What to know about the 2024 Indiana State Fair

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Fair is back for 2024, offering more than two weeks of fun, concerts, activities, food and more.

This year’s event includes new experiences, unique food and beverage options and much more. Here’s what to expect if you head out to the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

When is the fair?

The Indiana State Fair opens on Friday and runs through Aug. 18 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The fair is closed on Mondays (Aug. 5 and Aug. 12).

Fair hours

• Mondays: Closed
• Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
• Wednesdays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
• Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
• Fridays: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
• Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)
• Sundays: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last entry at 8 p.m.)

Midway hours

• Mondays: Closed
• Tuesdays: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Thursdays: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Fridays & Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sundays: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 18: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Building and exhibit hours

• Mondays: Closed
• Tuesdays through Sundays: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What’s the theme for 2024?

The theme of the 167th Indiana State Fair is “The Art & Nature of Fun, Presented by Newfields.”

It’s a partnership between the fair and Newfields promising an “immersive” and “unforgettable experience for all.”

Where can I get tickets?

Tickets are available at the Indiana State Fair website. Buying them in advance saved 20% on admission.

Buying a parking pass in advance also saved a couple bucks. In addition, there were some discounted ticket packages available, including a “Family Four Pack” and a “Foodie Family Four Pack.”

Discounted prices were available until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1. Now that the online discounts are over, tickets cost $16 online and at the gate. Find ticket information here.

What about parking?

Fairgrounds parking costs $10 per vehicle, with parking available in the Fairgrounds Infield, South Lot (38th Street) and at the Indiana School for the Deaf (42nd Street) from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Accessible parking is in the southeast and west corners of the infield, adjacent to the ADA accessible walk tunnels — as well as in the South Lot, the Indiana School for the Deaf Lot, and behind the Indiana Arts Building.

Another option includes “pedal and park” in which riders can save $1 on admission by riding a bike to the State Fair and using a free secured bike rack on the Monon Trail north of 38th Street. It’s available from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturday or 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday.

IndyGo also offers two routes (4 and 39) that drop passengers off near the fair’s entrance on 38th Street. It costs $1.75 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass. You can learn more here.

Find parking information and directions to the fairgrounds here.

Are there safety rules I should know about?

In 2023, the Indiana State Fair debuted a pair of new safety policies for visitors. Both are back for this year.

The first policy involves unaccompanied minors. Under the rules, anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone (age 21+) starting at 6 p.m.

From the fair:

• Each adult may chaperone up to six (6) individuals and must remain at the Fairgrounds while the minors they are chaperoning are still present.
• Any minors under the age of 18 not accompanied by an adult will not be admitted.
• Any person entering may be asked to show a valid driver’s license, state identification card, or other government issued ID.
• Does not apply to organized and ticketed group outings or those participating in competitions where existing chaperone procedures are in place.

The second policy limits the size of bags visitors are allowed to bring to the fair. All bags must be  9”x10”x12” or smaller. Bags are subject to search before guests can enter the fairgrounds.

Bags larger than 9”x10”x12” will not be allowed inside the venue and must be returned to a vehicle or home. Prohibited items will be confiscated and will not be returned.

Find a list of allowed and prohibited items here.

Are there any discounts?

In addition to buying advance tickets, there are several ways to save money at the fair, including $2 Tuesdays, BMV Discount Day and a free day via the IndyStar. Here’s a look:

• $2 Tuesdays (Aug. 6 and Aug. 13): It really pays to go to the fair on Tuesdays if you can. Enjoy $2 gate admission, $2 Midway rides and $2 food options at each food stand. It really doesn’t get much better!
• Military & First Responders’ Day (Aug. 7): First responders, current and former military and their families can enjoy free admission with a valid ID.
• BMV Discount Day (Aug. 8): This one’s pretty simple: get a printed or digital voucher from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website and get into the fair for $8—a savings of 50%.
• IndyStar Free Ticket (Aug. 14): The Aug. 12 edition of the IndyStar will include a free ticket good for Farmers’ Day on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
• AAA Day (Aug. 15): On this day, AAA members get in free with a valid AAA membership card presented at the gate. One card per person.
• $5 Value Menu: The fair will feature a $5 menu this year, with select items going for just $5. The extensive menu includes everything from milkshakes to fries, nachos, cotton candy and more.

What’s new this year?

Fairgoers will find more than a dozen new activities this year.

Some of the highlights include a new splash pad, a special celebration of the Beatles (Aug. 3), an outdoor lantern exhibit and an outdoor movie theater.

Duck races, baby animal feeding and a dog aquatic competition round out some of this year’s new attractions.

