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Whether you are planning a day out with the kids, meeting up with friends, or looking for a fun seasonal event nearby, Delaware State Fair is a great place to make memories. Explore the sights, sounds, and flavors of the fair while enjoying a welcoming atmosphere filled with family fun, local charm, and unforgettable moments.
Held annually in Harrington, DE the Delaware State Fair draws visitors from across the region for days of non-stop excitement. Browse vendor booths, cheer on local talent, and discover everything this beloved community event has to offer. Plan your visit today and experience the best of local fair tradition — where fun, food, and family come together every year.
Delaware State Fair 2026 — Entertainment Guide
Dates: July 23 – August 1, 2026 | Source: Entertainment-Guide-2026.pdf (delawarestatefair.com)
Location key: QA = Quillen Arena · KB = Kent Building · DB = Delmarva Building · NC = New Castle Building · MH = Memorial Hall · HP = Hertrich Plaza · FM = Farm Machinery Lot · SC = Sponsor Court · D = Dover Building · GS = M&T Bank Grandstand · DP = DNREC Pavilion · AG = AG Commodities Building
Grandstand Concert Series (Delaware Lottery Summer Concert Series)
| Date | Headliner | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jul 23 | Harness Racing | 7PM | Presented by Harrington Raceway & Casino |
| Fri, Jul 24 | Demolition Derby | 7PM | Presented by Taylor & Messick |
| Sat, Jul 25 | Warren Zeiders | 7:30PM | With Wesko |
| Sun, Jul 26 | Bailey Zimmerman | 7:30PM | With Chandler Walters |
| Mon, Jul 27 | Hudson Westbrook | 7:30PM | With Braxton Keith |
| Tue, Jul 28 | For King & Country | 7:30PM | With Rachael Lampa |
| Wed, Jul 29 | “Weird Al” Yankovic | 7:30PM | With Puddles Pity Party |
| Thu, Jul 30 | Ann Wilson | 7:30PM | With Leanna Crawford |
| Fri, Jul 31 | Tracy Lawrence | 7:30PM | With Aaron Tippin + Sammy Kershaw |
| Sat, Aug 1 | Men at Work | 7PM | With Toad the Wet Sprocket — “Celebrating America’s 250th” |
All shows at the Grandstand (GS).
Daily Free Entertainment (every day unless noted)
| Time | Act | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 12PM–9PM | Goat Island Petting Zoo | Sponsor Court |
| 2PM–8PM | Dinosaur Takeover | Sponsor Court |
| 1:30PM, 4PM, 7PM | Disc-Connected K9’s World Famous Frisbee Dogs | Farm Machinery Lot |
| 3PM, 5PM, 7PM (+12PM extra Jul 24,25,26,31 & Aug 1) | All-American High Dive | Sponsor Court |
| 5PM, 6PM, 8:15PM | Mighty Mike (strongman) | Hertrich Plaza |
| 7PM, 9PM | Tyzen (hypnotist) | Hertrich Plaza |
| 2PM | Delaware Grown Cooking Demonstration | AG Commodities Bldg |
| 7PM | Delaware State Fair Parade | — |
Roaming acts, starting daily at: 2PM Rollo · 2:30PM Robot Rangers · 3PM The Fritters · 5PM Strolling Boombox
Limited-run acts: Lincoln City (rock band) — Hertrich Plaza, Jul 25 & 26, 2PM–4PM · Quade Gannon — Hertrich Plaza, Aug 1, 2PM–4PM
Special One-Time Events
| Date | Time | Event | Location | Presented By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, Jul 24 | 6PM | Billy Ray Collison Memorial Horse Pull | Quillen Arena | — |
| Sat, Jul 25 | 12PM | Sheep Dog Demonstrations | Quillen Arena | DE Dept. of Agriculture |
| Sat, Jul 25 | 10PM | Fireworks | Grandstand | M&T Bank |
| Sun, Jul 26 | 10PM | Fireworks | Grandstand | — |
| Tue, Jul 28 | 9AM–1PM | Kids’ Fair | Hertrich Plaza | Office of the State Treasurer |
| Tue, Jul 28 | 7PM | Livestock Extravaganza | Quillen Arena | Corteva Agriscience, Horizon Farm Credit, DE Dept. of Ag |
| Thu, Jul 30 | 3PM | Pig Kissin’ Contest | Hertrich Plaza | — |
| Thu, Jul 30 | 6:30PM | Jr. Livestock Auction | Kent Building | Corteva Agriscience & Horizon Farm Credit |
| Sat, Aug 1 | 9AM | Antique Tractor Pull | Quillen Arena | DE Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee |
| Sat, Aug 1 | 4PM | Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe | Grove Picnic Area | — |
| Sat, Aug 1 | 10PM | Fireworks | Grandstand | M&T Bank |
Daily 4-H, FFA, Livestock & Contest Schedule
Thursday, July 23 — Fair 12PM–11PM | Carnival 5PM–11PM
- 6PM: Billy Ray Collison Memorial Horse Pull — QA
Friday, July 24 — Presented by Pepsi — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 9AM: 4-H Poultry Judging — MH
- 10:30AM: Grand Bar Cookie Competition — DB
- 11AM: 4-H Lawn Tractor Driving Contest — QA
