The Great New York State Fair is back for 2025 — and it’s bigger, better, and more delicious than ever.
Famous for its fried food on a stick, adorable farm animals, thrilling rides, and big-name performers, this iconic Upstate tradition is the perfect late-summer getaway for families, foodies, and fair fans alike.
Dating back to 1841, the legendary fairgrounds just outside Syracuse (5-hour drive from NYC) transforms into a 13-day celebration and welcomes millions of New Yorkers to the center of the state for food, fun, and free concerts.
This year’s fair runs from Wednesday, August 20 through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, and is set to be the biggest end-of-summer bash in the state.
Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s fair…just in case you’re plotting a good weekend getaway.
The 2025 concert lineup at the NYS Fair
Let’s start with the free music, a huge portion of the fair that drives plenty of New Yorkers to the grounds each year!
All concerts are free with fair admission, and performances take place on two stages: Chevy Court and Suburban Park.
This year’s lineup has something for everyone — from country and hip-hop to Y2K rock and family-friendly sets.
Here are just a few names hitting the stage in 2025:
- AJR (August 21)
- Jessie Murph (August 22)
- O.A.R. (August 23)
- Busta Rhymes (August 24)
- GROUPLOVE (August 24)
- 98 Degrees (August 25)
- Lil Jon (August 26)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd (August 28)
- DJ Pauly D (August 29)
- All Time Low (August 30)
- Shaggy (August 31)
- Blippi: Join the Band Tour (August 31, for kids!)
- Dionne Warwick (September 1)
👉 View the full lineup for Chevy Court and Suburban Park
What to eat at this year’s fair
From old-school midway snacks to local NYS vendors, the fair is a foodie paradise.
Past favorites that are expected to return include The Baked Potato Express, Nancy’s Gyros, Syracuse Suds Factory, and Omani’s Lemonade Heaven, plus many more.
Here’s just a little taste of the fair classics that are likely to return:
- Deep-fried Oreos
- Sausage and pepper hoagies
- Fresh-cut fries
- Giant turkey legs
- Soft serve cones the size of your head
Things to do & entertainment at this year’s fair
There’s quite literally so much to do at the Great New York State Fair every year, so we’ve attempted to narrow down the best things to cross off your list:
- Explore the Midway: Play carnival games, enjoy 50+ rides, and check out the new “Zeus” ride brand new for 2025.
- See sculptures and artwork: View the annual butter and sand sculputres that change year-to-year with different themes.
- Sky River Butterfly Exhibit: Walk through an exhibit and let butterflies land on you!
- Drink milk from Byrne Dairy: Sip classic cups of Byrne Dairy milk for just 25 cents.
- Walk through the Iroquois Indian Village: Explore New York’s Indigenous heritage through live performances, dishes, and vendors.
- Shop local vendors with goods art, and more: Walk through Marketplace Pavilion Tent or Center of Progress Building to shop local goods.
- Watch adorable farm animals: Browse the fair’s barns and see horses, pigs, cows, and many more animals.
Tickets & admission info
Admission is $8 online (no tickets sold at the gate), and free for kids 12 and under or seniors 65+. Parking in Fair lots is available via prepaid voucher for $10!
How to get there from NYC
The Great New York State Fairgrounds are located in Syracuse, NY, just under a 5-hour drive from NYC. But this year, there’s an even easier (and more scenic!) way to get there.
Amtrak is once again offering direct train service to and from the Fairgrounds throughout the entire 13-day run — providing a safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to experience one of the state’s top summer events without the hassle of traffic or parking.
Starting Wednesday, August 20 through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, five trains will make daily stops at the New York State Fair station, which is just steps from the main gates.
Service includes select Empire Service and Maple Leaf routes between NYC and Syracuse, with departures from Moynihan Train Hall in Manhattan at:
- 7:16 a.m. (Maple Leaf 63) – arrives at the Fair at 1:11 p.m.
- 10:21 a.m. (Empire Service 281) – arrives at the Fair at 4:21 p.m.
- 1:20 p.m. (Empire Service 283) – arrives at the Fair at 7:13 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now at Amtrak.com, on the Amtrak app, by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL, or at station counters.