Admission, Parking, Concerts, Food – Your Unofficial Guide to the 2026 Iowa State Fair

Admission, Parking, Concerts, Food – Your Unofficial Guide to the 2026 Iowa State Fair

Courtlin

Happy State Fair Season!

The 2026 Iowa State Fair is happening Thursday, August 13th through Sunday, August 23rd, and we've got everything you need to know before you head to Des Moines! Check out details on admission, parking, Grandstand shows, free entertainment, new food, the Butter Cow, and more:

Courtlin
Courtlin

Admission/Hours

Admission into the Iowa State Fair is $16 per day for ages 12+ and $10 for ages 6 to 11. You can save $5 ($3 for kids) on each ticket if you purchase them in advance online. Online ticket sales end on August 12th at 11:59 p.m.

According to the official website, "cash and credit cards are accepted at all of the Iowa State Fair food stands and vendors."

Here are the fair hours for 2026:

  • Grounds
    • August 13th through 22nd from 8 a.m. to midnight (no entry/re-entry after 10 p.m.)
    • Sunday, August 23rd from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Buildings
    • Daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fair Safety

The Iowa State Fair website has an entire page dedicated to safety protocols and rules for anyone planning to attend in 2026. Here are things that are NOT allowed inside of the fairgrounds:

  • Weapons/Firearms
  • Marijuana/Marijuana-enriched products
  • Fireworks
  • Drones
  • Bikes/Skateboards
  • Pets (except for ADA-certified service animals)
  • Costumes/character attire
  • Offensive or gang-related clothing
  • Unauthorized distribution materials
  • Running

If you're attending one of the shows at the Grandstand or Elwell Family Park, there are additional restrictions in place. Prohibited items include:

  • Backpacks/Large bags
  • Professional video/audio equipment
  • Go Pros
  • Selfie Sticks
  • Large banners
  • Umbrellas
  • Chairs
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass/Metal containers

The Iowa State Fair website says that they reserve the right "to search all bags, backpacks, coolers, purses, containers, etc., upon entry to the Fair and upon request while on the Fairgrounds. Refusal to comply will result in denied entry or removal from the Fairgrounds. Additional bag screening will be conducted upon entering the Grandstand."

Parking

There is vehicle parking available in the A, B and C Lots off University Avenue for $10. Each of the lots has a free Blue Line Parking Shuttle that will take you to the admission gates. Motorcycles may park in any of the lots, but there is also a designated area for motorcycles in the NE corner of Lot A. You can check out the shuttle map HERE.

Free bicycle parking is available at the fair just inside of Gate 13.

If you use Uber, Lyft, or a taxi to get to the fair, there is a designated drop-off and pick-up area outside of Gate 8 on Dean Ave. The official address is 203 Rock Island, Des Moines.

If you'd rather park off-site, you also have a couple of options. There is free parking and a complimentary bus that will travel to and from Southridge Mall (near the old cinema theater). The bus runs daily from 8 a.m. to midnight. On the final day of the fair (August 23rd), bus service will end at 9 p.m.

DART is also offering shuttle services to and from the fairgrounds, but for a small fee. The cost of each ticket covers your ride to and from the fair (one-way tickets are available upon request). It's $3 per person for ages 11+ and $1 for ages 6 to 10, ages 65+, and Medicare card holders. You can park for free at the following two locations:

  • 7th & Center St. Park & Ride (830 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309)
  • Iowa State Capitol Building (Located on E 12th St., between E Grand Ave. & E Walnut St.)

You can also take your chances parking in the neighborhoods surrounding the fairgrounds. Many people offer parking on their lawns or in their driveways for a fee. I always bring a little cash with me, just in case!

For more information on parking, check out the Iowa State Fair website HERE.

Thrill Parks & Rides

There are three main areas for carnival rides & games at the Iowa State Fair, plus a few stand-alone favorites. Here's the basic info on each of them:

  • Thrill Ville
    • Located between the Grandstand and Ye Old Mill
    • Hours
      • August 13th through 22nd from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
      • Sunday, August 23rd from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., EVERY ride and game in Thrill Ville is $1 off
  • Thrill Town (rides for "little fairgoers")
    • Located east of Gate 10 and north of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center Lawn
    •  Hours
      • August 13th through 22nd from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
      • Sunday, August 23rd from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
    • Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., EVERY ride and game in Thrill Ville is $1 off
  • Thrill Zone
    • Located north of Gate 11
    • Hours
      • August 13th through 22nd from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
      • Sunday, August 23rd from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Other Rides
    • Giant Slide
      • Located near Ruan Plaza
      • $4 per ride
    • Ye Old Mill
      • Located on the corner of E Grand Ave & E 33rd St
      • $3 per person
    • Sky Glider
      • Sky Glider East - runs from Pioneer Hall to the entrance of Thrill Ville
      • Sky Glider West - runs from Gate 10 to Rock Island Ave
      • $6 for one-way/$10 for round-trip
Courtlin
Courtlin

