Free NC State Fair admission for seniors 65+
Free (65+). Other days seniors pay $5.
Tue Oct 20 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture (official)
Discounts & Free Admission in Raleigh
Free and discounted admission days, including NC State Fair specials. 5 live listings, each verified against its source.
Free State Fair entry for 6 cans of food
Free with 6 nonperishable food items
Thu Oct 22 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds (any gate) — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: NC State Fair (official)
State Fair weekday lunch pass (admission refunded)
Free admission (refundable $20 cash deposit)
Mon Oct 19 – Fri Oct 23 · Weekdays during the fair (Oct 19-23) · Enter after 11:30 a.m.; return card by 1:30 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds, Gate 1 or Gate 9 only — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: NC State Fair (official)
Free State Fair admission on Military Appreciation Day
Free with qualifying military ID (+3 guests)
Wed Oct 21 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture (official)
Free food-scrap composting drop-off at Wake farmers markets
Free
During market hours (Midtown: Saturdays 8 a.m.-noon through Oct 31) · Market hours
Midtown, Western Wake, Apex and Holly Springs farmers markets — Wake County
✔ Verified Oct 17, 2026 · Source: Wake County Government (official)
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