Have you ever been to the South Carolina State Fair in Columbia, SC? This year, the fair will be in town from October 15 through October 25, 2026 — 11 days of “Rooted in Fun,” as the fair is calling its 2026 theme. The SC State Fair is an exciting fall tradition that dates back over 150 years!
2026 SC State Fair Quick Facts
- Dates: Thursday, October 15 – Sunday, October 25, 2026 (11 days)
- Where: South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Columbia, SC. Put 901 George Rogers Blvd. in your GPS for parking and the South Gate; 1200 Rosewood Drive is the North Gate, which is a walk-up and drop-off entrance only
- Hours: noon–9 pm opening day; 11 am–9 pm most weekdays; 10 am–9 pm Saturdays; noon–8 pm on closing Sunday, October 25
- Admission: free for ages 5 and under every day; $10 at Circle K or $11 online in advance (through October 14); $20 at the gate
- Rides: ride voucher $32 at Circle K or $33 online in advance; ride ticket cards start at 20 tickets for $10
- Parking: $10 per vehicle, card or Apple Pay only — but $20 on Saturday, October 24 (Gamecocks home game day)
- Sensory-Friendly Morning: Thursday, October 22, 10 am–noon
- Contact: 803-799-3387 or Fair Website
Kidding Around SC State Fair Guide
Each year, the fair brings in thousands of people from all around the state who enjoy all of the great things it has to offer – games, prizes, rides, food, and animals just to name a few! Whether this is your first year attending or if you’ve been to the State Fair in the past, keep reading as we will walk you through how to save money on tickets, what to expect inside, where to park, what to bring with you, and more!
Scenes from the South Carolina State Fair
Here’s what we saw and did at last year’s fair.
The Fair is Coming to Cola Town!
The countdown is on and the fair is just around the corner! For some of us, it means that fall and cooler weather are finally here and for others, it is a time for family reunions, fantastic day trips, unmatched entertainment, and great memories!
No matter what your reasoning for attending, I think we can all agree the delicious, over-indulging on sweet treats matched with twist-twirly rides is what we’re all most ecstatic about!
When You Can Enjoy the State Fair in Columbia, SC
As we mentioned before, the state fair will be in Columbia, SC, from October 15 – October 25, 2026. The fair has different hours depending on the day of the week. Admission into the fair will end TWO HOURS before the fair closes, and in general, the rides begin about ONE HOUR after the gates open each day.
On opening day, Thursday, October 15, admission into the fair will be from noon until 9 pm, while rides will be operating from 1 pm through 11 pm. Gates open at 11 am most weekdays and 10 am on Saturdays, and the fair closes out at 8 pm on Sunday, October 25. Be sure to check the fair website for a detailed list of admission, rides, and building dates and times.
Less Crowded Times to Visit the Fair
Any day or time at the fair is sure to be a treat! However, if you’re looking to beat the crowds and you have some flexibility in your schedule, we suggest going during the weekdays, Monday through Thursday. In general, the morning and early afternoon hours are much less crowded.
If you’re limited to only the weekends, try to get in and out by about 4 or 5 pm, as any time after this is exceptionally busy!
South Carolina State Fair Tickets
How to Save Money on Your SC State Fair Tickets
Tickets went on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and advance pricing runs through October 14 — you can save up to 50% on admission and ride tickets by purchasing online or at participating Circle K locations. All tickets purchased in advance can be used ANY day of the fair. Ticket prices for general admission are as follows:
- Ages 5 and under – free every day
- General admission – $10 at Circle K or $11 online (September 16 – October 14); $15 at Circle K or $16 online once the fair opens; $20 at the gate
- Seniors 55 and older – $15 every day at the gate, or just $5 on Senior Day, Wednesday, October 21 (which also includes free Ferris wheel and Double Decker Merry-Go-Round rides)
- Opening day, Thursday, October 15 – $5 admission all day, at the gate only
The fair’s online Flash Sale has already come and gone for 2026, but advance pricing at Circle K and online is still the cheapest way in right up until October 14. There are also several days when certain families get in free or cheap, all listed on the fair’s promotions page:
- Thursday, October 15: $5 admission at the gate all day; free admission for two with a valid SC Farm Bureau membership card, and free for FFA students with an FFA membership card
- Saturday, October 17: 4-H Day – free admission with an official 4-H membership card
- Sunday, October 18: free admission with your official 2026 Walk for Life / Famously Hot Pink Walk T-shirt
- Monday, October 19: College Day – $5 at the gate with a current college ID. Military Appreciation Day also starts today and runs through Thursday: active and retired military and their dependents are admitted free with military ID (dependents 14 and older need their own ID)
- Tuesday, October 20: Physics Day – students wearing the official Physics Day wristband get in free from 11 am to 2 pm
- Thursday, October 22: Exceptional Citizens Day – free admission for people with lifelong, developmental or physical disabilities plus one companion, with ASL interpretation available at Guest Services
Full-size school buses and senior care vans also park and drop off for free.
