What the North Dakota State Fair Is
The North Dakota State Fair is the state's biggest agricultural and entertainment event, held every July at the fairgrounds in Minot. It runs nine days and mixes livestock and horse shows, 4-H and FFA exhibits, youth contests, a parade, carnival and fair food, and a week of grandstand shows. The most recent fair ran July 17 to 25, 2026, and was tied to the nation's 250th birthday with America 250 experiences. The 2025 fair set an all-time attendance record of 356,552, up from 342,430 in 2024 and just above the 2023 record of 356,534.
Livestock and Youth Programs
The fair's backbone is its livestock program, laid out day by day in the exhibitor schedule. In 2026 the week included:
| Day | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Fri-Sun, July 17-19 | Quarter horse and draft horse shows, open western and English horse shows, ARBA rabbit shows, 4-H/FFA poultry show, breed shows for sheep and beef |
| Mon-Tue, July 20-21 | 4-H horse show, open breed shows for beef and sheep, market steer show, market lamb show, entry and weigh-in of 4-H/FFA livestock |
| Wed, July 22 | Junior steer and heifer show, 4-H/FFA dairy goat and sheep shows, Kiddie Show-de-o, Ranch Rodeo |
| Thu, July 23 | 4-H/FFA beef show, 4-H/FFA swine show at 2 p.m., 4-H/FFA rabbit show, Ranch Rodeo |
| Fri, July 24 | Open swine show, 4-H/FFA dairy cattle show, 4-H/FFA meat goats show at noon, ND Jr. Sheep Show, 4-H leader showmanship |
| Sat, July 25 | 4-H/FFA Round Robin at 8 a.m., 4-H/FFA awards at 9:30 a.m., Kiddie Calf Show, ND Jr. Market Hog Show, Top of Dakota Lamb and Pig Show, and the release of livestock |
The 4-H division also includes static exhibits judged before the fair opens, a Project Expo, a Clothing Revue and a Communication Arts contest on the first Saturday. The 4-H/FFA livestock committee runs a youth exhibitor picnic for exhibitors, volunteer leaders and county staff on Tuesday evening.
Grandstand and Entertainment
The 2026 grandstand lineup was Alex Warren with Noah Cyrus (July 17), Jon Pardi (July 18), Jessie Murph (July 19), the MHA Indian Horse Relay semi-finals and championship (July 20 and 21), Niko Moon (July 22), Zach Top (July 23), Zedd (July 24) and T.I. with DaBaby and Waka Flocka Flame (July 25). A Grandstand Showpass covering six nights, four concerts and two nights of the horse relay, was sold at $140.25 online with fees included. Other fair events include the State Parade, the Run the Route 5K, the Ranch Rodeo and the Battle of the Rumblehorn bull riding and bullfighting event, which debuted in 2025.
Admission and Passes
Admission prices printed in the fair's premium books: children under 6 are free, juniors ages 7 to 12 pay $5, and adults pay $12. A nine-day season pass is $25 for adults and $15 for juniors. Card-carrying 4-H and FFA exhibitors can buy a $10 season ticket at the gate. Livestock vehicle passes are $5 per day and must be requested in advance, as they are not sold at the gate. Horse tow vehicle passes are $10 per day, and camping is by advance reservation.
Where
North Dakota State Fair, 2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701. The Livestock Expo Barn opens at 7:30 a.m. daily, and 4-H static exhibits in the State Fair Center are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Livestock trailers park off the grounds.
Questions
How do I enter an exhibit or animal?
Open class and junior show entries are made online at ndstatefair.com. The 2026 entry deadline was July 6 at 5:00 p.m., with late entries at triple the fee until July 10. 4-H and FFA members are entered by their county agent or FFA advisor.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office: 701-857-7620. Email is info@ndstatefair.com.
Official Links
- 2026 livestock exhibitor schedule
- How to enter
- 2026 4-H division exhibit list
- 2026 grandstand lineup
- 2025 attendance record
- Minot Daily News: 2026 fair opens
North Dakota County Fairs: The Essentials
North Dakota county fairs run from June into the fall and combine an open class, a 4-H division run by NDSU Extension, and often FFA exhibits. Each county sets its own fair book, dates and deadlines, so get yours from the Extension office early. History: laws from 1897 and 1905 let county commissioners levy taxes to support county fairs.
Examples
Grant County's 2025 fair (August 14-17, Carson) required six club meetings, set market beef ownership at March 1 and other species at May 1, and used interview judging for static projects. Cass County's 2021 Red River Valley Fair opened registration June 1 and paid static blue $3.50, red $2.50 and white $1.50.
State fair
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 in Minot. Static exhibits needed a blue ribbon or higher at a county event supervised by Extension, and exhibitors needed to be enrolled in 4-HOnline. Livestock entries were due May 1, with YQCA or equivalent quality assurance training required, and premiums were mailed in September. Read your county book for the dates that apply locally and for any residency rules before you enter.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Minot
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Minot for teachers. Next session posted for January 27, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Minot, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Ward County 4-H Air Rifle and Pistol Match
County 4-H shooting sports match held February 21, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, with a Fun Match for all ages at 1 p.m.
2005 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701 | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Rodeo Minot
Friday brings an NDRA rodeo and Saturday a PRCA rodeo at the State Fair Center, with adult tickets at $15 and $20. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 10-11, 2026.
2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-8206 Official event details - Ward County 4-H Achievement Days
The 94th annual Ward County 4-H Achievement Days ran June 12-18, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds with 264 members showing projects, horses and livestock; free to attend.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - NDSA Spring Roundup Berthold
NDSA District 6 spring roundup in Berthold, a free cattlemen's meeting that starts with a 5 p.m. social. Held each year; the most recent roundup was 2026-06-08.
210 Main Street, Berthold, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Stockmen's Association Official event details
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.