State fair Columbus $$
Ohio State Fair
Statewide summer fair on the Expo grounds: concerts, midway, and agriculture under one home-turf ticket. Worth planning around.
Awards
Why Ohio State Fair why was this picked
We blocked a full summer day for midway, agriculture halls, and one evening concert on the Expo grounds. The fair still teaches kids the state map without a hotel. It suits Columbus households that want statewide scale at Columbus Expo grounds instead of a road trip.
- Concerts, midway, and agriculture together
- Home-turf convenience for Columbus households
- The fair that teaches kids the state map
Know before you go
The Ohio State Fair takes over the Ohio Expo Center each summer with livestock shows, midway rides, concerts, and Ohio food booths. Buy admission and ride wristbands ahead when advance windows open; building hours vary by hall, so plan livestock and concert blocks separately. It suits full-day fair pacing across multiple gates.
The next edition is set for July 28 to August 8, 2027; confirm ticket prices and shuttle lots on the fair site before opening week. On-site parking has typically run $10 per vehicle with free park-and-ride options from campus lots. Start with our Columbus Expo area overview. Then scan our best festivals and fairs list for other seasonal weekends. Call or check the business site the day you go because seasonal schedules and posted hours change.
- Parking
- On-site parking typically $10 per vehicle at the Ohio Expo Center; free park-and-ride shuttles from designated Columbus State and OSU lots run during fair dates.
- Reservations
- No table reservations; buy fair admission and ride wristbands online or on site.
- Tip
- Use the free park-and-ride lots when posted instead of sitting in 17th Avenue entry traffic.