The Maryland State Fair weekend itinerary

The Maryland State Fair, held annually in Timonium, is Maryland’s premier end-of-summer event. As many citizens become more removed from agriculture, the Fair has attempted to bridge this gap with additions such as Agriculture Fair Tours of animal barns, Milk-It Traditional Cow Milking Lessons, and the Birthing Center.

Annually, the Maryland State Fair provides new family entertainment while preserving traditional favorites. It honors the talents of Maryland youth and adults through competitions and showcases, and offers fun, educational opportunities to promote Maryland’s leading industry: agriculture.

A great way to get admission tickets for 2 for close to the price of one is to enter this Maryland State Fair competition.

• Maryland State Fair Mullet Madness - Rock out with your mullet out at the Maryland State Fair! The entry fee is $25 and includes admission for the competitor and one other person into the fair on the day of the competition. 1st Place Prize is $250 and a medal and 2nd place/3rd place also get a share of the $475 pot. The "Most American Mullet" gets $100 and a trophy

Carnival hours are from 10 a.m. to close on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Carnival ride credit cards or ride wristbands (with chips) can be purchased at any ride kiosk or booth on the Midway during the fair. Fairgoers may purchase the desired amount of credits for each card. Additional credits can be added to a card at any time. Credits are 10 cents each. Most rides range from 32 to 100 credits (e.g., $10 for 100 credits).

For younger children, the Kiddie Land Rides feature over 15 child-friendly rides. For older children, teens, and adults, over 60 rides and games of skill are available.

Parking

Limited parking is available on the Fairgrounds for $15 per car. Both cash and credit cards are accepted. Parking is first-come, first-served. Admission into the fair is additional.

Free Parking

Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Park and Ride lot on Greenspring Drive. Guests may then access the Fairgrounds by crossing the light rail tracks and entering through the Light Rail Gate. Admission into the fair is additional. Free parking is also available on a first-come, first-served basis on levels 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Kaiser Permanente Parking garage on Greenspring Drive.

Additional Options

• The MTA Light Rail stop is a short walk from the Fairgrounds entrance.

• Uber/Lyft drop-off and pick-up is located in the Greenspring Drive Park and Ride Lot.

Pets: Pets are not allowed at the Fairgrounds

Friday events:

• Sensory Friendly Morning at the Maryland State Fair (presented by Walmart). From 10 AM to noon on Friday, September 11, 2026 , enjoy a calmer fair experience (no sights, no music, no sounds, hands-on experiences and VIP tours/activities)
  
  Congress The Band
  Show begins at 7:00 PM.
  Gates open at 6:00 PM.
  
  
  Free Admission is not included as part of Sensory Friendly Morning

Puppy Yoga is occurring on Saturday, August 29, 2026, Saturday, September 5, 2026, and Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Picture this: a serene setting where a downward-facing dog meets actual dogs, creating a blend of relaxation and joy unlike anything you’ve experienced. In this unique event, participants can flow through their yoga practice surrounded by adorable, playful puppies, fostering a sense of tranquility and connection with these lovable creatures.

Individual tickets can be purchased here. Admission to the fair is included in your puppy yoga ticket. This is an 18+ event.

Dogs could be adopted while at the event, however you will have to take the dogs off the fairgrounds after adoption. Classes are 1 hour long.

Concerts on Friday -

98 Rock presents CLUTCH
with JD Pinkus

Show begins at 7:00 PM.
Gates open at 6:00 PM.

Goat Yoga is happening Sunday, September 6th and Monday, September 7th at 10 a.m (Labor day). Feel free to prioritize attending the Sunday sessions if you won't be at the Fairgrounds the next day. This is a fun and refreshing outdoor yoga session that features friendly, playful goats from Goat Milk Revolution, known for their gentle nature and photogenic personalities

The event highlights include a 1 hour all-levels yoga class, time for goat snuggles and selfies. This is a family-friendly event perfect for all ages. Spots are limited so I would encourage to sign up early Ticket Link

A few Pop concerts are available for all on Sunday, September 13th. They are listed below.

WTMD Morning Tunes presents Pop Princesses Show - Show begins at 11:30 AM. Gates open at 11:00 AM.
WTMD presents K-Pop Dance Party - Show begins at 2:30 PM. Gates open at 2:00 PM.

Restaurant options (If arriving before the carnival starts):

• - Breakfast:

If you would rather skip goat Yoga on Sunday, a fun event -- an annual food competition called THE MALLET allows vendors to compete for the Best sweet, Best Savory , and Most Creative dishes.

The live judging of the 2026 MALLET New Food Competition is on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 10 am on the State Fair Park Free Stage

Flags marking the winning vendors with be placed next to the respective vendor stands so make sure you stop by to try out these treats once judging is completed.

Some Vendors:

• AMC Foods Group, LLC

• Aunt Betty and Uncle Bubbas Chocolate Chip Cookies (Bakery)

• Black Mountain Roasters (Coffee)

• Chocolate Moonshine of Maryland

• Five Star Sausage

• Get BAKED Stuffed Pretzel Rolls/Get BAKED Food Trolley
  Grasslandfood (juices)

• Mehdi Traders Inc (assorted food)

• Nothing Bundt Cakes (bakery)
  Shugar Shack Soulfood (southern cuisine)
  TBG Group Holdings Inc. T/A Dragons Breath (dessert)
  The Caramel Kettle (dessert)
  The Nut Cart (dessert)
  The Sugar Lab (dessert)
  Vocelli Pizza (pizza)
  

TWO Nights of Rodeo | FREE With Fair Admission - Thursday, August 27 @ 7:30 pm & Thursday, September 10 @ 7:30 pm

The cowboys will once again face the bulls for one of America’s fastest-growing extreme spectator sports. Twenty-five professional International Bull Rider Association (IBR) riders will compete on some of the toughest bulls in the world of rodeo, and cowgirls will be timed as they race around the barrels to see who is the fastest!

Goat Yoga is happening Monday, September 7th at 10 a.m (Labor day)