SC State Fair Lunch Bunch Deal
Another cost-conscious way to enjoy the fair this year is their “lunch bunch” deal. To take advantage of this deal, you must go to the fair on a weekday between noon and 2 pm, excluding opening day, Thursday, October 15.
When you mention this deal you pay your entry fee and receive a refundable $20 ticket; bring that ticket back to the ticket booth by 2 pm and you get your money back! So, if you’re just looking for a quick adventure or even just to go grab a bite to eat, this is the deal for you!
Purchasing Ride Tickets
Fair rides, for some of us, are the best part of going to the fair! There are two options for purchasing ride tickets. You can get an all-day wristband that will allow you to ride as many thrillers as you want to, or you can purchase individual tickets.
When purchasing the all-day pass in advance, you will receive a voucher to take with you and exchange for your wristband or 90 ride tickets. Please be aware that ALL riders must be present to exchange their vouchers! Tickets for rides are:
- Vouchers are $32 at Circle K or $33 online in advance (September 16 – October 14). Once the fair opens they’re $40 at Circle K, $41 online, and at the fairgrounds $40 Monday to Thursday and $42 Friday to Sunday
- Individual tickets are $10 for 20 tickets, $30 for 65 tickets, $60 for 140 tickets, loaded onto a reloadable card you can scan across multiple days or even save for next year (extra cards without tickets are $2)
- If your crew hates waiting, there’s a Midway Express Access Pass for $20 a day that puts you at the front of every ride line. Buy it at the fairgrounds, and the rider has to be present
It is important to know that kiddie rides usually cost 9 tickets per ride, while larger rides will require between 12 and 18 tickets per ride.
All You Need to Know for Parking at the Fair
Before you keep scrolling...
Want more ideas like this?
Spend less time searching and get fresh family-fun ideas in your inbox.
To park at the fair, you will need to enter through Gate 6 (901 George Rogers Blvd.), Gate 7 (1041 George Rogers Blvd.), or Gate 10 (901 Bluff Rd.). Parking in the Lexington Health Fair Park is $10/vehicle EXCEPT on Saturday, October 24, when parking will cost $20/vehicle due to the UofSC home football game against Tennessee — expect heavy traffic that whole day and give yourself extra time. Payment is credit/debit card or Apple Pay only; no cash. Gates may close if the lots reach capacity, so go early.
If you need accessible parking, enter through Gate 6, Gate 7, or Gate 10 and be sure to have your official state-issued disability license plate or placard with you. It’s also $10, card or Apple Pay only, and the designated area in the Lexington Health Fair Park is first-come, first-served. If you’re dropping a rider off before you park, let a parking attendant know and they’ll point you the right way.
Making Your Way Around the Fairgrounds
It is best to think of the fairgrounds as a big rectangle. There are two entrances into the fair: the South Gate off of George Rogers Boulevard and the North Gate off of Rosewood Drive. Both entrances will bring you into the middle, where you will also find the majority of the kiddie rides.
If you make your way towards Bluff Road, you will find the games, rides, Circus tent, and food zones. On the other end of the fair, towards Assembly Street, you will find all things agriculture, animals, the main arena, and arts and crafts buildings.
One important thing to note: the First Aid station is in the Heath Building near the rocket ship sculpture, and Guest Services is right there too — that’s also where you’ll find an adult changing area if you need one.
You Can Rent Strollers and More
Strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and scooters can be rented at the South Gate. You’ll need to leave a valid government-issued ID at the rental station as a security deposit until you return the item. Pricing is as follows:
- Strollers – $15 for all day
- Wheelchairs – $20 for all day
- Scooters – $60 for 4 hours, plus $10 for each additional hour, with a $20 deposit on top of your ID. Quantities are limited, and you’ll get a courtesy call 30 minutes before it’s due back
Heads up if you’re coming in the North Gate by the rocket: rentals live at the South Gate, so call Cotton Novelties at (803) 549-9120 and they’ll arrange a wheelchair delivery to that gate for you.
SC State Fair Packing Guide: What to Bring and Not Bring
Please be aware that the State Fair does have a clear bag policy in place that resembles that of Williams-Brice Stadium. Each person is allowed to have one clear bag. For fair-goers who have MEDICAL needs that require additional bags, after further inspection of your belongings, exceptions are typically allowed.
