Looking for free Minnesota State Fair tickets in 2026? 🎡 Before you purchase your tickets, check out these current giveaways and opportunities to experience the Great Minnesota Get-Together for less!
The 2026 Minnesota State Fair runs August 27 through September 7, and whether you're bringing the kids, meeting friends, going on a date or experiencing the fair for the very first time, a little planning can make your day so much more enjoyable.
And if you're looking for ways to save, there are several giveaways and promotions worth checking out before you go.
Let's get into it!
🎟️ Where to Find Free Minnesota State Fair Tickets in 2026
Giveaways can have deadlines and limited availability, so always check the official giveaway page for the most current rules before entering.
🛶 Minnesota State Fair Paddle, Play & Fair Day Sweepstakes
Start with the Minnesota State Fair itself!
The official Minnesota State Fair recently announced its Paddle, Play & Fair Day Sweepstakes, and this one is definitely worth entering.
The prize package includes:
🎡 Minnesota State Fair concert tickets
🛶 A Portager Paddle Board from Paddle North
🎟️ Everything you need for a fun day at the fair
The sweepstakes is open through August 25, 2026, so there's still time to enter.
The Minnesota State Fair announced the giveaway on its official Instagram:
"Win the ULTIMATE Minnesota summer prize package!"
If you love the outdoors AND the State Fair, this giveaway combines both.
👉 Look for the Paddle, Play & Fair Day Sweepstakes through the official Minnesota State Fair website/social media and enter before the August 25 deadline.
🚌 MVTA + Minnesota State Fair Giveaway
If you're in the south metro, don't overlook MVTA when you're looking for State Fair giveaways and transportation information.
MVTA is providing transportation to the Minnesota State Fair from several south-metro locations, including:
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Burnsville Transit Station
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Eagan Transit Station
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Southbridge Crossings
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Blackhawk Park & Ride
MVTA and the Minnesota State Fair are also offering a Minnesota State Fair bundle giveaway, making this another one to check out before you buy your tickets.
And even if you don't win, taking the bus can save you the headache of driving and trying to park near the fairgrounds.
👉 Check MVTA's Minnesota State Fair information for current giveaway details, routes and schedules.
🎟️ Mpls.St.Paul Magazine State Fair Giveaway
Another giveaway to have on your radar is from Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
They're giving readers a chance to win Minnesota State Fair Family Fun Packs, making this a great opportunity for families who want to enjoy the fair without paying full price for everyone's admission.
If you're planning to take the family, it's definitely worth entering before purchasing your tickets.
👉 Check Mpls.St.Paul Magazine's current State Fair giveaway for entry details and deadlines.
🎡 First Time Going to the Minnesota State Fair?
Now let's talk about what you actually need to know once you get there.
If this is your first Minnesota State Fair, let me tell you something:
The fair is BIG.
Like…really big.
You can walk around for hours and still not see everything.
So don't go into the day thinking you have to experience every single thing.
Instead, go with a plan, but leave room for spontaneity.
👟 Wear Comfortable Closed-Toe Shoes
This is one of my biggest State Fair tips.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes that are easy to walk in.
You will be walking.
A LOT.
You'll also be standing in food lines, waiting for rides, walking through crowds and probably staying at the fair much longer than you expected.
This is not the day to break in a new pair of shoes.
Trust me.
Your feet will thank you later!
🧢 Bring a Hat AND Sunscreen
This is another one of our family's must-haves.
Bring a hat!
We like having a hat to help cover our faces from the sun, especially when we're spending several hours outside.
And please don't forget the sunscreen.
Put it on before you leave home and bring it with you so you can reapply throughout the day.
Between the walking, heat and time spent outdoors, you'll be glad you planned ahead.
Hat + sunscreen + water = a much happier fair day.
👶🏽 Bringing Small Children? Bring the Stroller!
If you're bringing little ones, I highly recommend bringing a stroller.
Even if your child doesn't normally use one much anymore, the State Fair involves A LOT of walking.
Eventually those little legs may get tired.
And when they do, you'll be glad you have somewhere for them to sit.
A stroller can also give you somewhere to carry some of your belongings while you're walking around.
🆓 And remember: Kids 4 and Under Get In FREE!
Children 4 and under are admitted to the Minnesota State Fair for FREE, so families with little ones can save a little on admission.
💧 Bring a Water Bottle
You're going to get thirsty.
Seriously.
Bring a water bottle and make staying hydrated part of your plan.
You're going to be walking around, standing outside, eating fair food and probably spending more time at the fair than you originally planned.
Drink your water!
You can still enjoy your favorite State Fair drinks, but having water with you is a smart move.
