A VISITOR’S GUIDE TO THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR

(Milwaukee, WI): The Wisconsin State Fair will take place August 3-13, 2023. It’s deep-fried cheese, cream puffs, farm animals, pickles the size of your face, live music, and so much more. People from all over Wisconsin and beyond head to the fair in August each year, and we are lucky to just be a short drive away from Milwaukee!

The 2023 Wisconsin State Fair will take place from August 3th – August 13th. You could spend all 11 days at the Wisconsin State Fair and still not hit every attraction.  So, we’ve got the highlights for you, putting the spotlight on the features FAMILIES will want to know about.

Admission & Hours

There are updated hours of operation for 2023:

  • Sunday – Wednesday: 10am – 10pm
  • Thursday – Saturday: 10am – midnight

Hand stamps are available for re-entry on the same day, but re-entry hand stamps will cease two hours prior to the posted closing time.

Fairgoers under 18 years of age entering after 6pm must be accompanied by a parent 21 years of age or older. Proof of age is required.

State Fair Pricing

  • Adults (12 & over) – $18
  • Seniors (60 & over) – $13
  • Military/Veterans with ID – $13
  • Youth (ages 6-11) – $13
  • Children (5 & under) – Free

Find details on promotions and discounts during the State Fair here!

Click here to purchase tickets


Must-Do Classic Fair Hot Spots

The Giant Slide

It’s iconic. It’s cheap. Kids and adults alike love it.

The SkyGlider

The ultimate in people-watching from a birds-eye view! Tickets are available at each end of the SkyGlider near the Exposition Center and on North Grandstand Avenue.

Wonderfair Wheel

North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel features 36 fully enclosed, brightly colored gondolas. Each gondola has a capacity of six people, and one gondola offers accessible seating. The ride time from start to finish is approx. 10 minutes.

*NEW THIS YEAR* Cirque at the Fair 

Watch incredible acts at Cirque at the Fair — an all-new dazzling free show at the Wisconsin State Fair! Enjoy phenomenal acts including archery and aerial performances like you’ve never seen before.

Showtimes:

  • Monday – Friday: 1pm, 4pm, & 7pm
  • Saturday – Sunday: 12pm, 2pm, 5pm, & 8pm

Located just east of Entrance A on South Grandstand Avenue.

Milwaukee Bucks Kids Day on Tuesday, August 8

There’s something for every fan, regardless of your age! Enjoy performances from the Bucks Entertainment Network, score a high-five from Bango and the Wisconsin Herd’s mascot Pointer, take home a souvenir craft on-a-stick, put your NBA 2K skills to the test, enjoy music played by the Bucks DJs, and purchase some new gear from the mobile Bucks Pro Shop, too from 10am-4pm.


Kid Friendly Attractions

We Energies Energy Park

If you are coming to the Fair with toddlers or young children, make We Energies Energy Park your very first stop upon arrival. You can pick up a safety wristband to help keep your child safe while you and your family enjoy your day. There will also be fun demonstrations about electricity and teaching kids about energy. Join Schlitz Audubon daily for up close and personal encounters with eagles, hawks, owls and other birds and so much more make this attraction on the west side of the Fair Park on Wetley Way at Center Street an absolutely must-see for families.

K-9 Sports Arena

The K-9 Sports Arena, located in the Big Backyard, features shows and demonstrations hourly on the half-hour on weekdays with additional shows on weekends.

See dog dock diving, frisbee, agility courses, Police K-9 units and much more!

Cow-Temporary Art Walk

The cow-temporary art walk features traditional favorites and new artistic creations in an outdoor gallery.

Mooo-ve from one art stop to the next and take in all the inspirational pieces made of steel, wood, plant matter, traditional art, and so much more to earn a special ribbon.

SpinCity

SpinCity, with more than 50 amazing rides and attractions, plus a Kiddie Area for the younger Fairgoers.

Insider Tip: If your kid lives to ride the rides, spring for the unlimited daily rides wristband or you will go broke buying a la carte ride tickets.

Exploratory Park

Take your family on an adventure through Exploratory Park!

Packed to the brim with FREE fun for folks of all ages! Discover Paradise Pond, an oversized chess board, hopscotch, bag toss, quirky toad stools, Steven’s Springs, and the playground area. Relax on the dragonfly bench and find your artistic side playing in the sand box. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is waiting to help you find your way to the great outdoors. Plus, Smokey Bear wants you to check out his schoolhouse. Get to “gnome” the plants as you take a stroll through the Master Gardeners Display Garden.

Located on the south side of Main Street across from the Original Cream Puff Pavilion.

Open daily until 9 pm.

Wilderness Resort Family Variety Stage

Find family entertainment on Wetley Way in the Big Backyard at the Wilderness Resort Family Variety Stage.

This stage features jugglers, comics and more – including Kenny Ahern (Physical Comic), The DolliPops (Musical Fun), Steve Trash (Eco-Entertainer), Nick’s Kids Show (Musical Fun), and more. Check out their website for a daily schedule.

Racing Pigs

Saz’s Famous Racing Pigs, presented by the Milwaukee Admirals have races running throughout the day, so it’s easy to find a race that fits your family’s schedule. The presenters always do an amazing job of getting the crowd involved! Pick a pig and get cheering! Found at the Racing Animals Arena.

Barns & Animals

Introduce yourself to cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and more! You can also check out Dairy Lane in the southeast end of the Lower Cattle Barn and the Milking Parlor in the southeast corner of the Livestock Horse Barn to learn about Wisconsin’s vibrant dairy industry.

Download the 2023 Wisconsin State Fair Daily Schedule to have all this info at your fingertips!


Click here to purchase tickets

Madison Family
Madison is such a cool city. We love it around here. We live here too and our vision is to create a platform where real parents share real stories and we can all learn from one another. You will get to know real moms doing life right here in our neighborhoods and find information on a wealth of topics – local summer camps, preschools, swim lessons, shops and boutiques, events and experiences as so much more.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here