2023 Wisconsin State Fair: Hours, tickets, discount, carry-in policies and other need-to-know info

Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·3 min read

Wisconsin State Fair returns to West Allis Aug. 3 with the same operating hours as last year, opening at 10 a.m. daily.

Here's what you should know about the event, including ways you can save money on admission.

Wisconsin State Fair 2023 dates and hours

Dates: Aug. 3-13

Location: Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday.

Note: Fairgoers younger than 18 entering after 5 p.m. must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 21 or older. Proof of age is required. Each parent or guardian may only chaperone up to six minors per day.

Wisconsin State Fair ticket and admission prices

Tickets to the State Fair are $18 for adults and children 12 and older, $13 for military personnel and seniors, and $13 for children ages 6 to 11. Children 5 and younger are admitted free.

How to get deals on Wisconsin State Fair tickets

Note that the offers below are valid while ticket supplies last. Some have expiration dates.

  • Purchase $14 fair tickets, a saving of $4 on adult admission price, through June 30 at the State Fair ticket office and at WiStateFair.com. They also can be purchased at participating Wisconsin Sentry Foods, Festival Foods and Metcalfe's Markets.

Damarion Ware, 12, of Milwaukee, who was with his cousin, Quita Durham, not pictured, rides on the giant swings during the opening day of the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.
Damarion Ware, 12, of Milwaukee, who was with his cousin, Quita Durham, not pictured, rides on the giant swings during the opening day of the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022.

  • Earn a coupon for a free youth admission ticket through the summer reading programs of participating Milwaukee County (suburban) libraries, as well as Waukesha and Jefferson counties; Racine, Rock and Walworth counties; and Dodge, Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Washington counties. Check with your local library for details. (Milwaukee Public Library branches are not participating in the program this year.)

  • By donating to Hunger Task Force online through Aug. 2, you can receive a digital coupon for a $2 fair ticket to be used only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3, the fair's opening day. See the fair website for details.

  • Get one State Fair ticket and one Irish Fest ticket for $22 through July 31 at WiStateFair.com and the State Fair Ticket Office.

  • Get one State Fair ticket and one adult admission to the Milwaukee County Zoo for $22 through July 31 at WiStateFair.com and the State Fair Ticket Office.

Save at the Gate daily discounts at Wisconsin State Fair

Aug. 3: Donate two cans of fruits or vegetables or make a cash donation to benefit Hunger Task Force outside any fair entrance to receive admission for $5. This Wells Fargo Day promotion ends at 4 p.m.

Aug. 4: Visitors with out-of-state ID can purchase two adult admission tickets for $18 until 6 p.m. at any State Fair ticket window for Celebrate Wisconsin Day, presented by Travel Wisconsin.

Aug. 6: Veterans, military personnel and up to three family members will receive free admission until 4 p.m. courtesy of Miller High Life. Appropriate ID required.

Aug. 10: Educators receive one free admission until 4 p.m. by showing school-issued ID or name badge at any ticket window, courtesy of Prairie Farms Dairy.

Wisconsin State Fair carry-in policy

All entrants to State Fair pass through metal detection and are subject to search.

The fair forbids bringing in: alcoholic beverages, guns, knives, explosives, other weapons and illegal drugs. The fair also prohibits cans, glass bottles, lawn chairs, skateboards, inline skates, bicycles, kites and Frisbees.

Also, umbrellas, lawn chairs, signs, recording devices and selfie sticks are prohibited in the State Fair Main Stage area.

Sealed bottles of water as well as food for infants and people with dietary needs are permitted. Working service animals are OK, but not other animals.

Bags larger than 9 by 10 by 12 inches are not permitted, except for empty, collapsed totes and bags for infant/family or medical needs.

Read the fair's list of policies at wistatefair.com/fair/policies.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin State Fair 2023: Hours, tickets, deals, carry-in policy