Carolina Classic Fair 2024: Tickets, Schedule, Dates, Prices, & More

To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.

Giant ferris wheel with blue sky
The annual Carolina Classic Fair is up and running!

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 4 – October 13, 2024.

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.

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 4 through October 13, 2024
  • Fireworks: nightly at 9:45 pm

Disaster Relief Collections At Carolina Classic Fair

The Carolina Classic Fair will have a truck at its main entrance on Opening Weekend, October 4, 5, and 6, to collect much-needed items for storm relief efforts in the North Carolina mountains. Items will be collected from gate opening time until 8pm each of those three days.

The Carolina Fair is partnering with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department for the collection initiative. The Sheriff’s Department will monitor collections and deliver items to needy areas. Bringing items October 4, 5, and 6 does not result in free admission to the Carolina Classic Fair.

All items will be accepted, but the following are in the greatest need: • Water • Baby Formula • Diapers (adult, baby, toddler)
• Band-Aids • Individually Packaged Snacks • Batteries • Trash Bags • Toothbrushes/Toothpaste • Washcloths/Towels • Socks (all sizes, new) • Dog and Cat Food • Disinfectant Wipes

Hot Dog Eating Contest – October 10

Fifteen contestants will be randomly chosen to participate in the Carolina Classic Fair Hot Dog Eating Contest on October 10 at 7pm. The winner will receive a trophy and $250! Contestants will have 6 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as they can. Participants must eat the hot dogs in a specific order and finish one before moving to the next. A $5 registration for the lottery is required by October 6. Those selected will be notified by email by October 7, and a final registration of an additional $20 is required. See the Website here for more information and complete rules.

2024 Tickets And Information

Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.

A swing ride and Ferris Wheel at the Carolina Classic Fair
Rides at the Carolina Classic Fair are one of the major attractions, especially for kids and young adults. This looks like fun for any age!

Ticket Prices

  • 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
  • Friday, September 29 – all admission tickets $5
  • Tuesday, October 3 – all admission tickets $2
Fair-tickets-merry-go-round

Promotions & Discount Days 2024 Special Days and Promotions

Entertainment includes Pirates Of Columbian Caribbean All 10 Days

  • Friday, Oct, 4 is 107.$5 day – sponsored by 107.5 WKZL.
    • $5 gate admission
    • Free rides for 107 minutes beginning at 3pm and ending promptly at 4:47pm
  • Monday, Oct 7 is School Day presented by Deer Park Spring Water, powered by iHeartMedia
    • Admission is free to Winston-Salem Forsyth County schools’ children and faculty. Gates will open at 9am for school field trips
    • Bring three school supplies and receive free admission (all supplies will be contributed to Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.
    • School performances, free carousel rides, and more!
    • $20 for 10 rides
    • Monster Truck Day
  • Tuesday, Oct 8 is Senior Day/ $2 Tuesday
    •  $2 admission
    • ALL rides $2
    • Many $2 food specials
    • Senior facilities groups and their aids receive free admission
    • Wolf Night with Dillon Scott featuring Presley Barker
  • Wednesday, Oct 9 is Special Ed Day/Can Food Day with Crisis Control Ministry, Honda Sea Do Can Am of Winston-Salem and Pinnacle Financial
    • Free admission with five nonperishable food items to benefit the Crisis Control Ministry
    • WBFJ Night with Colton Dixon featuring Austin French and Jeremy Rosado
  • Thursday, Oct 10 is Military Day/College Day/Thirsty Thursday sponsored by WXII, 1075KZL & Rock 92
    • Free Admission for active and retired military (with ID) and their immediate family
    • $5 Admission for college students (with ID)
    • $60 anniversary share and save fun card promotion, includes two fun cards containing a total of 120 ride credits, a savings of $40
    • The Busch Beer Garden will feature a Hot Dog Eating Contest presented by Nicks Old Fashioned Hamburgers of Lexington
  • Friday, Oct 11 is Pepsi Family Fun Day powered by Audacy Radio
    • Free admission for kids 11 and under until 6 pm 
    • $20 wristbands, noon to 7 pm for children 7 and under

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 2024 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.

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

Subscribe
Notify of
6 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments