LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky's favorite summer tradition is heating up to be one of the biggest years yet!\n\nThe 2025 Kentucky State Fair is Aug. 14-24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org or find the fair on Facebook, X, and Instagram.\n\n<h2>Daily Schedule</h2>\n\nThe fair has hundreds of activities scheduled during its 11 day run. You can plan ahead with the online daily schedule, available here.\n\n<h2>Kentucky State Fair Hours</h2>\n\nGates\nThursday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 17 and Thursday, Aug. 21 to Sunday, Aug. 24 - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.\nMonday, Aug. 18 to Wednesday, Aug. 20 - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.\n\nBarns\nThursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.\nNOTE - CLOSED on Monday, Aug. 18\nSunday, Aug. 24 - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.\n\nIndoor exhibits\nThursday, Aug. 14 to Saturday, Aug. 23 - 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.\nSunday, Aug. 24 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.\n\nThrill Ville\nThursday, Aug. 14 and Monday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 21 - 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.\nFriday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 22 - 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.\nSaturday, Aug. 16 and Saturday, Aug. 23 - 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.\nSunday, Aug. 17 and Sunday, Aug. 24 - 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.\n\n<h2>Special Promotions Days</h2>\n\nSunday, August 17: Military Sunday\nActive military and veterans, as well as their families, can attend the fair for free. Military ID is required. There is a limit of four free tickets, and parking is not included. Wristbands for Thrill Ville will be discounted 20% and available on-site. There is a limit of four wristbands per valid military ID.\n\nMonday, August 18: $5 Monday\nThose looking for a big bargain won’t want to miss this day. The $5 admission is per person and includes parking. While livestock changeover is occurring on the west side of the property, fairgoers can visit Discovery Farm in Agland and also attend morning or evening performances of the World's Championship Horse Show for free. Free evening tickets will be available at the KEC Ticket Office.\n\nTuesday, August 19: Senior Day\nFairgoers 55 and older enter the fair for free. Parking is not included. Special activities will be planned throughout the day.\n\nWednesday, August 20: Sensory Awareness Day\nIn partnership with Kissel Entertainment, FEAT of Louisville, Home of the Innocents, and Kentucky Autism Training Center, free admission and Thrill Ville tickets will be given to fairgoers with sensory processing differences. From 10 a.m. until noon, Thrill Ville will operate with minimal lights and music to create an enjoyable fair experience for those with sensory sensitivities. UPDATE: All tickets have been distributed.\n\n<h2>Texas Roadhouse FREE Concert series</h2>\n\nThe Texas Roadhouse Concert Series is back with 11 days of headlining acts. The concerts are included with fair admission and are sure to be a good time!\n\nThursday, August 14: Sawyer Brown with special guest Home Free\nFriday, August 15: Sister Sledge ft. Sledgendary with special guest C+C Music Factory\nSaturday, August 16: Blue Öyster Cult with special guest Great Southern\nSunday, August 17: Roots & Boots including Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, and Sammy Kershaw\nMonday, August 18: We the Kingdom with special guest Level Ground\nTuesday, August 19: Happy Together Tour including The Turtles, Jay and The Americans, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, and The Cowsills\nWednesday, August 20: Parmalee and Drew Baldridge\nThursday, August 21: Grand Funk Railroad with special guest Frankie Ballard\nFriday, August 22: Theory of a Deadman with special guest Wyld Ryde\nSaturday, August 23: Ole 60 with special guest Avery Anna\n\nThe fair concert series will end with Tribute in the Tents on the last day of the fair, Sunday, Aug. 24.\n\nThe concert area opens daily at 6:30 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m.\n\nMusic is also scheduled for the full 10-day run of the fair in both the Big Tent, the Budweiser Tent, and the Hitching Post.\n\nThe BIG Tent will host Blacktop Rodeo, Corridor 64, Exit 105, Friday Night Special, Hank Rose Project, Hound Street Saints, Kentucky Blue, Leather and Lace, Naked Garden, Shotgun Serenade, Sound Decisions, Sound Machine, Throwback Thursday and ZZ-KC.