The Biggest Fairs in Pennsylvania

Called "America's First Fair," the York State Fair dates to 1765 — more than a decade before the Declaration of Independence. Its 2024 run drew 455,899 visitors across 10 days, a 14% jump over the prior year driven by a sold-out Lainey Wilson concert and strong community turnout. It's both the oldest and largest fair in Pennsylvania.

Billed as the largest fair in Pennsylvania and one of the largest on the entire East Coast, the Bloomsburg Fair draws over 400,000 visitors each fall to Columbia County. Running since 1855, its nine-day September run features extensive livestock competitions, a large midway, top grandstand acts, and a fairgrounds that has operated continuously for 170 years.

Known as the Great Allentown Fair, this Lehigh Valley institution has run since 1852 and draws around 200,000 visitors across its six-day Labor Day week run. It's one of the largest fairs in the northeastern US and a genuine end-of-summer tradition for the greater Allentown-Bethlehem area.