Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question about the State Fair?
Check out our FAQs below to see if your question has a quick answer.
If you still have a questions, email us at wsfp@wistatefair.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2025 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by UScellular, will take place July 31 – August 10, 2025.
These are the hours of operation for the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair:
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Sunday – Wednesday: 10am – 10pm
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Thursday – Saturday: 10am – midnight
For Ticket Office hours, please click here.
Yes, but only when you get a hand stamp before you exit. Vehicles that leave the parking lot cannot re-enter without paying for parking again. Please note, ticket sales and State Fair entry cease one hour prior to State Fair close. Re-entry hand stamps cease two hours prior to State Fair close.
Concerts at the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater do not require a separate ticket. The only area of State Fair that requires a separate ticket is the Bank Five Nine Main Stage.
The safety and security of Fairgoers remains a priority at Wisconsin State Fair. With this standard of uncompromised safety in mind, Wisconsin State Fair officials are introducing this enhancement to existing protocols.
While visiting the State Fair, all bags must to be 9”x10”x12” or smaller. As always, all bags are subject to inspection.
- All bags (clear, backpack, tote, camera) 9” x 10” x 12” or smaller will be permitted
- Empty soft-sided bags, totes, backpacks, etc. regardless of size are permitted and will be searched
- Fairgoers are NOT limited to the number of bags smaller than 9” x 10” x 12” that they bring in, and all bags will be searched
- Empty reusable bottles, cups, and souvenir cups will be permitted
- Any carry-in items for family care, such as water or snacks for children, or medical reasons will be permitted – no medical proof or note needed
Fairgoers are encouraged to leave unnecessary items at home. We realize this policy will change the way you prepare to come to the Fair and appreciate your flexibility and patience.
Please click here for our admission policies.
YES! Vendors inside State Fair have the option of accepting cash as a form of payment. Most vendors will accept both cash and credit cards.
Need more cash? We’ve got you covered with ATMs throughout State Fair.
Sure can! Bring your souvenir cups from prior years or purchase the all-new cup for this year. Check out particpiating refill stations here.
You can bring your souvenir cup back to the State Fair on multiple days, but please make sure it’s empty when you come through the entrance. Souvenir cups from previous years can be used at this year’s State Fair as well.
Agriculture Show spectators may enter the State Fair prior to official fair opening. Details are as follows:
Admission Entrances: Two admission entrances – Ag Village Entrance D (84th Street & Schlinger Ave) and Tunnel Entrance F – will be open for Ag Show spectators beginning at 7am. Admission tickets are required to attend Ag Shows, and advance purchase is encouraged. Only credit cards will be accepted for your admission ticket purchase at the gates.
Parking Entrance: Gate 1 | Open at 6am daily
Access will be restricted to agriculture areas of the State Fair. Non-agriculture areas of the State Fair will open at 10am.
See more details here: Hours of Operation
For everyone’s safety, access through barns may be limited before and during livestock shows and on changeover days.
All changeover days and barn closures can be found in the Daily Schedule or view our Barn Closures page for details.
If you are getting picked up by an Uber, Lyft, or taxi, a designated pick-up and drop-off area is located just outside the UScellular Main Entrance on the north side of State Fair Park near SpinCity.
Rideshare vehicles and taxis should enter at Gate 6 (S. 84th Street & W. Adler Street), near the Pettit National Ice Center.
If you have the name of the vendor or product information, we can provide you with general contact information for that vendor. Please email VendorServices@wistatefair.com.
Yes! Find information about electric scooter, wheelchair, wagon, and stroller rentals here.
The Wisconsin State Fair does allow the carry-in of outside food. If you have specific dietary needs, please make sure to bring food that is safe for you to eat.
As with any dietary limitation, we encourage Fairgoers to ask questions of the vendors to directly help decide what food options are the most appropriate.
Yes, there will be hundreds of hand sanitizing stations throughout the State Fair as well as many hand washing station around the State Fair.
Harvest Fair is scheduled for September 26-28, 2025!
Prices at the 2025 State Fair Entrances are as follows:
- Adults (12 & over) – $20
- Seniors (60 & over) – $15
- Military/Veterans with ID – $15
- Youth (ages 6-11) – $13
- Children (5 & under) – Free
Find details on promotions and discounts on State Fair tickets here!
The parking and admission experience for the Wisconsin State Fair are cashless. Advanced purchase of tickets is strongly encouraged to make your entrance to the State Fair faster and easier. Plus, you can save money with these deals here.
Advanced purchase of tickets is strongly encouraged to make your entrance to the State Fair faster and easier. Plus, you can save money with these deals here.
The Ticket Office is open at various times throughout the year. For ticket office hours, please click here.
Cash will not be accepted for parking or admission for the Wisconsin State Fair. To purchase your tickets with cash in advance, please visit the State Fair Ticket Office.
Additionally, Fairgoers can purchase tickets online in advance here.
Yes, you can still purchase tickets at the admission entrances; however, it is a cashless experience. Advanced ticket purchases are highly recommended for a faster entry experience.
