The North Florida Fair runs Nov. 5-15 at 441 E. Paul Russell Road. Gate is $10 for adults, $7 ages 6-12; opening night Nov. 5 is free. Parking is free.

Last checked Oct. 10, 2026. This page is updated every year with the fair’s own dates, prices and rules.

The North Florida Fair runs Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 15, at the North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 E. Paul Russell Road, the fair’s FAQ page says. It is 11 days of carnival rides, livestock and 4-H shows, creative arts exhibits and fair food on the city’s south side. Official site: northfloridafair.com.

Who to call

  • North Florida Fair office: 850-878-3247, info@NorthFloridaFair.com
  • Advance tickets: Etix
  • StarMetro bus routes: talgov.com/starmetro

When: gate hours for 2026

From the fair’s operating hours page:

Day Gates open
Thursday, Nov. 5 5 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6 5 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8 noon to 8 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 9 5 to 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 5 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 11 noon to 9 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 12 5 to 10 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13 5 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14 noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 15 noon to 8 p.m.

The carnival opens with the gates and stays open at least an hour after the gates close. Rides close as warranted each day depending on crowds and weather, the fair says.

Tickets and admission

Regular gate admission is $10 for adults 13 and older and $7 for ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and under are free every day. The fair takes credit cards for admission, rides and at most vendors. From the ticket specials page:

  • Online admission: $7 an adult and $5 a youth, bought in advance on Etix, plus a convenience fee. Advance sales end at 5 p.m. Nov. 5.
  • VIP pass, $40: admission and unlimited rides for any one day of the fair.
  • Super Saver, $20: admission and unlimited rides, good Monday, Nov. 9, or Tuesday, Nov. 10, only.
  • VIP and Super Saver passes must be taken to a midway ticket booth for the ride bracelet.

Specials by day

  • Opening night, Thursday, Nov. 5: free gate admission for everyone; $25 armbands.
  • Friday, Nov. 6: $5 gate for ages 6 and older, and $5 specials at participating food vendors.
  • Kids Day, Saturday, Nov. 7: children 12 and younger get in free from noon to 3 p.m.
  • Family Day, Sunday, Nov. 8: up to five guests ages 6 and older for $30.
  • Freedom Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11: free gate admission with an active or retired military ID.
  • Carload Night, Thursday, Nov. 12: $65 a car covers gate admission and armbands for everyone buckled into a seat belt, up to eight people.
  • Senior Day, Saturday, Nov. 14: ages 60 and older get in free from noon to 3 p.m.

Unlimited ride armbands sold on the midway cost $25 to $40 depending on the night, do not include gate admission and are sold until 30 minutes after the gates close. Single ride tickets are sold at the fair’s booths; most rides take six to 12 tickets.

Parking and getting there

Parking is free but limited, the visitor information page says. There are two lots:

  • Stadium Lot, off Paul Russell Road at Gene Cox Memorial Stadium (paved).
  • Tram Road Lot, off Tram Road (grass).

Both lots have accessible parking. StarMetro buses stop close to the fairgrounds; plan a trip with the city’s route planner.

What to know before you go

  • No pets. Only properly documented service animals.
  • Strollers, wagons and wheelchairs are available; ask at the information booth in the center of the concourse.
  • First aid is at the back of Building 2, the Marketplace Building. Lost and found is at the information booth.
  • ATMs are on the grounds, and beer and wine slushies are sold to guests 21 and older with ID.
  • Masks or face coverings that hide the face are not allowed except for health, religious or work reasons, under the fair’s guest code of conduct.
  • Mothers’ rooms are inside the 4-H and Agriculture buildings.

The same fairgrounds host Market Days in December. For more fall events, see fall festivals and pumpkin patches and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the North Florida Fair in 2026?

Thursday, Nov. 5, through Sunday, Nov. 15, at the North Florida Fairgrounds, 441 E. Paul Russell Road. Gates open at 5 p.m. on weekdays and at noon on weekends and Wednesday, Nov. 11.

How much is admission to the North Florida Fair?

Gate admission is $10 for adults 13 and older and $7 for ages 6 to 12; children 5 and under get in free. Opening night, Nov. 5, is free for everyone.

Where do you park for the North Florida Fair?

Parking is free but limited, in two lots: the paved Stadium Lot off Paul Russell Road at Gene Cox Memorial Stadium and the grass Tram Road Lot off Tram Road. Both have accessible parking.

Can you bring a dog to the North Florida Fair?

No. Pets are not allowed during the fair except properly documented service animals.

How much is an unlimited ride armband at the North Florida Fair?

Midway armbands sold on site run $25 to $40 depending on the night and do not include gate admission. A $40 VIP pass online covers admission and unlimited rides for any one day.