Champaign County Fair Fun for Families

Are you ready for some Champaign County Fair action? Here it comes, July 18-26

Editor’s Note: Before you go any further, this is the Champaign County Fair in Urbana, Illinois, NOT the one in Ohio. All information subject to change at any time. The official Champaign County Fair website is here and you can follow on Facebook by clicking here.

Are you looking for the schedule for the Champaign County Fair? Jump right to it.

Important things to note about the 2025 Champaign County Fair

Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds, Urbana (behind Carle Foundation Hospital). Free parking is available.
When: Friday, July 18 through Saturday, July 26. Hours vary by the day.
How much: $8 per adult 13 and up; $2 per child ages 6-12; 5 and under free with paid adult. Only cash accepted at the gate.

Something New: Motocross

The Champaign County Fair is holding its first-ever motocross event this year on July 24. Learn more about this epic night of racing under the lights. Practice starts at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person for general admission ($12 for reserved box seats), on top of fair admission.

A Crowd Favorite: Monster Trucks

Catch some BIG monster trucks in action at 7 p.m. on July 23. Tickets are $10 per person for general admission ($12 for reserved box seats), on top of fair admission.

Must Know Info: No Backpacks and Leave Your Food in the Car

The Champaign County Fair has a bag policy. Bags, purses, and clutches measuring 10″ by 10″ are acceptable. Clear bags are not required but are preferred. No backpacks allowed. All persons are subject to screening at the gate. Other than formula in a diaper bag (with your child), any other bags, including coolers with food, must be left in the car. We recommend using a clear small bag for a diaper bag if you want to carry it into the fairgrounds.

General Tips

TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME: You can buy general admission in advance at the fair box office by calling (217) 367-8461.

BUT … BRING CASH! While you can pay ahead with a credit card in advance for things such as grandstand tickets, many food vendors do not take anything but cash and the gate only accepts cash. So if you want to get in, drink your favorite lemon shake-up or eat funnel cakes, be sure to have some green with you. There is an ATM on site that is not operated by the fair; no guarantees that it will be operating (hit or miss in the past, also you can’t access it without getting through the gate).

GET A WRISTBAND IF YOU PLAN TO LEAVE AND RETURN: If you leave the fairgrounds, you will need to have your paper wristband attached to your wrist to re-enter later in the day.

PARKING IS FREE: No extra fee for parking at the fair.

CARNIVAL PRICING AND HOURS: Ride tickets are $1.25 each or 22 tickets for $20 (with the exception of bracelet days and other special events, see below). Rides typically require two tickets. The carnival usually goes until around 10 or 11 p.m. each night; no guarantees on what time exactly it will shut down each night.

Want a deal? Here’s how to make the most of your fair budget:

BRACELET DAYS

If your family loves the midway, then head to the carnival during bracelet days, where you get unlimited rides for $30 (one bracelet per person). To make the most of it, get there when it starts and stay through the end of the bracelet time frame. Bracelet days and times are:

Sunday, July 20, noon-5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 22, 5-10:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 26, noon-5 p.m.

CARNIVAL FREEBIES and DISCOUNTS

Monday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to noon, it’s preschool day, where the only rides available are in Kiddie Land. Discounted or free tickets will be available for pre-school children only (4 and under generally).

Thursday, July 24 from 1-4 p.m. will be free limited ride booklets at the carnival for kids ages 3-12. Booklets will run out quickly. Additional tickets may be purchased, all rides may not be included.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY EVENTS

All events require standard fair admission.

The Draft Horse Show on July 20 at 4 p.m. is $3 admission per person. Draft horse pulls are at noon; also $3 per person.
Harness racing on July 22 at 5 p.m. offers free general admission. Get a taste of horse racing right here in Central Illinois.

WE ALSO RECOMMEND

Go see the animals! Animals will start heading to the barns on Sunday, shows start on Monday.
The 4-H animal judging (animals raised by 4-H participants) is Thursday, July 24, starting at 8:15 a.m. It is free to attend.

CARNIVAL HOURS

*Carnival hours subject to change at the discretion of the owner. Ride end time may vary; rides usually close between 10 and 11 p.m., but may close earlier.

Ride tickets are $1.25 each or 22 tickets for $20

Friday, July 18 5 p.m. – close

Saturday, July 19 1 p.m. – close

Sunday, July 20 Noon – close
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: noon -5 p.m.

Monday, July 21 5 p.m. – close
Pre-School Rides in Kiddie Land 10 a.m.-noon

Tuesday, July 22 5 p.m. – close
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: 5-10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 23 5 p.m. – close

Thursday, July 24 5 p.m. – close
Limited Ride Booklets (Ages 3-12) 1-4 p.m.

Friday, July 25 5 p.m. – close

Saturday, July 26 Noon – close
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: Noon-5 p.m.

GENERAL FAIR SCHEDULE

All information subject to change at any time.

2025 Schedule of Events

Friday, July 18 Preview Night
9 a.m. – 4-H Horse Show
4 p.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6:30 p.m. – Pro Rodeo
9 p.m. – Philo Country Opry Band, Beer Pavilion

Saturday, July 19 Military Day
10 a.m. – Judging for Kesler Hall Exhibits
10 a.m. – Gates Open
1 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 p.m. – Demolition Derby
7:30 p.m. – Vivacious Audio, Beer Pavilion

Sunday, July 20 Western Day
10 a.m. – Gates Open
10 a.m. – Horse Show
Noon – Carnival Opens
Noon-5 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
Noon – Draft Horse Pull
4 p.m. – Draft Horse Show

Monday, July 21 Kids Day
8 a.m. – Open Swine Show
8:30 a.m. – Open Dairy & Sheep Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
10 a.m.-noon – Preschool Rides in Kiddie Land
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6 p.m. – Free Live Music, Memorial Park

Tuesday, July 22 Senior Citizen Day
8:30 a.m. – Open Beef Show
10 a.m. – Gates Open
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Activities for Seniors
1:30 p.m. – Junior Dairy Show
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
5 p.m. – Harness Racing

Wednesday, July 23 Livestock Day
8 a.m. – Junior Swine Show
8:30 a.m. – Junior Beef & Sheep Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7 p.m. – Monster Trucks

Thursday, July 24 4-H Day
8:15 a.m. – 4-H Livestock Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
1 p.m.-4 p.m. – Limited Ride Booklets (Age 3-12)
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7 p.m. – Motocross
7:30 p.m. – Big Guns, Beer Pavilion

Friday, July 25
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7:30 p.m. – Travis Tritt with Tyler Braden *concert tickets required*

Saturday, July 26 First Responder Day
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – IPA Tractor Pull
Noon – Carnival Opens
Noon-5 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
3 p.m. – Jaxson Dillon-Fish, Beer Pavilion
6 p.m. – ITPA Tractor & Semi-Truck Pull

Champaign County Fair Fun for Families: Preview, Tips and Ways to Save