The 145th Maryland State Fair is officially underway in Timonium, Maryland, and the 2026 edition is mixing old-school fair traditions with some seriously unexpected new attractions. From a massive drone spectacle and dinosaur-themed mini-golf to goat yoga, puppy yoga and cow cuddling, this year’s event is giving visitors plenty to discover beyond the usual carnival rides and fair food.
But there is a lot happening across the fair’s three-weekend run, including live horse racing, rodeo events, livestock competitions, concerts, America 250 celebrations and strict security rules. Here’s everything visitors need to know before heading to the Maryland State Fairgrounds.
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Maryland State Fair 2026 Dates, Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
The Maryland State Fair is being held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland 21093, across three extended weekends:
| Dates | Schedule |
| August 27–30 | Thursday through Sunday |
| September 3–7 | Thursday through Labor Day Monday |
| September 10–13 | Thursday through Sunday |
The gates open at 5 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day Monday, with no admission after 9 p.m. The earlier opening on most days gives visitors a chance to catch livestock and horse-related activities before the buildings and midway fully open.
Most buildings, excluding Exhibition Hall, operate from 5–8 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day Monday. Exhibition Hall stays open later, operating from 5–9 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m.–9 p.m. on Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day Monday. The carnival midway opens at 5 p.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Fridays through Sundays and Labor Day Monday, remaining open until close.
Gate admission costs $15 for adults ages 12–61, $12 for seniors 62 and older, and $10 for children ages 6–11, while children 5 and under enter free. Advance online tickets purchased before opening were discounted to $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for children ages 6–11. Fair admission does not include carnival rides.
Parking on the fairgrounds costs $15 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Free parking is also available at the nearby Park & Ride lot on Greenspring Drive and levels 4–7 of the Kaiser Permanente garage. Visitors can walk across the light rail tracks and enter through the Light Rail Gate, while light rail and bus services are also available.
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Maryland State Fair Drone Show Brings More Than 2,000 Drones to Timonium
One of the biggest new attractions this year is the Chase Bank Drone Show, part of the fair’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
According to WBAL-TV, more than 2,000 drones will light up the sky at 9 p.m. each night during the first weekend, with the display especially visible from the midway. Personal drones are restricted within a half-mile radius of the fairgrounds from the opening of the fair through September 13.
The patriotic celebrations do not stop there. Special competitions, ribbons, prizes, strolling entertainers and a veterans showcase are also planned as part of the America 250 programming.
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Dinosaur Takeover, Goat Yoga and Cow Cuddling Add a Wild New Twist
The 2026 Maryland State Fair is still packed with familiar favourites, but the new additions are definitely stealing attention.
Dinosaur Takeover brings a dinosaur-themed mini-golf experience to Exhibition Hall, complete with fossils and artifacts. Visitors can also take part in goat yoga and puppy yoga, while WBAL-TV reported that the third weekend will introduce a cow-cuddling experience.
There is also an additional night of rodeo programming, alongside returning favourites including professional bull riding, cowgirl barrel racing, Mullet Madness, agricultural demonstrations and U-Learn Farm & Barn. Patriotic performers and other live acts are also part of the fair’s free entertainment lineup.
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Maryland State Fair Horse Racing Returns With College Scholarships on the Line
Live thoroughbred racing returns for the first two weekends, running August 28–30 and September 4–7. The Maryland State Fair has scheduled seven days of racing, with a noon post time each racing day.
Spectators can watch from the grandstand or the air-conditioned Off-Track Betting facility. Watching the races is free, although wagering is available.
Saturday, August 29, features the Timonium Shine Again Stakes and College Day at the Races. Students with valid college identification can participate and enter drawings for college scholarships, with the official racing information offering chances to win multiple $1,000 college scholarships.
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Maryland State Fair 2026 Security Rules Visitors Should Know
The fair’s unaccompanied-minor policy remains in effect. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone at least 21 years old. Each adult can accompany no more than six minors, and visitors 18 and older may be asked to show a valid driver’s license or government-issued photo ID.
The policy does not apply to organized group outings or fair competitions, including 4-H and FFA events with existing chaperone procedures.
Backpacks, coolers, large bags and wheeled carts are prohibited. Permitted purses, diaper bags, camera bags and strollers may be searched. Drivers should also remember that there are no left turns from Timonium or York roads, according to WBAL-TV.
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Maryland DNR Brings 250 Years of Nature and Conservation to the Fair
Inside the Mosner Miller Building, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is showcasing fishing, hunting, wildlife, state forests, parks and other public lands.
The exhibits explore Maryland’s natural history and changes to its flora and fauna over the past 250 years. Visitors can meet representatives from the Maryland Forest Service, Maryland Park Service and Wildlife and Heritage Service, while Natural Resources Police will discuss safe hunting, boating and recruitment. Wildlife Crimestoppers will also provide information about preventing poaching.
Families can enjoy a children’s colouring area, the Maryland Coastal Flood Explorer app, tree-and-leaf matching activities, a miniature cabin and campsite, and a seed trail featuring native wildflowers such as black-eyed susans and wild bergamot. Annual Maryland Park Service passes and Golden Age passes are also available for purchase.
Maryland DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz said, “There is always something new to learn about inside the Mosner Miller building – come inside and learn more about Maryland’s history through the lenses of our foresters, rangers and biologists,” according to the department’s August 26 announcement.
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Maryland State Fair Concerts and Final Weekend Events
The entertainment calendar continues through all three weekends. One of the headline performances is 98 Rock presents CLUTCH with JD Pinkus on Saturday, September 12, scheduled for 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m.
Other events include Congress The Band on September 11 and WTMD programming on September 13 featuring the Pop Princesses Show and a K-Pop Dance Party. Concert tickets include admission to the fair, while professional bull riding and cowgirl barrel racing also remain featured events.
With carnival rides, livestock competitions, home arts, fair food, horse racing, concerts and a sky full of drones, the 2026 Maryland State Fair is keeping its classic identity while throwing in some very modern surprises. The first weekend runs through August 30, followed by September 3–7 and September 10–13.
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Disclaimer
This article is based on thorough research using information published by the Maryland State Fair, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and local news reports, including WBAL-TV and Patch, available as of August 30, 2026. Event schedules, admission prices, operating hours, performances, attractions, transportation arrangements and policies may change. Visitors should verify the latest information with the official Maryland State Fair before attending.
Sources
- Maryland State Fair Official Website (2026 dates, hours, tickets, horse racing, concerts)
- Maryland State Fair Official News & Updates (drone show, 2026 announcements)
- FOX 5 DC — Maryland State Fair 2026: Dates, times, exhibit schedules and more (dinosaur takeover, goat/puppy yoga, cow cuddling, America 250)
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources — 2026 Maryland State Fair exhibits (Mosner Miller Building, 250 years of nature/conservation)
- Patch — Maryland State Fair Returns for 3 Weekends: Dates, Tickets, What’s New In 2026 (overview, security, new attractions)
Featured Image Credit: Keith Cassill on Pexels
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