The 2022 N.C. State Fair runs from Thursday, Oct. 13 until Sunday, Oct. 23 with rides, shows, crafts, livestock and fried everything. Check out these ways to save on fair admission, ride tickets and parking.
The fair has hosted the canned food drive since 1993, and more than five million pounds of food have been collected. The event is known as one of the largest one-day canned food drives in the state and is traditionally one of the most attended days of the fair.
N.C. State Fair Details
Fair Dates: Thursday, October 13 until Sunday, October 23
Fair Location: The N.C. State Fairgrounds is located at 4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
Fair Hours: On Thursday October 13, the gates open at noon and the Midway rides open at 1 pm. Gates open each day starting Friday, October 14 at 9 am and the Midway rides open at 10 am.
See the fair website for details on ticket booth hours and closing times for each day.
Discounted Admission and Free Days
* Kids 5 and younger: FREE every day
* Seniors 65 and older: $5 every day (Free admission on Oct. 18. See details below)
* Group discount for 40 or more adults: $8 each available online from Aug. 15-Oct. 13 or at Walk-Up Raleigh locations from Sept. 29 - Oct. 13
* Group discount for 40 or more youth: $4 each available online from Aug. 15-Oct. 13 or at Walk-Up Raleigh locations from Sept. 29 - Oct. 13
* Military Discount: Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay $8 at the gate with proper identification presented at the ticket window. Veterans also get the $8 discounted price plus one discounted ticket for a guest or dependent, for a total of two tickets at the reduced rate with proper identification. Military tickets are only available at the gate.
See the fair website for a list of acceptable ID's.Free Weekday Lunch Pass Admission
"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 $10 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 $10 cash refund.
If you leave later than 1:30 p.m., then you forfeit your $10. The card is good only on the day purchased. This program is only for adult admission, no food is included."
Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day
Bring 6 cans of food to the N.C. State Fair gates on Thursday, Oct. 20, and you will receive one free admission ticket!
The donated food will go to the
The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. They will distribute the cans to those in need in a 34 county area surrounding Raleigh. Since 1993, over 5.8 million pounds of food have been donated by fairgoers. This is a fantastic way to get a super discount on fair admission AND help your neighbors in need.
Advance Sale Admission and Ride Ticket Discounts
Ride Ticket Sheets
Advance Sale: August 15-October 13: $10 for a sheet of 18 ride tickets. (Most rides require 5-6 tickets each)
At the Fair or Online: October 14-October 23: $1 per ticket at carnival ticket booths or $18 for a sheet of 18 tickets online
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Ride Wristbands
Advance Sale: August 15-October 13: $30 per wristband
At the Fair or Online: October 14-October 23: $40 per wristband
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Additional Ride Discounts
There are additional advance sale ticket discounts for the State Fair Flyer Chair Lift ($5 one-way or $8 round-trip) and the State Fair SkyGazer 155' Ferris Wheel ($6)
on the fair website..
Dizzy Pass: For $38, get 1 FastTrack Gate Admission Ticket and 1 Unlimited Ride Wristband. It is available for Advance Sale Only from August 15-October 13 and must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13.
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Additional advance purchase package deals: Kegs & Corks Pass ($17), State Fair Flyer Package ($32) and State Fair SkyGazer Package ($14). See the details
on the fair website. Special Discount and Event Days
NC State students discount: On October 13, NC State students who come to the fair before Primetime with the Pack get $8 admission with your NC State student id
Senior Citizen's Day: On Tuesday, Oct. 18, Seniors who are ages 65+ will get free admission to the Fair. Plus, beginning at 9 a.m., they can also enjoy free Bojangles' biscuits and coffee on the Dorton Patio near the Waterfall. There will be a Senior Fun Fest presented by Humana with Commissioner Steve Troxler and music at 10 a.m.
Military Appreciation Day: On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Military Appreciation Day takes place with a Tractor Parade at 10 a.m, an appreciation program, the 440th Army Band and more. See the schedule of events
on the fair website. Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day Free Ticket Day: Bring 6 cans of food to the N.C. State Fair gates on Thursday, Oct. 20, and you will receive one free admission ticket! The donated food will go to the
The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. They will distribute the cans to those in need in a 34 county area surrounding Raleigh.
N.C. State Fair accessABILITY Day presented by Bandwidth: On Sunday, October 16, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. , rides and games will open at 10 a.m. and will operate with no lights or music playing. In addition, vendors will operate with no lights or music at their booths, music stages will only play acoustic sets with light amplification and the public address system will only be used for lost visitor announcements,
according to the fair website. Free Parking Options
Free parking at the fair: Free parking is available on State Fair, Carter-Finley Football Stadium and PNC Arena properties, according to the
fair website. Park & Ride: There are two Park & Ride options this year including free off-site parking at the corner of Edwards Mill and Reedy Creek and free off-site parking off Hwy 54/Chapel Hill Road. Free shuttles are offered from both lots to the fair. See all the details regarding these options
on the fair website. Free Attractions and Entertainment
See
additional details including the new Clear Bag policy, the schedule of WRAL talent at the WRAL tent, new foods and more
HERE..
