The Pima County Fair brings thousands of people together every spring with its huge rides, live music, and endless food options. For a lot of high school students, going to the fair is a yearly tradition packed with late-night concerts, neon lights, and hours of hanging out with friends.
The 2026 Pima County Fair runs for 1o days in Tucson from April 16–26, 2026. As Tucson’s biggest yearly event, the fair combines carnival rides, concerts, livestock shows, and tons of special attractions.
Every night, the Michelob Ultra Stage hosts concerts with bands like Pop Evil, Sleep Theory, and From Ashes to New. Most concerts are included with regular fair admission, but you can pay an extra $25 for better seats. Besides the music, there are all kinds of carnival rides, from chill family rides like the Tea Cups to intense thrill rides like the Zipper, Zero Gravity, and Remix.
Even with all the fun and games, agriculture and competition are still a big part of the fair. Livestock shows and 4-H/FFA events highlight the work of local students, ending with a 4-H auction on April 25–26. There are also creative arts and cooking contests where people from the community can show off their skills in baking, crafts, and more.
There’s always something going on at the fair. Daily entertainment includes sea lion shows, stunt performers, and people walking around the grounds doing tricks and acts. The fairgrounds also host big events like the Crossroads of the West Gun Show (March 7–8, 2026) and different horse events throughout the year. Add hyperlinks to reference
During the carnival, you need a general admission ticket to get in, with some activities and better seating costing extra. Even when the fair isn’t happening, the fairgrounds stay busy all year with horse shows, auto racing at Tucson Speedway, and drag racing at Tucson Dragway, making it an exciting place for people all over the region.
