Kentucky State Fair tickets, concerts and entertainment lineups now available

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Tickets are now available for this year's Kentucky State Fair, as well as a full lineup of concerts and entertainment.

The fair runs Aug. 14-24 this year, and includes fun for the whole family with entertainment, family shows and the Texas Roadhouse Concert Series.

One of the fair's staples is the concert series, with performances from artists across all genres and generations.

Texas Roadhouse Concert Series flyer. *Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair.* June 5, 2025

The Texas Roadhouse Concert Series area opens daily at 6:30 p.m., with concerts beginning at 8 p.m.

Performances include:

Thursday, August 14: Sawyer Brown with special guest Home Free
Friday, August 15: Sister Sledge Ft. Sledgendary with special guest C+C Music Factory
Saturday, August 16: Blue Öyster Cult with special guest Great Southern
Sunday, August 17 (Military Sunday): Roots & Boots, which includes Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, and Sammy Kershaw
Monday, August 18: We The Kingdom with special guest Level Ground
Tuesday, August 19 (Senior Day): Happy Together Tour, which includes The Turtles, Jay and the Americans, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, and The Cowsills
Wednesday, August 20: Co-Headliners Drew Baldridge and Parmalee
Thursday, August 21: Grand Funk Railroad with special guest Frankie Ballard
Friday, August 22: Theory of a Deadman with special guest Wyld Ryde
Saturday, August 23: Ole 60 with special guest Avery Anna

The fair concert series will end with Tribute in the Tents on the last day of the fair, Sunday, Aug. 24.

Tents will be filled with tribute bands "celebrating iconic sounds across the decades" with hits from artists like ZZ Top, The Eagles and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

Over the course of the fair, organizers said more than 30 bands will take part in all-day live performances in The BIG Tent, Budweiser Tent and the Hitching Post.

Kentucky State Fair tent acts — *Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair.* June 5, 2025

The BIG Tent will host Blacktop Rodeo, Corridor 64, Exit 105, Friday Night Special, Hank Rose Project, Hound Street Saints, Kentucky Blue, Leather and Lace, Naked Garden, Shotgun Serenade, Sound Decisions, Sound Machine, Throwback Thursday and ZZ-KC.

The Budweiser Tent will host The Bottle Trees, Dance Hall Hooligans, Hartshaker, Jeni Carr Trio, Les Masters Band, Lexie & The Chillbillies, The Mad Taxpayers, Most Wanted, No Compromise, Radiotronic, Red Thurzday, Roses & Rattlesnakes, Savannah Dean, Soul Circus, Soul Kitchen, Top Shelf and The Wilson Brothers.

The Hitching Post will host Journey to the Heart and Petty Theft. Zeno Jones will take the stage for a special performance Saturday, Aug. 23, during BEERFEST.

BEERFEST also returns this year, from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. Organizers said ticket prices will include admission and parking when purchased online this year. Attendees will be able to sample beers from about a dozen local craft breweries with a souvenir glass. There will also be photo opportunities and live music. Tickets cost $30 when purchased in advance online and include fair admission and parking. At the door, tickets cost $35. Patrons must be 21 years old with a valid ID. To purchase tickets, click here. They can also be purchased at the Kentucky Expo Center Ticket Office for $30 through Aug. 22.

Inside the Kentucky Expo Center during the fair, you'll find hundreds of vendors, contest entries, AgLand, Health Horizons, and Pride of the Counties, where you can explore most of the state's 120 counties in one spot.

There are also plenty of family-friendly things to do, including Thrill Ville rides, specialty acts, livestock competitions and more.

All-day wristbands for Thrill Ville are available now for $30 in advance when purchased online or at a participating Kroger location now through Aug. 13. That will increase to $35 Aug. 14. Wristbands will also cost $35 during the fair and include "at least" 50 rides, including the ferris wheels. The Sensory Inclusion booth will also be on-hand, offering items to help those with sensory processing differences. The unlimited popcorn cow buckets are also making a comeback this year.

The Largest Pumpkin and Largest Watermelon contests will also return this year, on Aug. 16 and Aug. 23 during BEERFEST.

Kentucky State Fair attractions — *Photo courtesy of the Kentucky State Fair.* June 5, 2025

Specialty acts and activities include: 4-H Cloverville, AgLand, Animal Cracker Conspiracy, BEERFEST, Blue Ribbon Stage and Family Stage Performances, BMX Pros Stunt Show, Breaka Boyz, Championship Drive, Circus Fantasy & Magic, Country Ham Contest, Discovery Farm, Draft Horse and Pony Pulls, The Duckling Slide, Farm to Fair Cooking Stage Demonstrations, FFA Exhibit, Freddy Farm Bureau, Gospel Music Showcase, The Groovy Guy Show, Health Screenings in Health Horizons, Kentucky Remembers: The Vietnam War, Kentucky State Auctioneers Association Contest & Live Auction, Kentucky State Fair Talent Classic, Kentucky’s Best Entries in Culinary, Farm Products, Fine Arts, Textiles, & More, Lady Houdini, Largest Pumpkin and Watermelon Contest, Little Miss & Mister, Livestock Competitions, Main Street Kentucky, Miller's Border Collies, Milking Demonstrations, National Civics Bee State Competition, News Media Personality Visits, North Wing Shops, Ohio Valley Wrestling, Poultry, Pigeons & Rabbits Competitions, Pride of the Counties, Rescue Ridge, Rooster Crowing Contest, Rose Smelling Contest, Safety Town, South Wing Shops, Steve Brogan & Company, Strong and Amazing Aerial Show, Sunshine Class, Thrill Ville, Twin Stunts, the World's Championship Horse Show and more.

The Wilderness Road 250 Exhibition will also be featured.

Special days and discounts will also return this year:

Military Sunday: Active military, veterans and their families can attend the fair for free Sunday, Aug. 17 with a military ID. Tickets are limited to four each and parking is not included. Wristbands for Thrill Ville rides will be available at a 20% discount, also with a four-person limit per ID.

$5 Monday: Get into the fair at a bargain price Monday, Aug. 18. Admission that day will be $5 at the gate, and includes parking. Attendees are encouraged to check out Discovery Farm in AgLand, and watch performances of the World's Championship Horse Show for free.

Senior Day: Attendees ages 55 and older can attend the fair for free Tuesday, Aug. 19, however parking is not included. There will be special activities during the day.

Sensory Awareness Day: Fairgoers with sensory processing differences can attend the fair for free and get free Thrill Ville tickets Wednesday, Aug. 20. From 10 a.m. until noon, the ride area will be operating with minimal lighting and music to cater to those with sensory sensitivities. Tickets are limited. Organizers said a request form will be shared on the state fair website later this summer. Also on Sensory Awareness Day, The Sunshine Class will provide those with special needs the opportunity to work in a show ring, showing an animal with a mentor for a championship banner. To register, click here.

The World's Championship Horse Show is also returning to Freedom Hall, Aug. 16-23 during the state fair. This year marks the 121st event. It includes more than 200 classes and thousands of participants from around the country competing for over $1.5 million in prizes and titles. Tickets for the show will be available starting June 16 on the World's Championship Horse Show website.

Fair admission tickets include parking when purchased ahead of time online by clicking here or at participating Kroger stores for $9 through July 20. July 21, prices increase to $12. Listed prices include fees. Admission purchased at the gate of the fair is $10 per person and $10 per car for parking.

To learn more or watch for updates, click here.