Jet Ski Stunt Shows, Racing Dogs, Kids Tractor Pull, Miniature Horses, The Big Cheese, and More!
Asian Village and Latino Village Showcase Amazing Food, Music, and More, Now on the West Side of the Fairgrounds Six Days This Year, All 13 Next Year!
A Full Slate of New Musical Acts at Suburban Park and Chevy Court
All For the Price of Admission, Just $8; Children Under 12 and Those 65 and Older Free Every Day!
What do a gravity-defying jet ski, waterski, and wakeboard gymnastics stunt show; adorable racing dogs; a pint-sized tractor pull; a 4-H Driving and Miniature Horse Show; and The Big Cheese all have in common? They’re ALL brand new at the 2026 New York State Fair! When the gates open at The Fair in just two days, fairgoers can visit not only the classic traditions that make The Fair so great, like indulging in a cup of The Fair’s perfectly chilled $.25 cup of milk, riding on one of the more than 60 thrilling Midway rides, or walking through the animal barns to learn more about agriculture, but with dozens of new attractions, exhibits, events, and food this year, it’ll be hard not to find a brand new favorite!
New York Agriculture on Display
- Holstein Dairy Cattle Competition: A fairgoer favorite, the Holstein Dairy Cattle Competition will take place on Sunday, August 30 in the Toyota Coliseum with its largest showing in nearly a decade.
- Horse Shows and Educational Events: Also in the Toyota Coliseum, fairgoers will get two opportunities to take a closer look at the wonderful world of horses. On Saturday, August 29 at 10:30 a.m., 4-H youth will present the 4-H Driving and Miniature Horse Show, where they will demonstrate their driving and in-hand skills. Then, at 5 p.m., visitors can join 4-H youth for a Meet the Horses Educational Event to learn more about the magnificent horses staying at The Fair.
- Kiddie Tractor Pull: On Friday, August 28, kids are invited to take center stage for the Kiddie Tractor Pull in the Toyota Coliseum. Beginning at noon, this pint-sized version of the beloved tractor pull invites youth registrants to test their strength and see how far they can pull their tractors in this raucous and entertaining competition. Space is limited, so interested youth should register by visiting the Antique Tractor Exhibit before the show or by contacting Jim Griswold at (607) 423-6244. Additional Kiddie Tractor Pulls will take place Saturday, August 29, and Saturday, September 5.
- New FFA Building: The Fair will welcome New York’s FFA students and educators to their brand-new home on the west end of the Fairgrounds. The newly constructed, 4,000-square-foot FFA Building provides a dedicated space for New York’s youth in FFA—not only during the 13 days of The Fair, but year-round.
- Behind the Halter: Speaking of the future of agriculture, The Fair is debuting Behind the Halter – Celebrating the Youth Behind New York’s Dairy Cattle, a new digital campaign highlighting the young people who represent the next generation of New York’s dairy industry. Featured on screens throughout the Dairy Cattle Barn, the campaign will introduce Fairgoers to young exhibitors who dedicate countless hours to caring for, preparing and showing their dairy cattle, offering a glimpse into the passion and hard work behind the animals they see at The Fair.
Thrilling Entertainment!
- Ski Extreme Productions will make its Fair debut, offering something entirely unrivaled for the extreme sport enthusiast. Expect gravity defying jet ski, waterski, and wakeboard gymnastics in an amazing 30–40-minute action stunt show filled with exciting thrills, flips, stunts, and tricks that will leave you on the edge of your seat! Show times daily at 11:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the pond near Suburban Park.
- Circus Hollywood, sponsored by Chevy: It’s a three-ring extravaganza inside the Exposition Center. Cool off from the summer heat with a magnificent showcase from the talented circus performers of Circus Hollywood, sponsored by Chevy. From glittering costumes and high-stakes choreography, you won’t want to miss these amazing acts. Show times are 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. daily, and performers will be available for meet and greets and photo opportunities with fairgoers in between performances.
- The Great American Drone Show: Prepare to be dazzled! Presented by Electric Sky Drone Shows, The Great American Drone Show features more than 300 synchronized drones that will illuminate the night sky in a breathtaking aerial display following the evening performances at Suburban Park on the first two nights of the 2026 Fair only. Experience stunning sky art featuring patriotic imagery and iconic Fair-inspired designs that celebrate America’s history and the traditions of The Fair. It’s a one-of-a-kind spectacle you won’t want to miss! Shows begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, and Thursday, August 27, and can be viewed from the area surrounding Suburban Park and the Midway.
