The InstigatorEleven days. Eleven concerts. Plus creative displays, carnival rides, fair food, live entertainment, dancing, animals, and one very Weird Al.
The Oregon State Fair is back and with it that grand annual question: What day should I go?
You could simply show up, grab something fried and see where the day takes you. We support this strategy. But if you’re trying to pick the best day for your family, your music taste or your budget, there are some significant differences throughout the Fair’s run. (Yes, we know, we are a day late with this guide. We’ve been a little busy putting together the fall issue of Press Play, but with 10 full days of Fair still ahead, you have plenty of time to plan.)
Here’s your day-by-day guide.
First, a few things to know
The Fair opens at 10 a.m. every day, with carnival rides beginning at 11 a.m. Hours vary depending on the day. The Fair stays open until 11 p.m. Aug 28-29 and Sept 4-6. It closes at 10 p.m. Aug 30-Sept 3 and on Labor Day, Sept 7.
Regular gate admission is $12 for ages 13 to 64, $10 for ages 6 to 12, and $3 for ages 65 and older. Children 5 and younger are free with an adult admission. A Family 4-Pack with admission for two adults and two children is $25, and an individual 11-day pass is also $25.
Carnival rides, games and some attractions cost extra.
One of the biggest additions this year is America 250 Live, a new 60-minute production created for the nation’s 250th anniversary, featuring aerialists, acrobatics, live music, choreography, stunt performances, and high-tech production. General admission to the show is included with Fair admission. It runs 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug 28 through Sept 6, then moves to 2 p.m. for Labor Day.
There’s also a national act at the L.B. Day Amphitheater every day. A limited number of general admission seats are available with Fair admission on a first-come basis, or you can purchase reserved seats. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., except on Labor Day, when it starts at 4 p.m.
And yes, the animals, Creative Living exhibits, competitions, carnival, food vendors, and the rest of the classic State Fair experience continue throughout the run.
Now, pick your day.
Saturday, Aug 29
Best reason to go: Local Music + Pet Sounds
146 events are happening at the Fair today. Wander through and take it all in, then head to The Rooftop Bar for an afternoon local lineup of music that includes Brenna Larsen, Stacie Saunders, and Ty Curtis before Jacob Westfall takes over for the evening. (You’ll also find DJ Kruse spinning in the Taphouse.)
Concert: Al Jardine of the Beach Boys + The Pet Sounds Band, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Aug 30: Día de la Familia
Best reason to go: Selena tribute + family activities
The first of two Día de la Familia celebrations takes over the Spirit of Oregon Stage with music and activities throughout the day. Free Lotería games and tortilla art run 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., followed by Selena tribute band Amor Prohibido, 6:15 to 7:45 p.m., then Grupo Vidal, 8:15 to 9:45 p.m.
Concert: Country-pop artist Walker Hayes, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday, Aug 31
Best reason to go: BigXThaPlug + a full weekday of entertainment
The Spirit of Oregon Stage begins the day with community performers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by Creature Feature Encounters, The Imaginaries, Five Guys Named Moe and the Beat Goes On Marching Band. Family entertainment during the first half of the Fair also includes Aces Flying Pig Races, Canine Circus, ZuZu African Acrobats and Mark Yuzuik, Master Hypnotist.
Concert: Hip-hop and country rap artist BigXThaPlug, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept 1
Best reason to go: Clint Black + a little square dancing
Modern Western Square Dance takes over the Spirit of Oregon Stage from 1 to 2 p.m., surrounded by community acts, Creature Feature Encounters, The Imaginaries and more throughout the afternoon and evening.
Concert: Country music star Clint Black, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept 2: Sunny Bite Day
Best reason to go: Eat your way around the Fair for less
If your Fair strategy revolves around food, this is your day. Sunny Bite Day brings $5 menu items from participating Fair vendors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
That makes Sept 2 a particularly good day to skip the commitment of one giant meal and sample your way through the fairgrounds instead.
Community performers take the Spirit of Oregon Stage during the day, followed by Creature Feature Encounters, The Imaginaries and Five Guys Named Moe.
Concert: Ben Fuller, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Thursday, Sept 3
Best reason to go: All Time Low
Ballroom round dance and square dance get an afternoon slot on the Spirit of Oregon Stage, followed by the regular rotation of Creature Feature Encounters, The Imaginaries, Five Guys Named Moe and the Beat Goes On Marching Band.
Concert: Pop-punk band All Time Low, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Friday, Sept 4
Best reason to go: Jo Dee Messina + late-night Fair
It’s back to late-night hours, giving you until 11 p.m. to squeeze in another ride, another snack or another lap through the exhibits. Community acts fill the Spirit of Oregon Stage, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by The Imaginaries, Creature Feature Encounters, Five Guys Named Moe and the Beat Goes On Marching Band.
Concert: Country singer Jo Dee Messina, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, Sept 5
Best reason to go: A big day for Oregon performers
Oregon talent is top of the list for today. The Cherry City Cloggers perform at 11 a.m., followed by Oregon Youth Square Dance at 1 p.m. and 2025 Oregon Fairs Talent Search winner Ahlena Green at 2:10 p.m. on the Spirit of Oregon Stage. The Imaginaries and Creature Feature Encounters follow later in the afternoon.
Concert: Uncle Kracker, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, Sept 6: Día de la Familia
Best reason to go: Día de la Familia round two + Gerry Frank Chocolate Layer Cake Contest
The second Día de la Familia brings another full day of Lotería, tortilla art and live music to the Spirit of Oregon Stage with Germán Vázquez from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m., followed by Banda Zarape from 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. PLUS, today is the Gerry Frank Chocolate Layer Cake Contest. Have an epic chocolate cake recipe? Put it to the test. (Details on how to participate are here.) Judging begins at 2 p.m.
Concert: Rock out with Twisted Sister featuring Sebastian Bach, 7:30 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Monday, Sept 7: Labor Day + Heroes Day
Best reason to go: Free admission for heroes + Weird Al
The Oregon State Fair closes with Heroes Day, where active military members, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers and teachers, along with their families, receive free admission. The schedule also shifts with America 250 Live holding its final performance from 2 to 3 p.m., then “Weird Al” Yankovic, with special guest Puddles Pity Party, closing out the concert series with a special 4 p.m. performance, which gives you plenty of time after for a final lap through the Fair before the gates close until next year.
Concert: “Weird Al” Yankovic with Puddles Pity Party, 4 p.m.
Fair hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
So, which day should you go?
If food is the priority, Sept 2 gives you Sunny Bite Day and its $5 specials.
For family activities and Latin music, choose Aug 30 or Sept 6 for Día de la Familia.
Bake a mean chocolate cake? Be there Sept 6 and enter it in the annual Gerry Frank Chocolate Layer Cake Contest.
Want local reads? A rotating line-up of 12 Oregon authors talk shop and sell their wares every day. You will find them in Columbia Hall.
And if you’re a teacher, healthcare worker, first responder, veteran or active military member, Sept 7 comes with free Heroes Day admission for you and your family.
Or you could buy the $25 11-day pass and take it all in.
The Oregon State Fair runs Aug 28 through Sept 7 at the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center, 2330 17th St NE. Get tickets and more info here.
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