COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Fair has plenty to do this year. From the music to the rides and games, the fair has something for everyone.
From July 26 to Aug. 6, thousands are expected to visit the Ohio State Fairgrounds for fun fair events, food and concerts with major artists like Third Eye Blind, Ludacris, Lindsey Stirling and Clint Black.
There are a few things you may need to know before you head out. Read details of the fair below:
*A discount advance admission of $8 is available through July 25.
- Adults (ages 13-59) – $12
- Youth (ages 6-12) – $10
- Senior (ages 60+) – $10
- Children five and under – Free
General Parking – Free
Ride prices
- $32 Ride-All-Day Wristband, Advance-sale (available through July 26 only)
- $35 Ride-All-Day Wristband
- $1 tickets— Fairgoers can buy individual ride credits for $1 each. All rides require three or more tickets.
Hours of operation
- Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., except Sunday, Aug. 6, when admission gates close at 6 p.m.
Admission gate
- Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., except Sunday, Aug. 6, when admission gates close at 6 p.m.
Midway ride hours
- Wednesday, July 26: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Thursday, July 27: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Friday, July 28: 11 a.m. – Midnight
- Saturday, July 29: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Sunday, July 30: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Monday, July 31: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 1: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 2: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. **Sensory-friendly morning
- Thursday, Aug. 3: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Friday, Aug. 4: 11 a.m. – Midnight
- Saturday, Aug. 5: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 6: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Parking
General parking is free to fairgoers in the main lots north of the Cardinal Gate. Reserved parking is not available to the general public for purchase.
State Fair Map
Click here for a map highlighting the gates, games, rides, food, entertainment, and everything else at this year's fair.
Tickets for the following list of shows can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com/OhioStateFair.
- KIDZ BOP - July 26 at 6:30 p.m.
- Clint Black with special guest Emily Ann Roberts - July 27 at 7 p.m.
- Third Eye Blind with special guest The Main Squeeze - July 28 at 7:30 p.m.
- Keith Sweat with special guest Ginuwine - July 29 at 7:30 p.m.
- Yung Gravy and BBNO$ - July 30 at 7:30 p.m.
- Casting Crowns - July 31 at 7 p.m.
- Ludacris - Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
- Styx with special guest Foghat - Aug. 2 at 7 p.m.
- Tyler Hubbard with special guest Matt Stell - Aug. 3 at 7 p.m.
- Jeff Dunham: Still Not Canceled - Aug. 4 at 7:30 p.m.
- Lindsey Stirling with special guest Walk Off The Earth - Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.
New Foods
The fair is offering dozens of new food options from a Flaming Hot Cheeto Burger to a Nacho Sundae. The full list can be seen here.
Thursday, July 27
Telhio and Ronald McDonald House Charities Day - When you bring one of the following “wish list” items per person to a booth outside the gates, you’ll receive a voucher good for a BOGO free admission ticket before 6 p.m.: ready-to-eat meals (individual mac and cheese cups, precooked rice, soups, etc.), or canned food (protein appreciated), disposable plates or silverware, napkins, paper towels or condiments. All donations will support families at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.
WOSU Kids Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Join WOSU Public Media in Central Park for a chance to meet some of your favorite PBS KIDS® characters on July 27 only! The event, designed to keep the whole family entertained, will offer PBS KIDS® crafts, coloring, educational activities, and games. See PBS KIDS® characters throughout the day for photo opportunities:
Friday, July 28
RecoveryOhio's Mental Health Day - On July 28, you will find behavioral health resources at state agency booths throughout the fair to help make prevention, treatment and recovery supports more visible and accessible to all Ohioans.
Sunday, July 30
Buckeye Health Plan Day - Join Buckeye at the Cardinal Gate for fun giveaways, health screenings and information on Buckeye Day, Sunday, July 30. Visit us between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. to spin the wheel and win a prize! Bring kids to our fitness challenge at the Main Street Stage from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. They will have the chance to win a bike! Buckeye Health Plan is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time through affordable and reliable healthcare.
Veterans & Military Day - Veterans and active military are honored on this day. In addition, active military and veterans are given free admission today (and any day of the Ohio State Fair) with appropriate identification.
Monday, July 31
NBC4 Family Discount Day - Until 5 p.m., adults will be admitted for the kids’ admission price of $10, and kids 12 and under will be admitted free. You can also purchase ride-all-day wristbands for $18.