\n\nThe Budweiser Tent will host The Bottle Trees, Dance Hall Hooligans, Hartshaker, Jeni Carr Trio, Les Masters Band, Lexie & The Chillbillies, The Mad Taxpayers, Most Wanted, No Compromise, Radiotronic, Red Thurzday, Roses & Rattlesnakes, Savannah Dean, Soul Circus, Soul Kitchen, Top Shelf and The Wilson Brothers.\n\nThe Hitching Post will host Journey to the Heart and Petty Theft. Zeno Jones will take the stage for a special performance Saturday, Aug. 23, during BEERFEST.\n\n<h2>Minor attendance policy</h2>\n\nEffective Monday-Thursday after 6 p.m. and Friday-Sunday all day, fairgoers under 18 years old entering the fair must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 years of age or older. Proof of age is required. IDs will be verified at the gate.\n\nEach adult can only chaperone 6 minors at a time. Groups larger than 6 individuals under the age of 18 will require an additional chaperone for every 6 minors.\n\nView the entire policy and other conditions for admission on the Fair policy page.\n\n<h2>Tickets on sale now</h2>\n\nOnline ticket prices are currently $12 and include free parking. At participating Kroger locations, tickets are $9 through Aug. 13. Children 5-years-old and under are free.\n\nTickets are available here.\n\n<h2>Thrill Ville Ride Wristbands on sale</h2>\n\nAll-day wristbands for Thrill Ville are available now for $30 in advance when purchased online or at a participating Kroger location through Aug. 13. That will increase to $35 Aug. 14. Wristbands will also cost $35 during the fair and include 'at least' 50 rides, including the Ferris wheels.\n\n<h2>World's Championship Horse Show</h2>\n\nThe world’s most prestigious horse show returns to Freedom Hall August 16-23. The 121st event features more than 200 classes of Saddlebred horses and thousands of participants from around the country competing for over $1.5 million in prizes and World’s Champion titles. Tickets are on sale now here.\n\n<h2>Prohibited items</h2>\n\nSeveral items are expressly prohibited at the Kentucky State Fair. The Fair website said it reserves the right to alter the prohibited items list at any time.\n\nConveyances - The use of bicycles beyond designated corrals at entrance gates, the possession or use of Segways/hoverboards, skateboards, kick scooters, unauthorized golf carts, and ATVs. Golf carts and ATVs must be permitted by the Kentucky State Fair and operated by an individual with a valid state driver’s license. Golf Carts can only operate in permitted areas within designated times.\n\nOutside Food and Beverage – Coolers, glass bottles, and containers are not permitted on the grounds. Outside alcohol is prohibited by Kentucky Alcohol Beverage Control Regulation.\n\nWeapons – Weapons not compliant with Kentucky State and Federal law are prohibited.\n\nAerial Drones – The unauthorized use of aerial drones are prohibited and subject to FAA enforcement due to airport proximity.\n\nFireworks, Laser Pointers, and Alarming Devices – All unauthorized fireworks, laser pointers, and alarming devices are prohibited.\n\nSound Amplifiers – Unauthorized use of Sound amplification devices is prohibited per KAR 1:100 (6).\n\nUnauthorized Trailer Drops – Trailers must only be dropped at an authorized location designated by Fair management.\n\nOvernight Parking – Parking overnight outside of designated RV camping is prohibited.\n\nTo learn more or watch for updates, click here.\n

Guide to the 2025 Kentucky State Fair: Music, Thrill Rides, Food, and More!

The 2025 Kentucky State Fair is scheduled from August 14 to August 24 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The event features daily activities, including music performances, thrill rides, and special promotions such as Military Sunday, $5 Monday, Senior Day, and Sensory Awareness Day. The fair includes a variety of concerts across multiple venues, including the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series and performances in the Big Tent, Budweiser Tent, and Hitching Post. Admission prices vary, with online tickets at $12 (including parking) and discounted rates at Kroger locations. Thrill Ville ride wristbands are available for $30 in advance and increase to $35 during the fair. The World's Championship Horse Show returns from August 16 to 23, featuring over 200 classes and more than $1.5 million in prizes. Attendance policies include a chaperone requirement for minors under 18 and a list of prohibited items such as drones, outside food, and weapons.