THINGS TO DO

Here's what's happening this year at the Indiana State Fair

Jenny Porter Tilley Holly V. Hays Bradley Hohulin Domenica Bongiovanni
Indianapolis Star

Animals. Music. Lemon shake-ups. Deep-fried everything. It's almost time for the Indiana State Fair.

Here's a look at all the details you'll need to plan your visit this year.

When is the Indiana State Fair?

This year's fair runs from Aug. 2 through Aug. 18. It's closed on Mondays.

Where is the Indiana State Fair? Directions and where to park

The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is at 1202 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis.

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Below are the directions suggested on the fairgrounds website.

From the north:

  • Take I-65 to Exit 119 (West 38th Street).
  • Take I-69, which becomes Binford Boulevard; then Fall Creek Parkway. Turn right on East 38th Street.

From the south:

  • Take I-65 to Exit 107 (North Keystone Avenue); turn left on East 38th Street.

From the east:

  • Take I-70 to Exit 85 (Keystone Avenue); turn left on East 38th Street.
  • Take I-74 and merge onto I-465 North, then take Exit 44A to I-70 West. Take Exit 85 (Keystone Avenue) and turn right, then left on East 38th Street.

From the west:

  • Take I-70 to Exit 111 (Washington Street); turn left on Washington Street, then right on College Avenue. Turn right onto Fall Creek Parkway.
  • Take I-74 and merge onto I-465 North, then take Exit 17 (West 38th Street) and turn right.

According to the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center website, there are more than 7,000 paved parking spaces over 250 acres. It costs $10 per vehicle (cash or cards accepted) to park. Look for signage or parking attendants for help if you need ADA-accessible parking.

Indiana State Fair food 2024

Summer in Indiana means deep-fried delicacies, but also much more. The Taste of the Fair contest includes 43 dishes, including new takes on classic fair favorites (funnel cakes, nachos and hot dogs).

Fairgoers can vote on their favorites during the fair. Last year's winner was street corn pizza from Swain's Concessions, which also earned the crown in 2022 with its pickle pizza.

▶ Read more about the food at this year's fair.

Indiana State Fair concerts 2024

Each year, the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage hosts stars from a variety of backgrounds and genres. Here's a list of who's coming this year. (All performances start at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.)

Keanu Reeves manning his bass guitar for Dogstar at a sold-out Mr. Smalls Theatre.
  • Aug. 2: Three Dog Night (rescheduled from 2023 cancellation)
  • Aug. 3: Celebrating the Beatles at the Indiana State Fair, featuring Hard Days Night - Beatles Tribute (2 p.m.) and Live and Let Die: The Music of Paul McCartney (7 p.m.)
  • Aug. 4: Gladys Knight
  • Aug. 6: 84 - Van Halen Tribute
  • Aug. 7: Buddy Guy
  • Aug. 8: Dogstar
  • Aug. 9: Bell Biv DeVoe
  • Aug. 10: Fearless: The Taylor Swift Tribute
  • Aug. 11: Blessing Offor (2 p.m.)
  • Aug. 11: Newsboys
  • Aug. 13: Latino-Fest, featuring Con La Sonora Dinamita de Colombia
  • Aug. 14: Happy Together Tour featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, The Association, Badfinger ft. Joey Molland, The Vogues and the Cowsills
  • Aug. 15: Sublime with Rome
  • Aug. 16: Gary Allan
  • Aug. 17: Lita Ford
  • Aug. 18: Gospel Music Festival featuring Yolanda Adams

▶ Read more about this year's performers.

Others are reading:Indiana State Fair to fete Beatles 60 years after band played sold-out shows at fairgrounds

How to get tickets to the Indiana State Fair

Single-day tickets are available for $13, not including parking, and packages are available.

▶ Click here for more ticket information and to purchase them.

Map of the Indiana State Fairgrounds

What animals will be at the fair? Where can I find the 4-H schedule?

Visit the Indiana State Fair website to find your favorite animals and view the schedule of events.

When is Indiana State Fair Band Day?

Preliminaries for the marching band competition take place at 9 a.m. Aug. 2 at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children. Children younger than 6 are free with fair admission.

▶ Find out more about band day

Indiana State Fair 2024 theme

This year's theme, The Art & Nature of Fun, is a partnership with fair sponsor Newfields.

▶ Read more about this year's theme.

How many people attend the Indiana State Fair?

In 2023, the fair reported that 840,414 people attended the fair, a slight increase from the previous year.