2026 Minnesota State Fair Sets Opening Day Attendance Record

I cannot believe the Minnesota State Fair is already here! This summer has flown by, as is always the case in the Northland.

I will be at the fair next week and already have a long list of what I will be eating. I completely plan on going all out - but I am not brave enough to go on opening day. That takes a very brave human!

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However, there are some people who absolutely love the excitement of going on opening day and there is something to be said about that! There is something special about being there when it all kicks off.

It turns out there were a lot of brave people out there braving opening day on Thursday (August 27th). As always, the Minnesota State Fair shared just how many people made their way to the fairgrounds.

How Many People Went To Opening Day At The Minnesota State Fair?

Drumroll please....the Minnesota State Fair revealed the opening day numbers on Friday (August 28th). The magic number? 155,185 people! That is A LOT of people. In fact, it looks like we have a new all-time attendance record! Wow.

RELATED: How To Eat Healthy At The Minnesota State Fair This Year

If you're curious about attendance numbers over the course of the event, they are always posted on the fair's official social media pages and their website. They share the attendance numbers between noon and 3 p.m. each day for the day prior!

So how do these numbers stack up? The highest opening day attendance ever at the fair was in 2024 when 138,875 people went day one. Last year was pretty close: about 137,148 people attended opening day, which is close to the record.

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Now, we have a new record for opening day attendance, so 2026 is going down in the history books by A LOT. We will have to see how the rest of the days shake out and if this means we are in for a record-breaking fair season.

We haven't even come close the past few years. Could this be the year we have a little comeback?! Time will tell. In the meantime, go eat something on a stick.

2026 Minnesota State Fair New Foods & Beverages

Each year, a lot of creative new foods and beverages make their debut at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. For 2026, 36 new items will be added to the lineup of offerings, with 9 new vendors making their debut this year at the fair. Here's a look at all of them!

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

2026 Minnesota State Fair Grandstand Performers

Here is the schedule of all of the performing acts that will take the Grandstand stage at the Minnesota State Fair in 2026. As more acts are announced, we'll update this schedule.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth