What the Minnesota State Fair Is
The Minnesota State Fair, the Great Minnesota Get-Together, runs twelve days and ends on Labor Day. It is run by the Minnesota State Agricultural Society on the State Fairgrounds in Saint Paul. For livestock families it is the biggest stage in the state: 4-H and FFA shows, open class beef cattle, the CHS Miracle of Birth Center and the 4-H Purple Ribbon Auction all happen on the grounds. For everyone else it is food, music, exhibits and competitions. The 2026 fair ran August 27 to September 7 and counted a cumulative attendance of 1,923,325.
Livestock and Youth Programs
| Program | What to know |
|---|---|
| 4-H | Runs across all twelve days and serves more than 4,000 exhibitors. Livestock departments cover beef and dairy cattle, dairy and meat goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine. Other contests include herdsmanship, showmanship, judging teams and public presentations. |
| FFA livestock | In 2026, rabbit competitors doubled from 2025 and sheep entries rose by 150 head. Supreme Champions went to Nate Crouch of Spring Grove FFA (breeding beef), Alex Schroeder of New Ulm FFA (dairy), Tatum Goetz of South West Metro FFA (breeding sheep) and Olivia Vorpagel of Southland FFA (breeding swine). |
| Purple Ribbon Auction | Saturday, August 29 in 2026. Six new record prices were set, more than $1.35 million was raised for 115 4-H members, and $130,000 went to 44 4-H youth in scholarships. |
| CHS Miracle of Birth Center | Celebrated its 25th year in 2026 with 160 newborns: 10 calves, 125 piglets and 25 lambs. |
Competitions as a whole drew more than 38,000 entries in 2026.
Exhibiting: How to Enter
Livestock and horse registration for 4-H goes through the online system at users.mnstatefair.org. The 4-H premium book is posted each year in early June for viewing and printing. Overnight livestock parking requests made between 8 a.m. and 11:59 a.m. on the registration date go into a computer-generated lottery; later requests are filled or wait-listed by time stamp. Daily auto passes go on sale on June 22, when the livestock and horse registration system opens. They are first come, first served, limited to two per exhibitor, and unavailable once a day's lots are full. For questions, contact your local 4-H leader or extension educator, the Extension Center for Youth Development at 612-624-2116, or the fair's competition department at 651-288-4417.
Admission, Parking and Discount Days
| Ticket | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Pre-fair discount, all ages (through Aug. 26) | $17 |
| Gate, adults 13 to 64 | $20 |
| Gate, seniors 65+ and kids 5 to 12 | $18 |
| Children 4 and under | Free |
| On-site car parking | $25 |
Discount days in 2026 were Opening Day (Aug. 27), Seniors Days (Aug. 31 and Sept. 3), Military Appreciation Day (Sept. 1) and Kids Days (Sept. 2 and Sept. 7). There is no season or multi-day pass; you need a ticket for each day. If you leave and return the same day, ask for a hand stamp at the exit (issued 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, 6 p.m. on Labor Day). If you park on the grounds and leave the lot, you pay to park again on return. The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book costs $5 and has 112 coupons for food, merchandise and attractions. Ticket prices and parking fees were held at 2025 levels for 2026.
Where
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108. The livestock barns, the Lee and Rose Warner Coliseum, Compeer Arena and the Miracle of Birth Center sit together on the grounds. The Warner Coliseum renovation was completed as part of a $67 million investment approved by the fair board.
Key Dates
The 2027 fair is set for August 26 to Labor Day, September 6, 2027. Discount tickets for the 2027 fair are sold online through August 25.
Questions
Can I get a season pass?
No. Buy a ticket for each day you attend.
How do I enter a 4-H animal?
Register through users.mnstatefair.org when the livestock system opens, after reading the 4-H premium book. Your county 4-H leader or extension educator can walk you through it.
Do I need a ticket to see the Miracle of Birth Center?
The exhibit is free to visit once you are inside the fairgrounds. Fair admission applies to get in.
Who do I call about competitions?
The fair's competition department at 651-288-4417.
Official Links
- Minnesota State Fair: official site
- 2026 fair wrap-up: attendance, records, 2027 dates
- KSTP: 2026 ticket and parking prices: admission, discount days, improvements
- Admission and discounts: passes, hand stamps, Bargain Book
- 4-H competitions: registration, premium book, contacts
- Animals at the fair: barns, Miracle of Birth Center
Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair: The Essentials
Minnesota county fairs ran from Hennepin's June 11 to 13 fair to Lac qui Parle's September 10 to 13 fair in 2026, per a county fair list. Dates may change.
State Fair
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair ran August 27 to September 7, and the 2027 fair is August 26 to September 6, per the fair's recap.
Ownership and entries
Animals must be identified in 4-H Online by May 15, and market animals cannot be leased, per Extension's animal ID page. State Fair 4-H registration goes through users.mnstatefair.org.
Livestock
The State Fair 4-H livestock departments include beef and dairy cattle, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine, per the 4-H page.
Auction
The Purple Ribbon Auction raised more than $1.35 million for 115 4-H members in 2026.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book and deadlines.
Weights, residency and sale rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Minnesota County Fairs and the State Fair
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Minnesota State Fair CHS Miracle of Birth Center
Fairgoers watch live births of calves, piglets and lambs. The 2026 fair welcomed 160 newborns, including 10 calves, 125 piglets and 25 lambs, with Minnesota Pork Board volunteers helping staff the barn.
- Minnesota State Fair Purple Ribbon Auction
Auction of champion 4-H livestock held during the State Fair. The 2026 sale set six new record prices, raised more than $1.35 million for 115 4-H members and funded $130,000 in scholarships for 44 youth.
- Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show
The largest youth horse show in Minnesota, a statewide show and knowledge contest for qualifying 4-H Horse Program members. Admission is free. The most recent show ran Sept. 18-21, 2026.
1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108 | Organizer: Minnesota 4-H Horse PDC Official event details - Minnesota Beef Expo
Midwest beef industry event drawing nearly 5,000 people each year, with youth activities, educational sessions and a cattle sale. Admission is free. The most recent edition ran Oct. 15-18, 2026.
1265 Snelling Avenue N, Saint Paul, MN 55108 Official event details - Olmsted County 4-H Officer Training
Training for 2026-2027 Olmsted County 4-H club officers, 6-8 p.m., with a volunteer training held the same evening. Held each year; the most recent date was November 12, 2026.
Rochester, MN Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.