Aug. 21 – Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025
273 Days 4 Hours 11 Mins
Most vendors are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but some open at 7 a.m. when the fairgrounds open, and some will stay open until the fairgrounds close. Many vendors’ hours of operation are listed in the Fair Finder. To find vendors open before 9 a.m., use the “Open Early” filter under “Category.”
Cheers! Alcohol sales during the fair are 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. on Labor Day), except Sundays when sales begin at 10 a.m.
The Minnesota State Fair’s group of independent concessionaires and restaurant operators work hard each year to help fair guests with food allergies. Most of the food vendors, although not a requirement, will post allergy warnings, particularly those pertaining to nut issues, but we encourage fair guests to inquire about specific concerns with each vendor.
Consider visiting the Health Fair 11 exhibit at the fair, which offers free or low-cost health screenings, as well as information to help visitors navigate and safely enjoy the fair. Pick up a list of gluten-free fair food options produced by Twin Cities ROCK, also found here once available.
Use the State Fair Finder to check out the complete menus of the nearly 300 food vendors at the fair. Use keywords such as “gluten” or “dairy” to learn about the different options.
Certainly. Fair guests are welcome to bring outside food and drinks. However, no alcoholic beverages may be brought into the fair. Coolers are permitted, but will be searched at entrances. Coolers are not permitted in the Grandstand concert venue.
Some food vendors accept credit cards, but we do recommend bringing cash, as not all vendors do. We do not maintain a list of all vendors who accept credit cards, but in the Fair Finder, we do list those we are aware of; to find them, type “credit card” in the keywords filter.
Twin Cities ROCK, an independent nonprofit organization, compiles a list of gluten-free fair food options based on a questionnaire sent to food and beverage vendors. You can pick up a list at Health Fair 11 on Cooper Street, any information booth, or check it out here once available.
Use the State Fair Finder to check out the complete menus of the nearly 300 food vendors at the fair. Use the keyword “gluten” to learn about the different options.
We do not maintain a list of specifically vegetarian or vegan foods; you can, however, find concessionaires who sell specific foods at the State Fair by using the Fair Finder.
In the Fair Finder, type “vegan” or “vegetarian” in the keywords filter to see which vendors have indicated that they offer vegan or vegetarian food or beverage items. Note: This database is not comprehensive; there may be other vendors who offer vegan or vegetarian options. We definitely encourage all State Fair guests to talk to the vendors, as they are the most knowledgeable about their food.
We have quite the list of tasty Official New Foods! You can also utilize the Fair Finder and use the “New Food/Flavor” or “New Concessionaire” filters under “Category.” Or pick up a brochure at an information booth to make sure you don’t miss anything!
When you get to the fair, stop by an information booth to learn about all of the places to find water on the grounds, including drinking fountains, water bottle-filling stations, a list of vendors handing out free water and more.