Some great things to bring along with you for your day of fair fun are:
- Tennis shoes
- Light jacket if going at night
- Sunglasses and sunscreen if going during the day
- Small, personal fan
- Small cash and change if you plan to play games
- For families who have younger children, we highly suggest bringing your own stroller, foldable wagon, or carrier
These things might be tempting to bring, but are not permitted at the fairgrounds:
- Outside food and drinks
- Selfie sticks
- Fanny packs that aren’t clear
Sensory Friendly Morning at the SC State Fair
On Thursday, October 22, 2026 from 10 am until noon, the fair will be hosting a Sensory-Friendly Morning, held during Exceptional Citizens Day. Guests with autism and other sensory processing disabilities can come in at 10 am, a full hour before the gates open to the general public at 11 am. There’s no need to pre-register, and parking opens at 9 am at Gates 6, 7 and 10.
It’s no secret that the fair can oftentimes feel crowded and overstimulating, so during this time, lights are lowered and sounds are kept quieter across the grounds. Select kiddie rides operate without music or flashing lights (regular ride fees still apply), the petting zoo is open, buildings are quieter places to visit, and quiet walking acts are out. ASL interpretation services are available at Guest Services, and you’re welcome to bring noise-canceling headphones or other comfort items.
Food vendors start serving during the session too. One thing worth knowing ahead of time: when you hear the National Anthem over the speakers at noon, that’s your cue that the fair is about to get loud again. If your family needs a quieter spot after that, the Cantey Building is usually a calmer place to land — and you can always get your hand stamped at the gate, take a break in your car, and come back in the same day without paying admission again.
Columbia State Fair Favorites
Rides
This year, the fair’s midway is run by North American Midway Entertainment and offers dozens of exhilarating rides with a little bit of something for everyone! From small kiddie rides that are perfectly sized for our tots, to those that twist and flip way up in the air, no matter what your age (or tolerance of twirling), there’s fun to be had!
Last year my toddler had a blast on the two-story carousel as well as a ride on the awesome and enclosed, air-conditioned Ferris Wheel . . . 10/10 recommend! They even allowed us to take our newborn in the Ferris Wheel “pod” with us. Another great “ride” to utilize is the Skyglider which takes you back and forth from the middle of the fair to the end of it where you will find a majority of the rides.
Concerts & Entertainment
With several stages all throughout the fairgrounds — Pepsi Plaza and the Academic Avenue stage are the two you’ll keep coming back to — there are so many wonderful shows and talents to enjoy. The full 2026 concert and stage lineup goes up on the fair’s own entertainment page, and it’s worth a look the week before you go so you can build your day around anything your kids would love. A few dated highlights the fair has already confirmed for 2026:
- Biscuitville Day, Saturday, October 17 – don’t miss the Biscuitville eating contest on the Academic Avenue stage
- Joe Pinner Day, Monday, October 19 – stop by the WIS tent near the Rocket to share a favorite memory of the beloved WIS-TV personality
- Glory Day at the Fair, Sunday, October 25 – brought to you by WFMV and featuring James Fortune, on the fair’s closing day
- Every day at noon, the American Tribute: the flag is raised outside the Cantey Building near the South Gate and the national anthem plays across the grounds
Be sure to check the SC State Fair Entertainment Schedule for a full list of concerts and shows!
Circus
Yay, the Circus is back! Returning for its seventh year, you can enjoy a FREE Circus at the State Fair — daily admission is included with your fair admission. Ringmaster Ian Garden is back for his seventh year leading the show, and the 2026 lineup includes a world-class hand-balancing act and a ninth-generation tight wire performer. There are three 40-minute shows every day, at 2 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7:30 pm.
The Circus can be found next to the Ellison Building near the South Gate entrance – just look for the jumbo red and white circus tent. You can’t miss it! All seating is first come, first serve, so if you want a good seat we suggest getting there early, especially if you’re planning on attending either of the two later performances.
SC State Fair Food
Where are all the fair food lovers at?! The fair says it hosts more than 90 food stands selling all the good stuff – elephant ears, corn dogs, deep-fried everything, candied apples, lemonade, funnel cakes, salads, turkey legs and so much more! Is your mouth watering yet?
If you’re feeding a crowd on a budget, look for the fair’s Fair Food for $5 deal — participating vendors offer a rotating list of menu items for just $5 throughout the fair, and the full $5 menu is posted here. And while you’re planning: the kids can download a coloring page at scstatefair.org/colorme, color it, and trade it for a free cookie at the Pro Kitchen Cookie Kitchen in the Goodman Building.
Where to Find the Food
Two of the main food zones can be found next to the kiddie areas and the third is near the Circus tent! There are always tons of picnic tables and covered seating options available to sit down and enjoy your tasty treats! Don’t forget about the “lunch bunch” ticketing deal discussed above!
What to Eat at the South Carolina State Fair
The food line-up is awesome so come hungry! Here are some of the things we had the opportunity to try in years past!
Donut Burger at DeAnna’s Diner – This was surprisingly delicious! The Donut was light and airy and not overly sweet! The donut bun didn’t take away from the burger flavor at all, which by the way was cooked to perfection! The burger was topped with bacon which gave a nice balance of salt to compliment the donut and icing drizzle!
