Head to the Great Allentown Fair Sept. 2 through 7, 2026, for rides, delicious fair food, and farm fun.
The Great Allentown Fair is one of the oldest fairs in the United States, with its first incarnation held in 1852 to showcase area agriculture. More than 170 years later, the fair—a unique mix of agricultural show and classic fair—remains one of the largest in Pennsylvania.
This year, the Great Allentown Fair takes over the Allentown Fairgrounds Wednesday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 7, and will be filled with farm animals, rides, grandstand entertainment, amusing contests (hay bale throwing contest, anyone?), plenty of scheduled fun, and lots of classic fair eats (read: delicious fried food).
Whether you want to ride the Ferris wheel, sink your teeth into a deep-fried Oreo, or check out prize-winning pies, here’s your guide to making the most of a trip to the Great Allentown Fair.
Getting to the Great Allentown Fair
To visit the fair, head to the Allentown Fairgrounds—also the site of the Allentown Farmers Market—in Allentown’s West End. You can park on-site for $15. (Find the lot by taking Tunnel Gate 7 off of Liberty Street.)
The fair opens at noon each day, save for opening night, when the fair opens at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $10 at the gate for adults and kids 13 and older, while those 12 and under enter for free. Note that you can buy tickets in advance for just $5 online. Other ways to save on admission vary by day—for example, you can bring a canned food donation for Second Harvest Food Bank on Sept. 2 to get in for $3, you can enter for free between noon and 2 p.m. Sept. 3 and 4, and seniors get in free on Sept. 7.
Check out the fair’s agricultural side
As the fair has grown and evolved over the decades, agriculture still remains the beating heart of the Great Allentown Fair. Within the fair’s “Agri-Land” and “Agri-Plex,” you can meet barnyard animals, check out agricultural exhibits, and salivate at kitchen demonstrations. Kids can get close to the ag action at the Lil’ Farm Hands Activity Tent, while livestock barns are temporary homes to cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, with chickens and rabbits hanging out in adjacent buildings.
Plus, like any great hometown fair, there are plenty of cooking contests, from cake and pie baking contests to dessert contests featuring fresh peaches and pumpkins. You can take a look at the full fair schedule to plan your agricultural adventures and see what wins a blue ribbon this year.
Hop on rides at the midway
At the Great Allentown Fair midway, you’ll find the fair’s amusement rides and carnival games. Admission to rides isn’t included in fair admission—instead, you can purchase individual ride tickets or wristbands for multiple rides.
Midway fun is powered by Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, which ensures there are rides for every age group—including thrill rides and kiddie rides—as well as rides for families enjoying the fair together. You can expect classic rides like a Ferris wheel, a carousel, mini coasters, and much more.
Eat delicious fair fare
You may be drawn to the fair for agriculture and entertainment, but the dozens of food and drink vendors hawking delectables certainly enhance the fair experience! You’ll have the chance to try classic fair foods like funnel cake and corn dogs plus a variety of other tasty eats like tacos, burgers, sandwiches, sweet treats, pierogies, barbecue, and more. And in true fair fashion, there is plenty of fried goodness: fried chicken, fried seafood, fried Twinkies, fried cookies (including fried Oreos), French fries, fried egg rolls—the list goes on.
You can also vote for the best food newly debuting at the fair! Each year, the Great Allentown Fair hosts its Best New Fair Food contest, pitting unique bites and new vendors against each other in friendly competition. You’ll vote for your favorite new food during the fair. Last year, the winning dish was The Old Smokey, a plate of loaded potato chips à la BBQ nachos, from the Pocono Potato Chip Company.
Check out grandstand entertainment
While you’ll see performers and activities throughout the fair entertaining crowds just for the price of admission, the fair’s biggest entertainment draws can be found at the grandstand. Here, performances are ticketed (though fair admission is included in grandstand show tickets). In 2026, grandstand happenings include lively shows and performances from entertainers both local and national. Take a look at the grandstand shows planned for each day of the fair.
The Four Tops with Allentown Symphony Orchestra: Wednesday, Sept. 2
The Four Tops, one of Motown’s greats, are still captivating audiences with hits like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” and “Baby I Need Your Loving.” The group takes to the stage on the fair’s opening night, backed by the gifted musicians of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $47 at the box office, or $54.75 online.
Stars, Stripes & Slams: Thursday, Sept. 3
Stars, Stripes & Slams is a family-friendly, professional wrestling show featuring a number of wrestling stars, including World Wrestling Entertainment veterans. Tickets start at $32 at the box office or $39.40 online.
Warren Zeiders: Friday, Sept. 4
Country singer and Hershey native Warren Zeiders will take the Great Allentown Fair grandstand stage as part of his world tour. Tickets start at $61 at the box office or $72.55 online.
All Time Low: Saturday, Sept. 5
Pop-punk darlings All Time Low will perform for fans at the Great Allentown Fair on the Saturday of the fair. Some of their most well-known hits include 2020’s “Monsters” and 2008’s “Dear Maria, Count Me In.” Tickets start at $61 at the box office or $72.55 online.
Local Legends Live: Sunday, Sept. 6
The fair’s Sunday show features some of the most popular local bands from the Lehigh Valley area. You can catch a stacked lineup at the Local Legends Live performance, which will include The Aardvarks, Social Call, Common Bond, Stereotype, Strange Culture, and Scott Marshall & the Highway Souls. Tickets are $32 at the box office or $39.40 online.
J&J Demolition Derby: Monday, Sept. 7
A Labor Day tradition, the J&J Demolition Derby returns to the Great Allentown Fair to see drivers smash and crash into each other until only one car remains. Online tickets are $29.20 for adults and $22.55 for children, though you’ll save if you purchase tickets in person at the box office.
