North Carolina State Fair

By the Numbers

The NC State Fair in Raleigh is the largest single event in North Carolina by attendance — 998,926 visitors across 11 days in October 2024, the sixth-largest crowd in the fair's 156-year history. Senior Day alone drew 85,738 people, setting a single-Tuesday record. Held at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh since 1853, it ranks among the top 10 state fairs in the country and is the defining event of the fall fair calendar in the Southeast.

North Carolina State Fair Overview

Raleigh's North Carolina State Fair is one of the Southeast's premier annual events, drawing over a million visitors to the capital city for eleven days of world-class entertainment, agriculture, and tradition. Its history stretches back to 1853, placing it among North Carolina's oldest agricultural fairs.

Highlights

Expect nationally known musical headliners, championship livestock competitions, a massive midway, 4-H and FFA showcase exhibits, competitive displays in every category, and legendary NC fair food.

Good to Know

Purchase advance tickets for grandstand acts — they sell out fast. The Fair runs during the Research Triangle's busiest hotel season, so book lodging early. The deep-fried everything is a State Fair tradition.

Nearby County Fairs