What the Waukesha County Fair Is
The Waukesha County Fair is a five-day fair at the Waukesha County Expo Center, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha. The 2026 edition, the 184th, ran Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday, July 19 with the theme "Get Your Kicks in 2026." It blends a working agricultural fair, with livestock judging, a livestock auction, 4-H exhibits and a Farm Animal Tent, with a carnival midway, free main stage concerts, demolition derby and truck and tractor pulls.
Hours and Admission
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 15 | Noon to 10 p.m. |
| Thursday, July 16 | 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Friday, July 17 | 10 a.m. to midnight |
| Saturday, July 18 | 10 a.m. to midnight |
| Sunday, July 19 | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
Gate admission is $14 for adults and $8 for youth ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free. Credit cards are accepted at all gates. Parking is $6 a day, and motorcycle parking is free all five days. Ticket sales and gate entry end one hour before closing. Online tickets, including a family four-pack, season pass and admission-plus-ride bundles, were sold through June 30.
Daily Deals
- Wednesday $3 admission, $2 parking and $3 midway rides from 3 to 10 p.m. The first 200 fairgoers get a Culver's duck.
- Thursday Half-price adult admission before 5 p.m. with a Fleet Farm coupon. Seniors 62 and older pay $8 all day.
- Friday Half-price adult admission before 5 p.m. with a St. Vincent de Paul donation coupon.
- Saturday The 47th annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 7 to 11 a.m. in the Leinie Lodge Tent. Adults $10, youth 7 and under $7. Pre-purchased tickets include Saturday admission and parking.
- Sunday Adult admission is $7 before 1 p.m.
Unlimited ride wristbands were $35 on Thursday (2 to 11 p.m.), Friday (1 to 11 p.m.) and Sunday (noon to 8 p.m.). New for 2026 was the X-Drive, a spinning and swinging ride that reaches up to 60 feet.
Agriculture and 4-H
The grounds include a Farm Animal Tent, the AgVenture area, the 4-H Clover Corner, the 4-H Kitchen and Dairy Bar and a 4-H Kids Zone, along with quilts and competitive exhibits and livestock judging. The livestock auction is Friday. Sunday brings Little Squealers, the Spectacular Showmen inclusive livestock show at 10 a.m., a classic car parade and show and the poultry costume contest. Project entries include an Inclusive Class.
Concerts and Contests
Main stage shows are free with paid admission, with VIP seating available. Sebastian Bach played Thursday at 8 p.m., Hoobastank and Eve 6 on Friday at 8 p.m. and 38 Special on Saturday at 8 p.m. (Elite VIP seats were $90 and VIP seats $40.) Contests include a cream puff eating contest and rabbit hopping demo on Thursday, a foam party and hula hoop contest on Friday, a bubble gum blowing contest on Saturday, and pig, goat and duck races. Truck and tractor pulls run Wednesday and Sunday, and the demolition derby is Saturday.
Accessibility
A Sensory Sensitive Afternoon ran in the midway on Thursday, July 16 from 2 to 4 p.m., with reduced lights and music where possible, extra loading help and pre-registration for participants and one caregiver. Indoor cooling spaces are the Revere Electric Supply Co. Forum Building and the Waukesha Freeman Exhibits Building.
Where
Waukesha County Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Questions
Are the concerts extra?
No. Main stage concerts are free with paid fair admission; VIP seating costs extra.
Can I save on admission?
Yes. Wednesday is $3 admission, and coupon deals apply Thursday and Friday before 5 p.m.
When is the livestock auction?
Friday.
Is there anything for sensory-sensitive visitors?
Yes, the Thursday afternoon Sensory Sensitive Afternoon in the midway.
Official Links
- 2026 Waukesha County Fair: Complete Family Guide: hours, admission, deals and attractions
- 38 Special headlines Main Stage on July 18: concert and VIP details
- Travel Wisconsin listing: event listing
Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Wisconsin had 73 state-aided county and district fairs in 2025, with about 2 million visitors and 43,465 exhibitors, about 72 percent of exhibits from juniors.
Rules differ by county
Each county publishes its own fair book. In Clark County, for example, exhibitors must be 8 to 19, own and show their own animal, and follow species tagging, drug history and weight rules to sell.
Common requirements
Expect premise ID, ear tags or DNA ID, YQCA certification, health papers and early registration, per the Sauk County rules.
Sale day
Selling is its own set of rules. In Clark County you may weigh in several species but sell only one animal, complete three educational points, and sell your own animal in your assigned slot. Check your county's sale rules before you buy a project animal.
Next steps
Get your county's current fair book and mark the spring deadlines now. Dates and rules change each year.
Read the full guide: Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Waukesha County Fair Livestock Auction
Youth livestock go on the block Friday, July 17, 2026 during Waukesha County Fair week at the Expo Center, alongside the daily livestock judging in the farm animal tent.
1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI Official event details - Waukesha County Fair Spectacular Showmen
An inclusive livestock show for exhibitors of all abilities starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19, 2026 at the Waukesha County Fair, followed by the Little Squealers event.
1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI Official event details - Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting and YFA Conference
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting, where county delegates vote on policy, combined with the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference. Next edition December 4-7, 2026 at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
- Wisconsin Farmers Union Annual State Convention
The Wisconsin Farmers Union state convention, with policy sessions and a Friday evening Farmers Union Camp fundraiser. Next edition December 11-13, 2026 in Appleton; the 95th convention was held December 12-14, 2025.
- Northern Wisconsin State Fair Meat Animal Program Beef Weigh-In
Initial beef weigh-in for youth in the fair's Meat Animal Program, held in Eau Claire.
Eau Claire, WI | Organizer: Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.