What the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair Is
The Greater Baton Rouge State Fair is an eleven-day fall fair at the Airline Highway Fairgrounds with a midway, food, live music, exhibits, contests and livestock shows. It began as an agricultural fair and keeps that tradition, while also raising money for the community: the fair has been run by volunteers since 1965, and the Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation has raised almost $5 million since 1987. The most recent fair ran October 22 to November 1, 2026. Its 60th year was 2025.
Dates, Hours and Place
- Dates: October 22 to November 1, 2026.
- Hours: The gates open at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at noon Saturday and Sunday, and close at 10 p.m. every night.
- Where: Airline Highway Park and Fairgrounds, 16072 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70817. Parking is free, with accessible spaces.
Admission and Ride Prices (2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Gate admission, Friday-Sunday, 48 inches tall and over | $15 |
| Children under 48 inches | Free |
| Ride coupons | $1 each; the number needed varies by ride |
| Unlimited-ride wristband for the day | $35 on the midway |
Weekday promotions are announced separately. Tickets are good for one day only and are non-refundable, and online tickets are sold on the fair's website in the fall. Anyone riding, regardless of height, needs coupons or a wristband. Shows and most attractions are included with gate admission. Same-day re-entry is allowed with a ride wristband; without one, get a re-entry pass from the exit guard.
What You Can Do
- Midway: rides and games for all ages and a Ferris wheel.
- Livestock: judged beef and goat shows, which carry special importance for 4-H and FFA students.
- Contests and exhibits: earlier fairs have included a Lego building competition and Lego Extravaganza, pumpkin carving, a hot dog eating contest, a pie baking contest and an oyster shell decorating event.
- Food and music: classic fair treats, Cajun favorites and funnel cakes, plus live local and regional acts and themed nights.
- Demonstrations and animals: glassblowing demonstrations, helicopter rides and a petting zoo have been part of past fairs.
Giving Back
At the 2025 fair, 51 high school seniors received $500 scholarships for volunteer work, and $110,000 in Worthy Cause Grants went to charities and programs. That year the fair drew about 36,000 paid visitors over 11 days, even with the first weekend closed because of rain.
Rules at the Gate
- Only clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches are allowed, and clear fanny packs must fit the same size. Backpacks are not allowed.
- Diaper bags (with a baby) and medically necessary items are allowed after inspection. All bags are searched.
- Hand-wand scans at entry. Weapons are prohibited, including those with Concealed Carry Permits.
- Only service animals are allowed. Outside food and drink are not permitted. EBT cards are not accepted.
- Riders with a cast generally cannot ride most rides. Pregnant women should contact the midway office.
Exhibiting and Questions
The fair's website has an Agriculture and Livestock events section and an Exhibitor and Concessionaire information page for livestock exhibitors and vendors. For items lost after leaving the fairgrounds, call (225) 755-FAIR; lost items on the grounds go through a Sheriff's Deputy, and unclaimed items are disposed of 30 days after the fair closes.
Questions
Are young children free?
Children under 48 inches are free at the gate, but anyone riding needs coupons or a wristband.
Can I bring a backpack?
No. Use a clear bag within the size limit.
Is parking free?
Yes.
Official Links
- Greater Baton Rouge State Fair FAQs: dates, hours, admission, policies
- Visit Baton Rouge listing
- 2025 fair attendance and giving report
- The Reveille: livestock, contests and history
- WBRZ: 60th year coverage
Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
In Louisiana, 4-H and FFA exhibitors usually move from a parish fair or parish show to a district show and then the LSU AgCenter State Livestock Show.
The circuit
Examples from 2026: St. Landry and Ascension held parish shows January 16 to 17, and district shows ran late January into early February, per the AgCenter schedule.
State show
The 91st state show ran February 14 to 21, 2026, at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales with 1,207 eligible exhibitors, per the AgCenter report.
State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th fair runs October 29 to November 15, 2026, in Shreveport, per the Bossier Chamber.
Who can show
Shows are open to 4-H and FFA members. 4-H members must be 9 before January 1 and not past their 20th birthday by that date, per the St. Landry 4-H page.
Next steps
Ask your parish office for possession and validation deadlines, which fall months before the shows.
Read the full guide: Louisiana Parish Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Spark, Action, Change Summit
4-H youth summit in Baton Rouge on the Louisiana 4-H calendar. Held each year; the most recent dates were February 19-21, 2026.
Baton Rouge, LA | Organizer: Louisiana 4-H Official event details - AgMagic in Baton Rouge
Hands-on agriculture education event on the LSU campus aimed at school groups. Held each year; the most recent dates were March 23-28, 2026.
Baton Rouge, LA | Organizer: LSU AgCenter Official event details - 4-H and FFA Capitol Day
4-H and FFA members visit the Louisiana State Capitol to meet lawmakers. Held each year; the most recent date was April 28, 2026.
- Louisiana 4-H WeLead Conference
Leadership conference for Louisiana 4-H members held on the LSU campus. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 22-24, 2026.
Baton Rouge, LA | Organizer: Louisiana 4-H Official event details - State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana fills the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport for eighteen days, with livestock shows, midway rides and food. The fair has run since 1906.
3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109 | Organizer: State Fair of Louisiana Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.