The 2026 Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair, presented by your Mid-South Ford Dealers, brings 10 days of “Tennessee Voices and Volunteers Celebrating America 250!” plus plenty of fun. Running August 13–22, 2026, the James E. Ward Agricultural Center in Lebanon will come alive with the sights, sounds and tastes that make the Fair a can’t-miss summer event. Click for More Events
This year, the Fair is going red, white and blue as it joins communities across the nation in celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Throughout the Fair, attendees can celebrate the people, voices, volunteers and traditions that have helped shape the country and the Volunteer State. Fairgoers can walk along Freedom Way, a new area of the fairgrounds built to honor America 250, and check out patriotic attractions like the Freedom Truck, which represents America’s past, present and future.
The Fair’s Grand Opening will be held Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. in front of the Made in Tennessee Building, officially kicking off the fair and the America 250 celebration. The Opening Parade follows at 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now online at wilsoncountytnstatefair.com and at the Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair Office. Season and Mega Tickets are also available at local banks.
New for 2026: Saturday Armband Matinee — On Saturdays, Ride Armbands will be sold from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and valid until 5 p.m. After 2 p.m., only individual ride tickets will be sold. Individual ride tickets are $3 for 2 tickets, $15 for 11 tickets, $25 for 22 tickets, and $55 for 55 tickets; rides may require up to 10 tickets. Armbands purchased in advance via Mega Ticket will be honored all day on Saturdays.
Season Tickets are $50 (a $5 cash discount is available) and cover admission all 10 days of the Fair — a $160 value for $50.
Mega Tickets include one gate admission and one ride armband, good for one day only, any day of the Fair including Saturdays. They cost $35 and can only be purchased until midnight on Wednesday, August 12.
Admission Tickets are on sale online now through midnight Wednesday, August 12 at a discounted rate of $14 for adults ($16 after the Fair opens) and $5 for children ages 6–12 ($7 after the Fair opens).
Opening Night comes with special pricing: admission is $12 for adults and $4.50 for children ages 6–12, with a cash discount at the gate bringing it to $10 for adults and $3 for children. Opening Night is also Dollar Ride Night — get $1 carnival rides with the purchase of a $10 sheet of tickets, that’s 10 rides for $10.
The Fair features more than 150 livestock shows, 16 stages of entertainment, over 150 activities and events, more than 60 midway rides, over 100 concessions, and more than 100 vendors and commercial booths.
Nightly events include motorsports and livestock events, live music, Historic Fiddlers Grove demonstrations, agricultural education, the Pick Tennessee Experience, Travel Tennessee, Best of Tennessee competitions, the Eudora Farm Petting Zoo, hypnotist Richard Barker and more.
Two nights of the Fair will feature special concerts presented by Bates Ford. Grammy Award-winning country artist Linda Davis performs Sunday, August 16, followed by country star RaeLynn on Monday, August 17.
Whether you’re a master baker, skilled crafter or garden grower, there’s a place to show off your talents. Competitions are open to both Wilson County and Tennessee residents, giving entrants a shot at bragging rights — and maybe a blue ribbon. Explore all the categories and register online today on the Fair’s website.
Every day brings something different, with far too much to see and do in just one visit.
For more information, visit wilsoncountytnstatefair.com.
Caption 1: The midway comes alive at the Wilson County – Tennessee State Fair, where fairgoers can enjoy more
than 60 rides ranging from family favorites to thrilling attractions thanks to Reithoffer Shows.
Caption 2: Step back in time at Historic Fiddlers Grove, where talented demonstrators bring Tennessee history to
life through traditional crafts, skills and hands-on demonstrations.
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