Published: April 5, 2025 | Last Updated: July 7, 2026. The Olmsted County Fair is back for 2026! Running from Monday, July 27th through Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, this beloved annual event brings together rural traditions and city entertainment right in the heart of Rochester, Minnesota.
Whether you are heading to the midway for rides, entering your award-winning livestock, or grabbing some cheese curds, the fairgrounds will be packed with family fun.
⚠️ Important Event Note for 2026: The traditional Draft Horse Show has been officially canceled for the 2026 schedule and is rescheduled to return in 2027.
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The 2026 Daily Events Calendar
The fair is entirely free to enter, giving you daily access to incredible live entertainment and educational events across the grounds.
Tuesday, July 28
07:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Live Music: LP & 45’s Band (Free Stage, 1403 3rd Ave SE)
Wednesday, July 29
11:00 AM – 04:00 PM: STEM Day at the Fair – Hands-on, family-friendly science and technology experiences.
04:00 PM – 05:00 PM: Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office K9 Demonstration (In front of Aune Hall / 4-H Building)
05:30 PM – 06:30 PM: D&S Pedal Pulls (In front of Aune Hall / 4-H Building — Sign up on-site)
07:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Live Music: Push & Turn (Free Stage)
Thursday, July 30
08:30 AM – 06:00 PM: Open WSCA Sanctioned / Judged Horse Show
12:00 PM – 03:00 PM: Free Nitrate Water Testing (Conservation Building)
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Live Music: Bruce Burniece (Free Stage)
06:00 PM – 07:00 PM: Barrels & Pole Bending Exhibition and Jackpot Classes
07:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Live Music: My Grandma’s Cardigan (Free Stage)
Friday, July 31
03:00 PM – 06:00 PM: Free Nitrate Water Testing (Conservation Building)
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM: Live Music: Neon Arrival (Free Stage)
07:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Live Music: Soul Train (Free Stage)
Saturday, August 1
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: 4-H Fashion Revue (Aune Hall / 4-H Building)
01:00 PM – 10:30 PM: I.M.P. Motorsports Autocross (Grandstand — Doors open at 12:00 PM)
03:00 PM – 04:30 PM: Live Performance: Pure Rock Studios (Free Stage)
07:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Live Music: County Line Drive (Free Stage)
Sunday, August 2
01:00 PM – 05:00 PM: I.M.P. Demolition Derby (Grandstand — Doors open at Noon, tickets on sale at 11:00 AM)
🎟️ Fair Admission, Parking, and Carnival Pricing
Fairground Entrance: FREE
Vehicle Parking: $5 per vehicle (On-grounds parking, season passes available)
Grandstand Entertainment: Ticketed events via Eventbrite (Featuring performances by Jana Kramer, Breland, Motocross, and the Demolition Derby).
Goldstar Amusements Carnival Passes:
$55 Passport to Fun: Unlimited ride pass available at local Kwik Trips (Price increases after July 23rd). Redemption starts Tuesday at 3:00 PM at the Midway booth.
$30 Daily Pass: Available at the gate for single-day unlimited access.
🛠️ Prep Your Home Before Headed to the Fair
Don’t let an unexpected household breakdown spoil your summer fun! When you’re out enjoying food row and grandstand concerts, the last thing you want to worry about is coming home to a warm refrigerator or a leaking water heater.
Before you load up the family for a full day at the fairgrounds, make sure your hard-working summer appliances are in peak condition:
Refrigerators & Freezers: Hot summer days make your cooling systems work double-time. Ensure your coils are clean and operating efficiently.
Air Conditioners & Water Heaters: Keep your home cool and your showers hot when returning from a long day out.
Washers & Dryers: Handle those grass stains and fair-ground dust with a perfectly running laundry setup.
Reliable Local Repairs Across Rochester
If any of your major appliances are showing warning signs, Appliance Repair Rochester is here to help with fast, same-day service. We proudly serve the entire Rochester community across all local ZIP codes (55901, 55902, 55903, 55904, 55905, 55906) and surrounding suburbs like Byron, Stewartville, and Kasson.
Fairgrounds Location: 1403 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904
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