Things to do, where to park and everything else to know about the 2025 Colorado State Fair

The day has nearly arrived.

Southern Colorado’s biggest annual party gets underway Aug. 22 as the 11-day Colorado State Fair kicks off in Pueblo.

Whether you’re looking to take in some free entertainment, gorge on turkey legs and fried foods, try your luck in a game of chance, or feed your need for speed on one of the many carnival rides, the 2025 Colorado State Fair has what you’re looking for.

This year’s fair, the theme of which is “Growing the Tradition”, begins Friday and ends on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

Here’s what you need to know about the 2025 Colorado State Fair, including where to park, how to buy tickets, when to get special discounts, who’s performing, and everything in between.

Where to buy tickets to the Colorado State Fair

Gate admission tickets, carnival admission tickets and tickets for other Colorado State Fair events can be purchased online at coloradostatefair.com/buy-tickets, or by calling 1-800-514-3849. Admission tickets also may be purchased at box office Gate 3 on Mesa Avenue, Gate 5 on Prairie Avenue, and Gate 9 on Beulah Avenue.

During fair time, the box office opens Monday through Thursday at 3 p.m., Friday through Sunday at 11 a.m., and on Sept. 1 at 11 a.m.

Hours for the fair are from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Labor Day. While the fair doesn’t close until 11 p.m. each day, the last ticket is sold at 10 p.m.

What’s included with gate admission?

Gate admission for a single day of the fair is $15 for people 13 years old and older, $7 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children 4 and under. Admission and carnival prices vary on certain discount days over the course of the fair.

Those who visit the fair can enjoy a variety of free attractions with gate admission, including Rocket the 9-foot-tall dancing robot, Swifty Swine Racing Pigs, the All-American High Dive Show, and the Great American Petting Farm.

The Explore Colorado Building teaches fairgoers about Colorado industries, agriculture and history, the Colorado Proud Farm Trail allows exploration of Colorado’s diverse agricultural regions and crops, and the new Agventure Ag-tivity Land has agriculture-themed books, educational activities, an inflatable corn maze, a farm-to-table magic show, and more.

There’s also plenty of free musical performances each day in the American Furniture Warehouse Ampitheater, on the Pepsi Stage, and in the PB&T Bank Pavilion. Some local performers will be getting in on the fun, including country artist Cody Cozz, and staples of the local music scene like The Martini Shot and Dr. Fine Rhythm & Blues Revue.

Some special free events at this year’s fair include the annual World Slopper Eating Championship on Saturday, Aug. 30; the Fiesta Queen and Court Parade Trophy Presentation on Fiesta Day, Aug. 31; and a sensory-friendly day presented in partnership with the Autism Society of Colorado from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 1.

How much do carnival rides cost at the Colorado State Fair?

Unlimited ride wristbands for the fair’s carnival, operated by Amusement Midway Providers, can be purchased for $42 most days, except Back to School Day on Aug. 29, when students can get them for $25 with a coupon or voucher. There’s also the $202 “Mega Pass” that includes 11 days of gate admission and unlimited ride access. Individual credits cost $1 and there’s a $2 fee for wristbands and cards purchased on site.

On Aug. 27, the fair celebrates “Pay One Price Wednesday” with $15 gate admission and carnival ride access. Some “specialty rides” are not included with the purchase of ride wristbands or mega passes, according to the Colorado State Fair website.

Who’s performing at the 2024 Colorado State Fair?

In addition to monster truck shows, rodeo events and a demolition derby, the Big R Stores Arena and Southwest Motors Events Center will host several musical acts, from country and stand-up comedy to hip hop and American rock.

Here’s who’s performing this year and where to find them:

Big R Arena

• Cooper Alan, Friday, Aug. 22

• Lee Brice, Saturday, Aug. 23

• Clay Walker, Sunday, Aug. 24

• PRCA Rodeo, Monday, Aug. 25

• Ranch Rodeo with Ned Ledoux, Wednesday, Aug. 27

• Toughest Monster Truck Tour, Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30

• Demo Derby, Saturday, Aug. 30

• Los Huracanes del Norte, Celebration de los Charros, Sunday. Aug. 31 (Fiesta Day)

Southwest Motors Event Center

• Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Sunday, Aug. 24

• The “My Generation Tour” starring The Lovin’ Spoonful, Gary Lewis & the Playboys, and The Hollies Greatest Hits with Terry Sylvester, Thursday, Aug. 28

• Flo Rida with special guest Chamillionaire, Friday, Aug. 29

• Russell Dickerson with special guest Drew Green, Saturday, Aug. 30

• Cheap Trick, Sunday, Aug. 31

Tickets for state fair shows can be purchased at coloradostatefair.com/entertainment. Prices vary.

How to get discounted tickets to the Colorado State Fair

This year’s fair will feature several discount days to make the fair more affordable for Colorado seniors, military members, students and families.

Here’s the lineup of special discount days:

• Aug. 22 and Aug. 29: Free admission for seniors 60 and older will be offered on these two Fridays. There will also be a “$5 ’til 5 Friday” promotion sponsored by T-Fiber, allowing $5 admission for non-seniors until 5 p.m.

• Aug. 24: United Rentals is sponsoring an “American Heroes Day” offering $8 off admission.

• Aug. 25 and Sept. 1: Children 12 and under can get into the fair for free on these days.

• Aug. 26: On “Two Can Tuesday,” two cans of donated food get a visitor into the fair for free.

• Aug. 27: “One Price Wednesday” allows fairgoers access to a ranch rodeo, Ned Ledoux concert and carnival rides with the price of admission.

• Aug. 28: Free admission and a $25 carnival ride wristband will be provided to those with a student voucher or coupon on “CSU Pueblo Pack the Fair Day.”

• Aug. 31: Non-winning lottery tickets get fairgoers $3 off admission during the “Colorado Lottery Special.”

Where to find parking for the Colorado State Fair

There is a public parking lot between Mesa and Northern avenues just south of the Colorado State Fairgrounds. Parking in this lot is $5 Monday through Thursday and $10 Friday through Sunday. Another parking lot, known as the Hangar Lot, is accessible by driving south on Prairie Avenue between Small Avenue and Tulane Street. Parking in the Hangar Lot is $15.

Parking is cash only.

Pueblo Transit also offers a courtesy shuttle that runs from the city’s Main Street Parking Garage at 110 S. Main St. to the fair gate on Prairie Avenue. Shuttles will run every 15 to 30 minutes and both the shuttle and parking garage are free. The shuttle hours are:

• Monday-Thursday: 3-11 p.m.

• Friday-Sunday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

• Labor Day: 11 a.m. -11 p.m.

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Chieftain Editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@gannet.com or on X, at @ZachHillstrom. Support local news; subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: The definitive guide to the 2025 Colorado State Fair in Pueblo