The smell of candy apples, funnel cakes, and other delicious deep-fried concoctions are wafting in the air. Agricultural experts have cultivated their winning crops for display. Locals are giddy with excitement. You guessed it: Fair season is officially in full-swing. In addition to the carnival rides, exhibits and delectable food, many state and regional fairs are hosting big-name concerts you won’t want to miss. Check out our picks for the best concerts on tap across all 2018 state fairs, grouped by region.
Northeast
Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) – West Springfield, MA – September 14-30
The Eastern States Exposition, known locally as The Big E, is a celebration of the six states comprising New England and welcomes visitors across the region during its annual two-week run. This year, The Big E is expected to draw large crowds once more thanks to concerts featuring rising country group Old Dominion, rapper/actor Ice-T, Marshall Tucker Band and the Beach Boys.
New York State Fair – Syracuse, NY – August 22-September 3
Who says New York’s best entertainment comes from the Big Apple? Head upstate to Syracuse for the 2018 New York State Fair, which will feature concerts from Blondie, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Hunter Hayes, Counting Crows, ZZ Top and many more.
Allentown Fair – Allentown, PA – August 28-September 3
Pennsylvania’s largest fair locked in big-name artists to perform on its main stage this year. Popular concert headliners at the Allentown Fair include teen sensations 5 Seconds of Summer, Niall Horan with Maren Morris, and country duo Sugarland, who are enduring a comeback tour after a six-year hiatus. Famed comic Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias also joins the entertainment lineup for a night of laughs in between the music.
South
South Carolina State Fair – Columbia, SC – October 10-21
American Idol fans won’t want to miss this regional fair, as past winners Fantasia and Scotty McCreery are poised to take the grandstand stage. Other concert performers on the fair’s itinerary include Poison frontman Bret Michaels, Trace Adkins, The Temptations and The Four Tops. It all goes down this October in Columbia.
Southwest
State Fair of Texas – Dallas, TX – September 28-October 21
The Lone Star state prides itself on its massive fair and promises top-notch musical entertainment for its 2018 installment. Artists from Ludacris to Hunter Hayes are scheduled to appear at the Dallas-based fair, which is unique in that concerts on its main stage are all free with the price of fair admission.
New Mexico State Fair – Albuquerque, NM – September 6-16
New Mexico’s State Fair is known for its thrilling rodeo lineup, but the ten-day event is also hosting major concerts for its entertainment. Taking the stage are DNCE, Rebelution, Dustin Lynch, Dan + Shay, Maddie & Tae and Collective Soul.
Midwest
Nebraska State Fair – Grand Island, NE – August 24-September 3
The Cornhusker State offers one of the most diverse concert lineups on this list. Headlining it all is Grammy winner Kelly Clarkson, who kicks off the festivities on August 24. The Righteous Brothers, Sugarland, Old Dominion and Night Ranger complete the lineup in the days that follow.
Minnesota State Fair – St. Paul, MN – August 23-September 3
Minnesota’s State Fair is the largest gathering of its kind in the country, with record attendance being attributed to its strong entertainment itinerary. Its 12-day run is jam-packed with premier concerts featuring the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Niall Horan, Sugarland, The Beach Boys, Jason Mraz and Boy George. Comedy from the wildly popular cast of Impractical Jokers are also among the entertainment for an all-around great event.
Du Quoin State Fair – Du Quoin, IL – August 24-September 3
Artists stopping by this Illinois fair include Brothers Osborne, Cheap Trick, Blackberry Smoke as well as the varied lineups of the Pop 2000 Tour and Gen-X Tour. Other special events that make up this 200-year-old tradition are a horse show, karaoke contest and kick-off parade.
Allegan County Fair – Allegan, MI – September 7-15
Michigan’s Allegan County Fair may have a short run, but it makes up for it with big talent coming to its fairgrounds. Aussie pop/punk band 5 Seconds of Summer are set to perform for attendees, as well as Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix.
West Coast
Los Angeles County Fair – Pomona, CA – August 31-September 23
All of the stars are flocking to LA this fall, with the county fair promising performances from Luis Fonsi, The Commodores, Kane Brown, Bad Company, Joan Jett, The Beach Boys and Dustin Lynch among others. Joining the spectacular entertainment lineup is comic Gabriel Iglesias, who’s scheduled for a mid-fair stand-up gig on September 9.
Oregon State Fair – Salem, OR – August 24-September 3
The Oregon State Fair features another diverse lineup, with performances pegged from Randy Houser, Old Dominion, Kool and the Gang, and Styx. Perhaps the most buzzed-about show, however, is the Masters of Illusion, which is set to take the stage on September 1.
Washington State Fair – Puyallup, WA – August 31-September 23
With the Washington State Fair lasting nearly a month, there needs to be a long list of entertainers on the itinerary. This year’s lineup does not disappoint, with concerts from Rascal Flatts, Chicago, Khalid, Macklemore, Brett Eldredge and Florida Georgia Line among the scheduled shows. Comedy shows featuring Terry Fator and Gabriel Iglesias are also planned.
Alaska
Alaska State Fair – Palmer, AK – August 23-September 3
Of course this list couldn’t rule out Alaska, which is poised to host some of the best concerts 2018 state fairs have to offer. Artists like Goo Goo Dolls, Midland, Luke Combs and Lindsey Stirling are all venturing outside the continental U.S. to perform for fair crowds, as well as comic Jim Gaffigan.