Alaska State Fair
Fall festival · Palmer · Alaska
Alaska's biggest annual event takes over the Palmer fairgrounds in the Matanuska Valley for about twelve days at summer's end, long famous for the giant-vegetable weigh-offs that crown record-breaking cabbages. The 2026 fair runs August 21 through Labor Day on September 7, with concerts, carnival rides and food.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
11am-10pm daily; closed Tue/Wed Aug 25-26 and Sep 1-2; ends Labor Day
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: August 30–September 3
Color builds from August 22 · mostly bare by September 19
Sampled at Alaska State Fair’s own coordinates and elevation (51 m) rather than a regional average.
Alaska is sampled at 465 weather points, and that answer already agrees with 2 published peak dates from smokymountains.com, so nothing is added to it. Alaska is running 7 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to Alaska State Fair
The color window runs about 19 days, holding until around September 10. That is about 1 day earlier than Alaska as a whole. The 167 ft elevation accounts for most of the difference.
It is roughly 35 mi out of Anchorage.
Alaska State Fair on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Alaska, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Alaska
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is Alaska State Fair open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Aug 21 – Sep 7. 11am-10pm daily; closed Tue/Wed Aug 25-26 and Sep 1-2; ends Labor Day. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Alaska State Fair peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for August 30–September 3 (best estimate September 1). Color starts around August 22 and is mostly bare by September 19.
- How do I get to Alaska State Fair?
- Alaska State Fair is in Palmer. The closest city is Anchorage, about 35 mi away. It's part of Alaska's fall lineup.
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