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Gate Admission
| Discounted Advance Prices Online: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17 Walk-Up: Oct. 3 - Oct. 17 Dorton Kiosk - Weekends Only | Gate Prices Online: Oct. 18-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ages 13-64 | $10 | $13 |
| Military Adult ages 13-64 | N/A | $8 |
| Youth ages 6-12 | $5 | $7 |
| Child ages 5 & under | Free | Free |
| Senior Adult ages 65+ | $5 | $5 |
| Group Adult 40 or more tickets | $8 | N/A |
| Group Youth 40 or more tickets | $4 | N/A |
Cash, Visa, MasterCard and American Express will be accepted at all gate locations for ticket purchases.
Fairgoers must purchase admission tickets and be inside the gates prior to 9:45 p.m. There is no re-entry after 9:45 p.m.
Ticket price includes all applicable state and local sales tax. The N.C. State Fair operates rain or shine, and does not offer refunds. Each ticket purchased online will be assessed a convenience fee (ranges from 5-15%).
If you have questions about ordering tickets online, call 919-653-0443, go to Etix Online Support or https://support.etix.com/.
Rides and Attractions
Advance Sale: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
$10 for 18 ride tickets*
At the Fair or Online: Oct. 18-27
$1 per ticket or $18 for 18 tickets online*
Advance Sale: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
$6 one-way or $9 round-trip*
At the Fair or Online: Oct. 18-27
$7 one-way or $10 round-trip*
Important Information for Carnival Ticketing
- Ride Ticket Cards, Unlimited Ride Wristbands, State Fair Flyer tickets and State Fair SkyGazer tickets do not include admission to the N.C. State Fair.
- Ride Ticket Cards and Unlimited Ride Wristbands are not valid for the State Fair Flyer or State Fair Sky Gazer.
- Each wristband will be valid for one day only during the 2024 N.C. State Fair. There is an additional $1 fee for all unlimited ride wristbands and ride ticket cards.
- Rider must be present at redemption for wristband to be applied.
- Advance sale ride card and unlimited ride wristband vouchers will be redeemed at Ride Ticket Plazas. Ride Ticket Plazas are located near Gates 7, 8 and 9 or front of Dorton Arena. Look for the neon green tents with stars on top. Tents will be open on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. and then daily from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Carnival Ticket Plazas located in each Midway will be open during all carnival operating hours.
- State Fair Flyer and State Fair SkyGazer ticket vouchers will be redeemed at the ride itself.
*Online sales are print-at-home tickets. Ticket sheet(s) and/or wristband(s) purchased online will be assessed a convenience fee (ranges from 5-15%). Ride sheets and ride wristbands will be print-at-home voucher(s) to be redeemed at the fair for ride ticket(s) or wristband(s).
Deals and Discounts
Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
(AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY)
Includes:
1 Gate Admission Ticket
1 Unlimited Ride Wristband
Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
(AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY)
Includes:
1 Gate Admission Ticket
1 NC Public House Beer/Wine ticket providing your choice of a 16oz. N.C. craft beer or a 6oz. N.C. wine.
Advance Sale Only: Jul. 1 - Oct. 17
Includes:
1 Gate Admission Ticket
1 Round-Trip State Fair Flyer Ticket
Tools For Schools Program
Online Advance Sale Only: Aug. 1 - Oct. 17
For every Advance Adult Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $2 to the school. For every Advance Child Gate Admission Ticket purchased using a school code, the State Fair will donate $1 to the school.
To support your school, simply enter your school code under "Membership" at check-out on the Tools for Schools link. This promotion is only available online in advance of the Fair. Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17.
Participating School Systems
Daily Military Discount
Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay only $8 daily at the gate. That’s a 38% discount! Veterans are offered the same discount for themselves, plus one discounted ticket for a guest or dependent, for a total of two tickets at the reduced rate.
Identification accepted for discount:
- Valid Uniformed Services ID
- Valid Common Access Card (CAC)
- Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with Veteran Designation
- Valid Veteran's Affairs Health Identification Card
- Photocopy of valid DD-214 Form
- Photocopy of valid NGB-22 Form
Thursday, October 17 - $8 Student Admission for NC State Students
Students at NC State get admission for just $8 by showing their NC State Student ID card at the gate!
This offer is only available at the gate on Thursday, Oct.17 and is valid only for students.
Thursday, October 24 - Bring 6 cans of food and get in free!
Hunger Relief Day began at the N.C. State Fair in 1993 and since then, fairgoers have donated over 6 million pounds of food to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and its partners. It has become one of the largest one-day canned-food drives in the state.
Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day will take place on Thursday, Oct. 24. Fairgoers can bring six cans of food to the fair gates to exchange for free admission.
Weekday Lunch Pass Program - ADMISSION ONLY
Take your lunch break at the fair!
- Visit Gate 9 off Trinity Road, or Gate 1 off Hillsborough Street ONLY after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays. This offer is not valid at other gates or on weekends.
- Purchase a lunch card at the gate for $20 with cash (cash sales only).
- Buy your lunch from the many fair food vendors on site. Fair food vendors take cash. ATMS are available inside the fairgrounds.
- Return the lunch card by 1:30 p.m. to the same gate you entered on the same day purchased the card for a full $20 cash refund.
- If you leave later than 1:30 p.m., then you forfeit your $20. The card is good only on the day purchased. This program is only for adult admission, no food is included.
Special Event Tickets
Rand Grandstand - $10
Friday, October 18 - 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 19 - Noon & 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 20 - 1 p.m.
Ticket price does not include Fair Admission. Children 5 and under are free.
Rand Grandstand - $10
Friday, October 25 - 7:30 p.m. - Monster Trucks & Quad Racing
Saturday, October 26 - 7:30 p.m. - Monster Trucks, Quad Racing, Demolition Derby featuring 4,6, & 8 Cylinder Cars
Sunday, October 27 - 2:30 p.m. - Monster Trucks, Quad Racing & Minivan Derby featuring SUVs, CRVs and Small Trucks
Ticket price does not include Fair Admission. Children 5 and under are free.
Hunt Horse Complex - $10
Monday, Oct. 21 - 3 p.m.
Ticket price does not include Fair Admission. Children 5 and under are free.
Discounted Advance Sale Ticket Locations
| Location | Dates | Hours | Tickets On Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| Monday, Jul. 1 - Thursday, Oct. 17 | Jul. 1 at 10 a.m. - 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 12 | Admission Ride Tickets Ride Wristbands Special Event Tickets State Fair Flyer Tickets State Fair SkyGazer Specialty Packages |
N.C .State Fairgrounds | Thursday, Oct. 3 - Thursday, Oct. 17 | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Gate 9 off Trinity Road | Admission Ride Tickets Ride Wristbands Group Tickets Military Admission Special Event Tickets State Fair Flyer Tickets State Fair SkyGazer Tickets |
| N.C .State Fairgrounds Dorton Arena Kiosk 4285 Trinity Rd. Raleigh, NC 27607 | Daily | 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Admission Ride Tickets Ride Wristbands Group Tickets Military Admission Special Event Tickets State Fair Flyer Tickets State Fair SkyGazer Tickets |
N.C. Museum of History - Kiosk | Thursday, Oct. 3 - Thursday, Oct. 17 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Admission Ride Tickets Ride Wristbands Group Tickets Military Admission Special Event Tickets State Fair Flyer Tickets State Fair SkyGazer Tickets |
State Farmers Market | Thursday, Oct. 3 - Thursday, Oct. 17 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Admission Ride Tickets Ride Wristbands Group Tickets Military Admission Special Event Tickets State Fair Flyer Tickets State Fair SkyGazer Tickets |