The Wisconsin State Fair celebrates a major milestone in 2026: 175 years of cream puffs, agriculture, midway thrills, live music, and wonderfully unconventional food!
The 2026 Wisconsin State Fair runs Thursday, August 6th through Sunday, August 16th at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Across its 11-day run, the Fair will bring together thousands of animals, more than 80 new foods and beverages, dozens of rides, free entertainment stages and nationally touring performers.
This year’s biggest additions include the towering America 250 Wheel, two notable SpinCity rides, four new food and beverage vendors, anniversary exhibits, special cream-puff creations and plenty of new contenders in the Sporkies and Drinkies competition.
2026 Wisconsin State Fair at a glance
- Dates: August 6–16, 2026
- Location: Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th Street, West Allis
- Hours: 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday; 10 a.m.–midnight Thursday through Saturday
- Adult admission: $20 at the entrances
- Senior admission: $15 for ages 60 and older
- Military and veterans: $15 with identification
- Youth admission: $13 for ages 6–11
- Children: Free for ages 5 and younger
- Parking: $18 Monday–Thursday and $22 Friday–Sunday
- Official website: WiStateFair.com
Visitors age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian age 21 or older when entering after 5 p.m. A Main Stage concert ticket includes admission to the Fair on the day of the show. See the official Wisconsin State Fair ticket information for advance offers and authorized purchasing options.
Wisconsin State Fair marks its 175th year
Wisconsin’s first State Fair was held along the Rock River in Janesville in 1851. The 2026 Fair celebrates 175 years since that inaugural gathering—and organizers are making the anniversary part of the experience throughout the grounds.
New anniversary features include the Retro Ribbon and Fair Traditions Display inside the Sheep & Goat Barn, showcasing ribbons and stories from generations of exhibitors. The Faces of Farming display, on the south side of the Coliseum, honors farm families and Wisconsin’s agricultural-fair traditions.
A special Wisconsin State Fair Parade returns Tuesday, August 11 at 2:50 p.m. The parade will feature entertainers, mascots, marching bands and Fairest of the Fairs representatives while celebrating both the Fair’s 175th year and America’s 250th anniversary.
Other anniversary additions include a limited Leinenkugel’s Cream Puff Ale, a Fair-aschino Cherry Cream Puff with grenadine, ginger ale and maraschino-cherry flavors, and a limited-edition Wisconsin State Fair 175th Anniversary Cabin Strength Bourbon. Find more additions on the Fair’s official What’s New page.
New rides and towering thrills for 2026
The headline ride of 2026 is impossible to miss.
America 250 Wheel
Making its Midwest debut, the America 250 Wheel is billed as the largest portable observation wheel in the world. It rises 230 feet—75 feet taller than the previous WonderFair Wheel—and provides views extending as far as 14 miles.
Its 45 gondolas each hold up to six passengers, and a full ride lasts approximately 10–12 minutes. Rides cost $7 per person when purchased onsite. The America 250 Wheel is located on Main Street near Entrance C. Learn more about the America 250 Wheel.
Crazy Mouse
The 2026 SpinCity lineup includes the Crazy Mouse, a compact roller coaster with individual cars that spin while traveling through the course. Riders must be at least 45 inches tall; guests must be 55 inches tall to ride alone.
Kraken
For more serious thrill seekers, the Kraken is described as the tallest traveling pendulum ride in the United States. It swings riders as high as 148 feet. Riders must be at least 55 inches tall and no taller than 77 inches.
The Fair’s traditional Giant Slide, SkyGlider, Ejection Seat, Pig Slide and SpinCity rides and games also return. The Pig Slide has moved to a new location on Second Street. See the complete 2026 rides and amusement guide.
2026 Sporkies and Drinkies finalists
The Sporkies and Drinkies competition challenges State Fair vendors to dream up attention-grabbing dishes and beverages that are creative, indulgent and decidedly Instagrammable.
Important update: The 2026 competition will be judged Tuesday, August 4th. Until then, here are the 12 verified finalists.
2026 Sporkies food finalists
Al Pastor Pizza – Charlie’s Pizza: Marinated al pastor pork, mozzarella, pineapple, cilantro, white onion, lime and a special sauce combine for a sweet, savory and zesty pizza.
Bayou Crunch Cup – Exotic Meat Grill: Sidewinder fries are layered with Cajun slaw, alligator nuggets, breaded crawfish, comeback sauce, pickled okra and a whole crawfish.
Birria Flamin’ Bombs – Fiesta Grill & Cantina: Crispy breaded bites filled with slow-cooked beef birria, cilantro, onion and mozzarella, served with birria consommé and chipotle aioli.
