FREE admission and $20 unlimited rides on opening day, Thursday, Sept. 21st!
Details below.
Stock image: 123RF
The North Georgia State Fair will return to Marietta in the fall of 2023! It opens on Thursday, September 21st and runs through Sunday, October 1st.
The 2023 Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever — with live music, petting barns, flower shows, fair food, and one of the largest carnival midways in the U.S. Thrill-seekers can look forward to rides like the Wildcat Rollercoaster, Georgia Mountain Lift, and the Mega Slide.
Note: There is a clear bag policy in effect for 2023.
There is an exception for parents with diaper bags, which may be subject to search.
Shop for clear bags here (affiliate link)
We have all the fair details right here, including a long list of FREE admission days and ride discounts — including College Night, $2 Tuesday, Family Fun Days, and more.
Check out our complete guide to 2023 fall festivals and fairs!
Remember, your fair admission ticket includes access to concerts and other live entertainment, with no additional event charge. So even a regular price ticket is a pretty good bargain, especially if you plan your visit around entertainment that you’ll really enjoy. (We have an event schedule below!)
Here’s a rundown of all the regular admission prices:
- Adult admission (anyone over 10) — $10 at the gate (see discounts below)
- Children 10 and under are FREE
- Parking is $5 (cash only)
That said, ride tickets at the carnival midway can cost you a small fortune — ride tickets are regularly $1.25 each, and each ride takes more than one ticket. But you can buy in bulk for substantial savings. Regular price ride ticket options include:
- $20 for a book of 21 ride tickets
- $50 for a book of 55 ride tickets
- $100 for a book of 120 ride tickets
NOTE that there are daily deals listed below, which feature unlimited rides as low as $15.
The North Georgia State Fair takes place at Jim R. Miller Park, located at 2245 Callaway Road SW in Marietta.
Sweet and salty, hot and cold, find all of your traditional favorites at the fair. Photo: N. GA State Fair
Know before you go
Youth Attendance Policy:
After 6 p.m each day, no individual under the age of 17 will be allowed admission without a parent being present.
Clear Bag Policy:
Clear Bags may not exceed 12”x6”x12.” One-gallon resealable clear plastic freezer bags are allowed. You may also bring a small clutch purse that’s not clear if it is no larger than 4.5”x 6.5”. Diaper bags are allowed but may be searched.
Gate Entry Policy:
No fair entry Sunday – Thursday after 9 p.m., and Friday – Saturday after 10 p.m.
North Georgia State Fair Hours in 2023
(See the daily deals and special activities for each date below)
Monday through Thursday
4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Friday
4:00 p.m. to midnight
Saturday
10:00 a.m. to midnight
Sunday
12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Visit the North Georgia State Fair website
The Georgia Mountain Lift is just one of the thrilling Midway rides. Photo: N. Ga. State Fair
What you’ll find there
New for 2023:
- Sea Lion Splash
- Ready Go Dog Show
Returning in 2022:
- Sandscapes sculptures
- Rosaire’s Royal Racers
- Robo-Cars
- David Smith “Human Cannonball”
- Eudora Farms Exotic Petting Zo0
- Brian Ruth – chainsaw art
- North GA Animals Petting Barn
The Paul Bunyan Lumber Jack Show is one of the many ground acts and shows appearing at this year’s fair. Free with admission. Photo: N. GA. State Fair
How to save money at the North GA State Fair
There are daily deals for admission and rides, as well as coupons and other discounts.
Opening Day FREE admission deal
Thursday, September 21st is opening day, and the Fair is open from 4 p.m. till 11 p.m.
During those hours, you can enter for FREE (remember the $5 parking fee, cash only).
What’s more, $20 per person will buy you an unlimited ride wristband on this day.
Advance purchase discount
If you buy early, you can save a few bucks on admission and rides.
Advance tickets, when purchased before opening day , are just $7. These admission tickets can then be used any day the Fair is open. PLUS, you can get a book of 21 ride tickets for just $11, when you buy online in advance — that’s a savings of $9.
The good news? There doesn’t seem to be added ticket fees when you buy online.
Remember, these advance sales close on Sept. 20th.