- 6:30PM: 4-H Talent Show — MH
Saturday, July 25 — Presented by Chesapeake Utilities — Fair 9AM–12AM | Carnival 1PM–12AM
- 9AM: Jr. Flower Arranging Contest — DB
- 10AM: Adults Flower Arranging Contest — DB
- 11AM: Lego Contest — HP
- 1PM: 4-H Skill-A-Thon Contests — MH
- 2PM: Boer Meat Goat Breed Show — NC
- 3PM: Swine Youth Showmanship — KB
- 4PM: Dairy Cattle Jr. Showmanship Show & DE Junior Dairy Futurity — QA
Sunday, July 26 — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 9AM: Horse Halter & Showmanship — QA
- 9AM: Rabbit Show — QA
- 10:30AM: Chocolate Temptation Competition — DB
- 1PM: Youth Showmanship & Boer Market Goat Show — NC
- 2PM: 4-H Public Speaking — MH
- 4PM: Jr. Dairy Breed Show — QA
- 5PM: DE Sheep & Wool Ambassador Contest — KB
- 7PM: Wool Lead Line Contest — KB
Monday, July 27 — Hunger Relief Day presented by Food Lion (also Seniors’ Day) — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 9AM: 4-H Livestock Judging — KB
- 9AM: Saddle Horse Performance — QA
- 10AM: Poultry Show — D
- 10:30AM: Berry Delicious Competition — DB
- 12:30PM: State 4-H Archery Contest — Thurman Adams Paddock
- 3PM: Ice Cream Making Contest — HP
- 3PM: Jr. and Open Breed Hog Show — KB
- 5:30PM: Horseshoe Pitching Contest (Men’s 40ft) — QA
- (5PM: Ross Chastain Meet & Greet — Sponsor Court, free entertainment extra)
Tuesday, July 28 — Kids’ Day presented by the Office of the State Treasurer — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 9AM: 4-H Dairy Judging — QA
- 9AM: Beef Cattle Show — QA
- 9AM: Sheep Showmanship & Market Show — KB
- 9AM–1PM: Kids’ Fair — HP
- 10:30AM: Kid’s Using Cake Mix Competition — DB
- 1PM: Delaware State Championship Youth Pedal Tractor Pull — FM
- 5:30PM: Horseshoe Pitching Contest (Men’s 40ft) — QA
- 7PM: Livestock Extravaganza — QA
Wednesday, July 29 — Armed Forces Day presented by Pratt Insurance — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 9AM: 4-H Horse Judging — QA
- 9AM: Breed Sheep Show — KB
- 10AM: General and Plant & Environmental 4-H Demonstrations — MH
- 10:30AM: Peach Recipe Competition — DB
- 11AM: 4-H Tractor Driving Contest — QA
- 6PM: Open Dairy Cattle Show — QA
Thursday, July 30 — Governor’s Day presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield DE (also Seniors’ Day) — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 8AM: Dairy Fitting & Showmanship & Open Dairy Goat Show — NC
- 9AM: FFA Games — D
- 9AM: Pony & Miniature Horse Show — QA
- 10:30AM: Kid’s Grand Bar Cooking Competition — DB
- 12:30PM: Family & Consumer Science 4-H Demonstrations — MH
- 3PM: Pig Kissin’ Contest — HP
- 5:30PM: Horseshoe Pitching Contest (Men’s 40ft) — QA
- 6:30PM: Jr. Livestock Auction — KB
Friday, July 31 — Fair 9AM–11PM | Carnival 1PM–11PM
- 9AM: State 4-H Horse & Pony Show — QA
- 10AM: Animal Science 4-H Demonstrations — MH
- 10:30AM: Friday Pie Day Competition — DB
- 12PM: Youth Poultry Show — D
- 5:30PM: Horseshoe Pitching Contest (Men’s 40ft) — QA
- 8PM: Pretty Animal Contest — QA
Saturday, August 1 — Coastal Bath Day presented by Coastal Bath Co. — Fair 9AM–12AM | Carnival 1PM–12AM
- 9AM: Horseshoe Pitching Contest (Women & Youth) — QA
- 9AM: Antique Tractor Pull — QA
- 10:30AM: Crazy Over Cupcakes Competition — DB
- 1PM: 4-H State Avian Bowl Contest — MH
- 1PM: Horseshoe Pitching Championship — FM
- 4PM: Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe — Grove Picnic Area
- 5PM: 4-H Awards Ceremony — QA
- 10PM: Fireworks (presented by M&T Bank) — Grandstand
Building Hours
Standard hours (Jul 24 – Aug 1):
Memorial Hall 9AM–9PM · First Aid Station 9AM–10PM · Dover Building 9AM–9PM · AG Commodities Bldg 10AM–8PM · Marketplace Tent 11AM–11PM · Delmarva Building 11AM–9PM · Delaware Building (Univ. of DE) 12PM–8PM · DNREC Building 12PM–8PM · Exhibit Hall 12PM–10PM · The Roost 12PM–11PM · Sensory Activation Vehicle 12PM–10PM
Opening day only — Thursday, July 23:
Memorial Hall 12PM–10PM · First Aid Station 12PM–10PM · Marketplace Tent 12PM–11PM · Dover Building 12PM–9PM · Delmarva Building 12PM–9PM · Delaware Building 12PM–8PM · AG Commodities Bldg 12PM–8PM · DNREC Building 12PM–8PM · Exhibit Hall 12PM–10PM · The Roost 12PM–11PM · SAV 12PM–10PM
Fair Hours: Jul 23 12PM–11PM · Jul 24, 26–31 9AM–11PM · Jul 25 & Aug 1 9AM–12AM
Carnival Hours: Jul 23 12PM–11PM · Jul 24, 26–31 1PM–11PM · Jul 25 & Aug 1 1PM–12AM