MADISON, WIS. – Enjoy family fun at the Dane County Fair, July 17–20, at the Alliant Energy Center. Experience FREE daily family entertainment with shows from Globe of Death Squad, Dinosaur Dimensions, ACME Magic Factory, and Magical Bubbles, plus FREE tractor rides daily for ages 4 and up, nightly music and events, amazing animals, and youth projects galore—ALL included with your admission, and parking is FREE. There’s also delicious fair foods and carnival rides for all ages to enjoy. Visit www.danecountyfair.com for all the details!
Gates are open from 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. each day, with no entry after 8:00 p.m. Music entertainment goes until 10:00 p.m. The carnival hours are Thursday from 1:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from Noon–10:30 p.m.; carnival ticket sales end at 8:30 p.m. each day. Youth under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian after 7:00 p.m. Attendees must enter the Fair through the Rimrock Road or Rusk Avenue gates only.
At gate daily admission is $15 for 12 years old and over, $10 for youth 6-11 years old, and 5 years old and under are FREE. Credit cards and cash are accepted at the gates. Save money on admission by buying tickets online at www.danecountyfair.com/p/tickets.
The Fair goes into full swing on Thursday, July 17 with our Hometown Hero Day. Admission is free for armed forces personnel, police officers, firefighters, and first responders with identification. Get to the Fair by 11:00 a.m. to support the Flag Raising Ceremony by the Stoughton American Legion Post 59 Honor Guard; the Flag Lowering Ceremony is at 5:00 p.m. There’s also the Hometown Hero Resource Fair from 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., plus so much more. NEW this year is BBQ & Bike night. LAMA MADISON TLACUACHES, the Latin American Motorcycle Association Madison Chapter, members will have their motorcycles on display for attendees to view from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Make sure to taste some featured BBQ items being served all day from participating food vendors, including Charlie’s Food Concessions, Charlie’s Food and Fun, Dane County Pork Producers, Famous Dave’s, and Pink Heifer. Wrap up your evening with Madison Roller Derby at 6:00 p.m. and music by ember, a rock/country band, on the main stage from 6:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.—both free with your Fair admission.
Calling all kids to come out Friday, July 18 and celebrate our youth during Kids Day at the Fair, loaded with FREE activities. Kids can enjoy ESPN’s Announcer Experience with host and producer, Jesse Nelson, or pedal their way to victory in the Kiddie Tractor Pedal Pull! Check out the Kiddie Farm and animals in Pavilion 2 and horses in Pavilion 1. Feel the rhythm of Salsa Night at the Fair! Learn how to Salsa dance from The Capitol Social starting at 6:00 p.m., and then use your moves to dance the night away to music by La Combi and a DJ following the lessons all at the Main Stage in the Arena Building.
Have a little farm fun on Farm Fresh Day on Saturday, July 19. The day starts with the Cars & Cows Showcase from 8:00 a.m.–Noon presented by Zimbrick at Fish Hatchery Road. Make sure to check out the cars and trucks on display. Tractors will then roll down Fairgrounds Drive in the Fabulous Farm Babe Tractor Parade and be on display starting at 11 a.m. For all you puzzle enthusiasts, the Puzzle Event Company is hosting events in the Exhibition Hall all day. Interested in participating? Check out the Fair’s website to register now. In the afternoon, don’t miss a performance by the Wisconsin Singers in the Exhibition Hall at 1:30 p.m. and the fourth annual Rockstars in the Ring livestock show for youth with an intellectual disability at 2:00 p.m. in Pavilion 2. After Rockstars in the Ring, make sure to meet the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, Megan Salentine, who will be at the Fair until 5:00 p.m., and then meet Alice in Dairyland, Sarah Hagenow, after 5:00 p.m. The evening ends with an exciting FREE performance by Cochren & Co., presented by Life 102.5 on the Main Stage in the Arena Building starting at 7:30 p.m.
The Fair wraps up on Sunday, July 20 with Family Day and our partner La Movida. Be sure to stay for the day-long party at the main stage with eating contests and live music beginning around noon. Don’t miss the youth dog show starting at 8:00 a.m. with agility, followed by rally, tunneling, and showmanship in the Exhibition Hall. Starting at 10:00 a.m. in Pavilion 2, you can see the best senior youth exhibitors test their skills with seven species as they compete for Master Showman. Then, stay to watch the Dress-A-Critter contest at 11:30 a.m. The afternoon features our Fair Awards Ceremony at 2:30 p.m. to honor the non-animal youth projects.
In the heart of Madison, the Dane County Fair is home to free concerts, stunt shows, animals, a carnival, and all the best fair foods. With a 175-year history, the Dane County Fair will once again be held at the Alliant Energy Center, July 17–20, 2025. The Dane County Fair thanks its Supreme Grand Champion Sponsor Miller & Sons Supermarket, and Grand Champion Sponsors Blain’s Farm & Fleet, La Movida, and Life 102.5. For more information, visit www.danecountyfair.com or our Facebook and Instagram pages.
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