Carolina Classic Fair 2023: Tickets, Schedule, Dates, Prices, & More

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Giant ferris wheel with blue sky
Get ready! The annual Carolina Classic Fair starts up Friday September 29.
Fair-swings

Fall is in the air, and so are fireworks and the smell of funnel cakes at the Dixie Classic Fair. Get your fill of rides, exhibits, animals, and fair food from September 29 to October 8, 2023.

The Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, NC is the second largest agricultural fair in the state. Ferris wheels, fun rides, and furry friends abound! Enjoy live entertainment, fried foods on a stick (are you up for trying fried butter or a Krispy Kreme burger?), blue ribbon entries, tractor pulls, and more, all at the Carolina Classic Fair.

Savings For Advance Tickets And Wristbands

Carolina Classic Fair announces advance ticket purchase discounts on admission tickets and wristband vouchers. You can save a significant amount and avoid lines onsite. An all-inclusive admission and unlimited rides wristband are available at a 37% discount. The price for all-inclusive weekday bands is $30; Weekend bands are $40. Admission tickets are $8 for adults (ages 12 to 64) and $3 for children (ages 6 to 11). Younger children and senior citizens (with ID) are admitted free to the fair.

Advance entry tickets and all-inclusive wristbands are available from Ticketmaster or at the Fairgrounds Box Office at 414 Deacon Boulevard in Winston-Salem. Advance ticket sales at the Box Office end on Friday, September 29 at 8 p.m. Entry tickets purchased online are subject to a $.80 per ticket fee, and wristbands purchased online are subject to a $1.00 per wristband fee.

See more savings on Promotions and Discount Days below.

School Day – Free Admission To The Fair

Monday, October 2nd, is Deer Park Spring Water School Day, powered by iHeartMedia. Bring three school supply items to the fair for free admission. Some things needed for Elementary school are wide-ruled loose-leaf paper, 16-count crayons, pencil top erasers, and pre-sharpened pencils. Middle and High school items include washable markers/colored pencils, highlighters (all colors), and 3-ring binders with clear covers.

2023 Tickets And Info

Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.

Ticket Prices

Fair-tickets-merry-go-round
  • Adults 12 – 64 $10 via Ticketmaster ($12 at gate)
  • Kids 6-11 $5 online ($7 at gate),
  • Kids 5 & under & seniors over 65 (with ID) FREE.
  • Early Bird Special Admission $5 weekdays from opening until 4 pm
  • Individual tickets are available at $0.50 each, buy $50 worth and receive 120 tickets
  • Unlimited Ride wristband:
    • Weekday (Mon-Fri): $35
    • Weekend (Sat-Sun): $40

Advanced Sale Tickets

Promotions & Discount Days

  • Friday, September 29 107
    • $5 admission all day
    • Ride Feature:  *Centennial of Smiles* Celebrate Strates Shows 100th anniversary with 100 minutes of free rides starting at 3 p.m.
  • Monday, Oct 2 School Day presented by Deer Park Spring Water, powered by iHeartMedia
    • Ticket Special:  Bring three school supplies and receive free admission (all supplies will be contributed to Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.
    • Special Feature:  School performances, free carousel rides, free popcorn in the Agriculture Building until 2 p.m. and more!
    • Ride Feature:  $20 for 10 rides
  • Tuesday, October 3 Senior Day/ $2 Tuesday
    • Ticket Feature:  $2 admission
    • Ride Feature:  ALL rides $2
    • Food Features:  $2 food specials
  • Wednesday, October 4 – Special Ed Day/Can Food Day with Crisis Control Ministry, Pinnacle, Honda of Winston-Salem
    • Ticket Feature:  Free admission with five nonperishable food items to benefit Crisis Control Ministry
    • Free admission for persons with disabilities and their aides.
  • Thursday, October 5 – Military Day/College Day/Night/Thirsty Thursday (WXII, 1075KZL & Rock 92)
    • Ticket Special:  Free Admission for military (with ID) and their immediate family
    • $5 Admission for college students (with ID)
    • Ride Feature:  $20 for 10 rides
  • Friday, October 6 – Family Fun Day (Audacy)
    • Ticket Special:  Kids 11 and under free until 6 p.m.  
    • Ride Feature:  Kiddie rides $20 wristbands, noon to 7 p.m. (children 7 and under)

Fair Hours

  • Sunday-Friday 11 am-11 pm
  • Saturdays 9 am-11 pm
  • Fireworks nightly: 9:45 pm

Parking

  • LJVM Coliseum lot, Allegacy lots, and other WFU controlled lots – $10
  • Other surrounding lots owned by businesses provide parking for a fee
  • VIP Leaf Lot is the closest but is first come, first served so you might want to buy ahead online. All cars must leave by 8:15 pm each night from this lot for fireworks. The address is 2885 Shorefair Dr.

Find Out More About The 2023 Fair

Visit the Carolina Classic Fair Facebook page for the latest info on this unique event.

History Of The Carolina Classic Fair

Dixie Classic Fair 1974 Digital Forsyth photo ferris wheel rides
Dixie Classic Fair 1974. Digital Forsyth image

The fair began in Winston’s twin city, Salem (now Old Salem) in 1882 as a grain exposition. The Piedmont Tobacco Fair began in Winston in 1897. The two events soon joined and became the Winston-Salem Fair.

The fair moved to its current location at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum entertainment complex grounds in 1952 and was then renamed the Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina (name shortened in later years).  One of the largest fairs in North America, in 2007, the Dixie Classic fair had a record attendance of 371,000 and achieved its second highest attendance record in 2011, with 357,416 visitors.

In 2020, the fair was renamed the Carolina Classic Fair.

After The Fair

After all the walking, excitement, rides, and fill of fair food, it may be time for some relaxing and a meal that is not deep fried! Take a look at our Best Casual Restaurants. Check out our list and menus, and find a perfect place to go directly from the fair.

What do you enjoy most about the fair? Let us know in the comments.

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