More than a dozen ways to save money at the 2024 Indiana State Fair

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Fair is almost here—and you’ll find several ways to save some cash if you plan on going.

They include everything from a $5 menu to $2 Tuesdays and discounted advance tickets. The fair runs from Aug. 2 through Aug. 18. It’s closed on Mondays.

Below are more than a dozen save a few bucks this year.

Advance tickets

Getting your tickets to the fair before Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. is one of the best ways to save big. Advance tickets are 20% off the gate price, while getting advance parking passes will also save you a couple dollars.

If you know you’re going, you may as well get your tickets now. Otherwise, you’ll pay more at the gate.

Advance tickets: You can save about 20% off gate admission by getting your tickets early. The advance ticket price is $13; tickets at the gate will cost $16. Find ticket info here .

Advance parking passes: Parking typically costs $10 at the fair, but getting your parking pass early will run you just $8. The parking pass is valid for any one day of the fair. Find parking pass info here .

Advance family four packs: For $52 (a savings of 30% off the gate price!), you can get a family four pack of tickets. It includes four tickets to the fair along with a parking pass. Essentially, you’re getting the parking pass for free with this discount. Find ticket info here .

Advance foodie family four packs: This deal includes four tickets, a parking pass and $50 in Fair Bucks. It costs $100. Find ticket info here .

Advance discount wrist bands: Buy advance Midway wristbands before Aug. 3 at 11:59 p.m. and save 38% when compared to paying onsite. You should note that this deal does have some limitations on dates. More info here .

Discounts and free days

The fair features five ways to save, including discounted admission and some free days.

$2 Tuesdays (Aug. 6 and Aug. 13): It really pays to go to the fair on Tuesdays if you can. Enjoy $2 gate admission, $2 Midway rides and $2 food options at each food stand. It really doesn’t get much better!

Military & First Responders’ Day (Aug. 7): First responders, current and former military and their families can enjoy free admission with a valid ID.

BMV Discount Day (Aug. 8): This one’s pretty simple: get a printed or digital voucher from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles website and get into the fair for $8—a savings of 50%.

IndyStar Free Ticket (Aug. 14): The Aug. 12 edition of the IndyStar will include a free ticket good for Farmers’ Day on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

AAA Day (Aug. 15): On this day, AAA members get in free with a valid AAA membership card presented at the gate. One card per person.

Daily deals

$5 Value Menu: Throughout the fair, visitors can enjoy several options—from milkshakes to grilled cheese to hot dogs—for $5. You can find the list of items here .

Free concerts: The fair already announced its lineup of concerts on the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage. Most of the concerts start at 7:30 p.m. They’re free with paid admission.

Free tractor shuttle rides: Need a ride? The state fair’s tractor shuttle can get you around the fairgrounds at no charge.

Ride a bike and save: Bike to the fair and use one of the free secured bike racks on the Monon Trail north of 38 ^th Street to get $1 off admission.

100 free fair activities: Many of the events at the Indiana State Fair don’t cost a dime after you get inside. The fair put together a list of 100 activities for the entire family, ranging from miniature golf to the daily parade, the splash pad, a giant cheese sculpture, the Indiana History Train and much more. Learn more here .

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