What the Santa Fe County Fair Is
The Santa Fe County Fair is the showcase for Santa Fe County 4-H and FFA youth: a junior livestock show, a livestock auction with a buyer's dinner, indoor exhibits judged by project area, a round robin showmanship contest, live music and a family day. The 2026 fair ran July 29 to August 1 at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds, 3229 Rodeo Road, with exhibitor check-in starting the weekend before.
Who Can Enter
- Any Santa Fe County 4-H or FFA member in good standing who meets official age requirements. Exhibitors may not show in another county fair in the same year.
- Age groups follow the 4-H year: Cloverbud (kindergarten to 2nd grade), Novice (3rd to 5th), Junior (6th and 7th), Senior (8th grade and up, but not 19 by December 31).
- Booster members take part at exhibition level only, and may show livestock owned by a 4-H or FFA member if the animal was declared by the deadline.
- Indoor exhibitors may enter up to 30 items, must have signed the Code of Ethics form and must have attended fair clean-up day.
Animals and Classes
The livestock show covers goats, lambs, swine, cattle, rabbits and poultry, each with showmanship, and the Round Robin brings the grand champion showman of each species to show all seven species, including horse, rabbit and chicken, on animals supplied by the fair. Cattle must be shown with a halter, show stick and brush, and swine with a show stick and brush.
Ownership dates for 2026 were March 14 for market beef and dairy heifers, May 20 for market hogs, lambs, meat goats and non-meat poultry and rabbits, and July 3 for poultry and rabbit meat pens. Official entry procedures had to be completed two weeks before check-in, and entry fees are due at entry with no refunds.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Saturday, July 25 Mandatory clean-up at 9 a.m., then check-in of 4-H and open youth entries from noon to 3 p.m. An exhibitor meeting follows clean-up.
- Tuesday, July 28 Check-in for all animals from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Broiler and meat pen weigh-in at 5 p.m. and swine and lamb classification at 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 29 Goat show at 9 a.m., lamb show at noon, rabbit showmanship at 3 p.m. with the rabbit show following.
- Thursday, July 30 Swine show at 9 a.m., cattle show at 1 p.m., poultry showmanship at 3 p.m. Indoor exhibits open to the public from noon to 6 p.m.
- Friday, July 31 Round Robin Showmanship at 9 a.m., auction buyer registration 3 to 4 p.m., Livestock Auction at 4 p.m. in the Show Arena with a buyer's dinner after, and live music and dance at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, August 1 Family fun activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., indoor exhibits open until 4 p.m., large animals going home released at 6 p.m. and a dance at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, August 2 Clean-up and claiming of indoor exhibits.
Rules Worth Knowing
- Dress code is a tucked-in collared button shirt, jeans and proper footwear, with no tennis shoes and no sleeveless shirts anywhere in the show or sale.
- Animals must be shown by their owner in both the arena and the sale ring unless the superintendent approves a substitute 24 hours ahead.
- Leaving before the posted release time can bring a $25 fee.
- Buckles are awarded only in shows with at least five animals.
- Steroids, growth stimulants, diuretics and artificial filling, including pumping cattle and tubing sheep and goats, are unethical practices that bring disqualification and loss of future showing rights.
- Animals treated with antibiotics must be reported, and may show but not sell if withdrawal time is not met.
Awards and Support
Indoor exhibits earn ribbons under the Modified Danish system, with Best of Show in each project area and High Point and Runner-up for novice, junior and senior. Livestock exhibitors compete for champions, showmanship awards and the Round Robin title. Local businesses buy at the auction; the 2025 buyers list included ranches, veterinary clinics, builders and equipment dealers. A fair association membership includes two tickets to the livestock sale and barbecue on Friday.
Where
Santa Fe County Fairgrounds, 3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507.
Questions
Do I need to show up for clean-up?
Yes. 4-H exhibitors must take part in fair clean-up day and sign the Code of Ethics form to exhibit.
Can my younger child take part?
Booster members can exhibit animals at exhibition level only.
Which rules cover tagging and health?
All livestock fall under the New Mexico Livestock Board and the 2026 Guide for Livestock Exhibitors.
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
- Santa Fe County Fair Horse Show
Sunday-morning horse show before fair week proper begins at the Rodeo Road fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was July 26, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Goat Show
First livestock show of Santa Fe County Fair week, a Wednesday-morning goat class. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Lamb Show
Wednesday-afternoon lamb show following the goat classes at the Santa Fe fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Rabbit Showmanship and Show
Rabbit showmanship at 3 PM followed by the rabbit show, closing the Wednesday small-animal lineup. Held each year; the most recent date was July 29, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details - Santa Fe County Fair Swine Show
Thursday-morning swine show with showmanship first and breed judging after. Held each year; the most recent date was July 30, 2026.
3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507 | Organizer: Santa Fe County Fair Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.