General Fair Questions
2. What are the Fair hours?
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Gates open at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 12; then Thursday - Monday at 10 a.m.
Gates Close at 11 p.m. Monday - Thursday and at Midnight Friday - Sunday.
3. How much do tickets cost?
Adults: $15
Children 6-12: $8
Children 5 and under: FREE
Seniors 62 and over: $8
Military (with valid Military ID): $8
4. Does the Fair accept Credit Cards?
The Big Fresno Fair accepts Visa and Mastercard.
Not all our food or commercial vendors accept credit cards though, so be sure to stop by the bank or one of our convenient ATM machines located throughout the grounds for some extra cash in order to enjoy the Fair to the fullest!
5. Where can I park? Is there handicap accessible parking?
There are six parking lots for your convenience; each lot will have marked handicap accessible spots for patrons who have proper state-issued identification.
The Parking Lots with pricing are:
Chance Avenue Lot $20.00
Butler Avenue & Infield Lots $15.00
(The Infield Parking Lot entrance to the Fairgrounds is through a tunnel that has a slight incline, which may be difficult for some.)
Butler West Lot $15.00
Maple/Butler Lot $15.00
Cedar/Ventura Lot $15.00
7. Where do I pick up Will Call tickets?
The Fair’s Will Call pick-up is at the Fair’s Administration Ticket Box Office located at 1121 S. Chance Avenue, just south of the Chance Avenue Gate entrance. Will Call/Box Office hours are 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the fair.
8. Where can I enter the Fair?
There are four entrances for the public to use to access the Fair. Where you enter is largely dictated by where you park. The entrances are as follows:
Chance Avenue Gate
Cesar Chavez Blvd Gate (Note: this gate does not open until 3 p.m. on Weekdays)
Butler Avenue Gate
Infield Gate
10. What time does the Carnival open?
HOURS OF OPERATION
MAIN CARNIVAL HOURS
Open 4:00 p.m. | Wed, Oct 7 & Tues, Oct 12
Open 3:00 p.m. | Mon, Wed - Fri
Open 10:00 a.m. | Sat & Sun
Close 11:00 p.m. | Sun - Thurs
Close Midnight | Fri & Sat
KIDDIELAND CARNIVAL HOURS
Open 4:00 p.m. | Wed, Oct 7 & Tues, Oct 12
Open 12:00 p.m. | Mon, Wed - Fri
Open 10:00 a.m. | Sat & Sun
Close 11:00 p.m. | Sun - Thurs
Close Midnight | Fri & Sat
11. Is smoking permitted on the property?
Yes, smoking is permitted but only in designated areas. The Fair map shows all of the designated smoking locations or a staff member can direct you. Cannabis products of any kind and vaping are not permitted anywhere on the property.
12. Can I bring food or drinks into the Fair?
Yes, picnic items such as sandwiches, salads and other pre-prepared or packaged foods and sealed bottled water are permissible any day of the Fair as long as guidelines & restrictions are followed. All food items brought into the Fairgrounds must be contained inside personal insulation bags or similar.
Permissible picnic items (per person) include:
- Pre-prepared or packaged food items
- 1 soft-sided cooler/insulated bag (16”x16”x8” or smaller)
- 1 backpack or backpack-sized tote
- 1 Diaper bag
- 1 Folding chair
- Blanket
The following items are NOT permitted on Fairgrounds’ property.
- Unsealed beverages/containers
- Alcoholic beverages
- Knives, metal utensils, or any item that could be considered or used as weapon
- Hard shell coolers/ice chests (plastic, metal, etc.)
PLEASE NOTE: All backpacks, bags, coolers & containers are subject to inspection upon entry.
13. Where are the restrooms on grounds?
For your convenience, restrooms are located in or near all of the buildings on the Fairgrounds property. Additional, standalone facilities are located in Kiddieland and the Main Carnival.
Reference the Fair map for more details.
14. Where do I go if I lost my child?
Go to the Found Children’s Gingerbread House located next to the Chance Avenue Gate entrance. All staff and security personnel will take any lost child there.
Also, complimentary ID wristbands are available at every Information Booth for you to put your cell phone number on and put on your child. This way, if a member of the Fresno Fair Team finds your lost child, they are able to easily get in touch with you and you and your child can be quickly reunited.
16. Is there a location for nursing mothers to feed their babies?
Mothers are welcome to feed their babies any place they choose, but the Fair does offer a designated location that allows for comfort and privacy; the “Mommy Zone” presented by Valley Children's Healthcare, is located by the Chance Avenue Gate entrance next to the Commerce Building.
17. Where is the Lost & Found?
Any lost or found items are taken to the Fresno Police Department command station on grounds located just north of the Grandstand entrance.
After Fair, any of the unclaimed items are taken with Fresno Police Department to their headquarters in Downtown Fresno. To claim an item after the Fair is over, please call 621-2675
21. Where/when is the live horse racing?
The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), in a 4-3 vote, declined The Big Fresno Fair’s request to host live horse racing on September 19–21, 26–28 and October 1, 2025. The decision followed strong public testimony from Central Valley political leaders, Big Fresno Fair Board and leadership, Bernal Park Racing, LLC, horse breeders, owners, former Northern California horse racing employees and others. Submitted under a proposed operational contract with the newly formed Bernal Park Racing, LLC, the request reflected months of work by the Fair Board and its Racing Committee to assess the future viability of live racing in Fresno.
Read More .
22. Where can I go to sit and rest?
For your convenience, the Fresno Fair has numerous places for you to sit and relax, and even take in some free music if you’d like! Check out the Fair Map.
23. Are there any healthy food options?
The Fresno Fair has a variety of unique and tasty food vendors on our grounds. For a complete list with healthy options included, download our 2026 Fair Food Map when it’s available in August.