Updates

2024 Minnesota State Fair Updates

All information is subject to change.

Sept. 3, 2024: The 2024 Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 22 to Sept. 2) brought people together from across the state of Minnesota to celebrate. This year’s cumulative total attendance total was 1,925,904, making it the fifth best-attended fair ever!

“It’s been a phenomenal year for the Minnesota State Fair, filled with unforgettable moments and fun for everyone. This year’s fair also had its share of Minnesota weather, and the State Fair team responded by pulling together to keep people safe and to take care of the fairgrounds amidst episodes of extreme heat and humidity, rainstorms and high winds. The Great Minnesota Get-Together is truly a special event where we can celebrate all that is great about Minnesota and each other. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the fair Aug. 21 through Labor Day, Sept. 1, 2025.” – Minnesota State Fair CEO, Renee Alexander

Learn more about this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Aug. 29, 2024:

6:20 p.m. Doors to Grandstand concert venue for tonight’s Mötley Crüe will open at 6:30 p.m. Concert will go on as scheduled at 7 p.m.

5:35 p.m. Due to lightning in the area, we are delaying opening the doors to the Grandstand concert venue until further notice. Tonight’s concert will still go on as planned; a time has not been determined. Updates regarding doors opening and concert time will be posted here and on the State Fair’s social media.

5:20 p.m. Severe weather threat has passed, guests no longer need to shelter-in-place. Admission gates have now re-opened. Mighty Midway, Kidway, Adventure Park and other attractions are temporarily closed until further notice.

4:45 p.m. Admission gates are temporarily closed. We advise all guests, vendors and staff to please seek shelter immediately.

4 p.m. Severe weather will be at the fairgrounds at approximately 4:30 p.m. Heavy rain, lightning, hail and high winds of 50-60+ mph are possible. Please be prepared to seek shelter. Additional updates will be posted here once available. For a list of severe weather shelters, please use our map.

Aug. 27, 2024:

10 a.m. Mighty Midway will open at 10:30 a.m. Kidway and Adventure Park are now open.

9:30 a.m. Mighty Midway, Kidway and Adventure Park remain closed until further notice.

9:15 a.m. Minnesota State Fair Park & Ride lots and Metro Transit, MVTA and SouthWest Transit Express Buses have resumed regularly scheduled service.

9:10 a.m. On-site free stage entertainment will continue as scheduled with the exception of the Veteran’s Garden Ceremony which has been rescheduled from 9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.

8:40 a.m. The State Fair will open at 9 a.m. On-site parking lots are now open. Opening may be delayed for some vendors and attractions. Park & Ride lots remain closed until further notice. Additional updates will be posted here once available.

7:15 a.m. Fairgrounds, including parking lots, are closed until further notice for damage assessment and debris cleanup. We ask the public to not come to the fairgrounds. We do not have an anticipated opening time. We’ll update this page as information becomes available.

6:15 a.m. Due to heavy winds and rain, fairgrounds opening will be delayed to allow for damage assessment and debris cleanup. Vendors and staff may enter, but no public at this time. More info to come.

Aug. 26, 2024:

8:30 p.m. Due to tonight’s storm, the Happy Together Tour 2024 Grandstand concert has been canceled. Ticket buyers will receive an email from Etix with refund information; those who paid cash should contact the State Fair Ticket Office (651-288-4427) after Sept. 3. All Mighty Midway, Kidway rides & games, Adventure Park and ticketed attractions are closed for the remainder of tonight. All free stage entertainment has been canceled. No ticket sales and admission to the fairgrounds, but fairgrounds will stay open until 11 p.m. and some vendors will remain open.

7:10 p.m. Severe weather is approaching the fairgrounds, we advise fair guests to seek shelter. Rides, attractions and some vendors are temporarily closing. View severe weather shelters on our map.

6 p.m. Due to inclement weather approaching the area, we are delaying opening the doors to the Grandstand concert venue for tonight’s Happy Together Tour 2024 concert. More information will be posted here and on State Fair social media once available.

Aug. 23, 2024: Minnesota State Fair experienced localized power outage at 4:19 p.m. Xcel Energy responded and power was fully restored at 5:39 p.m. In addition to booths in the area south of the Grandstand, several attractions and vendors along Judson Avenue, Liggett and Underwood streets were impacted. Normal operations have resumed.

Aug. 22, 2024: Planning your trip to the fair? Follow along with our parking updates page for the next 12 days for the latest information.

Aug. 20, 2024: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in working with the Minnesota State Fair has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) commonly called Drones related to flights around the Minnesota State Fairgrounds from August 22, 2024 to September 2,  2024. The TFR restricts flights of UAS / Drones from the Surface up to 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) for a 1 mile radius around the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.  The full TFR can be read on the FAA TFR website: 4/1338 NOTAM Details (faa.gov)

Federal Law Enforcement along with Local Law Enforcement may conduct investigations into UAS flights that are in violation of the TFR.  The Minnesota State Fair and local law enforcement officials are recommending Drone Pilots fully read and understand the TFR.  The TFR has been enacted for the safety of the guests of the Minnesota State Fair. Any questions about the TFR should be directed to the FAA or the Special Operations Security Center as outlined in the Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM).

July 26, 2024: Impact of the H5N1 virus on the 2024 Minnesota State Fair

For the past several months, the Minnesota State Fair has been monitoring the H5N1 situation and has been in constant communication with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

At this time, the H5N1 recommendations and protocols from the Board of Animal Health (effective June 18, 2024) apply to lactating (currently producing milk) dairy cattle. This means that much of the State Fair’s immense array of livestock shows and exhibitions will continue as usual; however, some changes will be implemented to protect our state’s livestock and minimize the potential spread of the H5N1 virus. Here is what guests and exhibitors can expect this year. Read more.

July 22, 2024: There are many low-cost and free options for getting to the 2024 Minnesota State Fair. Plan your route now with Express Buses, free Park & Ride, free bike lots and more.

July 9, 2024: Our 2024 Official New Foods have been announced! We’re ecstatic to share 33 Official New Foods and six new vendors joining us at the 2024 Great Minnesota Get-Together. View the full list.

June 25, 2024: Our full 2024 Grandstand Concert Series lineup, proudly sponsored by Sleep Number, is here! View the exciting acts coming to this year’s State Fair by viewing our Grandstand Stage Lineup page.

May 14, 2024: Our Free Stage Entertainment lineup for 2024 has been announced! To view the 900 shows and 100+ acts appearing at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, all free with the price of fair admission, visit our Free Live Music & Shows.

February 15, 2024: Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum Roof Replacement Work to Begin April 2025. Read more.

January 16, 2024: The Minnesota State Fair Foundation has announced changes to their bench & table program. Learn more.

November 27, 2023: Tickets for the 2024 Minnesota State Fair are on sale now for the pre-fair discount price of $15! Get yours on our admission tickets page.

Need More Information?

If your questions haven’t been answered here, check out our Frequently Asked Questions pages or visit our Contact Us page.

All information subject to change.