Cream City Cone – WürstBar: A buttery pretzel cone dipped in dill-pickle mustard and packed with bratwurst, onions, mushrooms and cheddar, then topped with a breaded white-cheddar cheese curd.
Deep-Fried Horchata Balls – Badger Bites: Cinnamon-sugar dessert bites topped with dulce de leche, chocolate, mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut and fried plantain chips.
Porky Puff – Bud Pavilion: Pulled pork, peach filling and garlic-herb cheese inside a flaky pastry, finished with hot honey and mustard seeds.
Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds – Saz’s BBQ: White-cheddar curds tossed in cinnamon sugar and topped with raspberry sauce, with sweet lemon-zest whipped cream on the side.
Tinga Tango Chicharrones – Blue Moon Tavern at the Park: Honey-habanero pork rinds topped with chicken tinga, pickled onions, queso fresco, cotija cheese, candied jalapeños, cilantro-lime crema and salsa verde.
2026 Drinkies beverage finalists
Color-Changing Swamp Juice – All Things Jerky: Blue-raspberry lemonade with a Pop Rocks rim, gummy gators, candy frogs and a “swamp potion” that changes the drink’s color.
Cookie Butter Coffee Float – Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts: Vanilla ice cream and cookie-butter iced coffee with Biscoff cookie crumble and cookie-butter drizzle.
Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade – Deep-Fried Mashed Potatoes On-a-Stick: Fresh lemonade sweetened with hot honey, finished with honey popping pearls and garnished with two battered chicken nuggets.
Tilt-a-Spritz – Old Fashioned Sipper Club: Ruby grapefruit, key lime and ginger beer served in a smoke box with hickory smoke and torched rosemary.
Look for the giant 13-foot Golden Spork and Golden Straw statues marking finalist and winning locations. Complete descriptions and eventual results will be posted on the official Sporkies and Drinkies page.
More than 80 new Wisconsin State Fair foods
The Sporkies and Drinkies finalists are only part of this year’s food story. More than 80 new dishes and beverages are expected throughout the grounds.
Among the additions are Deep-Fried Ranch, Deep-Fried Top the Tater, a cranberry-blueberry Freedom Brat, Soft Serve Beer made with New Glarus Raspberry Tart, Egg Roll A-La-Mode, Sweet Lemon Berry Cheese Curds and the Fair-aschino Cherry Cream Puff.
Four food and beverage vendors are making their State Fair debuts:
- All Family Concessions, located in the Back Forty, serving Deep-Fried Ranch and Deep-Fried Top the Tater.
- Dale Z’s On Tour, located at Grandstand Avenue and Second Street.
- Lulu Tanghulu, inside the Exposition Center, serving fresh fruit covered in a crisp candy coating.
- Yuengling Beer House, located on Central Avenue at Benno’s Micro Alley, with beer, burgers, hot dogs and Wisconsin bratwurst on pretzel buns.
The official Fair food guide includes the complete collection of 2026 new foods and new food and beverage vendors.
2026 Bank Five Nine Main Stage lineup
The Bank Five Nine Main Stage is located inside the historic Milwaukee Mile. All listed shows except the canceled August 16 performance begin at 7:30 p.m. Each concert ticket includes State Fair admission for that day.
- Thursday, August 6: Hairball
- Friday, August 7: Nelly
- Saturday, August 8: Bailey Zimmerman with Chandler Walters
- Sunday, August 9: Wynonna Judd and Melissa Etheridge
- Monday, August 10: for KING + COUNTRY with Rachael Lampa
- Tuesday, August 11: The Isley Brothers with The Commodores
- Wednesday, August 12: John Mulaney: Mister Whatever
- Thursday, August 13: The All-American Rejects with Joyce Manor
- Friday, August 14: Lindsey Stirling with PVRIS
- Saturday, August 15: AJR with Em Beihold
- Sunday, August 16: The Beach Boys – CANCELED
Free music at the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater
The Bank Five Nine Amphitheater is the Fair’s largest free entertainment venue. Kids from Wisconsin, Tribute to the Troops and other performers appear during the day, followed by a free evening headliner.
- Thursday, August 6, 8:30 p.m.: Sixteen Candles
- Friday, August 7, 8:30 p.m.: Here Come the Mummies
- Saturday, August 8, 8:30 p.m.: Here Come the Mummies
- Sunday, August 9, 8 p.m.: So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience starring Robert Neary with special guest Claire Sardina
- Monday, August 10, 8 p.m.: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- Tuesday, August 11, 8 p.m.: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- Wednesday, August 12, 8 p.m.: Hairbangers Ball
- Thursday, August 13, 8:30 p.m.: Too Hype Crew
- Friday, August 14, 8:30 p.m.: The Gufs
- Saturday, August 15, 8:30 p.m.: Let’s Sing Taylor: An Unofficial Live Tribute Show
- Sunday, August 16, 5:30 p.m.: Pat McCurdy
See the complete Amphitheater schedule for opening ceremonies, Kids from Wisconsin performances, dance groups, FFA music programs and afternoon entertainers.
