near Interstate 75. The fair office phone is 478-987-3247.
Questions
Do kids need a ticket?
Beginning with the 2026 fair, children 3 to 10 need a ticket. Children 2 and under are free.
Are the concerts extra?
No. Main-stage concerts are free with paid fair admission.
What can I pay with?
Gate admission is $15 by card or $20 cash, and the fair accepts American Express, MasterCard, Discover and Visa.
Is parking free?
Yes, parking on site is free.
Official Links
- Georgia FFA state livestock show page
- Explore Georgia: Georgia National Fair
- WTOC: Georgia National Fair is here until Oct. 18
- 41NBC: ticket changes for the 2026 fair
- 41NBC: 2025 record attendance
- AJC: 2026 Georgia fairs guide
Georgia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Georgia's youth livestock season runs from January jackpots to the Georgia National Fair in Perry, which ran through October 18 in 2026, per WTOC. The top show is the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show in Perry: lambs and goats October 7 to 11, 2026, and hogs, beef, heifers, ewes and does February 17 to 20, 2027, per Georgia 4-H.
Who can show
Georgia 4-H and FFA members who have not finished high school. Grade minimums run from 1st grade for lambs and goats to 4th grade for beef.
Tags and papers
Market lambs and goats need state ear tags by August 1 and hogs by December 5. Livestock need a veterinary inspection certificate.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension agent or ag teacher for the fair book and entry dates.
Rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Georgia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- ABAC Sigma Alpha Emerald Exhibition
Weekend livestock exhibition in Perry hosted by the ABAC Sigma Alpha chapter at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.
Perry, GA Official event details - GJLF Expo
Four-day Georgia junior livestock expo at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, scheduled in the 4-H and FFA winter calendar.
- Georgia 4-H / FFA Rabbit Show
Statewide rabbit show for 4-H and FFA members held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.
Perry, GA Official event details - Houston County High FFA Dairy Heifer Show
Dairy heifer show hosted by Houston County High FFA at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.
Perry, GA Official event details - Georgia Junior National Livestock Show
Statewide junior show hosted by Georgia 4-H, Georgia FFA and the UGA Rhodes Animal & Dairy Science Department, with market beef, hog, lamb and goat classes plus breeding heifer, ewe, doe and dairy classes.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.