Who’s ready to get their free ticket to the Indiana State Fair this year?
Once again, you will be able to score free admission by grabbing a copy of the Indianapolis Star newspaper.
The coupon will be published in the Monday, Aug. 17 newspaper. All IndyStar subscribers have to do is bring that coupon from the newspaper to the gates or show the digital e-edition. It’s valid only on Wednesday, Aug. 19, which is Farmers’ Day at the fair.
If you don’t have a subscription, you can buy single copies of the newspaper on Aug. 17 at several convenience and grocery stores. (Or you can just sign up for a subscription!)
The fair will be open that day 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the midway opening at noon. The state fair runs Aug. 7-23.
Here’s what else you should know about the fair.
Where to find Indianapolis Star retail locations
You can buy single copies of the Indianapolis Star at more than 900 locations across Indiana. Among the retailers who sell the paper are:
Grocery stores: Kroger, Meijer, Walmart
Drugstores: CVS, Walgreens
Convenience stores: 7-Eleven, Casey’s, Circle K, GetGo, Village Pantry
Dollar stores: Dollar General
Check out the map below to see a list of retailers.
2026 Indiana State Fair dates: When is the Indiana State Fair this year?
The Indiana State Fair begins Friday, Aug. 7, and ends Sunday, Aug. 23.
Indiana State Fair schedule 2026
Download the full slate of events and happenings at www.indianastatefair.com.
2026 Indiana State Fair ticket prices: How much does Indiana State Fair admission cost?
Indiana State Fair general admission tickets are $18 at the gate. Children ages 5 and younger are free. Advance discount tickets are available online for $14 apiece through Aug. 6.
2026 Indiana State Fair discount tickets
A family four-pack plus a parking pass is $57, and a foodie family four-pack with a parking pass and $50 in food vouchers is $105.
Other discounts during the fair include:
2026 Indiana State Fair attractions: What’s new at the Indiana State Fair this year?
Here’s a look at what’s new at the Indiana State Fair for 2026:
2026 Indiana State Fair food: Taste of the Fair menu
Visit indianastatefair.com for a complete list of Taste of the Fair food items for 2026, and stay tuned for the $5 value menu.
2026 Indiana State Fair free stage concerts: Warrant, Gene Simmons, and more
Here’s a schedule of the free concerts available with paid admission upgrades announced so far for 2026:
Ryan Martin is the executive editor of the Indianapolis Star. Contact him at ryan.martin@indystar.com or 317-444-4730. Follow him on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyStar’s 2026 Indiana State Fair free ticket drops Aug. 17. How to get yours
Reporting by Ryan Martin and Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ryan Martin and Chris Sims, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
