North Carolina State Fair
Fall festival · Raleigh · North Carolina
Eleven days of rides and midway games at the state fairgrounds in west Raleigh, running mid to late October. Thousands of animals fill the livestock barns and deep-fried food stands line the walkways, an easy stop while the Piedmont oaks around Raleigh are turning.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Multi-day fair; single-day and season tickets sold online in advance
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: November 8–November 12
Color builds from November 2 · mostly bare by December 3
Sampled at North Carolina State Fair’s own coordinates and elevation (146 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 25 weather points across North Carolina, nudged 6 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com and almanac.com. North Carolina is running 7 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to North Carolina State Fair
You get about 17 days of color here, from the first turn through to roughly November 19. That is about 1 day earlier than North Carolina as a whole.
It is in Raleigh, close enough to reach without planning a drive around it.
North Carolina State Fair on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of North Carolina, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in North Carolina
Leaves & views
Farms & harvest
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is North Carolina State Fair open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Oct 15 – Oct 25. Multi-day fair; single-day and season tickets sold online in advance. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does North Carolina State Fair peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for November 8–November 12 (best estimate November 10). Color starts around November 2 and is mostly bare by December 3.
- How do I get to North Carolina State Fair?
- North Carolina State Fair is in Raleigh. The closest city is Raleigh, about 4 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of North Carolina's fall lineup.
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