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Fall is in the air, and so are fireworks and the smell of funnel cakes at the Carolina Classic Fair. Get your fill of rides, exhibits, animals, and fair food from October 2-October 11, 2026.
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. Last year, 270,190 people attended the Fair, with 16,805 coming out the first day – the largest opening day since 2013.
- No Free Admission for Seniors: Sadly, senior citizens in Winston-Salem can no longer enjoy the Carolina Classic Fair with free admission, as in previous years. The fair offers no regular free admission or senior discount. There is just a Senior Day on Tuesday, October 6, with free admission for those 55 or older
- Everyone 11 and Up Must Have an Admission Ticket: Only children 5 and under are admitted free to the fair
- The Carolina Classic Fair Has A Clear Bag Policy: You must have a transparent bag to enter the fair for security reasons. A small 6.5′ x 4.5″ clutch or purse is permissible. See this website for more information.
Advance Sale Tickets For A Discount Available
Discounts on both admission tickets and wristband vouchers are available with advance purchase. Save money and avoid lines by ordering now. You can purchase from Ticketmaster now or at the Fairgrounds Box Office starting early September at 414 Deacon Boulevard, Winston-Salem. Advance ticket sales end on October 1. Online tickets are subject to fees. Visit this Carolina Classic Fair site for details.
Where And When Is The Fair
- Location: the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, 421 27th Street, Winston-Salem
- Hours: Sunday-Friday, 11 am-11 pm, and Saturdays, 9 am-11 pm.
- Dates: October 2 through October 11, 2026
- Fireworks: nightly at 9:45 pm
2026 Tickets And Information
Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster or at the Fairgrounds Box Office at 414 Deacon Boulevard, Winston-Salem. Advance ticket sales end on October 1. Online tickets are subject to fees.
Entertainment At The Fair
The Carolina Classic Fair will feature a spectacular lineup of entertainment. Entertainment will include grandstand headline shows, additional music on the grounds and at the Clock Tower, the Ice Arena, and Twiggy, the internationally famous skiing squirrel. Entertainment will include We Are Messengers and The Band Perry plus much more. The Ice Arena will offer public ice skating and bumper cars with a wide range of fun daily programming, including youth hockey and figure skating demonstrations, along with two Wake Forest vs. Virginia Tech hockey games. Skate rentals, push helpers, and bumper cars are $5 each. Ice Arena programming ends at 9pm each day.
Ticket Prices
- Adults 11 and up – Presale for $5 via Ticketmaster through October 1 or $10 day-of online purchase ($13 at gate)
- Kids 5 & under – Free
- *Seniors’ admission is free, except on October 6
- Early Bird Special Admission: $1 on weekdays before 1 pm
- Individual tickets are available at $0.50 each; buy $50 worth and receive 120 tickets
- Unlimited Ride wristband (price does not include admission):
- Weekday (Mon-Fri): $35
- Weekend (Sat-Sun): $30 (must purchase before 2pm; valid until 2pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday
- Friday, October 2 – all admission tickets $5; $2.50 rides until 5 pm
- Tuesday, October 6 – all admission tickets $3; Free admission for Seniors 55+; All rides $3; $3 Food Specials at select vendors
Promotions & Discount Days 2026 Special Days and Promotions
- Friday, Oct 2 is 107.$5 day – sponsored by 107.5 WKZL.
- $5 gate admission; $2.50 rides until 5pm
- Monday, Oct 5 is Trans Ash School Day
- Admission is free for children and faculty from all area schools. Gates will open from 9am to 2pm for school field trips
- Bring three school supplies and receive free admission (all supplies will be contributed to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools). A suggested supply list can be found here
- School performances, free carousel rides until 2pm, popcorn, and more
- $20 for 10 rides
- Tuesday, Oct 6 is Senior Day/ $3 Tuesday
- $3 admission/ Seniors 55+, Free
- ALL rides $3
- Many $3 food specials
- Wednesday, Oct 7 is Special Education Day/Food Day with Crisis Control Ministry
- Free admission with five nonperishable food items to benefit the Crisis Control Ministry
- Free admission for persons with special needs and their aides
- 11am-2pm: Quiet Hours for a more sensory-friendly experience
- Thursday, Oct 8 is Military Day/College Day/Goodwill Day
- Free Admission for active and retired military (with ID) and their immediate family
- $5 Admission for college students (with ID)
- Free admission with one bag per person of clean, gently used clothing donation to Goodwill
- Friday, Oct 9 is Pepsi Family Fun Day
- Free admission for kids 11 and under until 6 pm
- $20 kiddie ride wristbands, noon to 7pm for children 10 and under (wristbands will stop being sold at 6pm)
Parking
- LJVM Coliseum lot and Allegacy lots – $10. See map here.
- 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. $10 (not available Saturday, October 3). All cars must leave this lot by 8 pm each night for fireworks. The address is 2885 Shorefair Dr.
Prohibited Items And Proper Behavior At The Fair
The following are some of the items prohibited at the Fair:
- Alcohol or drugs
- Skateboards or scooters
- Balls or Frisbees
- Drones
- Selfie sticks
- Weapons
- Offensive or inappropriate clothing
To ensure a positive experience at the Fair, all attendees are expected to follow a Code of Conduct, which includes:
- Treat all guests, staff, law enforcement, volunteers, vendors, and performers with respect, courtesy, and fairness
- Disruptive, threatening, or abusive behavior will not be tolerated
- No Soliciting or Campaigning
- Fighting, harassment, or discriminatory conduct of any kind (verbal, physical, or online) is prohibited
- Adults are expected to supervise children in their care at all times
- Alcoholic beverages may only be purchased and consumed in designated areas by individuals aged 21 and over with a valid ID
For more information on prohibited items and the Code of Conduct, see the Fair’s General Info website.
Find Out More About The 2026 Fair
Visit the Carolina Classic Fair Facebook page for the latest info on this unique event.
History Of The Carolina Classic Fair
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 the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum entertainment complex grounds in 1952 and was then renamed the Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina (later shortened). One of the largest fairs in North America, the Dixie Classic Fair drew a record 371,000 visitors in 2007 and set its second-highest attendance 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 to relax and have a meal that isn’t deep-fried! Take a look at our best casual restaurants. Check out our list and menus to find the perfect place to go right after the fair.
What do you enjoy most about the fair? Let us know in the comments.
