What the Utah State Fair Is
The Utah State Fair is the state's annual fair, held at the 65-acre Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City. It dates back to 1856, before Utah became a state, and has been held at the Fairpark since 1902. The 2026 fair was the 170th, themed "Cheers to 170 Years," and ran September 10 to 20. Agriculture is central: livestock shows, 4-H and FFA programs, competitive exhibits and hands-on learning sit alongside the carnival, food and music.
What You Can Do
- Carnival rides on the midway and fair food.
- Live music, including 2026 concerts by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Darius Rucker and Matchbox 20.
- Show attractions such as Extreme Lumberjacks, Flying Aces Pig Races, Mighty Mike and a Wild West Fun Park, plus a Mobile Dairy Classroom.
- Livestock competition from opening day, with a farm area where children can touch farm animals and items.
- Rodeo in the Days of '47 Arena on the first weekend of the fair; rodeo tickets include fair admission.
Ways to Compete
The fair runs open and youth competitions in livestock and in competitive arts, including horticulture and a FFA exhibit guide. Entries for 2026 opened August 1.
| Division | Entry deadline (2026) |
|---|---|
| 4-H and FFA Market Show | August 14, 11:59 PM, no exceptions |
| Open Show and 4-H and FFA Breeding Show | August 28, 11:59 PM |
Rules for livestock exhibitors
- Exhibitors in the 4-H and FFA Breeding livestock shows must be Utah 4-H or FFA members and Utah residents.
- The 4-H and FFA Market Show costs $25 per animal and takes one animal per exhibitor. Its weigh-in is Wednesday, September 16, with market classes Thursday, September 17 and showmanship Friday, September 18.
- Dairy cattle must show a valid negative bulk tank test (HPAI H5N1) from any lactating herd where they were housed; a negative influenza matrix result is acceptable. Lactating cows entering Utah from certain states need a negative individual test. Results are valid for 7 days and must be shown to the state agriculture department representative at the gate before unloading.
Rules and fairbooks for each species (beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, poultry and pigeons), the 2026 livestock schedule and the junior association rules are posted on the fair's livestock page. A new Intermountain Youth Dairy Cattle Show fairbook was added for 2026.
What Exhibitors Get
Every livestock exhibitor with a successful entry receives one Season Pass, four Day Passes and one Parking Pass at no cost, and can buy additional tickets at a discount during online entry. Pigeon and poultry exhibitors who enter and show 12 or more birds receive complimentary gate admission passes. Market class premiums run from $25 for first place down to $10 for tenth.
The Junior Market Livestock Auction
The 4-H and FFA auction was held Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the Market Building. Buyers register online or at the Market Building and receive a numbered bidding card; pre-registered buyers get free entrance to the fair. A buyer can purchase an animal for custom processing, or "boost" the price so a local packer buys the animal at market value and the buyer pays the difference. Groups of 25 or more can call the fair office about group admission.
Where
Utah State Fairpark, 155 N 1000 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116.
Questions
Are late livestock entries accepted?
Not for the Market Show, which has a firm August 14 deadline. The Open and Breeding shows closed August 28.
Do exhibitors pay to get in?
Successful livestock entries come with a Season Pass, four Day Passes and a Parking Pass.
Who do I call?
The Utah State Fair office, 801-538-8400.
Official Links
- Utah State Fair livestock page
- 4-H and FFA Market Livestock Show
- Junior Market Livestock Auction
- Rodeo at the Fairpark
- FOX 13: 170th anniversary
- FOX 13: 170 years of community and agriculture
Utah County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Utah county fairs run from Washington County's April fair to Iron County in early September, with most in early to mid August, per USU Extension's 2026 fair schedule. Salt Lake County holds 4-H Discovery Days instead of a fair, and a few counties were still to be determined.
Livestock shows
Market animals compete on a regional circuit of junior livestock shows that ends at the Utah State Fair in Salt Lake City. For 2026 the State Fair market show charged $25 per animal, with entries closing August 14, per the fair's page.
Tagging and age
Cattle must be tagged 100 days before a show and sheep, goats and hogs 60 days, and exhibitors must be 8 and in third grade, per Utah County's tagging page.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair's premium book, entry deadlines and weigh-in rules.
Weigh-in, drug rules and sale terms vary by show, so read the rule book first.
Read the full guide: Utah County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Utah Beekeepers Association Annual Convention
Two-day beekeeping convention with a Friday night dinner and a Zoom option; in-person seating for 2027 is sold out.
920 W Levoy Dr, Taylorsville, UT | Organizer: Utah Beekeepers' Association Official event details - Western Stampede Rodeo
Rodeo and carnival over the Independence Day weekend in West Jordan. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 2 to 4, 2026.
West Jordan, UT Official event details - Draper Days Rodeo
Draper Days rodeo at Ballard Arena on July 10-11, 2026. Held each year.
Draper, UT Official event details - Days of '47 Rodeo
Pioneer Day-season rodeo at the Days of '47 Arena in Salt Lake City, held each July; the most recent listed night was July 25, 2026.
Salt Lake City, UT Official event details - Salt Lake County Junior Livestock Show
Youth livestock show in South Jordan for Utah 4-H and FFA members, most recently Aug. 5-8, 2026. Salt Lake County has no county fair and instead runs 4-H Discovery Days.
South Jordan, UT Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.