Virginia State Fair 2025:Opening Dates, Tickets & Family Fun

One of my favorite fall events is finally here: The Virginia State Fair 2025! And I have everything you need to know about the opening day dates, ticket information, rides, and family-friendly activities.

The Virginia State Fair 2025 is officially opening in Richmond, Virginia on Friday, September 26, 2025. It's bringing with it a week of exciting rides, live concerts, classic fair food, and lots of kid-friendly attractions. Whether you’re planning to visit on opening day or throughout the fair season, my guide covers everything you need to know, from tickets and schedules to special events and entertainment!

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Everything You need to know about The Virginia State Fair:

The State Fair of Virginia is in RVA September 26 through October 5, 2025! You can visit daily between 10am-9pm to meet farm animals, learn about agriculture, watch the Triple Crown Circus, cheer on the animals in races & more! There are also nightly concerts at 7:30pm. 

We typically spend around 4-6 hours at the fair. My kids love petting the animals, seeing the World Record winning produce & watching the shows. 

When Does the Virginia State Fair Open?

The Virginia State Fair opens on Friday, September 26, 2025, and it goes through October 5, 2025. You can visit between 10am and 10pm for all the classic fair fun!

Amusement rides open at 11 am every day and the Midway will operate for a minimum of one hour after the Ticket Plaza closes or longer on weekends at the discretion of fair management.

Location & Parking Information

The Virginia State Fair takes places at The Meadow Event Park every fall. Free parking is available - this is what I’ve always used. Premium parking costs $22.50 & it’s right by the kids’ area.

Location in Richmond: Doswell, near Kings Dominion Theme Park

Address: 13191 Dawn Blvd., Doswell, Virginia 23047

Virginia State Fair 2025 Tickets & Discounts

Tickets to The Virginia State Fair cost between $11 and $20 per person. To get the best price on tickets, you need to purchase everything on line, and if you can, purchase them before midnight tonight. A special EARLY BIRD promotion is going on until midnight tonight (Thursday, September 25, 2025).

Kids, Seniors & Group Discounts

Family 4 Pack of Tickets: You can purchase a family 4 pack of tickets for $42.50 online through Thursday, September 25. These tickets can be used any day at the fair, and this deal closes at midnight!

Children 4 and younger can visit The Virginia State Fair for FREE! They do not need a ticket to entry the fairgrounds.

Seniors age 65+ can purchase their tickets at the gates for $14 on the weekdays and $16 on weekends.

Military & Veterans can purchase their tickets at the gates for $14 on weekdays and $16 on weekends. This discount is available to active-duty service members, National Guard, retired military with a current military ID or Virginia DMV veteran's credential license or ID card.

Special Ticket Promotions & Online Savings

The best prices for tickets are online. Buy your tickets online and in advance if you can! Ticket prices go up tomorrow (9/26/25), so if you know you want to visit The Virginia State Fair, purchase your tickets by tonight!

Tickets for Rides

General admission tickets do not cover the cost of rides. If you know you want to try the rides and attractions, you will need to purchase rides tickets called MIDWAY WRISTBANDS. Everyone who wants to do the rides must have a wristband, even children 4 and younger.

Midway Wristbands cost between $23 and $35 per person. The best prices are available online, and you even get a better deal if you purchase them before September 26, 2025.

Rides & Attractions at the State Fair

The Virginia State Fair has thrill rides for adventure seeks and classic family-friendly rides. Click here for a full list of the rides plus the height requirements for each!

The Virginia State Fair also has a bunch of animal and livestock shows and demonstrations. You can watch mounted shooting and rodeos, cheer on the dancing dressages horses, and more. The Grenlee Farms hitch demonstrations are at 3pm daily!

Young MacDonald's Farm and The SouthLand Dairy Farmer Center are fun for all ages, especially younger children. You can see the popular sliding ducks, hatching chicks, pigs, roosters, and the Sheep & Goat Birthing Center. You can also watch hand-milking demonstrations!

The Virginia State Fair also has live music and concerts every day. All main stage concerts are free with paid gate admission! The biggest concert is on October 5 at 7:30pm -- Diamond Rio is taking center stage and singing all their country music hits!

Our favorite attractions at the Virginia State Fair are:

1) Ultimate Stunt Show is a motorcycle stunt show. You can watch it daily at 11:30am, 2:30pm & 5:30pm. The BMX riders ride in the Globe of Death & there’s a 40 foot motorcycle jump!

2) Rosaire’s Royal Racers are pig races! They race daily at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 6:30pm & 8:30pm.

3) Young MacDonald's Farm has lots of animals and petting experiences. We love watching the sliding ducks!

What to do with Little Kids: Family Activities & Kids’ Zone

There’s plenty of activities & shows without paying extra for rides. The Livestock Loop, Harvest Landing, Virginia 529Kidway & Young MacDonald’s Farm are great areas for families and younger children.

In these areas, you will find petting zoos, animal feeding opportunities, and hands on educational exhibits. There are a lot of tractors and trucks and even corn pits to play in!

Tips for Visiting the Virginia State Fair

1. Tickets cost $11-$20pp. Children 4 & younger are FREE.

2. Unlimited amusement ride bands cost between $23-$35 pp.

3. Free parking is available - this is what I’ve always used. Premium parking costs $22.50 & it’s right by the kids’ area.

4. Buy everything online. It saves money!

5. Visit on a week day or right at opening to beat the crowd.

6. There’s plenty of activities & shows without paying extra for rides. The Livestock Loop, Harvest Landing, Virginia 529Kidway & Young MacDonald’s Farm are great areas for families.

7. It’s all stroller friendly. Definitely bring one!

8. If you’re going to ride rides, the unlimited ride wrist bands are worth it. Rides cost $3-$5 each.

9. You can bring your own food, but there’s plenty of concessions.

10. There’s plenty of clean bathrooms. Portapotties are in the parking area.

11. The majority of the attractions are outside - dress for the weather

LOOKING FOR MORE FALL FUN AROUND RICHMOND?

Check here for my guide on the best pumpkin patches around Richmond, Virginia.

Check here for my guide on Not So Scary Halloween Events around Richmond.

For more things to do with kids around Richmond, follow me at @thewestendmom on Instagram!