Music at the Fair’s bar and vendor stages
The Wisconsin State Fair features dozens of free performances outside its two largest venues. These are some of the notable evening shows at four popular Fair gathering spots.
Bud Pavilion
- August 6: Generation Z at 7:30 p.m.
- August 7 and 8: Bella Cain at 8 p.m.
- August 9: Almighty Vinyl at 6:30 p.m.
- August 10: Bound for Branson at 6:30 p.m.
- August 11: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at 6:30 p.m.
- August 12: Road Crew at 6:30 p.m.
- August 13: The Toys at 7:30 p.m.
- August 14: The Glam Band at 8 p.m.
- August 15: Cherry Pie at 8 p.m.
- August 16: Boo! The Band at 6 p.m.
Saz’s Miller High Life Pavilion
- August 6: The Now at 7 p.m.
- August 7: 33 RPM at 7:30 p.m.
- August 8: Icons of Country at 7:30 p.m.
- August 9: 5 Card Studs at 6 p.m.
- August 10: Hot Sauce at 6 p.m.
- August 11: Hot & Dirty Brass Band at 6 p.m.
- August 12: TallBoy at 6 p.m.
- August 13–15: Bobby Friss
- August 16: Eric Diamond & The Solitary Men featuring Claire Sardina at 4 p.m.
Full Saz’s Miller High Life Pavilion schedule
Blue Moon Tavern at the Park
Featured acts include Road Trip, American Platinum, Metal Men, Naughty Monkey, Whiskey Ditch, Star Six Nine, Johnny Wad, Conscious Pilot and Carbon Road. Johnny Wad performs at 8 p.m. August 13th and 14th, while Metal Men perform at 8 p.m. August 8th and 15th.
Full Blue Moon Tavern schedule
Rock and Roll Beer Garden
The lineup includes Top of the World, Marcell’s Matrix, The First Wave, Dueling Pianos, Redd’s Lineup, Mission Accomplished and Modern Giants. Master of Puppets: A Tribute to Metallica performs Saturday, August 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Full Rock and Roll Beer Garden schedule
Schedules and performers remain subject to change. The Fair’s free live music guide provides links to every participating vendor stage.
More new attractions and special events
In addition to the food, rides and concerts, new and returning highlights include:
- MIAD Rooted in Tradition exhibit: Work by Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design students, August 6–9 in the Exposition Center lobby.
- Sandra Lee appearance: The Wisconsin-raised chef and television personality will host an Old Fashioned-inspired dessert competition Tuesday, August 11 at noon in Grand Champion Hall.
- Wisconsin State Fair Parade: Tuesday, August 11 at 2:50 p.m.
- Cirque at the Fair: Free performances featuring new acts, with optional paid ringside seating.
- Veteran-Owned & Operated recognition: Participating Fair vendors will display special window stickers.
- Crazy Grazin’ Day: Tuesday, August 11, with more than 30 vendors offering smaller portions at reduced prices.
Getting to the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair Park is bordered by 84th Street—Wisconsin Highway 181—on the west and Greenfield Avenue—Wisconsin Highway 59—on the south. I-94 runs just north of the grounds, while I-41/U.S. 45 and Highway 100 provide access from the west.
Drivers should expect possible delays and route changes connected with the I-94 East-West construction project. Right turns only are permitted into the Fairgrounds from 84th Street, Greenfield Avenue, Kearney Street and 76th Street.
Onsite parking costs $18 per vehicle Monday through Thursday and $22 Friday through Sunday. Motorcycle parking is $13. Parking and admission entrances are cashless, although many food vendors accept both cash and cards.
The Hank Aaron State Trail will be closed between South 76th and South 84th streets from August 6–16. Visitors should check the Fair’s getting here and parking information before leaving.
Make a Wisconsin road trip to the Fair
Wisconsin State Fair Park is less than 10 minutes from downtown Milwaukee and is easily reached from I-94, I-41/U.S. 45, Highway 59, Highway 100 and Highway 181.
Whether you come for the animals and exhibits, the gravity-defying rides, the live bands, the cream puffs or a cup of blue-raspberry swamp juice that changes color, the 175th Wisconsin State Fair promises a blend of longtime Wisconsin traditions and plenty of brand-new reasons to explore.
Wisconsin State Fair address
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S. 84th Street
West Allis, WI 53214
414-266-7000
Official Wisconsin State Fair website
