The Hillsborough County Fair is one of Tampa's biggest annual events, and the 2026 edition runs from November 5 to 15 at the fairgrounds in Dover, Florida. It bills itself as Florida's premier agricultural event, built around family traditions, agriculture and community, with rides, fair food, entertainment, youth livestock programs and 4-H and FFA exhibits. More than four million people attend fairs across the state each year, and this one is put on by the Greater Hillsborough County Fair Association with the endorsement of Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson.
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Admission is the first thing to plan around, because the price changes depending on when you buy and which day you go. Advance gate admission is $21.63 for adults and $11.28 for seniors 65 and over and students in grades K through 12. Buy at the gate on the day and it goes up to $23.70 for adults, $12.35 for seniors and students, and free for children five and under. Ride armbands are separate and not included in gate admission: a weekday armband is $28.88 in advance and $34.05 regular, while a weekend one is $34.05 in advance and $39.23 regular, with advance pricing ending at 4 pm on November 5. Parking is always free.
There are several ways to save. Carload Nights on November 5 and 12 run from 5 to 10 pm and cost $57 for up to eight legally seated people with seatbelts, which covers both gate admission and a ride armband for everyone in the car; individual tickets cannot be bought on those nights. Sunday Funday on November 8 brings advance admission down to $14.42 for adults, $6.18 for seniors and $10.28 for students. On Monday and Tuesday, November 9 and 10, gate admission is $5 for everyone, with doors opening at 5 pm. And on Wednesday, November 11, K through 12 students get free gate admission with an ID when accompanied by an adult 21 or older.
The daily schedule gives you a good idea of which night to pick. Friday, November 6 opens with Friday Night Lights and a 7 pm rodeo. Saturday, November 7 is Rural King Day at the Fair at 6 pm, with a family day at the rodeo and free admission for all Hillsborough and Pasco County employees. Monday, November 9 is the discounted admission night, and Tuesday, November 10 is 4-H and FFA Night. The fair opens at noon on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. The second weekend leans into the grandstand events: a truck and tractor pull at 6 pm on Friday, November 13 and again on Saturday, November 14, and the Love's Tire Demo Derby at 3 pm on Sunday, November 15, which wraps up Heroes Weekend.
Beyond the grandstand, there are livestock shows, contests, carnival rides, an entertainment stage and the Harvest Queen and Harvest Awards, with Fresh From Florida products featured throughout. If you have questions before you head out, the fair office is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1 pm at 215 Sydney Washer Road in Dover, and you can reach them at 813-737-FAIR.
Published Date
16 October 2026