Buy ADVANCE admission and ride tickets here
WSB-TV’s half-price admission coupon
We don’t yet have details on this for 2023, but it’s been a standard promotion for several years.
O’Reilly Auto Parts half-price admission deal
In past years, you could buy half-price admission tickets in person at any O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Metro Atlanta.
We do not yet have info on this deal for 2023, but will update when we do.
Find an O’Reilly Auto Parts store near you.
The Groupon deal
Not yet active for 2023 — we will update with the details when it is!
Try your luck and win a prize playing games on the Mdway. Photo: N. GA. State Fair
Daily deals and live entertainment schedule (2023)
The North Georgia State Fair has a different deal nearly every day. Browse the discounts below and plan your visit for a day that suits your budget. Note that concerts take place in a covered arena, rain or shine!
- Thursday, September 21 — Opening Day
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
FREE admission for all
Circus shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
- Friday, September 22 — Heroes Day & Seniors Day
$25 for unlimited rides (per person)
FREE admission and special programs 9am to 1pm for senior citizens (55 and older)
FREE admission for all active, reserve, or retired military
FREE admission for law enforcement, firefighters, first responders, and healthcare workers
** valid ID required for these discounts
Circus shows at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, September 23 — Family Fun Day
$30 for unlimited rides when you buy a pass between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (the pass is good till close)
FREE admission and free rides from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. only
Circus shows at 3, 5, and 8 p.m.
- Sunday, September 24 — Family Fun Day
From 12:30 to 2 p.m., free admission and free rides for kids who have the ticket that was distributed in schools
$1 off admission when you bring a church bulletin
FREE admission for kids 12 and under
(no unlimited ride deal today!)
Circus shows at 3, 5, and 8 p.m.
- Monday, September 25
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
Entertainment: Demolition Derby at 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 26 — $2 Tuesday
$2 Parking — $2 Admission — $2 Rides — $2 Food Bites
Entertainment: Full Throttle Monster Trucks at 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 27
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
Entertainment: Full Throttle Monster Trucks at 8 p.m.
- Thursday, September 28 — College Night
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
Free admission with college ID
Entertainment: Demolition Derby at 8 p.m.
- Friday, September 29
$25 for unlimited rides (per person)
One FREE admission with donation of 10 non-perishable, non-expired canned food items
Entertainment: American Bullriders Tour at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 30
$30 for unlimited rides (per person) when purchased from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (good until close)
Free admission and free rides from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. only
One free admission with donation of 5 non-perishable, non-expired canned food items
Entertainment: American Bullriders Tour at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, October 1
$30 for unlimited rides (per person)
From 12:30 to 2 p.m., free admission and free rides for kids who have the ticket that was distributed in schools
One free admission with donation of 5 non-perishable, non-expired canned food items 
- The Midway delights young and old. Photo: N. Ga. State Fair
More fall fun around metro Atlanta:
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Friday, October 6, 2023
Saturday, October 7, 2023
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Friday, October 13, 2023
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Monday, October 16, 2023
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Sunday, October 22, 2023
North Georgia State Fair
It’s has definitely been a rollercoaster going through this pandemic. I am a ER nurse and as a frontline worker with children, it’s been tough managing to keep them safe and adjusting to virtual learning. My boys and I would love to go to the show as they love monster jam and we needing just a mental break of some positive and fun entertainment.
Would love the chance to go to the fair with my kids before the doctor’s take both of my kidney’s out I am on dialysis now and soon will not be able to enjoy something so fun. I am in need of a kidney but I would like the chance just one last time, Thank you so much.
What if your child school did not give out coupons for today
I would like to take my cousin’s daughter to the fair on sunday the 30th. She never gets to do anything but i can’t afford the prices could you please help me make a little girls dream come true. Thank You
I’m taking 7 of my Grandbabies to the fair September 29…ages…4,5,7,9,10,14,16….what kind of deal can I get for unlimited rides. This is an important date for me because I will be undergoing major surgery October 12th for complications from colon cancer. I want to make memories for them and me. Please help me make this special for us. Thank you and God bless.
Where do you get the coupons for the kids to ride free on Sunday? My kids are not in school.
Thanks Linda