What the State Fair of Nevada Is
The State Fair of Nevada is the official, state-sponsored fair of Nevada, run by the Nevada Department of Agriculture at the Nevada State Fairgrounds in Reno. It celebrates the state's heritage and agricultural roots, and the 2026 edition ran Thursday, June 11 through Saturday, June 13, 2026. It was the first official fair on the grounds in about 15 years: the original fair began in Reno in 1874 and ran until 2010, when the Fair Board voted to dissolve it. A 2025 law, Assembly Bill 333, returned the fairgrounds, including the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center and the Reno Rodeo arena, to the Department of Agriculture.
For families with young livestock exhibitors, the fair is the home of the Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale, the University of Nevada, Reno Extension 4-H State Expo and the Governor's Livestock Sale of Champions. It also has a carnival, a farmers market, Nevada food vendors and evening entertainment, so it works as a day out for people who never touch a show animal.
What Was on the Program
- Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale, with 4-H, FFA, Grange and independent youth exhibitors.
- Nevada 4-H State Expo, run by UNR Extension as part of the livestock show.
- Governor's Livestock Sale of Champions on Saturday evening.
- Made in Nevada Pavilion Farmers' Market, with Desert Farming Initiative produce, Wolf Pack Meats and Rafter 7 wool garments from UNR Extension.
- Next Generation Junior Bull Riding on Friday night.
- Picon Punch contest tasting on Friday.
- Carnival rides, food vendors and an opening night concert with Caleb Montgomery.
Hours and Daily Schedule
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Thursday, June 11 | Opening ceremony 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.; opening night concert 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. |
| Friday, June 12 | Farmers market 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.; Picon Punch tasting 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.; junior bull riding 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, June 13 | Farmers market 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Governor's Livestock Sale of Champions 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. |
The fair grounds were open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The Junior Livestock Show and 4-H Expo ran 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday. Vendors operated from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday. A planned drone show was cancelled.
Tickets and Prices
| Ticket | Kids | Adults |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 11 (includes opening night concert) | $12 | $15 |
| Friday and Saturday general admission | $7 | $10 |
| Junior bull riding add-on (Friday) | $15 | $25 |
| All-inclusive wristband (whole fair and special events) | $30 | $50 |
An early-bird discount of 20 percent was offered through May 1, 2026 with the code EarlySFNV. Tickets were sold online through the fair's ticket page at statefair.nv.gov/tickets and the CocoaTickets page linked below.
Youth Exhibitors: How to Take Part
Showing an animal is handled through the livestock show, not the gate. The Nevada Junior Livestock Show is open to FFA, 4-H, Grange and independent exhibitors, and 4-H Expo entries go through county Extension offices. See the separate pages for the junior livestock show and the 4-H State Expo for ages, deadlines and fees. The Nevada 4-H State Office can be reached at 775-784-4779.
Where
The fair is held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center at the Nevada State Fairgrounds, 1350 N. Wells Avenue, Reno, NV 89512. The fair's website has a Getting to the Fair page and a bag policy with a list of prohibited items; check both before you load the car.
Questions
Is the fair only for people with livestock?
No. The carnival, concert, farmers market, food vendors and junior bull riding are open to anyone with a ticket.
How much is a weekend of fair fun?
The all-inclusive wristband was $30 for kids and $50 for adults. A single Friday or Saturday general admission was $7 for kids and $10 for adults.
Who do I call?
The Nevada Department of Agriculture public information office can be reached at 775-353-3603. For 4-H questions call the State 4-H Office at 775-784-4779.
Official Links
- State Fair of Nevada
- About the State Fair of Nevada
- Youth Agriculture Programming (NJLS and 4-H Expo)
- Nevada Department of Agriculture announcement
- University of Nevada, Reno: State Fair of Nevada returns
- Tickets
- The Nevada Independent: why there are two state fairs
Nevada County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Nevada's youth livestock season runs through county fairs and the Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale in Reno, which in 2026 was part of the State Fair of Nevada, June 11 to 13, per the UNR Extension event page. Rules vary by fair.
County fairs
The Nevada Agricultural Fair in Gardnerville ran July 16 to 19, 2026, per its listing. Other county fairs run from April in Clark County to Labor Day in Elko and Humboldt counties.
Rules to know
The 2022 rule book set the minimum age at 9 and required YQCA training. Beef had to be owned by December 1 and most other species by March 1. Entries were due April 1.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or the State 4-H Office at 775-784-4779 for your fair book.
Dates, weights and sale rules change, so confirm with the organizer.
Read the full guide: Nevada County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Washoe County 4-H Livestock Show
Washoe County 4-H youth show and prepare their animals here ahead of the Nevada Junior Livestock Show in June. Free for the public to attend; exhibitors register and pay fees in advance.
1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512 | (775) 784-4848 | Organizer: UNR Extension 4-H Office Official event details - Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale
Three-day youth livestock show at the Nevada State Fairgrounds that ends with a live auction on Saturday evening; 4-H and FFA members show animals and buyers bid on market projects.
- Governor's Livestock Sale of Champions
Premium sale of grand and reserve champion junior livestock held during the 2026 State Fair in Reno, where bidders support the youth exhibitors who earned top placings.
- Next Generation Youth Bull Riding
Friday-night junior bull riding added to the 2026 State Fair program in Reno, sold as a separate add-on ticket ($25 adults, $15 kids) on top of regular fair admission.
1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512 | Organizer: Nevada Department of Agriculture Official event details - Nevada 4-H State Expo
Statewide 4-H Expo with small animal, livestock and static competitions, folded into the State Fair in 2026; youth show animals and projects from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday, June 13.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.