What the New Mexico State Fair Is
The New Mexico State Fair is the state's biggest annual fair, an eleven-day run at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. About 500,000 visitors come through each year for the livestock barns, 4-H and agricultural displays, carnival midway, concerts, PRCA rodeos and a long list of food. The 2026 fair runs Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 20, with the theme "100 Years of Historic Route 66."
What You Can Do There
- Livestock barns: cattle, sheep and swine are housed on the grounds, alongside 4-H and agricultural displays. Exhibit halls open early in the day.
- Rodeo: Chevron PRCA Rodeos and PRCA Xtreme Bulls are held in Tingley Coliseum. Weekend seats sell out quickly.
- Concerts in Tingley Coliseum: Turnpike Troubadours (September 11), Ian Munsick (September 12), Everclear (September 17), Tanya Tucker (September 18) and The Warning (September 19).
- Food and culture: fresh roasted green chile, Native American and regional specialties, Villa Hispana for local food and craft beers, and Indian Village with local art, cultural dances and regional cuisine.
- Route 66 exhibits: vintage cars, neon art and historical displays for the centennial theme.
Tickets and Admission
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| General admission, adults | $15.50 |
| Seniors and kids | $10.50 |
| Mega Pass (gate admission plus unlimited carnival rides on one day of your choice) | $35, must be bought by September 11 |
Concert and rodeo tickets include gate admission. Buying online is a better value than buying at the gate.
For 4-H Youth: Indoor Exhibits and Contests
Young people from across the state send projects to the State Fair through their county Extension office, which handles entry questions and deadlines. Indoor exhibit classes cover animal sciences, arts and crafts, creative arts, consumer education and home management, family life, food and nutrition, family and consumer sciences, horticulture and agronomy, natural science, personal growth and development, and STEAM.
4-H uses the modified Danish system, which judges each entry against standard criteria as well as against the other entries. A first place is not guaranteed in every class, and a single-entry class does not automatically win first.
The 2026 Best of Show went to Paisley Knight of Dona Ana County for a mosaic table, with Reserve Best of Show to Addison Garver of Bernalillo County for a painted skull. The NM 4-H Food Challenge is also held at the State Fair, and Senior 4-H members can apply through their County Extension Office to serve as Youth Officials, checking in county entries, organizing displays and assisting superintendents.
Where (and how to get there)
Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Parking fills quickly on opening weekend, and arriving before 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays is recommended for the best spots. Weekday mornings are cooler and less crowded.
Questions
How long does the fair run?
Eleven days, September 10 to 20, 2026.
Do concert and rodeo tickets cover gate admission?
Yes. Concert and rodeo tickets include gate admission.
How do I enter a 4-H project?
Contact your County Extension Office for deadlines and details. For state-level 4-H questions, call 4-H Youth Development at NMSU, 575-646-3026.
Who do I call about the fair itself?
The fair office number is 505-222-9700.
Official Links
New Mexico County Fairs: The Essentials
New Mexico county fairs are run through local NMSU Cooperative Extension offices, and every county publishes its own fair book. Check yours before buying an animal, because rules differ.
2026 dates
Chaves County ran July 24 to August 1, Eastern Navajo held its show July 23 and 24, Curry County ran August 10 to 15 and Socorro County ran August 31 to September 6, per their fair books.
What varies
Minimum market steer weights range from 800 pounds in Chaves to 950 in Curry County. Ownership deadlines, tagging, health papers and entry fees also differ, and Curry requires YQCA for production steers.
Sale and state fair
Each fair holds a junior livestock sale; Curry caps slots at 102 and lets each exhibitor sell one animal. Blue ribbon winners and qualifying livestock exhibitors can go on to the New Mexico State Fair at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. Entry deadlines run from mid-June to August 1, so mark them early. Ask your Extension office for next year's fair book and deadlines.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Bernalillo County Pressure Canner Testing
Home canners bring pressure canner gauges for testing in a Wednesday afternoon session. Held several times each year; the most recent session was November 11, 2026.
1510 Menaul Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107 | (505) 243-1386 | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Successful Weed Control Class
Registration-required Extension class on controlling weeds on small acreages and home landscapes. Held each year; the most recent class was November 14, 2026.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Bachechi Speaker Series Animal Trailing
Morning talk on animal trailing at the Bachechi Open Space in Albuquerque's North Valley, part of an Extension speaker series. Held on the stated date, November 21, 2026.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Think Trees New Mexico Conference
Two-day tree and urban forestry conference in Albuquerque promoted by Bernalillo County Extension. Next dates are February 11 and 12, 2027.
Albuquerque, NM | Organizer: Bernalillo County Extension Office Official event details - Bernalillo County Fair
Bernalillo County fair running about a week at the end of July; held each year, and the the 2026 fair ran July 24 to August 1.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.