– Garlic Marinated Steak on a Stick also at DeAnna’s Diner was delicious! It was well seasoned and tender, but be sure to order more than one because trying to share this caused our family to feud! It was sooooo good! 
– Okay so this one has raised some chatter across social media, and it is time to weigh in! I personally LOVE pickles, but my husband does not . . . we both LOVED this pizza! The Pickle flavor wasn’t overpowering; think of it as Dill pizza instead of Pickle pizza. This will be a newly requested topping on our family pizza nights. We believe there are 2 stands offering this delicacy: Spaghetti Eddie’s (Near Cantey Building) and A&W Concessions (located on the Circus side of the Fair near Skyglider). The one pictured here was from A&W, but try them both and tell us which you like best!
Pumpkin Funnel Cake – with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing was absolutely delicious. Lightly pumpkin flavored, just the right crunch and level of sweetness. This is an absolute must try! Prowant Specialty Company
DeAnna’s Steak Sundaes were also yummy, and though we didn’t get to try all the Sundaes, I would bet everything at the stand including Pulled Pork, Cajun Shrimp, and Mexican Street Corn Sundae are bursting with flavor! Both the Mighty Mango Tea and Watermelon Arnold Palmer were light and refreshing, and they had a deal for refills which is nice when you’re there all day and night!
Mexican Street Corn Cup and Specialty Cup of Corn from The Meatball Factory were amazing! The Specialty Cup comes with hot and regular Cheeto, Parmesean cheese, and mayo – both full of flavor and tender corn. Be sure to top with a squeeze or two of lime and a dash of heat! Everything you need to make it your own is available at the stand.
More Things To Love at the State Fair
Can you believe that there are even more great things to discover at the SC State Fair?! The animals are another popular fair attraction! There is an excellent petting zoo, entertaining pig races and swimming, animal shows, and more.
You can also enjoy fair games and prizes, arts and crafts exhibits such as sculptures, paintings, photography, sandscapes, and student art.
Quick Tips for Your State Fair Visit
There is a clear bag policy, so check out their site for details to save yourself time at the gate.
Plan food stops ahead of time! There are food maps available online, and we highly recommend printing one out ahead of time and planning your food stops.
Go early and plan to stay late! There is so much fun to be had; it’s hard to squeeze everything into one day, so chances are you’ll stay longer than you thought you would! Bring a hoodie along for yourself and kids in case it gets chilly at night.
Pre-plan and prioritize activities – in addition to food and rides there is a sand sculpture exhibit, petting zoo, Circus, livestock competitions, and more! With so many things to do and see, be sure to experience the ones most interesting to you first or plan to visit multiple times!
South Carolina State Fair
1200 Rosewood Drive (North Gate – walk-up and drop-off only)
901 George Rogers Blvd. (parking and South Gate)
Columbia, SC 29201
803-799-3387
What is your favorite thing to do at the South Carolina State Fair?
SC State Fair FAQs
When is the South Carolina State Fair in 2026?
Thursday, October 15 through Sunday, October 25, 2026 – 11 days at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia.
How much is admission to the SC State Fair?
$10 at participating Circle K stores or $11 online in advance through October 14, $15 at Circle K or $16 online once the fair opens, and $20 at the gate. Opening day, October 15, is $5 all day at the gate.
Are kids free at the SC State Fair?
Yes – children 5 and under get in free every one of the 11 days. Rides are still paid separately.
How much does it cost to park at the SC State Fair?
$10 per vehicle on most days, and $20 on Saturday, October 24 because of the USC football game across the street. Card or Apple Pay only – no cash. Enter at Gate 6 (901 George Rogers Blvd.), Gate 7 (1041 George Rogers Blvd.) or Gate 10 (901 Bluff Rd.).
What address should I use for the fair?
Use 901 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia, SC 29201 if you’re driving and parking. The 1200 Rosewood Drive address is the North Gate, which is a pedestrian and drop-off entrance only.
Is there a quieter time to visit with a sensory-sensitive child?
Yes. Sensory-Friendly Morning is Thursday, October 22 from 10 am to noon, an hour before the gates open to the public. Lights are lowered, sounds are quieter, and select kiddie rides run without music or flashing lights. No pre-registration needed.
Is the Circus included with fair admission?
It is. The CIRCUS at the Fair is free with your fair admission, with three 40-minute shows daily at 2 pm, 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm next to the Ellison Building near the South Gate.
Find More Fun in Columbia, SC
If you’re heading to Columbia, SC for the fair, don’t miss our giant list of Things to Do in Columbia, SC. It has over 50 places and activities in Columbia for you to check out with your family.
Love fall? Here’s our special list of Fall Activities in Columbia.
Before you keep scrolling...
Want more ideas like this?
Spend less time searching and get fresh family-fun ideas in your inbox.
