✔ Verified on Oct 18, 2026Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture, State Fair horse show schedule (official)Confidence: High — confirmed on the official source
Free horse shows at the NC State Fair (through Oct 25)
Every day of the fair's last week, the Hunt Horse Complex runs horse shows you can watch at no extra charge: miniature horses and barrel racing (Oct 18), mounted shooters, driving and draft horses (Oct 19-20), mules and donkeys (Oct 21), Non-Trotters and the Extreme Trail course (Oct 22-23) and the Open Horse Show (Oct 23-25). Pair it with a free-admission day: seniors 65+ on Oct 20, military on Oct 21, or six cans of food on Oct 22.
- When
- Sun Oct 18 – Sun Oct 25 · Most shows start 9-10 a.m.; see the daily schedule
- Where
- Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, NC State Fairgrounds
- Address
- 4601 Trinity Road, Raleigh, NC 27607
- Area
- Raleigh
- Cost
- Free with fair admission
- Fine print
- Fair gate admission applies; kids 5 and under are always free. The Miniature Horse Pull (Oct 24, 7 p.m.) is a separate $10 ticket. Leaving through Gate 8? Get a hand stamp for same-day re-entry. The fair's FAQ says its horse and livestock shows are free for spectators.
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