- Corgi Races: Cue the cuteness-overload—Corgi Races, sponsored by Micron, have arrived! These adorable dogs will put on a spectacular show for onlookers at the Exposition Center at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. daily.
- Empire Room FREE Programming: The Empire Room will now feature daily FREE programming, including things such as Country Line Dancing, a Silent Disco, Trivia, DJ Nights, and more; Harvey’s Garden’s famous pour-your-own beer wall will be available for those 21 years of age and older, with non-alcoholic drinks available as well. Don’t miss the signature slushie drink challenge, with fairgoers choosing their favorite between the Pete Pickle or the Betty Blueberry.
- Chevy Court and Suburban Park Concerts: Brand new acts joining The Fair’s 2026 Chevrolet Music Series will feature 41 national recording acts, gracing the stages of Chevy Court and Suburban Park. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and an 8 p.m. concert each evening at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway). The Fair will also host two special shows at 9 p.m. on Friday, August 28 and September 4 at Chevy Court.
Special Day Exhibits
- STEAM Day: The Fair introduces STEAM Day! On Thursday, August 27, Student Youth Day, children and their families can explore hands-on activities that bring science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to life. Visit the Syracuse City School District booth at the Chevy Court Pavilion to learn how STEAM education inspires curiosity, creativity, and learning for all ages, and discover the District’s new Syracuse STEAM School—the first school of its kind in the region.
- Expanded LGBTQ+ Pride Day Programming: Coinciding with the 15th anniversary of New York’s landmark Marriage Equality Act, the expanded LQBTQ+ Pride Day now includes an ice cream social and storytime, free book giveaway, performances by the Flower City Pride Band, Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus, and Oswego Opera Theatre, as well the Pride CommUNITY Celebration featuring the CNY Pride Color Guard.
Celebrating America 250
The Fair will celebrate the semi-quincentennial with various elements and exhibits throughout the 13-day run, including:
- the Sand Sculpture (located in the Micron Center of Progress),
- The Great American Drone Show, lighting up the night sky on August 26 and August 27,
- competitions in the Wegmans Creative Arts Center (formerly the Art & Home Center), and
- the 2026 Great New York State Fair pin design, which is available at The Fair’s merchandise booth located just inside the Main Gate and, new this year, inside the Horticulture Building, and more.
Flavors of The Fair
- Best of Fair Competitions: Friendly fair competitions will take place this year in the Empire Room, including select vendor categories such as Savory, Sweet, Fried, N/A Beverage, and Alcoholic Beverage.
- The Great New York State Fair Potato Booth: The same incredible value is now homegrown, and a true celebration of New York agriculture! The Fair’s iconic $1 Potato Booth, now operated by Tully’s Good Times in collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ New York State Grown & Certified program, will be serving up The Fair’s famous baked potatoes, and salt potatoes, now grown in New York, with toppings sourced from New York State Grown & Certified processors, using New York milk. The collaboration comes as the NYS Grown & Certified Program celebrates its 10th anniversary.
- Wegmans Demo Kitchen: The Wegmans Demo Kitchen, in the newly rebranded Creative Arts Center, will not only be serving up tasty demonstrations but offering all new live demonstrations including wreath making and flower arranging. See the full schedule here!
- New Tasty Tuesday Vendors: This one-day-only sampling of The Fair’s most popular food dishes at discounted prices—on Tuesday, September 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Samples from select vendors will be available for $3-5 each. To plan out your meals this Tasty Tuesday, check the listings here of participating vendors, or search the Fair Finder section of the app and look for the Tasty Tuesday icon. Tasty Tuesday vendors will also have Tasty Tuesday signage at their booths.
About The Great New York State Fair
The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. All concerts are included in the price of admission. Tickets are on sale now at The Fair’s website, nysfair.ny.gov. Packed with value, a single admission ticket costs $8 and includes access to all grounds entertainment and The Fair’s award-winning concert lineup. In addition, a Frequent Fairgoer ticket option is available for $25.
The Fair continues to be one of the most affordable fairs in the nation, with admission remaining free for those aged 65 and older along with children 12 years old and under.
Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.
The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
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