Summer ends the same way every year in Minnesota. The kids get excited, the parents pack sunscreen, and 322 acres of fairground magic opens its gates in St. Paul. For 12 straight days, the Great Minnesota Get-Together becomes the single best destination for families in the entire state. If you are planning your first trip with a baby or a toddler, or if you are bringing older kids who want more this year, this guide tells you everything you need to know.
Dates, Hours and Location
The Minnesota State Fair 2026 runs from Thursday, August 27, through Monday, September 7, 2026. The fair takes place at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, located at 1265 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55108.
The fairgrounds open at 6 a.m. each day. Most food vendors and attractions start serving by 9 a.m., and the grounds stay open until midnight. There is one important exception: on Labor Day, September 7, the fair closes at 8 p.m., one hour earlier than all other days.
No days off exist during the run. That gives families 12 full days to plan their visit, which is great news if you want to spread your experience across more than one trip.
Ticket Prices and Special Days for Kids
Tickets for 2026 are unchanged from the prior year, which is welcome news for budget-conscious families.
| Ticket Type | Gate Price | Pre-Fair Discount (Online) |
| Adults (ages 13 to 64) | $20 | $17 |
| Seniors (65+) and Kids (ages 5 to 12) | $18 | $17 |
| Children (4 and under) | Always free | Always free |
Pre-fair discount tickets, valid for any day and any age, are available online at $17 each through August 26. After that, full gate prices apply.
Several special promotional days offer reduced ride and game prices at Kidway and Mighty Midway. These discount ride and game days in 2026 are:
- Opening Day, Thursday, August 27
- Monday, August 31
- Tuesday, September 1
- Wednesday, September 2
- Monday, September 7, Labor Day
On these days, rides and games at Kidway and Mighty Midway cost less than on standard days. Families planning to spend significant time on rides should prioritize visiting on one of these dates. The Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, available free at any fairgrounds information booth, lists all current deals, discount days, and hidden savings across food and attractions.
Ride and game tickets load onto a Fun Card rather than paper tickets. You can buy Fun Cards online through August 13 or at participating outlets through August 26.
Baby and Toddler Essentials: What the Fair Provides
Bringing a baby or toddler to a fair this size can feel daunting. However, the Minnesota State Fair is one of the most well-equipped large events in the country for families with very young children. Here is what you can expect to find.
Family and Baby Care Facilities
The main Family and Baby Care center sits on West Dan Patch Avenue, south of West End Market and north of Mighty Midway. It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, closing at 8 p.m. on Labor Day. The center provides private and semi-private nursing rooms on a first-come basis, diaper-changing stations, pumping areas, feeding spaces, and a sensory comfort environment, all in a climate-controlled building.
Additional nursing and baby care spaces are available throughout the grounds:
- KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center on the west side of Underwood Street, between Carnes and Judson avenues. Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. This location also has an adult-size changing table and a calming sensory space.
- myTalk 107.1 on the west side of Underwood Street between Randall and Wright avenues.
- TPT Twin Cities PBS on the west side of Underwood Street at the intersection of Lee Avenue.
- Momentum Refresh on the east side of Cosgrove Street, north of Lee Avenue. This location also has a universally designed changing restroom with a hoist.
All nursing facilities include electricity for pumps. Baby changing stations are also found throughout all major restroom blocks on the fairgrounds map.
Stroller and Wagon Rentals
You do not need to bring your own stroller. HomeTown Mobility operates five stroller and wagon rental locations near each of the main entrance gates. Rentals are available on a first-come basis. If you choose to bring your own, strollers and wagons are welcome throughout the fairgrounds. Collapsible models are required if you plan to take the free Park and Ride buses to and from the fair.
Free ID Wristbands for Children
Pick up a free child identification wristband at any information booth or at the Family and Baby Care center when you arrive. These wristbands help reunite separated children with their families and carry your child’s contact information. Fair staff and security use them to quickly return lost children. This is one of the smartest and simplest things you can do at the start of your day.
The Best Kid-Friendly Attractions at the 2026 Fair
The Family Fair at Baldwin Park
This is the top destination for families with young children. Baldwin Park sits at the north end of the fairgrounds and offers a full day of kids-focused programming and live entertainment in a shaded, less-crowded setting. Shows run throughout the day and include music, magic, puppet performances, juggling, storytelling, and dance. You can park your stroller in the shade and let young children watch or join in.
The park also hosts the Alphabet Forest, Math-on-a-Stick, craft activities, and Fair Hair. For toddlers who need a break from the main crowds, this is the perfect retreat. Additionally, tractor-made ice cream is available nearby, which is always a crowd-pleaser for small kids.
CHS Miracle of Birth Center
This is one of the most beloved stops on the entire fairgrounds. The CHS Miracle of Birth Center is home to newborn calves, lambs, goats, and piglets throughout all 12 days of the fair. Live births happen daily. If your family witnesses one, you may even get the chance to help name the newborn animal. The center is staffed by volunteers from the FFA, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, and the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Admission is free with your fair ticket.
For babies and toddlers, seeing and hearing real farm animals in this way is a genuinely memorable experience. However, wash hands thoroughly after this stop, using the hand-washing stations at the center entrance.
International Space Station Hands-On Exhibit
This free, hands-on experience lets the whole family explore what it is like to travel to and live aboard the International Space Station. The exhibit runs all 12 days of the fair and is included with regular admission. It is particularly well suited for children aged five and up who are drawn to science and space. NASA adds special interactive components to the exhibit for a limited window during the fair, so check the daily schedule for those enhanced sessions.
