When is the 2026 South Plains Fair?
The 2026 Panhandle-South Plains Fair runs Friday, Sept. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 3 at the fairgrounds on East Broadway in Lubbock. The fair calls this its 109th edition. The last night is Saturday, Oct. 3, when the gates stay open until midnight and the carnival runs from 11am to midnight.
What are the fair hours?
The gates open at 8am every day. They close at 11pm Sunday through Thursday and at midnight on Friday and Saturday. The fair only charges admission and parking during set hours, so on weekdays you can walk in free before 1pm. The carnival and the exhibit buildings keep their own hours.
- Gates: 8am to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, 8am to midnight Friday and Saturday
- Paid admission and parking: 1pm to 11pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 11pm Saturday and Sunday
- Carnival: 3pm to 11pm Monday to Thursday, 3pm to midnight Friday, 11am to midnight Saturday, 11am to 11pm Sunday
- Commercial vendor and exhibit buildings: 11am to 9:30pm daily
- Women's Building: 11am to 9pm daily
- Children's Petting Barnyard: 10am to 9pm daily
- Most food stands open around 11am, and a few open earlier for breakfast
How much does it cost to get in?
Admission is $10 for anyone 13 and older, $5 for kids 2 to 12, and free for children 1 and under. You can pay admission with cash or a card. Parking is $5 per car and is cash only, so bring bills. Tickets are non-refundable, and the fair does not allow readmission once you leave.
- Ages 13 and over: $10
- Ages 2 to 12: $5
- Ages 1 and under: free
- Parking: $5 per car, cash only
- Weekdays: free to come in before 1pm, a good time for lunch
What are the discount days?
The fair runs a special on most days of fair week. Veterans, seniors 60 and over and college students each get a $5 gate on their day, Tuesday cuts every ride to $2, and Thursday, Oct. 1 is the one wristband day for unlimited rides. Here is the full list the fair published.
- Thu., Sept. 24 (preview night, 6pm to 11pm): Buck-A-Ride, every ride $1, no parking or admission fee
- Sun., Sept. 27, Family Day: kids 17 and under get in free before 9pm
- Mon., Sept. 28, Veterans Day: any veteran gets in for $5
- Tue., Sept. 29, Senior Citizen's Day: ages 60 and over get in for $5
- Tue., Sept. 29, $2 Tuesday: every ride is $2
- Thu., Oct. 1, College Night: show a current college ID and get in for $5
- Thu., Oct. 1, Wristband Day: $40 wristband for unlimited rides from 3pm to 11pm
How much are carnival rides?
Rides are run by Reithoffer Shows and paid for with tickets. One ticket is $1.50, and bundles bring the price down. Each ride takes between 3 and 7 tickets, and most have height rules. A companion rider has to be at least 14 to count as an adult, and some rides do not allow open-toed shoes.
- 1 ticket: $1.50
- 11 tickets: $15
- 22 tickets: $25
- 55 tickets: $55
- Unlimited rides: $40 wristband on Thursday, Oct. 1 only, 3pm to 11pm
- Every rider needs a ticket. Heights and ticket counts for each ride are posted on the fair site.
What free shows are on the grounds?
Grounds shows are free with admission. The fair lists pig races, a chainsaw juggler, a hypnotist, a robot, a dog act and more. These are the times on the fair’s entertainment page. Check it for any changes, and check the fair calendar for anything beyond the grounds acts.
- Swifty Swine Racing Pigs: weekdays 3pm, 5:45pm, 7pm and 8:15pm; weekends 11:30am, 2:15pm, 4:15pm, 6:15pm and 8pm
- Mad Chad Chainsaw Juggler: weekdays 3:30pm, 5:15pm and 8:30pm; weekends noon, 2:45pm and 8:30pm
- Hypnotist Ron Diamond: weekdays Mental Magic 6:30pm and Hypnosis 9:15pm; weekends Magic 1:30pm, Mental Magic 4:45pm and Hypnosis 9:15pm
- Rock-It the Robot: weekdays 4:30pm, 6:30pm and 8:30pm; weekends 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm
- Hog Diggity Dogs & More: weekdays 4pm, 6pm and 7:45pm; weekends 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm
- Safari Sam & Oscar: weekdays 3:30pm, 5:30pm and 7:30pm; weekends 3pm, 5pm and 7pm
- Doc Magic: weekdays 4:45pm, 7:15pm and a stroll at 8pm; weekends 12:45pm, a stroll at 3:30pm and 6:45pm
- Plant Guy: weekdays 4pm, 6pm and 8pm; weekends 12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm
Which animals are in the barns each day?
The livestock barns change over the week as each show comes and goes. The fair publishes the lineup by day of the week. Lined up with this year’s dates, the first Friday is Sept. 25 and the last Saturday is Oct. 3. Lambs, steers and rabbits hold the barns for the last three days.
- Fri., Sept. 25: goats, pigs, pigeons, poultry
- Sat., Sept. 26: goats, pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigeons, poultry
- Sun., Sept. 27: pigs, beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry
- Mon., Sept. 28: beef cattle, beef heifers, dairy cattle, Boer goats, poultry
- Tue., Sept. 29: sheep, Boer goats, rabbits
- Wed., Sept. 30: sheep, rabbits
- Thu., Oct. 1: lambs, steers, rabbits
- Fri., Oct. 2: lambs, steers, rabbits
- Sat., Oct. 3: lambs, steers, rabbits
What can I bring to the fair?
The fair has a clear bag policy and every bag is subject to search. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches. A small clutch is fine. Leave the backpack in the truck, and leave the dog at home unless it is a registered service animal.
- Allowed: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12" x 6" x 12", and small clutch bags
- Not allowed: purses bigger than a clutch, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, briefcases, luggage, computer bags, camera bags and binocular cases
- Dogs: not allowed during the fair, except registered service animals
- Cash: parking is cash only
- Shoes: closed-toe shoes if you plan to ride, since some rides turn away open-toed shoes
Where is the fair and where do I park?
The Panhandle-South Plains Fairgrounds sit at 105 E. Broadway, on the northeast corner of Broadway and Avenue A. From Interstate 27 in either direction, take Exit 4 and head east. Park in the marked lots and spaces around the fairgrounds. Parking is $5 per car during paid hours, cash only.
- First aid: just inside Gate 2 on the southwest side, all fair long
- Police and security guards are on duty every day of the fair
- Fair office during the fair: 8:30am to 6pm daily, 806-763-2833, info@southplainsfair.com
What food is at the fair?
More than 35 local nonprofit groups run the food stands on the fairgrounds. Expect the classics the fair itself lists: cotton candy, cheese on a stick, funnel cakes, turkey legs, corn dogs and candied apples. Most stands open around 11am. On weekdays, lunch before 1pm means no gate charge.
Is the fair good for kids?
Yes. Kids 1 and under get in free and ages 2 to 12 pay $5. The Children’s Petting Barnyard, run with the Lubbock County 4-H Club, is open 10am to 9pm daily, and the smallest rides take 3 tickets. Check heights before you buy ride tickets, and note the first aid station inside Gate 2.