The 122nd Annual Florida State Fair returns this week from Thursday, February 5-Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Florida State Fairgrounds with more than a CENTURY of building family traditions in Tampa Bay! A century, y’all! We’re talking about GENERATIONS of families who have experienced the Fair with their kids.

And this year, the Fair is celebrating the theme “America's Sunniest Celebration” in honor of America's 250th birthday. The Fair has several themed events as part of the year-long America250 celebrations across the country, which are aiming to connect families like yours with this historic moment.

If you’re new to town or have simply never been, this is the year you’ll want to go. If you’ve been, come back! Sure, there are the things you’d expect at a state fair, like farm animals and deep-fried everything, but it’s so much more than that.

It truly is a family-friendly event, and this year, they’ve got even more FUN in store for you and the kids! There is even an area dedicated just for the little ones with rides and activities just for them.

Fun Fact: Did you know the Florida State Fair and what was the Gasparilla Carnival were celebrated together from 1915-1975 before the Fair moved from downtown Tampa to its current location at the Florida State Fairgrounds? You can read more about the history of the Florida State Fair here.

How to get tickets to the Florida State Fair

First, we need to go over the big details like….tickets! You can't go without them. You can purchase in advance to save and skip the lines at the gate.

Advance Sale ticket prices:

Adult Tickets: $11.75
Kids Tickets (ages 6-11): $7.50
Senior Tickets (ages 55+): $9.75
Anyday Midway Ride Armband: $37.50
Anyday Midway Ride Armband + Fast Pass: $64.50

Monday-Thursday gate ticket prices:

Adult Tickets: $12
Kids Tickets (ages 6-11): $7
Midway Ride Armband: $35

Friday-Sunday and President's Day gate ticket prices:

Adult Tickets: $16
Kids Tickets (ages 6-11): $11
Midway Ride Armband: $45

*Armband sales do not include admission tickets, so you'll need to get those too. Purchase advance sale tickets and armbands here for discounts. You can also purchase Fair tickets at participating Walgreens locations in Tampa Bay at advance ticket prices.

A few more things to know before you head to the Florida State Fair

In addition to buying your tickets and armbands in advance, we also recommend you bring cash to have on hand for experiences like the games and petting zoo. The kids will be begging to feed the animals!

Keep in mind that there is a Youth Admission Policy this year that requires all youth 17 and younger to be accompanied by an adult ages 21 and older after 6 pm.

Florida State Fair Discount Days

There are several ways to take advantage of discount tickets to the Florida State Fair, including a Family Day and Kids' Day! Here's a complete list of days to save:

Heroes’ Day, Thursday, Feb. 5: Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, military, and veterans with a valid ID.
$5 Freedom Friday, Friday, Feb. 6: $5 admission and $5 parking after 5 p.m.
Youth in Ag Day, Saturday, Feb. 7: Free admission for FFA, YLPA, and 4-H members
BOGO Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8: Free admission for law enforcement, first responders, active or retired military, medical personnel (NEW), teachers (NEW), and Girl Scouts in uniform. ALSO NEW: Buy One Get One admission and Buy One Get One ride armband after 3 p.m.
Feeding Tampa Bay Day, Sunday, Feb. 8: $1.00 from every ticket redeemed will be donated to Feeding Tampa Bay
Hospitality & Service Industry Day, Monday, Feb. 9: $5 admission all day for service and hospitality staff with employer ID. NEW: $5 admission all day for college students with a college ID.
One Great Price, Tuesday, Feb. 10: $25 admission + unlimited rides (select specialty rides excluded)
Senior Day, Wednesday, Feb. 11: $5 admission for seniors ages 65+. Admission for seniors 55+ is $11 any weekday during the Fair.
$3 Thursday, Feb. 12. $3 admission and select rides, games, and food items after 3 p.m.
Family Day, Friday, Feb. 13: Free admission for kids 17 and younger with a paid adult until 5 p.m.
Youth in Ag Day, Saturday, Feb. 14: Free admission for FFA, YLPA, and 4-H members
Salute to America, Monday, Feb. 16: Persons 17 years of age or younger will receive free admission to the Florida State Fair until 5:00 p.m. with an admission-paying parent or guardian, 21 years of age or older with a valid ID, for entry to the Florida State Fair.. NEW: Free admission for active or retired military with a valid military ID.

NEW: Exceptional Citizens Morning: Monday, Feb. 9 from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Free admission for the exceptional citizen plus one accompanying paid guest.
Designed for guests with lifelong developmental, physical, and sensory disabilities.
Sensory-friendly adjustments (lower sound and lighting).
Midway opens at 1 p.m.

