How to get in free at the GA State Fair and other tips and tricks

Although the weather isn’t quite cooperating with the onset of autumn just yet, all the fun things about this season are ramping up, including this year’s Georgia State Fair.

This has become a state staple, as Georgia residents head to Hampton, Georgia for dizzying rides, live music, and deep-fried carnival eats.

If you plan to go and make a day (or weekend) of it, you should get to know the ins and outs of fair season.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the Georgia State Fair.

Where and when is the Georgia State Fair?

Gates open at 4 p.m. on weekdays and Fridays, noon on Sundays, and stay open until 10 or 11 p.m. depending on the day.

• September 26 – October 5, 2025 
• Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton, GA.

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are sold both online and at the gate; advance discounts and special pricing are available for families, children, and seniors. Most vendors and ticket booths accept cards and mobile pay, but cash is still handy and ATMs are on-site.

Admission Prices

Parking is separate from admission and costs $10, payable by cash or card.

• Adult (ages 13-64): $15 at the gateYouth (ages 5-12): $5 at the gate ($5 advance), $10 after 4 p.m. on weekends
• Seniors (ages 65+): $5 (available at gate and online)
• Kids 4 and under: Free
• Military with ID: $5 at the gate

Ride wristbands and tickets

Wristbands do not include admission; admission is separate

• Unlimited ride wristbands:
• $32 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday
• $30 on Tuesday and Thursday (2 for $40 deal)
• $37 on Saturdays and Sundays
• Individual ride tickets: $1.25 each (rides require 3 to 8 tickets)

Discounts and offers

You could qualify for free admission for specific midweek days (Sept. 29 & Oct. 1) when you sign up via email signup

Advanced ticket discount

• Adult: $11.44 if purchased in advance online before Sept. 25
• Teen (ages 13-17, not valid after 5 p.m. Saturdays): $11.44
• Youth (ages 5 to 12): $5.00
• Senior (ages 65+): $5.00

What can I bring inside the fair?

Most bags are allowed, but theft must be clear and and coolers or outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited except for infant needs or medical supplies.

Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed but with a few rules:

• Clear bags and smaller strollers are preferred for security checks
• Stroller rentals are available but are on first come, first served basis
• You can rent wheelchairs for $25/day and scooters for $70/day
• Wheelchairs must be, at most, 30 inches wide and 48 inches long
• Scooters must be, at most, 32 inches wide and 48 inches long.

What kinds of rides, food, and can I expect?

While the line may vary from year to year, a quick look at the Georgia State Fair Instagram will show a busy midway with something for everyone.

Carnival rides

• Baja Dunes
• Bear Affair
• Blizzard
• Bumble Bee’s
• Cliffhanger
• Combo Cars
• Cuckoo Haus
• Ferris Wheel
• Firestorm
• Flying Elephants
• Kite Flyer
• Mardi Gras
• Mega Drop
• Merry Go Round
• Mini Jets
• Motorcycles
• Outlaw
• Psycho Park
• Raiders
• Remix
• Rockin Tug Scooter
• Slide
• Speedway
• Tea Cups
• Tilt A Whirl
• Tornado
• Vertigo
• Wacky Worm
• Zero Gravity

Live shows and entertainment

• Mad Chad the Chainsaw Juggler
• Rastelli Circus
• Jurassic Lockdown Dinosaur Show
• Banana Derby
• Goat Island Petting Zoo

Food vendors

• Apple Fries: Granny Smith apples fried and coated in cinnamon sugar with caramel and bacon
• Big G’s Food Service: Maryland crab cakes, seafood boil, crawfish boil, fried fish, hushpuppies
• The Best Around, Inc.: BBQ ribs, pulled pork, Philly cheese steak, funnel cakes, onion rings
• BJ’s Concession: Italian/Polish sausage, ribeye steak, hot dogs, curly fries
• Boardwalk Noodles: Noodle bowls with chicken, steak, shrimp
• Butcher Boys: London broil steak sandwiches, chicken in pita
• Clover Café: Chicken wings, tenders, grilled chicken
• Concessions by Cox: Turkey legs, BBQ pork, ribs, salads
• The Donut Family: Mini and gourmet donuts, coffee, smoothies
• Dippin’ Dots: Ice cream
• Egbert Concessions: Funnel cakes, candy apples, popcorn
• Fiesta Grill: Mexican food
• Frazier Fair Foods: Sirloin tip dinners and sandwiches
• Gabby’s Dough Factory: Funnel cakes, elephant ears, fried candy bars
• Gillette Catering: Pizza, calzone, pasta bowls
• Hot Wisconsin Cheese: Cheddar nuggets, mozzarella sticks, cheese on a stick
• Jake’s Foods: Philly cheesesteak, kabobs, burgers
• Keys Koncessions Inc.: Bubble tea, bubble waffles, bubble smoothies
• McGrotha Foods: Frozen bananas, chocolate covered strawberries, Dole Whip frozen desserts
• Mr. Pork Belly: Pork belly in a cone
• Paulette’s Food Service: Funnel cakes, corn dogs, cinnamon rolls
• Polar Bear Ice Cream: Hard ice cream and custard
• Sally Sue’s Concessions: Smoothies, coffees, pecan sticky buns

What safety and accessibility measures are in place at the fair?

• Security checkpoints are at all entrances
• Expect bag checks and metal detectors.
• Held rain or shine, but severe weather updates are posted to the fair’s social media and website as needed.

Protips to get the most out of your money

• Unlimited ride wristbands offer the best value for families and you can buy online for  more savings.
• Certain entertainment acts have set showtimes, so grab an event schedule to plan a visit around must-see shows.
• The fair is crowded on weekend nights; visit weekdays or early afternoons for smaller crowds.

For schedules, ticket options, and the latest policies, visit the Georgia State Fair’s official website or follow @georgiastatefair on social media.

Does your family go to the Georgia State Fair? What’s your favorite thing to do? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

This story was originally published September 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "How to get in free at the GA State Fair and other tips and tricks."