On a budget? Check out these Indiana State Fair events and attractions for free (or cheap)

Heather Bushman, Indianapolis Star
Updated ·5 min read

The Indiana State Fair starts Friday, July 28, and you don’t need to dip into your savings to make the most of it.

From discount days to free events to opportunities to shave off a dollar or two, there are plenty of ways to experience the fair on a budget. Check out everything you need to know to keep your family — and your wallet —happy throughout the fair.

With a packed schedule, this list isn't comprehensive, but these are some programming highlights:

Hoosier hoops, cornhole and more: What's new at the 2023 Indiana State Fair

Buy your Indiana State Fair tickets online at advance prices

Entry tickets and midway wristbands are available at discounted rates with an online purchase.

Advance single-day admission is $11 if purchased before July 27 at 11:59 p.m., after which tickets will be available at the fair gates for the regular price. Midway wristbands are $25 online until July 30 at 11:59 p.m.

A family pack, which includes four single-day admission tickets and a parking pass, is available for $44 online if purchased before July 27 at 11:59 p.m.

Parking passes purchased before July 27 at 11:59 p.m. are also available at a discounted rate of $8.

Attendees who bike to the fair will save $1 on the price of admission. Tickets are available at indianastatefair.com/p/tickets.

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Discount days at the Indiana State Fair

The fair will offer discounts on select days throughout its run. Here's when and how you can save a few bucks:

  • BMV Discount Day, Aug. 2: 50% admission with printed or digital voucher from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, available soon at in.gov/bmv.

  • $3 Thursdays, Aug. 3, 10, 17: $3 admission, midway rides and food options

  • Art and Nature Day, Aug. 9: Free admission with a ticket from IndyStar’s Aug. 7 paper

  • AAA Day, Aug. 16: Free admission with valid AAA membership card

  • Military and First Responders’ Day, Aug. 18: Free admission with valid military or first responder ID

Free exhibits and events at the Indiana State Fair

The price of admission guarantees access to several events and attractions at no additional cost.

Concerts and performances will take place every day of the fair at the Hoosier Free Stage. This year’s lineup includes Styx, Gin Blossoms, Buddy Guy, Toby Mac and more.

Basketball exhibits and activities corresponding with the fair’s theme will be open across the Harvest Pavilion, the Indiana Arts Building, the Backyard and more. Visitors can learn about Indiana basketball history, tour iconic memorabilia and shoot hoops throughout the several exhibits.

The lineup: Here's a full list of performances happening on the Indiana State Fair's free stage

Animals across the fair

Full-time fair with a zoo gig on the side, the state fair’s lineup of animal exhibits gives the Ark a run for its money. Check out when and where you can catch every critter for free with the price of admission. These events are daily unless otherwise noted.

  • Animal Town: MHS Family Fun Park, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

  • Butterfly Exhibit: DNR Complex, 9 a.m.

  • Easy Ride ‘Em Ponies: MHS Family Fun Park, 10 a.m.

  • Goat Mountain: 9 a.m.

  • Otter Adventure: MHS Family Fun Park; 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon, 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday (beginning Aug. 2)

  • Live Birds of Prey: DNR Complex, 4:30 p.m.

  • Parakeet Encounter: 9 a.m.

  • Reptiles Rule: DNR Complex, 10 a.m.

State Fair competitions and contests

Whether you're a spectator on the sidelines or looking to get in on the action, there are plenty of opportunities to get your head in the game at the fair. Check out some of the competition at this year's festivities, free with admission. These events are daily unless otherwise noted.

  • Watermelon Seed Catapulting Contest: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 3 p.m.

  • USA Mullet Championship: ENOUGH Plaza, July 29 at 2 p.m.

  • Indiana State Fair Cornhole Tournament: Purdue Extension Building Auditorium, July 29 at noon

  • Swiftly Swine Racing Pigs: Main Street, 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 7:30 p.m.

  • Hot Air Balloon Race: Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, July 28 at 6:45 p.m.

  • Indiana State Fair Tractor Pull: Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, July 30 at 2 p.m.

  • Indiana Young Farmers Association Tractor Pull: Indiana Young Farmers, Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.

  • Harness Racing: Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m., Aug. 16 at 1 and 5 p.m.

  • Rodeo Slack Run: Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m.

Demos and expos at the Indiana State Fair

From high-flying acts to classic antiques, here's everything on display across the fairgrounds. These events are daily unless otherwise noted.

  • Antique Tractor Show: Pioneer Village, 9 a.m.

  • Illuminate: Expo Hall, 9 a.m.

  • Live Cheese Carving with Sarah Kaufman “The Cheese Lady”: The Mercantile, 9 a.m.

  • Mango and Dango Flying Umbrella Ship: Around the fairgrounds, 2-7 p.m. XPogo: The Backyard; noon, 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday

  • Rope Warrior: Main Street; Aug. 9-13; 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Contact Pulliam Fellow Heather Bushman at HBushman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @hmb_1013.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State Fair 2023: Free (or cheap) ways to enjoy the fair