What's NEW at the 2026 Florida State Fair?

The Florida State Fair has several new experiences and treats for you! But first…the Florida State Fair app has a whole new look as part of this year's America250 “America's Sunniest Celebration” theme. This is a must to help you navigate your way around the fairgrounds to find your favorite shows, food stands, and more! You can download it in the App Store or Google Play!

There are also 27 NEW food items this year, like these unique treats we have our eyes on!

NEW – America's Birthday Cake Iced Tea from Tiki Tea
NEW – Star-Spangled Cookie Sundae from Sweet Mama's GF Treats
NEW – Peanut Butter Fluff Quesadilla from Mexican Grill
NEW – Cookie Butter Frozen Cheesecake from Polar Bear Concessions
Explore the full list of new food at the Fair in 2026 here.

The music lineup is jam-packed with all-new acts, including:

Where to park at the Florida State Fair

Parking is free for Florida State Fair guests. You will want to plan for some traffic as you head toward the Florida State Fairgrounds, which is located at 301 US Hwy 301 North. There are three entrances to enter the parking lots: Orient Road, Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and US 301.

Pro tip: Snap a photo of which parking lot you parked in because who wants to wander through a parking lot for hours searching for their car??

Here are our 10 favorite things to do with the kids at the Florida State Fair:

Rides at the Florida State Fair — There are rides for all ages at the Florida State Fair!

2. Meet the animals at The Great American Petting Zoo

There are so many animal encounters at the Florida State Fair, but these are probably our favorites:

- Great American Petting Zoo: Head over to the Ag Hall of Fame, where you can feed goats, sheep, and even a hog!
- Menagerie: Meet friendly animals up close! Feed goats, sheep, llamas, and more for a fun, hands-on experience.

3. Play like a farmer in the Little Farm Hands exhibit

This is an indoor exhibit at the Ag Hall of Fame designed for kids ages 2-7 years old which we LOVE as a way to seek some shade, but the kids might love it even more!

This is where they can get hands-on with fun farm activities like building a scarecrow, picking up animal poo (fake, of course), lassoing a steer, saddling a pony, and more! There are even pedal cars here.

4. Experience More Unique Animal Encounters and Shows!

We love the fun animal-themed entertainment like Hollywood Racing Pigs, also have several performances each day and are an absolute must-see!

The Mooternity Ward is a favorite where you can meet a brand new to the world calf. Last year, two were born on opening day by noon!

The Live Carousel with purebred Welsh ponies and Camel Rides will be lifelong memory makers for sure! Be sure to stop by the Salute to Ag space, which features cows, chickens, goats, and more. Kids can even step inside the Milking Parlor in TECO Arena to learn where their milk comes from.

5. Experience the Exhibits.

Kids can learn all about where their food comes from in the Ag-Venture exhibit, step inside the 500-year-old tradition of Florida cattle ranching in the Forestry & Cattle Ranching exhibit, tour the Florida Learning Garden, and see creepy crawly bugs at Insect Encounter in the red barn.

Cracker Country is open daily during the Florida State Fair and is included with Fair admission. It’s a chance to step back into Florida’s pioneer days and tour actual historic homes and buildings from throughout the state.

We also love walking through the creative living exhibits where you can see the art shows, baking and crafting demonstrations and competitions, plant shows, and more!

6. Visit the Stars and Suds Foam Party

Kids love bubbles, and the Foam Zone near the Welcome Center allows them to immerse themselves in quick-drying foam!

7. Enjoy the Fireworks.

Fireworks will illuminate the sky over the Florida State Fairgrounds after sundown on select nights:

Star-Spangled Fireworks Spectacular: Feb 6, 7, 14, 15, and 16 at 8:30 pm: Spectacular America250-inspired fireworks burst over the fairgrounds, an unforgettable finale for all ages!
Spirit in the Sky Drone Show: Feb 15, 15 and 16 at 8 p 500 drones bring history to life in a narrated show by Sky Elements, honoring America’s 250-year journey.

8. Meet a local farmer and say Thank You!

Thank a Farmer is a unique opportunity for kids to meet local farmers and learn more about what they do. A local farmer will be available daily in the Ag Hall of Fame. You can also write postcards to local farmers and see exhibits of every trade.

9. Enjoy thrilling shows and live musical performances!

Circus Hollywood returns along with Demolition Derby, Wall of Death, and MORE!

10. Experience the Fair FOOD!

Last but not least…the Florida State Fair is where you find the most unique fair food, and this year, there is a whole new menu to try!

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Our Favorite Things to Do with the Kids at the Florida State Fair!