Grandstand Shows

Here's a quick look at this year's Grandstand lineup! Tickets can be purchased for all the following shows HERE:

  • HARDY
    • Thursday, August 13th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest McCoy Moore
  • Rod Stewart
    • Friday, August 14th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest Richard Marx
  • The Red Clay Strays
    • Saturday, August 15th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest The Bends
  • Lainey Wilson (SOLD OUT)
    • Sunday, August 16th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest Tigirlily Gold
  • Staind
    • Monday, August 17th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest Hoobastank
  • TLC & Salt-N-Pepa
    • Tuesday, August 18th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest En Vogue
  • AJR
    • Wednesday, August 19th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest Em Beihold
  • Riley Green
    • Thursday, August 20th at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest Mackenzie Carpenter
  • Alabama
    • Friday, August 21st at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest Exile
  • BigXthaPlug
    • Saturday, August 22nd at 8 p.m.
    • With special guest XOLEX
  • Josiah Queen
    • Sunday, August 23rd at 6 p.m.
    • With special guest Ben Fuller
Courtlin
Courtlin

A friendly reminder - if you have tickets to a Grandstand show, they do NOT include admission to the Fair. You will still have to pay for fair admission at the main gate upon entry.

Free Entertainment

If you don't want to purchase a ticket for any of this year's Grandstand shows, no worries! There's plenty of free entertainment you can enjoy on one of the Iowa State Fair's four other stages. Here's a look at all the acts and when/where they're performing:

Elwell Family Park

Elwell Family Park is the Iowa State Fair's outdoor arena, which is also jam-packed with events over the course of the 11-day fair. Some are ticketed events, while others are free with your fair admission! Here's a look at the schedule:

  • Iowa State Fair PRCA Pro Rodeo
  • Short Course UTV & ATV Cup
    • Saturday, August 15th at 10 a.m.
    • Admission is FREE
  • Charros Performance
    • Sunday, August 16th at 12 p.m. & 3 p.m.
    • Admission is FREE
  • Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull
    • Wednesday, August 19th at 12 p.m.
    • Ticketed event - purchase them HERE
  • Iowa's Electrical Utilities Lineman Rodeo
    • Friday, August 21st at 8 a.m.
    • Admission is FREE
  • Demolition Derby
    • Saturday, August 22nd at 12 p.m.
    • Ticketed event - purchase them HERE
  • Figure 8 Races
    • Sunday, August 23rd at 12 p.m.
    • Ticketed event - purchase them HERE

Best New Foods

There are more than 80 new foods at the 2026 Iowa State Fair, but they have been narrowed down to the top three! Fairgoers will be able to vote on their favorite from August 13th through 19th, and the official winner of the People's Choice Best New Food will be announced on Friday, August 21st. Here are the finalists (pictured below):

  • Porky Parm Gnocchi at DG – Destination Grille - $14
  • Ultimate Minneapple Pie at Minneapple Pie - $14
  • All-American Scrambled Egg Roll at Winn & Sara's Kitchen - $15
Courtlin
Courtlin

Check out the top 11 new fair foods for 2026 HERE.

There are also a TON of new beverages this year, too! You can see the list of those HERE.

The Butter Cow

Last, but certainly not least, it's the Iowa State Fair BUTTER COW! The 600-pound, 5-1/2-ft high, 8-ft long sculpture is located in a display cooler inside the fair's Agriculture Building. You'll probably have to wait in line to see it, but it moves pretty quick!

Iowa State Fair: Annual Midwestern Summer Rite
Getty Images

In addition to the famous Butter Cow, there is also a companion butter sculpture that's different each year. The 2026 companion piece is titled, "Meet Me at the Pepsi Clock." Here's what the fair website says about it:

"The 2026 Butter Cow companion sculpture, 'Meet Me at the Pepsi Clock,' will celebrate Fair Spirit while recognizing America250 through a tribute to the people, celebrations and diversity that make Iowa shine. Highlighting agriculture, music, art, natural resources, and hometown pride, the sculpture will showcase the rich heritage and vibrant spirit that bring Iowans together."

For everything you need to know about the 2026 Iowa State Fair, check out the fair's official website HERE.

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Filed Under: des moines, events, Iowa State Fair
Categories: Events, KHAK Morning Show, Local News

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