Updated: July 8, 2026
In this guide
It’s County Fair season, everybody!
Of course, most Ohioans have had the pleasure of visiting the Ohio State Fair at least once in their lifetime. But have you had the joy of wandering around a good, old-fashioned County Fair?
Heading out to the fairgrounds is a great way to hear live music, eat food, and people watch. If you’re anxious to fill your belly with carnival food ASAP, here are some county fairs near central Ohio that you won’t want to miss. Every fair below is refreshed with its 2026 dates and gate prices, from Pickaway’s late-June kickoff to Fairfield in October.
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| Fair | 2026 Dates | Gate Admission | Drive from Columbus |
| Pickaway County Fair | June 20–27 | $10 ($5 Sun, $15 after 4pm Thu–Sat); kids 10 & under free | ~35 min |
| Marion County Fair | June 28–July 4 | $10; kids 10 & under free | ~1 hr |
| Madison County Fair | July 11–18 | $10; kids 4 & under free | ~30 min |
| Franklin County Fair | July 20–26 | $10 ($8 online in advance); kids 2 & under free | ~20 min |
| Fayette County Fair | July 20–25 | $8; kids 2 & under free | ~50 min |
| Perry County Fair | July 20–25 | $15 (includes all rides) | ~1 hr |
| Clark County Fair | July 24–31 | $10; kids under 5 free | ~45 min |
| Knox County Fair | July 25–August 1 | $10; kids 8 & under free | ~1 hr |
| Union County Fair | July 26–August 1 | Free gate (only grandstand events ticketed) | ~35 min |
| Greene County Fair | August 2–8 | $10; kids 5 & under free | ~1 hr 5 min |
| Champaign County Fair | August 7–14 | $8 (includes rides) | ~55 min |
| The Hartford Fair | August 9–15 | $10; kids 8 & under free | ~40 min |
| Ross County Fair | August 8–15 | Prices rose for 2026 – check the fair’s site | ~50 min |
| Muskingum County Fair | August 16–22 | $10; kids 5 & under free | ~1 hr |
| Morrow County Fair | August 31–September 7 | $8; kids 6 & under free | ~45 min |
| Hardin County Fair | September 8–13 | $10; kids under 8 free | ~1 hr 10 min |
| Hocking County Fair | September 14–19 | To be announced (historically ≤ $10) | ~50 min |
| Delaware County Fair | September 19–26 | $8; kids 8 & under free | ~35 min |
| Fairfield County Fair | October 11–17 | $10; kids 9 & under free | ~35 min |
Drive times are approximate, measured from downtown Columbus via Google Maps.
June Fairs
Pickaway County Fair
- Details: Daily admission is $10 ($5 on Sunday, and $15 after 4pm on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday), which covers the grandstand and amphitheater events. Kids 10 and under are free, and rides cost extra. One heads-up: no pets are allowed on the fairgrounds during the fair.
When: June 20-27, 2026
Where: Pickaway Agriculture and Event Center, 415 Lancaster Pike, Circleville, OH 43113
Website: Pickaway County Fair
Marion County Fair
- Details: Daily admission to the Marion County Fair is $10. Children 10 and under are free. Seats at the Grand Stand are included in your admission, and wristbands for rides are an additional fee.
When: June 28-July 4, 2026
Where: Marion County Fairgrounds, 220 East Fairground St, Marion, OH 43302
Website: Marion County Fair
July Fairs
Madison County Fair
- Details: Daily admission to the Madison County Fair is $10. Children 4 and under are free. If you’re hoping to enjoy the rides, you’ll need to purchase a daily wristband for $25.
When: July 11-18, 2026
Where: Madison County Fairgrounds, 205 Elm St, London, OH 43140
Website: Madison County Fair
Franklin County Fair
- Details: Daily admission to the Franklin County Fair is $10. Children 2 and under are free. Individual tickets for rides are $1, or you can purchase a wristband for $15-$20, depending on the date. P.S. If you purchase your tickets online before the fair opens, you can get them at a discounted rate of $8.
When: July 20-26, 2026
Where: Franklin County Fairgrounds, 4100 Columbia St, Hilliard, OH 43026
Website: Franklin County Fair
Fayette County Fair
- Details: General admission, which includes the grandstand attractions, is $8. Kids 2 years old and under get in free.
When: July 20-25, 2026
Where: Fayette County Fairgrounds, 213 Fairview Ave, Washington Court House, OH 43160
Website: Fayette County Fair
Perry County Fair
- Details: General admission tickets cost $15, and that includes all of your rides!
When: July 20-25, 2026
Where: Perry County Fairgrounds, 5445 OH-37, New Lexington, OH 43764
Website: Perry County Fair
Clark County Fair
- Details: Kids under 5 are free, general admission goes for $10. Ride wristbands are available for an additional fee.
When: July 24-31, 2026
Where: Clark County Fairgrounds, 4401 S Charleston Pike, Springfield, OH 45505
Website: Clark County Fair
Knox County Fair
- Details: General admission tickets are $10 and kids 8 and under are free. Ride prices haven’t been released yet this year, but they are an additional cost to admission.
