Summarize this content to 100 words: TAMPA, Fla. — The Florida State Fair will make its return to Tampa on Thursday, with the theme “America’s Sunniest Celebration” to honor America’s 250th birthday. Attendees can enjoy plenty of fun at the fairgrounds, including entertainment, rides, agriculture, food and more, with many new offerings this year.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 fair.
What You Need To Know
View the guide to the 2026 Florida State Fair below
Follow Spectrum Bay News 9 for coverage and download our app to track the weather before heading out
When is the Florida State Fair? ⏰
The Florida State Fair is scheduled to take place from Feb. 5 through Feb. 16.
Fair Hours:
Monday – Thursday:
Entry Gates: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Ride Midway: Opens at 1 p.m.
Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day:
Entry Gates: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Ride Midway: Opens at 10:30 a.m.
Fair Ticket Prices 🎟️
Child (Ages 6-11):
Monday – Thursday: $7
Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day: $11
Adult (Ages 12-54):
Monday – Thursday: $12
Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day: $16
Senior (Ages 55+):
Ride Armband (All Ages):
Monday – Thursday: $35
Friday – Sunday and Presidents’ Day: $45
Additionally, the Florida State Fair will offer discounted tickets on the following days:
Heroes Day (Feb. 5): Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, medical personnel (NEW), and teachers (NEW) with valid agency ID.
Opening Day Bounce Back Deal (Feb. 5): (NEW) Every guest who enters with a paid admission ticket on opening day (Feb 5) will receive an additional admission ticket at no charge, valid for a single-day entry Feb. 6–16.
$5 Freedom Friday: (Feb. 6): $5 admission and $5 parking after 5 p.m.
Youth in Ag Day (Feb. 7): Free admission for FFA, YLPA, and 4-H members with ID, or in official dress or club shirt.
BOGO Bowl Sunday (Feb. 8): Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, medical personnel (NEW), and teachers (NEW) with valid agency ID. (NEW) Buy One Get One admission and Buy One Get One ride armband after 3 p.m. (Both must be purchased at the gate and used the same day.) Free admission for Girl Scouts in uniform.
Feeding Tampa Bay Day (Feb. 8): $1.00 from every ticket redeemed will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay.
Exceptional Citizens Morning (Feb. 9): (NEW) Exceptional Citizens Morning from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Free admission for the exceptional citizen with an accompanying paid guest. Designed for guests with lifelong developmental, physical, and sensory disabilities. Sensory-friendly adjustments (lower sound and lighting). Midway opens at 1 p.m.
Hospitality & Service Industry Day (Feb. 9): $5 admission all day for service and hospitality staff with employer ID.
College Student Day (Feb. 9): $5 admission all day for college students with college ID.
One Great Price (Feb. 10): $25 admission + unlimited rides (select specialty rides excluded), available all day.
Senior Savings Day (Feb. 11): $5 admission all day for seniors 55+. Seniors also receive weekday admission (Mon–Fri) for $11.
$3 Thursday (Feb. 12): $3 admission, plus select rides, games, and food items after 3 p.m.
Family Day (Feb. 13): Persons 17 years of age or younger will receive free admission to the Florida State Fair until 5 p.m. with an admission paying parent or guardian, 21 years of age or older with a valid ID, for entry to the Florida State Fair. A parent or guardian can supervise up to 4 persons 17 years of age or younger.
Youth in Ag Day (Feb. 14): Free admission for FFA, YLPA, and 4-H members with ID, or in official dress or club shirt.
Salute to America Day (Feb. 16): Persons 17 years of age or younger will receive free admission to the Florida State Fair until 5 p.m. with an admission paying parent or guardian, 21 years of age or older with a valid ID, for entry to the Florida State Fair. A parent or guardian can supervise up to 4 persons 17 years of age or younger. (NEW) Free admission for active or retired military with valid military ID.
Purchase tickets for the Florida State Fair.
Rides at the Florida State Fair Midway (Spectrum News)
Fairgrounds Location 🗺️
The Florida State Fairgrounds are located at 4800 U.S. Hwy. 301 North, Tampa, FL 33610.
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Fair Parking 🚗
View details and pricing for parking at the Florida State Fair.
