2026 Oklahoma State Fair Opens Today in Oklahoma City
2026 Oklahoma State Fair Opens Today With Route 66 Theme, New Food and $2 Admission
The 2026 Oklahoma State Fair officially opens Thursday, beginning an 11-day run from September 17 through September 27 at OKC Fair Park in Oklahoma City.
This year's theme, “The Midway of the Mother Road,” celebrates Oklahoma's connection to Route 66 during the highway's centennial year. Fair organizers are combining the traditional midway, livestock exhibits, concerts and food with Route 66 attractions and events tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.
Opening day also brings one of the fair's biggest admission deals, with $2 gate admission for everyone on September 17.
2026 Oklahoma State Fair Brings New Attractions to OKC Fair Park
One of this year's most visible additions is the America 250 Wheel, a large Ferris wheel celebrating the nation's approaching 250th birthday. The fair also features the Freedom Truck, a traveling interactive museum exploring American history and independence.
Inside the OG&E Coliseum, Disney on Ice: Jump In! runs September 17 through September 20. Tickets to the performances include admission to the Oklahoma State Fair, giving families access to both the show and the fairgrounds.
The official Oklahoma State Fair attractions schedule includes daily entertainment, competitions, exhibits and special events throughout the fair's 11-day run.
Professional bull riding is also part of this year's lineup. The Oklahoma Wildcatters, Oklahoma's PBR team, are scheduled to compete in a special event featuring top professional riders.
For families looking for the agricultural side of the fair, AGtropolis and the Birthing Center return inside the Oklahoma Expo Hall. Visitors can see newborn livestock, agricultural exhibits and demonstrations highlighting Oklahoma farming and ranching.
The Route 66 theme will appear throughout the grounds, connecting the fair to the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, which was established in 1926 and crosses hundreds of miles of Oklahoma.
Free Concerts and More Than 50 New Oklahoma State Fair Foods
The Chickasaw Country Entertainment Plaza will host free concerts throughout the fair, with performances included with regular gate admission and seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Opening night features Aaron Watson with Alex Miller at 7 p.m. Other performers scheduled during the fair include Sebastian Bach, Ginuwine and Hairball, along with the U.S. Air Force Band of the West and the Route 66 Red Dirt Music Festival.
The official Oklahoma State Fair entertainment lineup provides performance times and daily schedules as events continue through September 27.
And then there is the food.
Fair organizers are rolling out more than 50 new food and drink creations this year alongside Oklahoma State Fair staples including turkey legs, cinnamon rolls and Indian tacos.
Among the new savory choices are Mango Bourbon Pork Ribs, smoked for six hours by Oklahoma City chef Andrew Black, along with Birria Ramen, Pork Belly Lollipops with Dr Pepper barbecue glaze and a Buldak Carbonara Ramen Corndog.
Dessert options include Dubai Chocolate Covered Cheesecake, Deep-Fried Hawaiian Rolls, the Oreo and fudge Dirty Cookie Dog and Cookie Dough Eggrolls.
The drink menu may be even more adventurous, with Pickle Dr Pepper, Hot Honey Chicken Lemonade, Strawberry Crunch Horchata and a Neon Dreamsicle Energy drink among the new offerings.
2026 Oklahoma State Fair Tickets Include Several Discount Days
Regular gate admission for the 2026 Oklahoma State Fair is $17 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 through 11, but several promotional days offer substantially cheaper admission.
Opening Day, September 17, features $2 admission for everyone. Student Day on September 19 offers free admission for students, while Super Saver Tuesday on September 22 drops admission to $3. Senior Day on September 24 includes free admission for seniors.
Visitors can check current prices, promotions and ticket options through the official Oklahoma State Fair website before heading to the fairgrounds.
Fair buildings are generally open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with hours extended until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Midway rides typically begin at 1 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends.
The fair continues through Sunday, September 27, giving visitors two weekends to make it to OKC Fair Park.
Between Route 66 celebrations, free concerts, Disney on Ice, professional bull riding, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides and dozens of new foods, the 2026 Oklahoma State Fair is packing its “Midway of the Mother Road” theme into 11 days.
And for anyone planning to go Thursday, $2 Opening Day admission makes September 17 the cheapest day to get through the gate.
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