💰 Don't Focus Too Much on the Prices
Okay, this is my personal State Fair tip.
Yes.
The Minnesota State Fair can be expensive.
Food costs money.
Rides cost money.
Games cost money.
Shopping costs money.
And if you're not careful, you can spend way more than you planned.
But here's how I look at it:
Go with a budget.
Decide ahead of time how much you're comfortable spending.
Then enjoy yourself.
Don't spend your entire day thinking:
"That's too expensive."
"I can't believe this costs that much."
"We could make that at home."
😂
You already know!
Instead, remember that the State Fair is an experience.
There are businesses and vendors working the fair, and behind those businesses are people and families too. When you purchase something, you're supporting someone's business while getting to experience something special.
So set your budget.
Choose the things you really want to try.
And enjoy yourself.
You don't have to buy everything.
But you also don't have to feel guilty about spending money on something you really want to experience.
🌽 Try Something Different
If you've been to the Minnesota State Fair before, don't feel like you have to do the exact same thing every year.
Try something new!
Maybe it's:
🌽 A food you've never tried
🎡 A ride you've never been on
🐄 An animal barn you haven't visited
🎶 A new entertainment stage
🛍️ A vendor you've never seen
🎯 A game or activity
🎨 An exhibit
📸 A new family photo location
The fair is about experiencing something.
So challenge yourself to find at least one new thing every time you visit.
🚗 Consider Leaving the Car at Home
Here's another tip from someone who knows Minnesota traffic:
Driving to the State Fair can be a headache.
Between traffic, parking and trying to get out afterward, it can take some of the fun out of your day.
Consider:
🚍 Public transportation
🚌 MVTA
🚗 Carpooling
📱 Rideshare services
🅿️ Park-and-ride options
If you're coming from the south metro, check out MVTA's State Fair transportation options.
Sometimes the easiest way to get to the fair is to let someone else do the driving.
🧣 Don't Forget Your Fair-Day Look!
Now let's talk about something I absolutely love:
State Fair style!
Because you're going to take pictures.
Lots of pictures.
Family pictures.
Food pictures.
Selfies.
Pictures with friends.
Pictures in front of the fair sign.
So why not look cute while you're doing it?
Style Your Fair Day With Wrapped In My Roots
If you're looking for an easy accessory that can pull your entire fair-day look together, grab one of your favorite Wrapped In My Roots scarves.
Our collection includes satin and velvet scarves/headwraps that are perfect for adding color, personality and style to your outfit.
Whether you're going with the kids, having a girls' day, going on a date or creating content around the fair, a beautiful scarf can turn a simple outfit into a whole look.
Think:
🧣 Satin scarf + sundress
🧣 Velvet headwrap + jeans and a cute top
🧣 Bold scarf + neutral outfit
🧣 Scarf + sneakers + your favorite fair-day outfit
And because you'll be outside for hours, your scarf can also be a practical part of your look and not just an accessory.
Cute, comfortable and ready for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
👉 Shop Wrapped In My Roots and find your perfect fair-day scarf.
🎟️ Your Minnesota State Fair 2026 Game Plan
Before you leave home, make sure you have:
✔️ State Fair tickets or your giveaway entry
✔️ Comfortable closed-toe shoes
✔️ A hat
✔️ Sunscreen
✔️ Water bottle
✔️ Stroller if you're bringing small children
✔️ Phone fully charged
✔️ Portable charger
✔️ A general plan
✔️ A spending budget
✔️ Transportation figured out
✔️ Your fair-day outfit
✔️ Your favorite Wrapped In My Roots scarf
✔️ An appetite for something new!
❤️ Remember: It's About the Experience
The Minnesota State Fair isn't about seeing everything.
It's not about spending the most money.
It's not about having the perfect outfit.
And it's definitely not about trying every single food item in one day. 😂
It's about the experience.
Maybe your child sees an animal they've never seen before.
Maybe you try a food you've been curious about.
Maybe you discover a new favorite vendor.
Maybe you laugh with your family until your stomach hurts.
Maybe you spend the entire day walking around with nowhere else you need to be.
Those are the moments you'll remember.
So make a budget.
Plan your transportation.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Bring your hat and sunscreen.
Pack your water.
Take the stroller.
Try something new.
Enter those giveaways.
And most importantly…
Go have fun!
The Great Minnesota Get-Together only comes around once a year.
Let's make the most of it. 🎡🌽❤️
📅 Minnesota State Fair 2026
August 27 – September 7, 2026
📍 Saint Paul, Minnesota
Before heading out, check the official Minnesota State Fair website for the latest information on tickets, transportation, giveaways, schedules and fair updates.
Happy Fair Season, Minnesota!
🧡 Wrapped In My Roots