Western Idaho Fair: Information to live shows, meals and extra in 2026

Gates open for the 129th Western Idaho Fair at noon Friday at Expo Idaho.

The action continues through Sunday, Aug. 30. Gates open at noon on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends, and the fun ends nightly at 11 p.m. — expect for Aug. 30., when gates close at 10 p.m.

Get your tickets

Skip the lines and buy admission tickets ahead of time at idahofair.com. Prices are $10 adults, $8 children ages 6-11, $9 for seniors 62 and older, and free for children 5 and younger. Carnival wristbands are $35 for unlimited access all day, but they do not include fair admission.

Who’s playing concerts at the Grandstand?

General admission to concerts is free with fair admission, but there are also reserved grandstand seats, reserved club seats, standing tickets in the fan zone and four-person reserved loge packages available for purchase.

This year’s lineup includes:

• Brantley Gilbert: Monday, Aug. 24

• Skillet: Tuesday, Aug. 25

• Third Eye Blind: Wednesday, Aug. 26

• The Art of Rap featuring Ice-T, Sir Mix-A-Lot: Thursday, Aug. 27

• Lee Brice: Friday, Aug. 28

Entertainment and activities

If you aren’t into the thrill of carnival rides, there are plenty of other entertainment options available at the fair. Check out the 4H animals, or one of the many competitions from agriculture to fine art to crafts.

Additional entertainment options include Matt Baker, Fairly Bigfoot, Dinos & Dragons, Violin on Fire, hypnotist Chris Mabrey, Kids Pedal Tractor Pull, Aces Fly Pig Races, Cowtown USA, Rebecca “Fireplug” stilts and props artist, sword swallower Dan Meyer, Off Axis High Dive, Off Axis Stunt Show, Adam the Great, Gotcha Covered, Lynsey & Prime, Big Sky Drive and The Clowns.

Find a complete entertainment schedule here.

Feeling hungry?

Feeding your face is half the run at the fair, and the options seem endless. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available in 2026.

• Americana finger foods: Bacon Bacon Bacon, Buffalo Grill, Hot to Tot, Jones’ Burger, NAACP, NY Italian Sausage, R&R BBQ, Roy’s Milkshakes, Smokehouse Grill, Wilder Concessions, Fry Guys and Hugo’s Deli.

• Burgers and BBQ: Big Sky Events and Catering, Colossal Onion Blossom, Coned, Idaho Mountain Search & Rescue, Idaho Pizza Co., Mr. Bee’s, Party Pups, Pita Hut and Pronto Pups.

• Worldwide Flavors: Basilios Tacos, Gordo’s Tacos, Greek Gyro, Hawaiian Teriyaki, Indian FryBread, Oinkari Basque Dancers, Zorba’s and Cactus Shack.

• Sweets and Treats: Ames Concessions, Blue Feather Bakery, B’s Lemonade, The Coconut Guy, Daisy’s Italian Ice, Elephant Ears, Eva’s Famous Ice Cream Bars, Eve’s Espresso, Funnel Cakes, Hola Churros, Holy Oly O’s, Idaho Ice Cream Potato, Idaho Nut Hut, Mini Doh!Nuts, Old Fashion Kettle Corn, Paradise Ice, Summer Snow, Sweet Classics, Idaho Crepe, Kiss My Licorice and Sippin Sodiez.

Promo days

If you’re looking for a deal, here are the days you can get into the fair for free or at a discounted price:

• Friday, Aug. 21: Receive free admission from noon to 4 p.m. with a donation to the Boise State food pantry.

• Sunday, Aug. 23: Free admission for active duty and veterans.

• Tuesday, Aug. 25: Receive $2 admission from noon to 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, Aug. 26: Free admission from noon to 2 p.m.

• Thursday, Aug. 27: Buy one admission, get one free from noon to 4 p.m.

• Friday, Aug. 28: Half-price admission for students with a valid ID from noon to 4 p.m.

Change is coming

The Western Idaho Fair will switch to new August dates beginning in 2027.

In 2027, the fair will begin a week earlier, running Friday, Aug. 13, to Sunday, Aug. 29 — but closing on Mondays and Tuesdays. Then in 2028, it will hop back yet another week to its official new timeline: Friday, Aug. 4, to Sunday, Aug. 20 — also closing Mondays and Tuesdays. The first Friday of August will continue to be the fair’s opening date in future years.

This change brings three weekends instead of two into the fold, and once it moves earlier into August, the fair will begin before school has started.