Walworth County Fair 2026: Your Complete Family Guide

The Walworth County Fair returns to Elkhorn for Labor Day weekend 2026, bringing six days of carnival rides, farm animals, concerts, grandstand events, fair food and old-fashioned Wisconsin agricultural fun.

The 177th Walworth County Fair runs Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, 2026, at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court Street in Elkhorn. The 2026 theme is “Glitter and Gold: A Fair to Behold,” celebrating the sparkle of the fair and the 60th anniversary of the Fairest of the Fair contest.

For Milwaukee-area families, this is one of the best end-of-summer road-trip fairs in Wisconsin. The fairgrounds sit about an hour southwest of Milwaukee and only about 15 minutes from Lake Geneva, which makes the Walworth County Fair an easy day trip or a fun Labor Day weekend getaway.

For more fair season planning, see our 2026 Milwaukee-Area Fair Guide, Wisconsin County Fairs: Your 2026 Family Guide, and Wisconsin State Fair Family Guide.

Walworth County Fair 2026 dates, location and quick details

Location: Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court Street, Elkhorn, WI 53121

Dates: Wednesday, September 2 through Monday, September 7, 2026

Theme: “Glitter and Gold: A Fair to Behold”

Fairgrounds phone: 262-723-3228

Parking: Free general parking

Best for: Carnival rides, Barnyard Adventure, livestock barns, grandstand shows, demolition derby fans, agricultural exhibits and families who want a classic Labor Day fair.

2026 admission prices

Adult daily admission: $13

Senior daily admission: $10 for ages 62 and older on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Junior daily admission: $8 for children ages 5–12

Children age 4 and under: Free

Adult season pass: $50

Junior season pass: $20 for ages 5–12

Early Bird adult season pass: $35 if purchased by the fair’s early-bird deadline

General parking: Free

The season pass is worth considering if you plan to visit more than once or if you are staying nearby for the holiday weekend. Families with younger kids can also stretch the day by using the free parking and re-entry flexibility to take a car break when needed.

Why families love the Walworth County Fair

The Walworth County Fair feels big without losing its small-town roots. The 99-acre fairgrounds give families room to explore, and the mix of carnival rides, grandstand events, farm exhibits and hands-on agriculture makes it easy to build a full day around the fair.

The fair is especially strong for kids because so much of the experience is educational without feeling like school. Children can see livestock up close, explore exhibits, watch demonstrations, collect agriculture-themed BRAG TAGS and spend time in Barnyard Adventure, the fair’s signature family zone.

It is also one of the best Labor Day weekend options in southern Wisconsin. If your family is trying to squeeze in one last summer adventure before school routines fully take over, Walworth County Fair is a strong pick.

Related: 102 Adventures: One Thing to Do Every Day This Summer

Barnyard Adventure: the family highlight

Barnyard Adventure is the fair’s must-do stop for families with kids. This award-winning agriculture education area celebrates its 26th year in 2026 and gives families a place to slow down, learn, rest and explore.

Highlights include:

Working observation beehive with the Walworth County Beekeepers Association

Monarch butterfly learning displays and daily butterfly releases

Outdoor butterfly observation tent

Barnyard Adventure Gardens with crops, vegetables, herbs and flowers

The official Monarch Way Station

Learning Coop presentations on agriculture, gardening, cooking, beekeeping and old-world crafts

Sensory garden bench, pumpkin patch, hops, sunflowers and pollinator gardens

BRAG TAGS agricultural scavenger hunt

Barnyard Adventure Stage entertainment, including Nick’s Kids Show and the Barnyard Adventure Show

New for 2026, Barnyard Adventure highlights include the “Kindness Garden,” six pollinator gardens, the “Freshly Picked” garden and returning favorites like the sensory garden bench, pumpkin patch, mint, hops and sunflowers.

Best family strategy: start here earlier in the day before the midway gets busy. It gives kids an active, hands-on introduction to the fair before you shift into rides and food.

Carnival rides and midway tips

The Walworth County Fair midway is one of the big reasons families make this a full-day outing. Expect a mix of kiddie rides, family rides, games and thrill rides.

For toddlers and preschoolers, look for the gentler rides and games where everyone can participate without a long wait. For elementary-age kids, the unlimited wristband windows can be a better value if they are likely to ride repeatedly. Older kids and teens will want to plan around the bigger thrill rides and evening midway energy.

Money-saving tip: ride wristbands usually make the most sense for kids who want to ride again and again. Younger kids may be just as happy with a few individual rides plus free activities like Barnyard Adventure, animal barns, contests and stage entertainment.

The fair also offers a sensory-friendly midway experience, though details and registration can change year to year. Check the official fair site before you go if this would be helpful for your family.

2026 grandstand entertainment

The 2026 grandstand lineup includes a strong mix of rodeo, motorsports, concerts and derby action:

Wednesday, September 2: Rice Pro Rodeo with Bella Cain in Concert

Thursday, September 3: PI Motorsports Truck & Tractor Pulls

Friday, September 4: TBA

Saturday, September 5: Lynyrd Skynyrd

Sunday, September 6: Ludacris with guest DJ Bizzon

Monday, September 7: Demolition Derby

Grandstand tickets are separate from general fair admission for many events, so check ticket details before you promise the kids a specific show. If you only want one grandstand event, the Monday demolition derby is the classic fair finale.

Free entertainment and included activities

A major benefit of the Walworth County Fair is how much is included after paid admission.

