It’s a pretty widely accepted fact: If you plan to tote a family along for a day at the Minnesota State Fair , you’re going to come home with a considerably lighter wallet. The skewered foods are tempting, the Mighty Midway & Kidway rides are calling, the deals are hot and, oh yes, there are those admission tickets to consider.
Related: Find bargains, free entertainment, live music and family fun inside the Fair: Minnesota State Fair 2024: 20 Ideas for Free Family Fun!
If you’ve been keeping up with the latest and greatest from the State Fair, you’re probably delighted to know that admission prices have kept steady for 2024. Discount tickets remain at $15 for all ages this year and are available to purchase online or by calling Etix at (800) 514-3849. The tickets can be your choice of print at home, mobile on your phone, or delivered via mail for an extra fee. The deadline to purchase discount tickets is August 21, 2024 (the evening before opening day of the Fair).
$18/adults (13-64)
$16/seniors (65+)
$16/kids (5-12)
Free/under 5
Join Twin Cities PBS at the “Great Minnesota Get-Together.”
Stop by the Twin Cities PBS Booth to enjoy family yard games, Imagination Playground Blocks that let your kids' imaginations run wild, and take photos with favorite PBS Kids character cutouts. Parents and caregivers can also visit our private, distraction-free space to feed your child or just take a break.
On Wednesday, August 28th we’re celebrating Minnesota State Fair Kids Day with an opportunity to meet Daniel Tiger from the popular PBS Kids show "Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood" from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Photo credit: Uche Iroegbu for Twin Cities PBS
Now, the prices of food and whatnot are beyond our control. (Though I suppose you could vow to consume nothing at the Fair, but who does that? Except FFTC’s very own Joy Peters who chimes in: “Hey – I do that! We always bring a well-planned, tasty picnic with us!” Also, her husband packs really great picnic food. The rest of us can pick up a free “Deals, Drawings & Giveaways Guide” from the information booth on our way in.)
There are, however, some surefire ways for fair guests to save more than a few bucks on admission tickets. I assure you I use every one of the strategies listed below as I’m now in possession of multiple paying kiddos at the gate:
As we’ve noted, you can save money purchasing pre-Fair discount admission tickets – $15/all ages. You can choose to purchase these online or in person at the State Fair ticket office July 8 through August 21, 2024 (1741 Como Avenue, St Paul). Tickets are also available participating Cub Foods locations, also July 14 through August 21, 2024. Discounted ride & game tickets, and Blue Ribbon Bargain Books (coupon books for food and merchandise) are sold at these sites as well. Special note: the State Fair does not accept discount admission tickets to cover the cost of on-site parking. The charge to park this year remains $20, cash or credit at the gate.
If possible, plan to come on one of the following Promotional Days of the fair to save a few dollars per ticket (which can quickly add up to significant dollars for families!):
Vendors may also offer special day deals on these dates.
Ramsey County Library’s Summer Reading program historically earned kids ages 5 – 11 who completed a summer activity booklet a pack of prizes including one State Fair admission ticket. This program is not available in 2024, however, participants who complete the summer reading program are entered into the grand prize drawing, which includes a family 4-pack of Minnesota State Fair tickets.
Other local library systems are also offering State Fair Tickets as possible prizes in their summer reading program. Find your library system here: Twin Cities Summer Reading Programs
Volunteer at the Fair – at one of many fun locations and receive complimentary gate admission as thanks. No, it’s not always convenient (but it is possible!) to bring kids along to volunteer. Consider signing up for an early shift, then plan to have another caregiver bring the kids to join you in the afternoon. To practice what we preach, Family Fun Twin Cities helped out in the Alphabet Forest in 2014 and at Little Farm Hands in 2015. Follow any of the following links to see how you can get involved. Our very own Anne K has volunteered the past few years for the Minnesota State Fair Foundation in exchange for free gate admission tickets.
Our first crack at volunteering at the Fair with kids was at the Alphabet Forest exhibit in 2014. The kids enjoyed duties right alongside us promoting literacy activities and local authors.
FFTC invited Twin Cities-area families to come volunteer alongside us at the 2015 Fair. You do NOT, however, need to be with an organization to volunteer your time. Shifts are about 3 hours long and include guiding families through the mock farm exhibit. Once your shift has been completed, you are free to enjoy the Fair!
Anne was super excited to volunteer for the Minnesota State Fair Foundation for the first time in 2019 and will be returning in 2024. While this is NOT an opportunity fit for kids, she gains a free admission ticket into the Fair to serve her 4-hour shift.
Other places to look into volunteering at the Minnesota State Fair:
Anne here: I’d like to note one final way (and the BEST way, in my opinion) of earning a “free” admission ticket into the State Fair – you can work there! I personally began my employment with the Fair nearly three decades ago and have worked wildly to pass this passion onto my now-teenagers. We are a family that has traditionally spent multiple days together at the Fair. Now, with my teens employed, I’m saving big bucks! They earn their own admission tickets and are ecstatic to be earning money they can spend or save themselves. You may be wondering, how old does my teen have to be in order to work at the Minnesota State Fair? And how does one go about getting their teen a job? If you don’t have an “in” with a vendor my advice is to schedule your child (age 15+) an appointment at the State Fair Employment Office. Very important to note that the Minnesota State Fair itself hires only individuals 16 years of age or older. However, there are some vendors that will accept 15-year-old applicants. You can begin the application process online or it’s possible to walk in without an appointment – but be prepared to wait for your interview in this case.
Do YOU have any other tips or tricks for scoring discount State Fair admission or FREE tickets? We’d love to hear about them in the comments.
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