Kidway: Rides Designed for Small Children
Kidway is the section of the midway designed specifically for younger children. It includes fun houses, bumper boats, swings, mini rollercoasters, and themed rides including trucks, trains, motorcycles, and whale rides. The area is less overwhelming than the main Mighty Midway, making it a good first stop for children who have never been on fairground rides before.
Ride tickets load onto a Fun Card and each ride costs a set number of tickets. Discount ride days offer the best value for families planning to do multiple rides.
The Daily Parade
A free parade takes place at 2 p.m. each day and travels along the route near the Kidway. The parade features high school marching bands, floats, and animals. For babies and toddlers, watching from the sideline with a snack in hand is a simple and joyful experience. Arrive about 15 minutes early to find a good viewing spot.
Pop-Up Performing Arts Showcases
Throughout the day, vibrant performing arts groups present unexpected pop-up showcases across multiple fairground locations. These shows feature puppetry, music, dance, storytelling, and theater. They are free with admission and short enough to hold a toddler’s attention. Keep an eye on the daily schedule for timing and locations.
Kid-Friendly Foods Worth the Line
The fair is famous for its food, and families with young children have plenty of options beyond the adventurous items on a stick.
- Corn on the cob from the Corn Roast is sweet, fresh, and one of the most family-friendly snacks on the grounds.
- Apple cider freeze pops in the Agriculture-Horticulture Building use Minnesota-grown apples and are a perfect treat for toddlers on a warm afternoon.
- Pronto Pups, the fair’s version of a corn dog made with pancake batter, are a longtime favorite for kids of all ages.
- Sweet Martha’s Cookies delivers warm chocolate chip cookies in buckets, which rarely disappoints anyone under the age of twelve.
Free water stations are available throughout the grounds. Bringing refillable sippy cups and water bottles for young children is a smart move. All stations appear on the fairgrounds map.
Practical Planning Tips for Families
| Challenge | Solution |
| Heat and crowds | Arrive at 6 or 7 a.m. on weekday mornings for the quietest experience |
| Getting there | Use the free Park and Ride buses from locations across the Twin Cities |
| Parking | Free Park and Ride is the best option; paid fairgrounds parking is $17 |
| Lost child prevention | Pick up a free ID wristband at any info booth immediately on arrival |
| Ride savings | Visit on August 27, 31, September 1, 2, or 7 for discounted ride days |
| Budget | Grab the free Blue Ribbon Bargain Book at any information booth |
| Baby gear | Strollers and wagons rent from HomeTown Mobility near all five entrance gates |
| Sensory needs | Ask at the accessibility desk for Sensory-Friendly Morning times at Kidway |
Conclusion
The Minnesota State Fair 2026 runs August 27 to September 7 at the State Fairgrounds in St. Paul, giving families 12 uninterrupted days to explore one of the best family events in the country. Children aged four and under always get in free. Pre-fair discount tickets are available for $17 for all other ages through August 26. Discount ride and game days fall on August 27, 31, September 1, 2, and 7. Baby care facilities with private nursing rooms, changing stations, and sensory spaces appear in five separate locations across the grounds. The Family Fair at Baldwin Park offers shaded, crowd-free entertainment for young children all day. The CHS Miracle of Birth Center, the International Space Station exhibit, Kidway rides, the daily 2 p.m. parade, and pop-up performing arts shows are all free with admission. With free Park and Ride buses, free ID wristbands for children, and the Blue Ribbon Bargain Book packed with savings, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is designed for families to enjoy without stress. Plan your day, grab your wristbands, and let the fair do the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Minnesota State Fair 2026 open every day between August 27 and September 7?
Yes. The fairgrounds are open every day with no breaks between August 27 and September 7, 2026. Hours run from 6 a.m. to midnight on most days. On Labor Day, September 7, the fair closes at 8 p.m., one hour earlier than all other days.
Are there nursing and baby care facilities at the fair?
Yes. The main Family and Baby Care center on West Dan Patch Avenue is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and offers private and semi-private nursing rooms, changing stations, feeding spaces, and a sensory comfort area. Additional nursing and changing facilities are available at four other locations across the fairgrounds, including the KaiBi Mobile Family Care Center and myTalk 107.1.
What is the best time to visit the Minnesota State Fair with a baby or toddler?
Weekday mornings are the least crowded. Arriving when the fairgrounds open at 6 or 7 a.m. lets you reach popular attractions before heat and crowds build. By late morning, attendance increases significantly on weekends and promotional days. Most food vendors and attractions open by 9 a.m.
Which days offer discounted rides for kids?
Special discount ride and game days at Kidway and Mighty Midway fall on August 27 (Opening Day), August 31, September 1, September 2, and September 7 (Labor Day). On these days, rides and games cost fewer tickets than on standard days. Families planning multiple rides should plan their visit for one of these dates.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance, and can I save money?
Pre-fair discount tickets are available online at mnstatefair.org for $17 per person for any age through August 26. Gate prices rise to $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and kids aged 5 to 12. Children aged 4 and under are always free. Buying online before August 26 gives you the best price. The free Blue Ribbon Bargain Book, available at any fairgrounds information booth, offers additional savings on food, rides, and attractions.
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