A Returning Fan Favorite and Brand-New Attractions Comprise This Year’s Grounds Entertainment Lineup
All Shows Included with Fair Admission!
High-flying acrobatics and spectacular fireworks meet a one-man band and a mentalist with foretelling fortitude—and everything in between. That’s what you can expect at this year’s Great New York State Fair and its exhilarating grounds entertainment lineup of performers and showcases—all included with the price of admission!
In addition to the national recording artists coming to Chevy Court and Suburban Park stages in 2026, The Fair hosts extraordinary family-friendly grounds entertainment every day of its 13-day run. Guests can immerse themselves in educational opportunities through various exhibits or sit back and be wowed by unique feats of precision and strength. With 17 acts joining this year’s schedule, there’s truly something for every fairgoer.
“There’s fun and excitement on every corner at The Great New York State Fair,” said Fair Director Julie LaFave. “We’ve explored new and never-before-seen ways to bring fairgoers even more entertainment, and it’s at no added cost when you enter the gates. We want visitors to get the most out of their time here, and this year’s grounds entertainment lineup is surely one for the books.”
For a full schedule and location listing of grounds entertainment acts, please visit The Great New York State Fair’s website.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Circus Hollywood – in the Exposition Center! (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. 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., and performers will be available for meet and greets and photo opportunities with fairgoers in between performances.
The Great American Drone Show by Electric Sky Drone Shows
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.
The Fast and the Furriest Corgi Races (sponsored by Micron)
Cue the cuteness-overload—Corgi Races have arrived! These adorable dogs will be racing for onlookers at the Exposition Center at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. Place your bets on your favorite corgi and watch these little guys run!
Ski Extreme Productions
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.
RETURNING ATTRACTIONS
Bandaloni
Bandaloni returns for the 2026 Fair following a one-year hiatus. A masterful one-man-band, Bandaloni incorporates harmonica, guitar, kick-drum, and more to create his crowd-favorite strolling act. Performing since 1999, Bandaloni is expert crowd thriller, utilizing humor and novelty tricks to delight audiences all Fair long! Find Bandaloni strolling near the Goat, Llama, and Swine Barn at 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. every day of the Fair.
Birds of Prey, hosted by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. (sponsored by Cutco)
Get up close to nature with the Birds of Prey show by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center. Known for their global conservation efforts, Hawk Creek Wildlife Center will be inspiring fairgoers with amazing raptors, including hawks, owls, vultures, falcons and of course, a bald eagle! Enjoy this educational and eye-catching exhibit with presentations that get you closer than ever to incredible birds from around the world. Meet raptors up-close and chat with naturalists to learn more about these beautiful creatures. Birds of Prey is located near the New York State Park, with shows daily at 11:00 a.m., 2:15 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.
Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show (sponsored by The New York 529 College Savings Program)
Calling all dog lovers! An America’s Got Talent original, the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show returns, featuring highly trained dogs performing an array of high-octane stunts. Not to mention that most of these pups are rescues! Stop by this exciting show at 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. daily near the main entrance of the Midway.
The Coronas Family Petting Zoo
The Coronas Family Petting Zoo provides a hands-on opportunity, quite literally, to experience animals up close. With camel rides, pony rides, and countless animals to pet and feed treats to including llamas, goats, sheep, and more, everyone will enjoy hanging out with these furry friends. Swing by the Family Fun Zone behind the Expo building and say hello to the farm animals on your way!
Hilby, The Skinny German Juggle Boy (sponsored by Toyota)
A beloved Fair favorite, Hilby, the Skinny German Juggle Boy, will be offering his enduring blend of comedy, juggling tricks, and family-friendly banter as he returns to The Fair this year. Come and see what makes Hilby a fan-favorite outside the Exposition Center with performances September 1-7 only, at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
Hollywood Pig Races (sponsored by Pinnacle Spas)
Don’t miss the hilarious and adorable Hollywood Pig Races, where piggies race to the finish line in a fun-filled, family-friendly competition that’s sure to bring smiles and laughter. See them at 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., and 5:45 p.m.
Jon Stetson, The Mentalist
Participate in a captivating performance with world-renowned mentalist, Jon Stetson. Jon is an expert in advanced intuition, guiding audiences with psychological mastery and illuminating human behavior to help people better understand themselves. It will be an enchanting show and the standing room only performances speak for themselves! Find The Mentalist in the Empire Theater of the Creative Arts Center at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. daily. Note: only two shows on Friday, August 28, at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
The Living Zultar (sponsored by Toyota)
Inspired by the 1988 film Big, The Living Zultar is an experienced comic actor, magician, and impressionist who has been delighting audiences for over 30 years. Blending expert sleight-of-hand magic with quick humor, The Living Zultar brings the mechanical fortune teller to life in a truly captivating performance. Located outside the Goat, Llama, and Swine Barn, near Restaurant Row, with limited performances August 26-31 at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.
Majestic Fireworks (sponsored by Tessy Plastics)
Majestic Fireworks will be treating fairgoers to an impressive and illuminating show, sure to spark awe and wonder, on September 7 at approximately 8:00 p.m. Gaze up into the night sky for the grand finale of the 2026 Fair.
Matt Long, The Sandman
Since 2001, and featured on the Travel Channel’s Sand Masters, Sandman Matt Long has created innumerable sand sculptures around the world for every type of event imaginable. This year’s 120-ton sand sculpture, with a special nod to America’s 250th birthday, can be viewed in the Micron Center of Progress Building starting at 10:00 a.m. each day. Fairgoers can catch The Sandman in action from August 26-30, with the final design coming to life by August 31.
Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (sponsored by Camping World)
Bust out the buffalo plaid flannel and experience real-life lumberjacks at the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, where expert lumberjacks demonstrate impressive axe throwing, wood chopping, and log rolling skills in an action-packed, family-friendly performance. Celebrating the rugged spirit of the logging industry, this show offers entertainment, education, and a touch of Americana for audiences of all ages.
Plan to visit the Central Park area across from the Poultry Barn with showtimes at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. daily.
Stilt Circus (sponsored by Strong Spas)
Look up! Stilt Circus has delighted audiences around the world for over 20 years with dazzling stilt artistry, vibrant costumes, and captivating characters. Catch these towering artists as they glide through the New York State Fairgrounds, presenting a different costume and character each day. Be sure to snap a photo with the towering performers from Stilt Circus, and look for them daily at 12:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. near Chevy Court.
The Wheels of Agriculture featuring Trivia Tractor (sponsored by Beak & Skiff)
The Wheels of Agriculture offers a fun-filled, interactive experience that celebrates agriculture with an engaging stage game show featuring trivia on local farming, animals, and food, providing both entertainment and educational insights for fairgoers of all ages. Complementing this, the Trivia Tractor is a lively mobile game show with audience participation, giant foam dice, and prizes, and is perfectly situated near the Voice of the Famer Garden on the West End of the Fairgrounds, with showtimes daily at 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4 p.m.
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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