Included attractions and activities typically include:

Junior Class competitive exhibits

Open Class exhibit areas

Daily contests with prizes

Peggy’s Park Stage entertainment

Discovery Barn agriculture education

Barnyard Adventure agriculture education area

Barnyard Adventure Stage shows

Amazing Anastasini Circus

Heavy-duty dirt machinery experience

Live glassblowing performance

Draft horse pulls

Open horse shows

Kids pedal tractor pulls

Combine rides for kids

Plein air artists on display

Scavenger hunt

This is where the fair becomes a better value than it first appears. Families can spend hours on included activities before buying ride tickets or grandstand seats.

Animals, agriculture and youth exhibits

The Walworth County Fair is one of the best places in Wisconsin for families to connect with agriculture. Kids can walk through livestock barns, see youth exhibitors preparing animals, and understand how much work goes into raising cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and rabbits.

The fair also features thousands of youth and open-class exhibits, from woodworking and photography to sewing, foods, plants, flowers, crafts and agricultural projects. For families who mostly experience animals through petting zoos, this is a much deeper look at Wisconsin farm life.

Parent tip: visit the barns before kids get tired. The animal areas are usually more rewarding earlier in the day, before everyone is hot, hungry and ready for the midway.

Food to look for

Walworth County Fair has the full Wisconsin fair food experience: corn dogs, funnel cakes, mini donuts, lemonade, ice cream, cheese curds, cinnamon rolls and grilled favorites.

A few items to watch for:

Steak Sundae-style loaded fair food

Silver Dollar cinnamon rolls

Corn dogs and fresh-dipped classics

Ice cream and dairy treats

Grilled corn

Fair-style burgers and sandwiches

Deep-fried sweets

Service-club and agriculture-group food stands are often the best value. They also usually support local organizations, which makes the meal feel a little more worth it.

Food budget tip: for a family of four, plan at least $40–$60 for food if you are eating a meal at the fair, and more if everyone wants dessert, drinks and snacks.

Best days to go

Wednesday is a good choice if you want opening-day energy and rodeo night.

Thursday is strong for truck and tractor pull fans.

Friday is usually a good evening fair night, especially for families with older kids.

Saturday is the biggest concert night with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2026.

Sunday brings Ludacris with guest DJ Bizzon and a holiday-weekend crowd.

Monday is your demolition derby day and the last big summer-fair sendoff.

For families with younger kids, earlier in the day is usually easier. For families with teens, evening brings more midway energy and the grandstand events.

Accessibility and family amenities

The fairgrounds are large, so plan for lots of walking. Comfortable shoes matter. Strollers are helpful for younger kids, especially if you plan to stay into the evening.

Family-friendly things to know:

Free parking makes car breaks easier.

Restrooms and first aid are available on the grounds.

Baby-changing needs are easier if you bring a small changing kit.

Service animals are allowed, but pets are not.

The midway can be loud and crowded, especially at night.

Barnyard Adventure offers a calmer break from the busier midway areas.

If your child is sensitive to noise, crowds or flashing lights, consider going earlier in the day and checking the fair’s sensory-friendly options before your visit.

What to bring

Bring sunscreen, refillable water bottles, wipes, hand sanitizer, comfortable walking shoes, a portable phone charger and a light layer for the evening.

September fair weather can swing from hot afternoon sun to cool evening air. If you are staying late for a concert or derby, bring sweatshirts or jackets for the kids.

Cash is useful for smaller vendors, games and food stands, even though online ticketing and cards are more common now.

How long should families plan to stay?

For a first visit with younger kids, plan on three to five hours. That gives you time for Barnyard Adventure, animals, food and a few rides without pushing too hard.

For elementary-age kids who love rides, plan for most of the day.

For families attending a grandstand show, make it a full afternoon and evening trip.

If you are staying near Lake Geneva or Elkhorn, the season pass can make multiple shorter visits easier than one marathon day.

Sample family itinerary

Morning: Arrive early, park, visit livestock barns and explore Barnyard Adventure.

Lunch: Eat before the peak lunch rush or share several fair foods so everyone gets to try something.

Afternoon: Do exhibits, contests, kids activities and the midway.

Late afternoon: Take a break, refill water bottles and decide whether to stay for evening entertainment.

Evening: Rides, music, grandstand event or a final dessert before heading home.

Pair it with a Lake Geneva weekend

Because the fairgrounds are only about 15 minutes from Lake Geneva, the Walworth County Fair works well as part of a weekend trip. Spend the morning at the lake, head to the fair in the afternoon, and stay for a concert or derby at night.

This is especially smart for Labor Day weekend, when families are looking for one last summer getaway before fall schedules take over.

More family fair guides

Planning more than one fair this summer? Start with these:

2026 Milwaukee-Area Fair Guide

Wisconsin County Fairs: Your 2026 Family Guide

Washington County Fair 2026: Complete Family Guide

Ozaukee County Fair 2026: Complete Family Guide

2026 Racine County Fair: The Complete Family Guide

2026 Waukesha County Fair: Complete Family Guide

How to Get into Wisconsin State Fair for Free

Final take

The Walworth County Fair is one of Wisconsin’s classic Labor Day weekend traditions for a reason. It has the scale of a major fair, the charm of an agricultural showcase and enough rides, food, animals and grandstand events to fill a full day.

For North Shore and Milwaukee-area families, the best plan is simple: go early, start with Barnyard Adventure, save the midway for later, and pick one grandstand event if your kids can handle a longer day. You’ll come home dusty, full and probably already talking about next year.