When: July 25-August 1, 2026
Where: Knox County Fairgrounds, 601 Fairgrounds Rd, Mt Vernon, OH 43050
Website: Knox County Fair
Union County Fair
- Details: Good news for your wallet: gate admission is free, and it covers the rides, grandstand shows, putt-putt, and the kids’ zone. The only thing you’ll pay extra for is a seat at the ticketed grandstand events, which run $10 for anyone 19 and up, $5 for ages 6 to 18, and free for kids 5 and under.
When: July 26-August 1, 2026
Where: Union County Fairgrounds, 845 N Main St, Marysville, OH 43040
Website: Union County Fair
August Fairs
Greene County Fair
- Details: Daily admission for guests 10-years-old and up costs $10. (5 and under get in free with a paying adult) Wristband pricing for rides will be released shortly before the fair, but you can also pay per ride.
When: August 2-8, 2026
Where: Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Rd, Xenia, OH 45385
Website: Greene County Fair
Champaign County Fair
- Details: Daily admission to the fair is $8, which includes rides. Some Grandstand events are also included in admission.
When: August 7-14, 2026
Where: Champaign County Fairgrounds, 384 Park Ave, Urbana, OH 43078
Website: Champaign County Fair
The Hartford Fair
- Details: The general admission prices are $10 for adults and free for kids 8 and under. Admission doesn’t include the cost of rides, but seats at the Grandstand are free.
When: August 9-15, 2026
Where: Hartford Fair, 14028 Fairgrounds Rd, Croton, OH 43013
Website: The Hartford Fair
Ross County Fair
- Details: Admission prices went up for 2026, so check the fair’s site for the current gate rate before you go. Some Grandstand events are free to attend, but rides will cost an additional fee.
When: August 8-15, 2026
Where: Ross County Fairgrounds, 344 Fairgrounds Rd, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Website: Ross County Fair
Muskingum County Fair
- Details: General admission is $10, with kids 5 and under free. Ride wristbands run $25 (or $20 if you buy before 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday). Be sure to stop by and see the Budweiser Clydesdales while you’re at the fair.
When: August 16-22, 2026
Where: Muskingum County Fairgrounds, 1300 Pershing Rd, Zanesville, OH 43701
Website: Muskingum County Fair
Morrow County Fair
- Details: Daily gate admission for those aged 7 and up is $8. Prices for ride tickets and wristbands haven’t announced yet, but Grandstand events are included in general admission.
When: August 31-September 7, 2026
Where: Morrow County Fairgrounds, 195 S Main St, Mt Gilead, OH 43338
Website: Morrow County Fair
September Fairs
Hardin County Fair
- Details: Tickets are $10 per per person 9-years-old and up. Free admission for kids under the age of 8, with special discount days for Veterans and Seniors. Grandstand events and rides are not included in general admission.
When: September 8-13, 2026
Where: Hardin County Fairgrounds, 14134 Letson Ave, Kenton, OH 43326
Website: Hardin County Fair
Hocking County Fair
- Details: Rates have yet to be released for this year’s Hocking County Fair, but in the past, admission prices have not exceeded $10.
When: September 14-19, 2026
Where: Hocking County Fairgrounds, Logan, OH 43138
Website: Hocking County Fair
Delaware County Fair
- Details: Daily admission is $8 and children 8 and under are free. Rides aren’t included in that price, but you can buy individual ride tickets for $2 or an all-day wristband for $22.
When: September 19-26, 2026
Where: The Delaware County Fairgrounds, 236 Pennsylvania Ave, Delaware, OH 43015
Website: Delaware County Fair
October Fairs
Fairfield County Fair
- Details: Anyone 10-years-old and over gets in for $10. Kids 9 and under get in free of charge. There are also special discounts available for seniors on Wednesdays.
When: October 11-17, 2026
Where: Fairfield County Agricultural, 157 E Fair Ave, Lancaster, OH 43130
Website: Fairfield County Fair
County Fair FAQ
When does county fair season start near Columbus?
Pickaway County Fair kicks it off, June 20-27, 2026, in Circleville, about 35 minutes south of downtown. It’s the earliest fair on the central Ohio calendar.
What’s the closest county fair to Columbus?
Franklin County Fair in Hilliard, about 20 minutes from downtown, is the closest. Madison County in London is next at roughly 30 minutes. Most of the rest sit between 35 minutes and a little over an hour away.
Which county fairs near Columbus are free?
Union County Fair in Marysville has a free gate; you only pay for grandstand events. Every other fair here charges admission, usually $8-$15 at the gate.
How much is admission to the fairs?
Most gate prices land between $8 and $15 a day, and kids’ free-age cutoffs vary by fair, anywhere from 2 and under to 10 and under. A couple bundle the rides into the gate price: Perry County is $15 with all rides included, and Champaign is $8 with rides.
What’s the last county fair of the season?
Fairfield County Fair in Lancaster, October 11-17, 2026, traditionally the last county fair held in Ohio each year.
