OKLAHOMA CITY — From September 11 to 21, the Oklahoma City fairgrounds buzz with carnival music, funnel cake aromas, dazzling lights and attractions that bring families back year after year. Gates for the Oklahoma State Fair open daily at 10 a.m., offering a full day of entertainment for all ages.
This year’s theme, “Eat. Ride. Repeat.,” captures the fair’s energy and reminds visitors that, with ten days to enjoy, there’s plenty of time to come back and experience it all.
“There’s so much to see and do, you can’t possibly do it all in one day,” Oklahoma State Fair spokesperson Scott Munz told Free Press in an interview. “And that’s the point. We want you to come back again and again and again.”
Since 1907, the State Fair has been the backdrop for everything from date nights to family traditions, and it all continues in 2025 with new highlights and returning favorites .
Faylee Speerbrecher said her family were among the many enjoying opening day at the fair. She said her child, Kye, loved the treats and was excited to finally be old enough for the carnival rides.
“It’s been so fun,” Speerbrecher told Free Press at the fair. “We love all the treats and all the rides. We love it here.”
Food at the fair
Fair food remains one of the event’s biggest draws, with more than 40 new items joining classics like fried cheese, fried Oreos and cheesecake on a stick. This year’s new eats include deep-fried pecan pie, a bacon maple cheesecake burger, and even a pizza grilled cheese sandwich. Beverages range from fresh-squeezed lemonade and root beer to boba teas, craft beer, frozen cocktails, and the return of pickle lemonade.
The winners of the 2025 Great TASTE of a fair were recently announced, judged by Emmy Award–winning Sandra Lee. This year’s picks give fairgoers fresh bites to try, like Wade Show’s Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake and Wain’s Pizza On-A-Stick’s Pickle Bacon Ranch Pizza.
“This isn’t the time of year to be on a diet,” Munz joked. “You can diet the rest of the year, but now is the time to have your cheat day…maybe even multiple cheat days.”
Visitors can track food stands using the Food Finder tool on the fair’s website.
Must-see attractions
This year’s fair features new attractions including The Moving Mermaid, where guests can chat and take photos, the free Piccolo Zoppé Circus with acrobats, aerialists, clowns, and animals, and the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show, where dogs amaze with agility, diving and other high-energy feats.
New this year, The Lounge in The Pavilion offers cocktails, live music and music bingo. Returning favorites include the nightly Laser Light Extravaganza, while animal lovers can look forward to exhibits like the Barnyard Birthing Center, Clydesdales in the Super Barn, and the Great American Petting Farm.
Many look forward to the fair tradition of youth proudly showing their FFA and 4-H. Brenda McKinney, attending with her granddaughter Kenna, who began showing at age three and now shows with the Owosso FFA, said she enjoys the kids’ dedication and always looks forward to the fair.
“I look forward to coming for the shows every year,” McKinney told Free Press in an interview. “The kids get so involved. They wash their cattle, and they love on them. It is so sweet. They just have a personal relationship with their animals.”
Indoors, the new OG&E Coliseum is hosting major events, starting with Disney On Ice: Magic in the Stars Sept. 11–15. Country music stars Trace Adkins and Casey Donahew will be the first concert in the new venue on Sept. 17. Fair admission is included with all event tickets. And closing weekend brings the Wildcatters Professional Bull Riding (PBR) Teams Challenge Sept. 19–21.
The daily fair lineup stays fresh with special events like Think Pink for Women’s Health Day Sept. 12, Farmhand Olympics Sept. 13, Board Game Bonanza Sept. 13–14, and Wine & Palette classes Sept. 16. Shoppers can also browse food, gifts, and the Made in Oklahoma shop at the Bennett Event Center.
“We have plenty to do, both indoors and outdoors,” Munz told Free Press. “Regardless of the weather, you can always spend enjoyable family time at the fair.”
Carnival, competitions, and concerts
The carnival remains a centerpiece with classics like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Sky Eye Wheel and thrill rides like the Mega Drop. Families can also explore the Oklahoma Frontier Experience, open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., where stunts and interactive exhibits bring Wild West history to life. And competitions, from baking to arm wrestling or agriculture, offer something for everyone.
Music fills the fairgrounds, from local acts on the Patio Stage and Bandshell to the Band Day Parade on Sept. 15, featuring marching bands from across the state. The Chickasaw Country Entertainment Stage also offers free nightly concerts at 7:30 p.m., with highlights like Sister Sledge Sept. 12, an Elvis tribute Sept. 17, and Stephen Pearcy with Quiet Riot Sept. 20, plus more local and touring acts throughout the fair.
Safety first and planning your visit
Security remains a top priority with scanners at gates and security presence.
The youth attendance policy is still in place: after 5 p.m., anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or chaperone age 25 or older.
“We do what we can, but we also need help from the public,” Munz told Free Press about fair security. “If you see something that makes you go ‘hmm,’ don’t walk past it. Tell someone.”
Public attractions open at 10 a.m. daily, with livestock and equestrian events starting earlier. Exhibition buildings close at 9 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday–Saturday, while outdoor vendors stay open 30 minutes later.
Tickets at the gate are $16 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6–11, and free for children under 5. Visitors can take advantage of multiple deals, including:
- Military Monday: Free admission for active-duty and veterans
- Taste of the Fair Tuesday: $4 admission, $4 food specials, and $4 Sky Eye Wheel rides
- Senior Day Wednesday: Free admission for seniors over 55 years of age
- Thrifty Thursday: $8 admission, armbands for $25. Thursday is also College Night: $5 admission for students.
The “Little Book of BIG DEALS,” with more than $250 in coupons, is also available at ticket booths and info stands.
A complete line-up of information is at the fair’s website.
Zoe Elrod covers events and happenings around Oklahoma City for Free Press bringing her skill as a reporter and photographer. Zoe has spent her career covering local musicians, artists, politicians, and everyday folks.
