Last updated on April 15th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Who doesn’t love the Florida State Fair?
From the livestock tents to the magical midway, circus acts, up-and-coming entertainers — and food! Lots of food! All kinds of food!
And much of it is not good for you, which is, of course, the appeal of a state fair.
Florida State Fair, Tampa, February 5-16, 2026
The 2026 funnel cakes are out of control
I have yet to meet a nutritionist who would recommend fair food as part of a healthy diet, and I don’t think this year’s offerings will change the prognosis.
This year’s hot new edibles include two chocolate funnel cakes — the Chocolate Cookie Butter Dream Funnel Cake and the Dubai Chocolate Funnel Cake, both of which are far more appealing to my taste buds than last year’s pulled pork funnel cake slopped with cream cheese.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the variety of funnel cakes at the Florida State Fair will be endless. Perhaps you’d rather have the Mexican Street Corn funnel cake at the Best Around booth. My favorite, though, is the PB&J funnel cake sandwich created by the Ryals Concessions Sweet Shop. Yum!
Other new offerings for 2026 include:
Surf n Turf Alfredo Sundae — Garlic parmesan fries topped with sirloin steak, Cajun shrimp, creamy Alfredo with mushrooms, and garlic-cheesy croutons at DeAnna’s Steak Sundae booth.
Sushi Corn Dog — A corn dog sliced to look like sushi, topped with jalapeños and pepper jack cheese. Served with chopsticks from the Meatball Factory.
Sesame Sweet Heat Clucker — Crispy fried oyster mushrooms in sesame sweet heat sauce, with Asian cabbage slaw, Sriracha mayo, and sweet heat pickles from Seasoned Green.
In true Tampa tradition, Chester’s Gators & Taters food booth will be introducing a new take on The Cuban: the Deep Fried Cuban Burrito with ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, mustard and fried pickle chips, rolled up into a burrito and deep fried (of course!)
Can Miami meet the challenge?
For those who live in a cave, a decades-long rivalry between Tampa and Miami over who makes the best Cuban sandwich has never been conclusively settled.
Will the Cuban burrito put Tampa over the top?
Florida State Fair showcases history, agriculture
While boasting “the largest midway in the USA,” the core purpose of any state fair is to showcase the state’s agricultural products, farms, ranches and livestock.
Established in 1904, the Florida’s State Fair wasn’t designated the state’s “official” fair by Florida legislators until 1975, setting the stage for its move from downtown Tampa seven miles east to its current 355-acre site at the intersection of Interstate 4 and U.S. 301.
A must-see for history buffs is Cracker Country, a living history museum that tells the story of the settlement of Florida during the 1800s by cattle ranchers, who got the name of “Crackers” by the sound of the whips they used to drive cattle from the Carolinas and Georgia into Florida.
The museum re-creates an 1890s rural Florida town with original buildings dating from 1870 to 1912, which were relocated to the fairgrounds from across the state. During the fair, costumed “interpreters” portray the daily living experience of Florida’s pioneers.
While many consider carnival rides and corndog concessions the highlights of the fair, the overriding mission is to showcase the state’s agriculture industry – from the cattle that still roam Florida’s prairies to the fruits and vegetables that serve as the nation’s winter garden. The best in the state are showcased in the fair’s pavilions.
The fair operates under the umbrella of the Florida Department of Agriculture, although the event is self-supporting and relies on income from entry fees, concerts, rides, sponsorships and vendors to survive.
Entertainment
Live Music includes bluegrass, country, rock, British invasion, family bands and strolling musicians. For a complete schedule, go to floridastatefair.com/visit/fair/attractions/fair-music/
Community Showcase: Live performances by local dancers, musicians, schools, and community groups as they bring homegrown talent to the fairgrounds. Go to floridastatefair.com/visit/fair/community-showcase/
Live Shows: Daring motorcycle daredevils to amazing circus acts, playful sea lions, jugglers. For the complete schedule, go to floridastatefair.com/visit/fair/attractions/fair-live-shows/
Florida State Fair FAQ
February 5-16, 2026
How much are tickets to the 2026 Florida State Fair?
Weekdays (Monday-Thursday)
- Children (6-11): $7
- Adults (12+): $12
- Seniors (55+): $11
- Midway Armbands: $35
Weekends (Friday to Sunday and President’s Day)
- Child (6-12): $11
- Adult (12+): $16
- Weekend Armband: $45
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11 am to 9 pm (Midway opens at 1 p.m. and closes 10:30 p.m.); Friday-Sunday: Friday-Sunday, 10 am to 9 pm (Midway opens at 10 a.m. and closes 11 p.m.)
Where — Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 North, Tampa, FL. There are three entrances to the Fairgrounds: Orient Road, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and U.S. Highway 301. (Click on highlighted links for Google Map directions.)
Parking — During advance sales through February 4, parking will be available online for $8 per vehicle. Once the fair begins, parking may be purchased online at a discounted rate of $10 or for $15 onsite.
When are the fireworks?
Fireworks are scheduled on February 6 from 8:30pm-9:00pm and February 14 from 8:30pm-9:00pm
Where to stay near the Florida State Fair
Hotels (Book online)
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites (across the street from the fairgrounds)
- Comfort Suites at the Fairgrounds (across the street from the fairgrounds)
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. (2 miles) Hard Rock entertainment during the state fair: Feb. 8 — Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons; Feb. 14 — Boyz II Men; Feb. 16 — Rod Stewart.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (2.2 miles from the fairgrounds)
- More hotel choices near the Florida State Fairgrounds on Hotels.com
Campgrounds
RV camping at the fairgrounds is limited to vendors and staff. Visitors should try making a reservation at one of these campgrounds.
Things to do near the Florida State Fair
Pinellas Trail
On the west side of Tampa Bay is one of the most progressive and appreciated rails-to-trails projects in all of Florida. The 37-mile Pinellas Trail starts in Tarpon Springs and runs south through downtown Dunedin, Clearwater, Largo, Pasadena, ending in St. Petersburg. We have two articles for more information: Scenic window to another world and Treasured St. Pete bike trail
Busch Gardens
The Gulf Coast’s only theme park, Busch Gardens is a whole bunch of fun. Take a safari on the Serengeti Plains, or experience the thrill of your life on the SheiKra roller coaster. Visit the web site at seaworldparks.com/buschgardens_tampa
Ybor City
Once the cigar capital of the world, Ybor City retains much of Tampa’s old city charm and Latin flavor. Restaurants, art galleries, pubs and cafes, and you can still see Tampa’s famous cigar makers practicing their trade. Explore by foot for the best experience. Here’s a guide: Ybor City
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