Editor’s note: Want free tickets to the fair? Here’s what to know about IndyStar Free Ticket Day at the 2025 Indiana State Fair
Break out the sunscreen and get ready for some funnel cake, free music and deep-fried diet busters. It’s time for the Indiana State Fair.
Whether you’re in it for the animals, the rides, the food or exhibits, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 summer favorite.
When is the Indiana State Fair?
This year’s fair runs from Aug. 1 through Aug. 17. It’s closed on Mondays.
A new ranking put the Indiana State Fair as the sixth best in the country.
2025 State Fair hours, when the Midway, building and exhibits open
The fair’s hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Entry ends at 8 p.m. every day.
The Midway is also closed on Mondays. Here are the full hours, except on the final day of the fair when it will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Also note that wristbands for the Midway aren’t sold after 8:30 p.m. or accepted after 10 p.m.
Tuesday: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.Wednesday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.Thursday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.Sunday: 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Building and exhibit hours are Tuesday – Sunday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
What’s new in 2025?
This year will feature a new strongman show, interactive glass blowing workshops, a wolfpack, a corn eating competition and more. See the full list of new features and more details here.
There’s also some new merchandise based on this year’s theme, “Soundtrack of Summer,” including a “Barn in the USA” t-shirt nod to Bruce Springsteen.
Indiana State Fair minors policy, hours
After a fight broke out at the fair in the opening days and a video of the altercation went viral, the fairgrounds updated the rules on their Unaccompanied Minor Policy.
Guests younger than age 18 will no longer be allowed to attend the Indiana State Fair in the evenings without someone at least age 25 accompanying them.
There are some exceptions, so read about the full policy here.
Where is the Indiana State Fair? Directions and where to park
The Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center is at 1202 E. 38th Street in Indianapolis.
Here are the driving directions suggested on the State Fair website:
From the North
Via I-65 (Chicago, IL): Take Exit 119 to West 38th Street. Continue 4.5 miles and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be on your left.
Via I-69 (Fort Wayne, IN): I-69 becomes Binford Boulevard in Indianapolis. After 6 miles, Binford Boulevard becomes Fall Creek Parkway. From Fall Creek Parkway, turn Right on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be on your right.
From the South
Via I-65 (Louisville, KY): Merge onto I-70 East. Take Exit 85B to North Keystone Avenue. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right.
From the East
Via I-70 (Columbus, OH): Take Exit 85 to Keystone Avenue and turn Right. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right.
Via I-74 (Cincinnati, OH): Merge onto I-465 North. Take Exit 44A to I-70 West. Take Exit 85 to Keystone Avenue and turn Right. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right.From the West
Via I-70 (St. Louis, MO): Take Exit 85B to North Keystone Avenue. Turn Left on East 38th Street and the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center will be ahead on your right
Via I-74 (Danville, IL): Merge onto I-465 North. Take Exit 17 to West 38th Street. Turn Right on West 38th Street and continue 7 miles to the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center on your left.
Fairgrounds parking is $10 per vehicle. Available parking areas are located in the Fairgrounds Infield, South Lot (38th Street) and at the Indiana School for the Deaf (42nd Street), while space is available.
The South and School for the Deaf lot hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Indiana State Fair Uber, Lyft address to use for rideshare dropoff
Those attending by Uber, Lyft, or taxi should use the address 3773 Woodland Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46205 for your rideshare drop-off location. Enter through Gate 7 on 38th Street.
Indiana State Fair food 2025
Need some inspiration on what to eat? Check out the gallery below for favorites from past fairs, or click here for a full list of new options for 2025.
There is also an extensive list of $5 value offerings from milkshakes and frozen lemonade to grilled cheese. Check out the full menu and where to find them.
Feeling adventurous? We tried 12 of the wildest fair foods and ranked them from best to worst.
How to get tickets to the Indiana State Fair
Advance single-day tickets are available for $14, not including parking, and packages are available.
Click here for more ticket information and to purchase them.
2025 Indiana State Fair discounts and deals
Tickets at the gate will cost $16.80 (kids under five are free), but you can get a dollar off if you ride your bike.
Check the IndyStar on Aug. 11, for a free ticket, redeemable at the gates only on Farmers’ Day, Aug. 13.
Here’s a full list of ticket discounts, and see below for our guide to all the deals.
Indiana State Fair bag policy
According to the Indiana State Fair safety information, the 2025 bag policy is as follows:
For more on what items are or aren’t permitted, click here.
Indiana State Fair concerts 2025
Each year, the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage hosts stars from a variety of genres. Entry is free with your fair ticket, seating is first come first served and you are allowed to bring your own lawn chair. There are some reserved seating areas this year you can buy upgraded access to that include a separate bar and other perks.
This year’s theme is the “Soundtrack of Summer,” which will include an exhibit on iconic album covers and a pop-up record store. Several big names are expected for 2025, including Indianapolis native Babyface and actor Bill Murray.
Most performances start at 7:30 p.m., but beware a few do start earlier.
Here’s who you can expect this year.
Every year, IndyStar sees the requests made by each band and what they were paid. Cheez-Its, M&Ms and absolutely no Sam’s Club lasagna were on last year’s demands.
Map of the Indiana State Fairgrounds
What animals will be at the fair? Where can I find the 4-H schedule?
Visit the Indiana State Fair website to find your favorite animals and view the schedule of events.
When is Indiana State Fair Band Day?
Preliminaries for the 2025 Band Day are at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1 at the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand. Finals take place on the same day at 8 p.m.
How many people attend the Indiana State Fair?
In 2024, more than 854,000 people attended the fair despite some sweltering temperatures, up from 840,414 in 2023, according to data provided by the State Fair.
History of the Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair is so much more than the Midway, 4-H and fried food. Read about its past in the links below.
Indiana State Fair: Fair history from plane crash shows to all the dairy
Indiana State Fair history: 10 cent hotdogs and 50 cent admission: State Fair prices through the years
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State Fair 2025 Guide: What’s happening, what to eat, events
Reporting by Joe Mutascio, Jenny Porter Tilley, Katie Wiseman, Domenica Bongiovanni and Bradley Hohulin, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
