Kids 5 and under free at the NC State Fair
Free (5 and under)
Thu Oct 15 – Sun Oct 25 · Daily; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.
NC State Fairgrounds — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Source: NC State Fair (official)
NC State Fair free admission & discount days (2026)
The 2026 fair runs Oct 15–25 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh
Last updated · 8 verified listings · every one links to its source
The 2026 NC State Fair runs Oct 15–25 in Raleigh. Here's every free-admission and discount day we confirmed on the fair's own pages, with the catch for each. Rides, games and food cost extra on every day, free or not. Below the table: free horse shows you can watch once you're inside.
| When | Deal | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Thu Oct 15 – Sun Oct 25 · Daily; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m. | Kids 5 and under free at the NC State Fair | Free (5 and under) |
| 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. | State Fair weekday lunch pass (admission refunded) | Free admission (refundable $20 cash deposit) |
| Tue Oct 20 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m. | Free NC State Fair admission for seniors 65+ | Free (65+). Other days seniors pay $5. |
| Wed Oct 21 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m. | Free State Fair admission on Military Appreciation Day | Free with qualifying military ID (+3 guests) |
| Thu Oct 22 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m. | Free State Fair entry for 6 cans of food | Free with 6 nonperishable food items |
Free admission & discount days (5)
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 18, 2026 · Source: NC State Fair (official)
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 18, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture (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 18, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture (official)
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 18, 2026 · Source: NC State Fair (official)
Free with admission: horse shows (3)
Free horse shows at the NC State Fair (through Oct 25)
Free with fair admission
Sun Oct 18 – Sun Oct 25 · Most shows start 9-10 a.m.; see the daily schedule
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, NC State Fairgrounds — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture, State Fair horse show schedule (official)
Mules & Donkeys Show at the State Fair (free on Military Day)
Free with fair admission
Wed Oct 21 · Starts 9 a.m.
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, NC State Fairgrounds (Main Arena) — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture, State Fair horse show schedule (official)
Extreme Trail horse course at the State Fair (free with 6 cans)
Free with fair admission
Thu Oct 22 · Extreme Trail 10 a.m.; Non-Trotters 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Horse Complex, NC State Fairgrounds (Youth Center Ring) — Raleigh
✔ Verified Oct 18, 2026 · Source: NC Dept. of Agriculture, State Fair horse show schedule (official)
More horse events (including the ticketed rodeos) are in our horse shows & rodeos guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free can day at the NC State Fair?
Yes. Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day: bring six nonperishable food items to any gate for one free admission (18 items = 3 tickets). Donations go to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC. (Thu Oct 22 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.) Most-needed: peanut butter (plastic jars), pop-top canned proteins, canned fruit/veg, ready-to-heat meals, boxed protein bars.
Do seniors get into the NC State Fair free?
Free (65+). Other days seniors pay $5. (Tue Oct 20 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.) Bring ID showing age.
Is the State Fair free for military?
Free with qualifying military ID (+3 guests) (Wed Oct 21 · Gates 9 a.m.; ticket booths close 9:45 p.m.) Qualifying ID required; see NCDA for eligible IDs.
What is the State Fair free lunch admission?
Pay a $20 cash deposit at Gate 9 (Trinity Rd) or Gate 1 (Hillsborough St) after 11:30 a.m. on weekdays, eat lunch at the fair, return the card by 1:30 p.m. for a full refund. Adults only, cash only, same gate, same day. Leave after 1:30 p.m. and you forfeit the $20. Food not included.
Are kids free at the NC State Fair?
Free (5 and under), every day of the fair. Rides and food cost extra.
How we verify: we read each offer on the business, museum or organizer's own website (or an official post) and record the date. Offers change, so please confirm before you go. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
More Raleigh guides
Free things to do · Free events · Free this weekend · Free museums · Birthday freebies · Kids eat free · Happy hours · Halloween 2026 · Horse shows & rodeos · Veterans Day 2026 · All listings
Get the weekly freebies email
The best verified freebies and deals in Raleigh, in your inbox once a week. Free, no spam.
We only email weekly deals, you can unsubscribe anytime, and we never sell your email. Privacy