Tuesday, Aug. 1
Senior Day - Seniors ages 60 and up can enjoy free admission, Aug. 1 only, all day long! In addition, all fairgoers are invited to enjoy the free 1964 The Tribute (Beatles Tribute) in the WCOL Celeste Center at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 2
Sensory-Friendly Morning, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - We’ve turned down the lights and volume to make the Ohio State Fair more sensory-friendly in partnership with OCALI. Ride the rides with no flashing lights or music, visit the Fair’s many educational and sensory activities, take a break in a quiet room, or use our sensory accessibility guide to find a Fair opportunity that suits you. Print social narratives, a first-then board, wait cards and a permit that will allow you to park in a special area on the OCALI website at ocali.org.
WBNS-10TV Day - Join the 10TV crew for several broadcasts throughout the day at the AARP Ohio Gazebo Stage.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Donate Life Ohio is dedicated to educating Ohioans about the need for organ, eye, and tissue donation and motivating them to join the Ohio Donor Registry. Say “yes!” to organ donation and be sure to stop by the Donate Life Ohio booth to learn more.
Rides
- SkyGlider: One of the world’s longest portable sky rides is right in your backyard at the Ohio State Fair. Hop on at one of the access points in Kiddieland or near the Cardinal Gate and enjoy a relaxing half-mile journey across the Fair. The SkyGlider does not accept Magic Money or use the Midway ride-all-day wristband. Tickets for this attraction are $3 per rider for a one-way ride.
- Giant Slide: Grab a burlap sack, hike up the 105 steps and take an exciting trip down this 144-foot long slide!
- Mountain Dew Midway: More than 60 rides from Ferris wheel to free-fall drops will twist, turn, plunge, spin, shock and excite fairgoers!
- Kiddieland: Parents and children alike can enjoy a visit to Kiddieland with fun rides developed just for kids and their families, including mini-coasters, a kiddie carousel and bumper boats.
All Ohio State Fair rides and games are cashless. Instead, reloadable Magic Money cards or wristbands will be scanned at each ride or game. For more information, click here.
Attractions
- Accessible Playground
- All-Ohio State Fair Band & Youth Choir
- Camel Rides
- Bull Riding
- Canine Class
- "The Dunk"
- Helicopter Rides
- Kayak Pond
- Kids' Fishing Pond
- Lumberjack Show
- Lady Houdini
- Land & Living Exhibit
- Marvelous Mutts
- Monster Mural
- Natural Resources Park
- Ohio Proud Farmer's Market
- Ohio Proud General Store
- OVMA Veterinary Education Center
- Tiny Town presented by AAA
- Touch-a-Truck
- Walk on Water - Water Bubbles
- NASA Journey to Tomorrow Exhibit
- Governor's Child Passport
- Pig Races
- Petting Zoo
- Smokey Bear
Other Events/Competitions
- ACT Ohio Construction Demo Days and Little Builders Zone: July 26 - 28, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Cardinal Patio
- Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Unions Great Lakes Apprenticeship Demonstrations: July 26 – 28, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Cardinal Patio
- WOSU Kids Day: July 27, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Central Park
- Ohio's Lottery "Living Lucky" Promotion: July 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — In front of the Rhodes Center
- Molina Healthcare Kids Zone: July 29, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Cardinal Patio
- Columbus All-Breed Dog Agility: July 29 – 30, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. — Rhodes Center Lawn
- Buckeye Health Plan Kid's Fitness Challenge: July 30, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Main Street Stage
- Ohio Lottery Cash Explosion CashFest: July 31, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. — Cardinal Patio
- 50-Year Club Meeting: July 31, 9 a.m. — Rhodes Center Auditorium
- Joint Legislative Agriculture Committee Meeting: Aug. 1, 9:30 a.m. — Nationwide® Donahey Land & Living presented by Ohio Farm Bureau
- AARP Scavenger Hunt: Aug. 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. — In front of Rhodes Center
- Well Beyond 60! Health & Wellness Expo presented by the Ohio Department of Aging: Aug. 1, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. — In front of the Rhodes Center
- Ohio Pork Council Rib-Off: Aug. 1, 11:30 a.m. — Central Park
- 2023 Dean's Charity Steer Show: Aug. 1, 2 p.m. — Voinovich Livestock and Trade Center
- Sensory-Friendly Morning: Aug. 2, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- 2023 The Ohio State House and Senate Pork Off: Aug. 3, 6:45 p.m. or immediately following the Showmanship Finals — O'Neill Swine Barn
- "Back to School with Kroger" Scavenger Hunt: Aug. 4, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — In front of the Rhodes Center
- 811 Facebook Live Spin-To-Win: Aug. 12, 11 a.m., Facebook-only event
Directions
- From the north: Take I-71 South to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.
- From the south: Take I-71 North to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.
- From the west: Take I-70 East to I-71 North. Take I-71 North to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.
- From the east: Take I-70 West to I-71 North. Take I-71 North to 17th Avenue/Exit 111. Signs and parking attendants will direct guests to the proper parking areas.
