Stock image: 123RF
The North Georgia State Fair will return to Marietta in the fall of 2021! It opens on Thursday, September 23rd and runs through Sunday, October 3rd.
The 2021 Fair promises to be bigger and better than ever — with live music, two 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.
Read on for all the 2021 details, concert line-up, ticket discounts, special admission deals, and more. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find a long list of FREE admission days and ride discounts — including College Night, $2 Tuesday, Family Fun Days, and more.
Remember, your 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
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
North Georgia State Fair Hours:
(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 2021:
- Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show
- Jurassic Kingdom (interactive, animatronic dinosaurs)
- Kachunga & the Alligator Show
- ARCY live event murals
- Magic Man TJ Hill
- David Smith “The Human Cannonball”
Returning in 2021:
- Sandscapes sculptures
- Robo-Cars
- Treeman & Cowboy Woody
- Robinson’s Racing Pigs and Paddling Porkers
- 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
Get vaccinated at the Fair
Yes, you can get FREE admission plus FREE unlimited rides for one person when you get a Covid vaccine at the Fair, between October 1st and 3rd.
You’ll need to register in advance online for the shot. Both Pfizer and J&J brands are available. Vaccines will be given in the Jim R. Miller Park Event Center. All people who receive the vaccine at the fair will be entered into a drawing for a $500 Visa gift card.
The Groupon deal
Groupon is offering a small discount of $5 OFF two regular admission tickets.
That’s general admission for two adults (age 11 and up) for $15, rather than the $20 you’d pay at the gate for two people. Remember, kids age 10 and under are FREE.
This Groupon deal also includes options for:
- Four (4) general admission tickets for $28 (regularly $40 at the gate)
- Six (6) general admission tickets for $39 (regularly $60 at the gate)
- Eight (8) general admission tickets for $48 (regularly $80 at the gate)
Advance purchase discount
If you buy early, you can save a few bucks.
Advance tickets, when purchased before opening day on September 23rd, are just $7. These 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.
The good news? There doesn’t seem to be added ticket fees when you buy online.
Remember, these advance sales close on Sept. 23rd.
Buy admission and ride tickets here
WSB-TV’s half-price admission coupon
We don’t yet have details on this for 2021, but it’s been a standard promotion for several years.
O’Reilly Auto Parts half-price admission deal
You can buy half-price admission tickets in person at any O’Reilly Auto Parts store in Metro Atlanta.
The discount is available from September 1st through October 3rd, 2021.
Find an O’Reilly Auto Parts store near you.
Opening Day FREE admission deal
Thursday, September 23rd 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, though).
What’s more, $20 per person will buy you an unlimited ride wristband on this day.
Try your luck and win a prize playing games on the Mdway. Photo: N. GA. State Fair
Daily deals and live entertainment schedule
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 23rd — Opening Day
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
FREE admission for all
- Friday, September 24th — Heroes Day
$25 for unlimited rides (per person)
FREE admission 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
CONCERT: We Are Messengers at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, September 25th — 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
CONCERT: Chris Lane at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, September 26th
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!)
- Monday, September 27th
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
Live entertainment: Pebblebrook School of Performing Arts
- Tuesday, September 28th — $2 Tuesday
$2 Parking — $2 Admission — $2 Rides — $2 Food Bites
Special Populations Night
- Wednesday, September 29th
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
CONCERT: Gabby Barrett at 8 p.m.
- Thursday, September 30th — College Night
$20 for unlimited rides (per person)
FREE admission with valid college ID
CONCERT: Jon Langston at 8 p.m.
- Friday, October 1st
$25 for unlimited rides (per person)
One FREE admission with donation of 10 non-perishable, non-expired canned food items
One FREE admission and FREE unlimited rides if you get vaccinated at the Fair.
CONCERT: Chase Rice at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, October 2nd — Superior Plumbing Family Fun Day
$30 for unlimited rides (per person)
Free admission and free rides from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. only
One free admission with donation of 10 non-perishable, non-expired canned food items
One FREE admission and FREE unlimited rides if you get vaccinated at the Fair.
CONCERT: Mark Wills at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, October 3rd
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 10 non-perishable, non-expired canned food items
One FREE admission and FREE unlimited rides if you get vaccinated at the Fair.
The Midway delights young and old. Photo: N. Ga. State Fair
More fall fun around metro Atlanta:
Saturday, February 5, 2022
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