• State Fair Splash Pad: Open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. in MHS Family Fun Park, the splash pad offers a “gentle water play experience” for people of all ages.
• Gold & Glory 100th Anniversary (Aug. 2): The fair celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Gold and Glory Sweepstakes. “This historic event celebrates a century of excitement, tradition, and community spirit, paying tribute to the cherished memories and thrilling moments that have defined this iconic competition over the years.”
• Celebrating the Beatles (Aug. 3): Remember Beatlemania with live tributes, food and memorabilia celebrating the iconic music group.
• Illuminate! Outdoor Lantern Exhibit: Find 14 all-new immersive lantern sculptures in The Backyard daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie Theatre: This outdoor attraction features “blockbusters, timeless classics and family-friendly films projected on a giant screen.” Find it daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Gate 12.
• Momma Town Live Birthing Center: “Discover the miracle of life on the farm at Momma Town. Stroll through the Mac Reynolds Barn, meet baby chicks, piglets, and learn about animal parenting.”
• Great American Duck Race: This attraction at the MHS Family Fun Park features a water track with four lanes. Catch it daily at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. with extra shows at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Pogo Fred: The Guinness World Record holder is regarded as one of the best on the planet. You’ll find his pogo stick stunts on Main Street at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Chris Lantz of Extreme Sculpting: Chainsaw artist Chris Lantz transforms logs into works of art. You’ll find him on Main Street daily at 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with additional shows at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
• WTHR Olympic Zone – Paris: Find this immersive Olympic experience in front of the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.
• Artscape! Where Imagination Grows Exhibit: This exhibit at Harvest Pavilion features art demos, performances and “outdoor-inspired free play.” It’s all curated by Newfields.
• DockDogs presented by T-Mobile: The “world’s premier canine aquatics competition” comes to Celebration Park for a series of events, including “big air wave,” “extreme vertical” and “speed retrieve.”
• 406 FMX High Air Tour: This attraction runs at designated times from Aug. 9 through Aug. 11 and costs $10 per ticket. You’ll find some of the top riders in the world performing stunts and tricks at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand. Find ticket information here.
• Baby Animal Feeding Adventure: You can feed adorable young animals in this activity at Goat Mountain.
• Lore & Tall Tales at the Indiana History Train: At this immersive Indiana History Train exhibit, you’ll learn about “the supernatural history of houses & buildings, bridges & railways, parks & cemeteries” across the state–along with some “seemingly impossible creatures” that lurk about!

What are the free concerts?

As it has in past years, the Indiana State Fair revealed its free concerts in several waves leading up to the event. This year’s acts include Foghat, Gladys Knight, Bell Biv DeVoe and more.

The concerts start at 7:30 p.m. on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage unless otherwise noted. They are free with paid admission. Here’s the 2024 lineup:

• Foghat* – Friday, August 2 (opening day)
• Celebrating The Beatles at the Indiana State Fair – Saturday, August 3 featuring Hard Day’s Night-Beatles Tribute (afternoon) & Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney (evening)
• Gladys Knight – Sunday, August 4
• 84 – Van Halen Tribute – Tuesday, August 6
• Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell – Wednesday, August 7
• Dogstar (guitarist/vocalist Bret Domrose, drummer Robert Mailhouse and bassist Keanu Reeves) – Thursday, August 8
• Bell Biv DeVoe – Friday, August 9
• Fearless: The Taylor Swift Tribute – Saturday, August 10
• Newsboys (evening) and Blessing Offor (afternoon) – Sunday, August 11
• Latino-Fest En La Feria Del Estado De Indiana presented by Radio Latina 107.1 FM feat. Con La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia – Tuesday, August 13
• Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger ft. Joey Molland, The Vogues and The Cowsills – Wednesday, August 14
• Sublime with Rome – Thursday, August 15
• Gary Allan – Friday, August 16
• Lita Ford – Saturday, August 17
• Gospel Music Festival featuring Yolanda Adams – Sunday, August 18

*Foghat is replacing Three Dog Night, who had to postpone several shows, including their Indianapolis date

What new foods can I expect?

Visitors will find more than 40 new food and drink options at this year’s fair. They range from a Bloody Mary packed with fair foods to a funnel cake with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, new twists on elephant ears, a peach shakeup, an indulgent grilled cheese sandwich and much more.

The Indiana State Fair has a “Taste of the Fair” food guide to help you find this year’s unique offerings.

Additional information

• State Fair tickets and parking passes
• Deals and discounts
• Information on parking and driving directions
• State Fair safety policies
• What’s new for 2024
• Free stage schedule
• 2024 Indiana State Fair program
• Indiana State Fair competition information

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