Physical tickets will be available. Physical tickets can be ordered online and mailed to you for a fee and physical tickets will be available for purchase at the State Fair admission entrances. Advanced ticket purchases are recommended for a faster entrance experience.
We also offer print-at-home ticket options that you can print out and bring or can be scanned directly on your mobile device. Either way will save you the mailing fee!
Of course! Find details on promotions and discounts here.
Check out our amazing Main Stage headliners here.
You do not need to print your tickets. We can scan the ticket barcodes from your phone.
All Main Stage tickets include admission to the State Fair on day of the show if purchased prior to entering State Fair. You do not need a separate State Fair ticket. If you purchase a Main Stage concert ticket at the Expo Center Box Office while you’re here at the State Fair, then it will not include admission.
Concerts are rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, or potential severe weather, please stay tuned to our social media channels and the ticket purchasers email for updates regarding scheduled shows. You can also call the State Fair at 414-266-7000 for updates on the Main Stage during severe weather.
The State Fair Main Stage features several seating options depending on the location of your tickets.
Seating options in the Grandstand include bleacher-style and seats with backrests. Seating in the 100s and 200s sections of the Lower Grandstand are bleacher-style, and seating in the 300s and 400s section of the Upper Grandstand include backrests. Seating on the Track includes chairs with backrests.
Find the Main Stage seating chart below.
Main Stage tickets are required for anyone age 3 and up.
Signs are not allowed at the Fair Park, including the Main Stage.
The Main Stage area is non-smoking, which includes e-cigarettes.
The State Fair Ticket Office and Etix (accessed via the WiStateFair.com or Etix.com) are the ONLY authorized sources for Main Stage Tickets.
Tickets purchased at a non-authorized, third-party source must be returned through that point of purchase. Please contact the ticket site you purchased on for refund information.
Please note: WSFP cannot guarantee the validity of the tickets purchased from a non-authorized source and you risk being denied admission, refunds and/or exchanges. WSFP will not honor or give refunds for tickets purchased through a third-party site.
Each Main Stage ticket will be assessed a $10 facility fee, which is in place to help cover the costs of hosting live events, including staffing, insurance, and paying suppliers. Facility charges may vary by event and can be raised or lowered over time.
When you checkout, choose to have physical tickets or vouchers mailed to you for an additional $5 mailing fee.
Main Stage does not charge a service fee or order processing fee for any ticket orders.
SpinCity opens each day at 11am. Closing times vary.
All rides and games in SpinCity utilize a digital ticket payment system. Tickets will be loaded on a Spin ‘n Play Pass and are redeemable at any ride or game. SpinCity tickets are valid for the current and following year only.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the State Fair Ticket Office. During the State Fair, you can purchase tickets at our SpinCity Ticket Booths or Kiosks.
Wristbands are only valid for the year in which they are purchased and not valid for additional years. If you wish to purchase a new wristband for this year, you can do so online or by purchasing onsite at the SpinCity ticket tent, located on the Grand Walkway.
All Fairgoers who wish to enter a ride or attraction in SpinCity must have either the required number of tickets OR a valid GoRide Wristband properly and visibly affixed to their person to be permitted to ride.
Special exceptions are made for those with sensory needs. If you have sensory needs, please visit the SpinCity Office for assistance! We are happy to work with you and your family to find a solution for affixing your wristband in a way that will be accepted by ride operators and comfortable for you.
Consider placing wristbands on ankles for small children. Bands cannot be loosened after they are tightened, so making the bands harder to reach helps keep kids from accidentally overtightening their bands.
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- If you have a band that has been overtightened – find a staff member to assist in removing and exchanging your band.
- If you must remove your band prior to finding staff for safety purposes, bands can only be exchanged with proof of purchase (current date receipt) and all bands on order physically present (including damaged/removed band).
All wristband and ticket sales in SpinCity are non-refundable, so we encourage all Fairgoers to check out the rides and games prior to making their purchase.
If you are concerned your child will not be tall enough for a particular ride, please visit that ride or attraction and have your child measured to confirm whether or not they will be allowed on. Ride height requirements are also posted prior to the State Fair here.
Wristbands are only available for purchase in the SpinCity ticket tent located on the Grand Walkway on weekdays. Wristbands are available for purchase until 5pm and valid until 7pm. Tickets may be purchased in the ticket tent or at any kiosk in SpinCity.
The SpinCity GoRide Wristband will not be available for purchase online after July 26, 2024. Onsite purchases of SpinCity GoRide Wristbands are only available on weekdays during the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair. SpinCity GoRide Wristbands will not be available for purchase onsite on the following days: Saturday, August 3, Sunday, August 4, Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11.
Please visit the SpinCity Office for assistance! We are happy to work with you and your family to find a solution for affixing your wristband in a way that will be accepted by ride operators and comfortable for you.
Visit the SpinCity Office or Guest Services Pavilion for assistance! Our staff will be able to assist you in removing your band. If you remove your wristband PRIOR to alerting a staff member, proof of purchase and the removed wristband will be required for consideration of replacement.