The Ferris wheel glowing against the night sky. The smell of funnel cakes drifting across the midway. A stuffed animal won after just one more try. Kids picking their favorite ride while the adults decide which fair food to try next.
Some fall traditions never get old.
From October 8–18, 2026, the Alabama National Fair returns to Montgomery, Alabama, for 11 days of rides, concerts, fair food, livestock shows, exhibits, contests, and the kind of family fun that has made going to the fair a fall tradition for generations.
Whether you go every year or you're planning your first visit, here's your guide to making the most of the 2026 Alabama National Fair.
First Things First: Do the Classic Fair Stuff
You can't come to the fair and skip the classics.
Start with the midway, where bright lights, carnival games, and rides ranging from kid-friendly favorites to scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs thrills fill the fairgrounds. Grab something fried, covered in sugar or served on a stick, and don't leave without taking at least one spin on the Ferris wheel.
But the Alabama National Fair experience goes well beyond the midway.
This is still a fair in the most traditional ways, which means agriculture, creativity, and a little friendly competition are all part of the fun. Explore livestock exhibits and shows featuring cattle, goats, sheep, swine, and more, or head inside to see the ribbons awarded for everything from photography and art to baking, canning, quilting, horticulture, and handicrafts.
Add in cooking competitions, specialty attractions, interactive entertainment, and family-friendly shows happening throughout the fairgrounds, and you'll quickly realize there's plenty to see between rides.
Fair tip: Don't rush straight to the midway. Some of the best parts of the fair are tucked inside the exhibit halls and livestock areas.
Taste the Fair Early
Fair food before the fair officially opens? Highly recommend it!
Taste of the Fair returns Wednesday, October 7, from 5–8 p.m., giving foodies an early taste of one of everyone's favorite parts of fair season. Your ticket includes samples from participating fair food vendors plus a complimentary return visit to the Fair.
It's a fun way to kick off fair season, but there's another reason to grab a ticket: Taste of the Fair is a fundraising event, adding a feel-good reason to indulge in a few fair favorites before opening day.
Tickets are limited, and this event can sell out, so don't wait until October 7 to decide.
Catch a Concert With Your Funnel Cake
Your fair night comes with a soundtrack.
The rides aren't the only reason to stay after the midway lights come on; live entertainment is one of the highlights of the Alabama National Fair each year, and this year's Alabama National Fair concert lineup already gives music fans big reasons to mark their calendars.
Make it a throwback night with legendary Motown group The Commodores on October 10, or bring your favorite Swiftie along for Let's Sing Taylor on October 11. Then, during the Fair's final weekend, the soundtrack shifts again with Butter & Grits on October 17 and Jaguar Norteño on October 18.
That's part of the fun: Come early for the rides and exhibits, make your way through your fair-food must-haves, catch a show, and end the day with live music. Or pick your concert first and build the rest of your fair adventure around it. There's more than one way to do a night at the Alabama National Fair.
Fair tip: If there's a performer you don't want to miss, use the concert date to choose your fair day, then check the daily schedule to see what other shows, contests, and attractions you can fit in while you're there.
Pick Your Day, Get More Fair
Here’s an insider tip before you pick your fair day: check the promotions first. The Alabama National Fair packs special admission and ride deals throughout its 11-day run, and choosing the right day can add a little extra fun to your plans.
Deals differ from Dollar Day and Date Night to special offers for seniors and first responders. Plus, children ages 4 and younger get free admission with an adult ticket purchase. Depending on who's coming along, there may be a fair day that gives your crew a little more bang for your buck, leaving room for one more funnel cake.
The Alabama National Fair also offers Sensory Friendly hours on select days for guests who may benefit from a lower-stimulation fair experience. In 2026, Sensory Friendly hours are scheduled for Sunday, October 11, from 1–3 p.m., and Sunday, October 18, from 1–3 p.m. Families who need sensory accommodations should check the Fair's current information before arriving for additional details about what to expect during these hours.
Find a day that works for you and your crew
With 11 days of fair fun, no two days have to look the same. Check the full 2026 Alabama National Fair schedule to find concerts, special pricing days, live shows, contests and entertainment happening during your visit.
Insider tip: Pick the concert, promotion or special event you don't want to miss first, then build the rest of your fair day around it.
Explore the 2026 Fair Schedule Concerts, special pricing days, shows, contests & more
Know Before You Go
The 2026 Alabama National Fair runs October 8–18 in Montgomery, Alabama, with daily hours, entertainment, and promotions varying throughout the 11-day run.
Before you head to the fairgrounds, check the day's schedule so you can time your visit around the concerts, live shows, contests, exhibits, and special fair-day deals you don't want to miss. The Fair also has entry and safety policies in place, including metal detection, a clear bag policy, an accompanied-minor policy and prohibited-item guidelines, so give those a quick look before packing your bag.
And don't forget the insider move: scroll down and explore the full 2026 Fair schedule before choosing your day. With different entertainment, promotions and experiences throughout the Fair, finding the right day is part of the fun.
