Champaign County Fair Fun for Families

Are you ready for some Champaign County Fair action? Here it comes, July 25-Aug. 1

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 2026 Champaign County Fair

Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds, Urbana (behind Carle Foundation Hospital). Free parking is available.
When: Saturday, July 25 through Saturday, Aug. 1. Hours vary by the day. New this year, the fair runs Saturday to Saturday (previously it was Friday through the following Saturday).
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.
New chaperone policy: To help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all fairgoers, there is a new chaperone policy in effect. All guests ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 18 years old and the chaperone must remain on the fairgrounds. Guests found on the property without a chaperone may be removed from the fair. Guests age 18 and up should be prepared to show a government-issued ID to verify their age.

A Crowd Favorite: Monster Trucks

Catch some BIG monster trucks in action on July 29. Last year, tickets were $10 per person for general admission ($12 for reserved box seats), on top of fair admission.

Another Pick: Rodeo Returns

The rodeo is returning to the fair once again in 2026. Catch it on July 30. This was a popular addition last year, and many fair fans are happy to hear it is returning.

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 12″ by 6″ by 12″ 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.

Something Fun – Lunch at the Fair

Want to stop by the fair for lunch? Get a lunch punch card! $5 for the week ($1 per day), and you can enter the fair during lunch hours without paying full gate admission. Grab your favorite fair food, all week long! If you remain on the grounds after 2 p.m., regular gate admission will reply.

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. Carnival operating hours are subject to change at the discretion of the carnival operator and the Champaign County Fair Association.

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:

Saturday, July 25, noon – 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 26, noon – 5 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28, 5 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, August 1, noon – 5 p.m.

CARNIVAL FREEBIES and DISCOUNTS

Monday morning from 10 a.m. to noon, is 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).

BUDGET-FRIENDLY EVENTS

All events require standard fair admission.

The Draft Horse Show on July 26 is only a few dollars admission per person.
Harness racing on July 28 in the evening 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 usually Thursday, 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

Saturday, July 25 noon. – close
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: noon -5 p.m.

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

Monday, July 27 5 p.m. – close
Pre-School Rides in Kiddie Land 10 a.m.-noon

Tuesday, July 28 5 p.m. – close
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: 5-10:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 29 5 p.m. – close

Thursday, July 30 5 p.m. – close

Friday, July 31 5 p.m. – close

Saturday, August 1 Noon – close
$30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet: Noon-5 p.m.

GENERAL FAIR SCHEDULE

All information subject to change at any time.

2026 Schedule of Events

Saturday, July 25 Military Day
10 a.m. – Judging for Kesler Hall Exhibits
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – Carnival Opens
4 – 6 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park
5 p.m. – Demolition Derby – $10 admission

Sunday, July 26 Western Day
9 a.m. – Open Horse Show
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – Carnival Opens
Noon-5 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
2 – 5 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park – Community for the Arts
4 p.m. – Draft Horse Show – $3 admission

Monday, July 27 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
4 – 6 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park – C4A Country Group
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
7 p.m. – Queen and Little Miss Pageant – $5 admission

Tuesday, July 28 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. – Harness Racing
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
5 – 7 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park – dream catcher

Wednesday, July 29 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
5 – 7 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park – Acoustic Chaos
7 p.m. – Monster Trucks – $10 admission

Thursday, July 30 4-H Day
8:15 a.m. – 4-H Livestock Shows
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
6 – 8 p.m – Free entertainment in the park – Cliff Stoker’s Showcase
7 p.m. – Rodeo – $10 admission

Friday, July 31
10 a.m. – Gates Open
5 p.m. – Carnival Opens
5 – 7 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park –4 of a kind
7 p.m. – Motocross – $10 admission

Saturday, August 1 First Responder Day
10 a.m. – Gates Open
Noon – IPA Tractor Pull – $10 admission
Noon – Carnival Opens
Noon-5 p.m. – $30 Unlimited Ride Bracelet
2 – 4 p.m. – Free entertainment in the park – Fuento Latina
3 p.m. – Jaxson Dillon-Fish, Beer Pavilion
6 p.m. – ITPA Tractor & Semi-Truck Pull – $10 admission

Champaign County Fair Preview