Mark your calendar! The North Carolina State Fair will take place October 14th to 24th, 2021. Tickets are on sale now and we’ve put together a list of how to save money at the N.C. State Fair.
Some announcements have been made on North Carolina State Fair’s Facebook page, which is a very good place to find updates. Please read about these changes, and then scroll down for a list of ways to get discounted (or free!) tickets.
Got To Be NC Pavilion
There’s a brand new Got To Be NC Pavilion in Dorton Arena. This provides much, much more space for the Got To Be NC producers. Look for cooking demonstrations, farmer spotlights, pop-up competitions and much more.
Folk Festival
The Folk Festival has moved to Heritage Circle. It will be in a tented area net to the Heritage Circle Church. This is where the dance and music competitions will take place.
Homegrown Music Fest
This year the nightly concerts will take place at the outdoor Waterfall and Bluegrass stages, rather than Dorton Arena. Here’s the lineup for the Homegrown Music Fest, subject to change. This lineup was announced on Facebook. You can find the schedule here.
Thursday, October 14th
- The Pseudo Cowboys
- Cassette Rewind
- Hank and Pattie Duo
Friday, October 15th
- Keyse
- Driskill
- Luxe Posh
- Joe Hott
Saturday, October 16th
- Steve Hartseo and the Beacon Souls
- Ashley Larue Band
- Shame
- Corey Hunt and the Wise
- Carolina Line Bluegrass Band
Sunday, October 17th
- Elle Stephens
- Steel County Express
- Ather Realm
- Africa Unplugged
- The Nomads and Friends
Monday, October 18th
- David Menconi
- Kate Rhudy
- Alex Lawhon & Sam Clowney
- Wes Collins Trio
- Jon Shain & FJ Ventre
Tuesday, October 19th
- Carolina Soul Band
- Maj Deeka
- XOXOK
- Into the Fog
Wednesday, October 20th
- 440th Army Band
- Grassstreet
Thursday, October 21st
- In the Name of Love
- The Sunday Special
- 2DIGH4
- A Deeper Shade of Blue
Friday, October 22nd
- Caroline Keller Band
- For Good Measure
- Stellar Circuits
- Throwback Collaboration Band
- Megan Doss
Saturday, October 23rd
- Crucial Fiya
- Brooke McBride
- Dotwav Media
- Collapsis
- Gap Civil
Sunday, October 24th
- Sydney Rose
- Jack Marion & the Pearl Snap Prophets
- Xtra Infinit Sounds
- The Tan and Sober Gentlemen
- The Couldn’t Be Happiers
Free Entertainment
More info on each of these shows here.
- Bandaloni — one man musical act
- Casey’s Clubhouse
- Cast in Bronze
- Circle “C” Racing Pigs
- Fire safety Show
- Flippin’ Aerial & Acrobatic Spectacular
- Giraffe and her Zookeeper
- Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show
- Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Boom Run
- Parrot Riding Pirate
- Stilt Circus
- Street Drum Corps
Discounts at N.C. State Fair
Visit the N.C. State Fair ticket page for more details about each of these discounts, and any updates. Please note that the online prices include tax, but not fees. The prices should still be better than gate prices.
Regular admission to the N.C. State Fair
Advance prices:
Available from August 1st to October 14th
- Adult (13-64): $10
- Youth (6-12): $5
- Child (age 5 and under: Free
- Senior adult (65+): $5
- Group adult (40 or more tickets): $8
- Group youth (40 or more tickets): $4
Gate prices:
- Adult (13-64): $13
- Military adult: $8 (available only at the gate)
- Youth (6-12): $7
- Child (age 5 and under): Free
- Senior adult (65+): $5
Save on ride tickets
If you buy ride tickets at the fair or online during the dates the Fair is going on, ride tickets are $1 each. Most rides require 5 or 6 tickets. But from August 1st to October 14th, you can get 18 ride tickets for $10.
Ride wristbands are good for one day, and will cost $40 per wristband October 14th to 24th, but are only $30 August 1st to October 14th.
The State Fair Flyer (Chair Lift) is $6 one-way or $9 round trip October 15th to 24th. Save a dollar if you buy the ticket August 1st to October 14th.
The State Fair SkyGazer (155-foot ferris wheel) is $7 October 15th to 24th, and you save a dollar if you buy a ticket from August 1st to October 14th.
Dizzy Pass
This deal is available for advance sale only, from August 1st to October 14th. For $38 you can get one FastTrack Gate Admission ticket and one unlimited ride wristband. This saves a couple dollars on the cost of the advance ticket and the ride wristband.
Kegs, Corks & Pop Pass
This package, which is available only in advance, from August 1st to October 14th, combines admission to the Fair with admission to the Our State Public House.
Option 1 – $17
- 1 FastTrack Gate Admission Ticket
- 1 Our State Public House Admission ticket with your choice of two 8oz. N.C. craft beer samples or two 3oz. N.C. wine samples.
Option 2 – $12
- 1 FastTrack Gate Admission Ticket
- 1 Our State Public House Admission ticket with your choice of one craft soda.
State Fair Flyer Package
Advance sale only. For $32 get 2 Fast Track Gate Admission tickets and 2 Round Trip State Fair Flyer tickets. This saves $4 on the total price of each item purchased separately in advance.
State Fair SkyGazer Package
Available in advance only. For $14 get one Fast Track Gate Admission ticket and one State Fair SkyGazer ticket. This saves you $2 on the total price of each item purchased separately in advance.
Tools for Schools Program
This isn’t a discount, but if you enter a school code when you purchase an adult Fast Track Gate Admission ticket in advance the N.C. State Fair will donate $2 to the school. $1 for child tickets.
Military Discount
Active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, National Guardsmen and their dependents (ages 13-64) pay only $8 daily at the gate. That’s a 38% discount! Proper identification (outlined below) must be presented at the ticket window to receive this discount. One valid identification is required per discounted ticket.
Additionally, veterans are offered the same discount for themselves, plus one discounted ticket for a guest or dependent, for a total of two tickets at the reduced rate. Proper identification (outlined below) must be presented at the ticket window to receive this discount.
This offer is available in advance of the Fair at the retail locations at Gate 9 at the State Fairgrounds, The N.C. Museum of History and the State Farmers’ Market. You must present proper identification at the ticket window to receive this discount. A valid identification must be presented for each discounted ticket. This offer is NOT available online or at Food Lion.
Identification accepted for discount:
- Valid Uniformed Services ID
- Valid Common Access Card (CAC)
- Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with Veteran Designation
- Valid Veteran’s Affairs Health Identification Card
Photocopy of valid DD-214 Form - Photocopy of valid NGB-22 Form
Friday Frenzy
On Friday, October 15th, pay $8 at the gate when you show your school identification or 2020/2021 report card at the ticket booth. One ticket may be purchased per student ID at the reduced price.
Smithfield Hunger Relief Day
On Thursday, October 21st, bring in 6 cans of food and get in for free. The food will be donated to Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and its partners.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Triangle on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and it's also possible that we can make a mistake. In addition, we can not guarantee that all events adhere to the safety measures that are necessary at this time, so we encourage you to ask any questions of the organizer, to make your best decision, and to stay safe.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
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