New Fair Food 🍟
A new year at the Florida State Fair means new food to try. This year, attendees can look forward to delicious treats which include items true to this year’s “America’s Sunniest Celebration” theme like “America’s Birthday Cake Iced Tea,” “Red, White & Berry Smoothie” and “Star-Spangled Cookie Sundae,” along with popular dishes that feature cookie butter, Dubai chocolate and more. Here’s a list of some of this year’s additions.
View more information on this year’s new food at the Florida State Fair. Scroll down for a food location map.
America’s Birthday Cake Iced Tea
Arepa Pig Mac
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Tiki Tea
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Shockley’s Food Service
Birria Street Corn
Birria Street Taco Pizza
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Wade Shows Turkey Leg
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Pizza Emporium
Chocolate Cookie Butter Dream Funnel Cake
CinnaMozza Korean Corn Dog
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Georges Fun Foods / Funnel Cake
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Goldenkdog
Cookie Butter Frozen Cheesecake
Deep Fried Cuban Burrito
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Polar Bear Concessions
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Chester’s Gators & Taters
Deep-Fried Cheesecake Trio
Dill Devil
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Ormes Deep Fried Treats
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: The Pickle Jar
Dreamy Orangeade
Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: DeAnna’s Fried Banana Pudding
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Wade Shows Funnel Cake
Flamin’ Hot Elote Fries
Grilled Campfire S’more Sandwich
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Shockley’s Food Service
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Sunshine Concessions
Hot Honey Apple Fries
Hot Honey Jalapeño Popper Donut
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Apple Fries
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts
Nashville Hot Chicken Tots
Peanut Butter Fluff Quesadilla
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Tot & Mac
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Mexican Grill
Philly Steak & Cheese Baked Potato
Red, White & Berry Smoothie
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Spudtastic Potato
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Cinnamon Saloon
Pierogi Platter
Reese’s Pieces Donut Burger
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Macken’s Sliders
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: DeAnna’s Donut Burger
Salty Caramel Bavarian Donut
Star-Spangled Cookie Sundae
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Peachey’s Baking Company
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Sugar Mama’s GF Sweet Treats
Surf n Turf Alfredo Sundae
Sushi Corn Dog
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: DeAnna’s Steak Sundae
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Meatball Factory
The Sesame Sweet Heat Clucker
Courtesy: Florida State Fair
Location: Seasoned Green
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Entertainment 🎶
The Florida State Fair offers a variety of entertainment and acts for the whole family. Attractions include circus shows, magicians, pig racing, eating contests, fireworks and more.
Here are some new entertainment and event additions at the Florida State Fair this year:
Spirit in the Sky Drone Show: Illuminating 250 Years of Freedom
Star-Spangled Fireworks Spectacular
Celebrating America250 Hologram Show & Time Travel Through Florida Agriculture
Tribute to the Troops
Butter Sculpture: Sunny’s America 250 Road Trip
Racing Corgis: Freedom Dash
A Tribute to the American Daredevil
Rock-N-Circus
Johnny Tractor and Friends
AmirrorCAN Men
The Living Statue
See the rest of the attractions at the Florida State Fair.
There will also be dozens of live musical acts. Here is this year’s lineup:
Strolling Boombox
Mark Dobson One Man Band
Dennis Lee Band
The Dweebs
Dig a Pony
Bynge
Southern Express
Gotta Groove Band
The Bus Stop Band
Frankie Raye
Rockland Road
Buffalo Barfield
Jay Taylor
Dusek Brothers
Mylon
Rekindled Bits of Grass
Frank Dancey
D’Amore
Smokey Jones and the $3 Pistols
Actual Bank Robbers
Tribute to the Troops
Something Major
Women of Woodstock
Hell on Heels
View Florida State Fair live music schedules and locations.
Agriculture 🐮
The Florida State Fair is known for spotlighting the state’s agricultural history. Here are some of the agriculture attractions and exhibits that guests can look forward to:
Ag Hall of Fame
Cattle Ranching Museum
Camel Rides
Fish & Wildlife Exhibit
Forest Discovery Center
Coronas Family Zoo
Livestock Barns
Pony Rides
Thank a Florida Farmer & Voices of Florida Agriculture
View more exhibits and competitions at the Florida State Fair.
Animals at the Florida State Fair (Spectrum News)
Fair App 📱
The Florida State Fair launched an app last year that allows fairgoers to access the information they need and plan their day with ease. The app includes an interactive map, daily schedule, food and more. It is available on Apple iOS and Google Play.
