Every February, the Florida State Fair takes over the fairgrounds in east Tampa for 12 days of midway rides, livestock shows, concerts and some of the wildest fair food in the country. It’s been a Tampa tradition since 1904, and it’s the first state fair of the year anywhere in the U.S., which makes it the perfect excuse for a winter trip to Florida.
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US-301 N, Tampa
Hours: 11 a.m.–9 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Fridays, weekends & Presidents’ Day
Tickets: online only at floridastatefair.com (2027 prices coming this fall)
Closest hotels: I-4 / US-301 area, minutes from the gates
Crowd: nearly 400,000 visitors in 2025
Florida State Fair 2027 Dates and Hours
The 2027 Florida State Fair runs Thursday, February 4 through Monday, February 15, 2027, wrapping up on Presidents’ Day.
- Weekdays (Feb. 4, 8, 9, 10, 11): gates 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Fridays, weekends & Presidents’ Day (Feb. 5–7, 12–15): gates 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
- On weekdays, rides typically open a couple of hours after the gates (1 p.m. in 2026), so plan your midway time for the afternoon.
Tickets, Ride Armbands and Parking
The fair sells tickets online only, and 2027 prices will be released this fall. Here’s what 2026 cost, so you can budget:
Admission (2026 prices)
- Adults (12–54): $12 Mon–Thu, $16 Fri–Sun and Presidents’ Day
- Kids (6–11): $7 Mon–Thu, $11 Fri–Sun
- Seniors (55+): $11
- Unlimited ride armband: $35 Mon–Thu, $45 Fri–Sun
Parking (2026 prices)
- $8 per car bought online in advance
- $10 online during the fair
- $15 at the gate, credit card only
Best Discount Days
The fair packs its schedule with themed discount days. The 2027 lineup hasn’t been posted yet, but in 2026 these were the standouts:
- $3 Thursday: $3 admission after 3 p.m.
- $5 Freedom Friday: $5 admission after 5 p.m. on opening weekend
- One Great Price: $25 for admission plus unlimited rides
- Senior Savings Day: $5 admission for seniors
- Family Days: kids under 18 free until 5 p.m. with a paying parent or guardian
- Heroes Day: free entry on opening day for first responders, military, medical staff and teachers with ID
What to Eat and See
The fair food
Fair food is half the reason people come. Every year the fair rolls out dozens of new creations; 2026 brought more than 30, from a Dubai chocolate funnel cake to a CinnaMozza Korean corn dog. The classics are always there too: turkey legs, corn dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade and plenty of things you never knew could be deep-fried.
Beyond the midway
- Cracker Country: a living-history village that shows what frontier life in rural Florida was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
- Livestock and agriculture: cattle, horse and swine shows, plus the poultry barn where kids can see newborn chicks.
- Concerts and shows: live music and stage shows throughout the fair. Watch the fair’s site for the 2027 lineup.
- The midway: everything from kiddie rides to big thrill rides, plus classic fair games.
Hotels Near the Florida State Fairgrounds
The fairgrounds sit right at the I-4 and US-301 interchange, and a cluster of hotels is just minutes from the gates. Staying here means no I-4 traffic at closing time and an easy drive into downtown Tampa, Ybor City or Brandon the rest of the trip.
Hampton Inn by Hilton Tampa Fairgrounds Casino (top pick)
A modern, well-reviewed Hampton with free hot breakfast, a few minutes’ drive from the fair. It’s the easy, no-surprises choice for families.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa-Fairgrounds-Casino (mid-range)
Right in the same cluster, with free breakfast and suite options that give families a little extra room. Check rates at Holiday Inn Express.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa (upscale)
If you want the fair by day and a resort pool, restaurants and nightlife by night, the Hard Rock is right next door to the fairgrounds. It’s the splurge pick. Check rates at the Hard Rock.
Quality Inn & Suites Tampa near Fairgrounds and Casino (budget)
The budget pick in the same fairgrounds and casino area. It’s a simple, no-frills place to sleep after a long day at the fair, leaving more money for funnel cake and ride armbands. Check rates at the Quality Inn.
Want more options? See all hotels near the Florida State Fairgrounds.
Make It a Tampa Winter Trip
February is one of the best months to visit Tampa Bay, and the fair lines up with a lot more:
- Spring training: the Yankees open their spring schedule at Steinbrenner Field on February 19, just after the fair. See our Yankees spring training guide and the Florida spring training guide for all 15 teams.
- Florida Strawberry Festival: Plant City’s festival kicks off March 4, 2027, about 20 minutes east on I-4. Here’s our Strawberry Festival guide.
- More to do: check our best things to do in Tampa and the Florida events calendar.
FAQ
When is the Florida State Fair 2027?
The 2027 Florida State Fair runs February 4–15, 2027, at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Gates open at 11 a.m. on weekdays (Feb. 4 and Feb. 8–11) and 10 a.m. on Fridays, weekends and Presidents’ Day (Feb. 5–7 and 12–15), and close at 9 p.m.
How much are Florida State Fair tickets?
2027 prices haven’t been announced yet. In 2026, adult tickets (ages 12–54) were $12 Monday–Thursday and $16 Friday–Sunday, kids 6–11 were $7/$11, and seniors 55+ were $11. Unlimited ride armbands were $35 on weekdays and $45 on weekends. Buying online ahead of time is the cheapest way in, and the fair has run one-day flash sales in the fall.
Where is the Florida State Fair?
The Florida State Fairgrounds are at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa, right at the I-4 and US-301 interchange, about 15 minutes east of downtown Tampa and next door to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
How much is parking at the Florida State Fair?
In 2026, general parking was $8 per car if you bought it in advance online, $10 online during the fair, and $15 at the gate (credit card only). Buy your parking pass with your tickets and save a few bucks.
What are the best discount days at the Florida State Fair?
The 2026 fair had $3 admission after 3 p.m. on Thursday, $5 admission after 5 p.m. on the first Friday, a Senior Savings Day, a $25 admission-plus-unlimited-rides day, and Family Days when kids under 18 got in free until 5 p.m. with a paying parent. Watch for the 2027 discount-day lineup, which usually follows a similar pattern.
Where should I stay for the Florida State Fair?
The closest hotels are clustered around the I-4 and US-301 interchange, just minutes from the fair gates. Hampton Inn Tampa Fairgrounds Casino and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa-Fairgrounds-Casino are solid mid-range picks, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is the upscale option next door.
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