New York residents looking for the quintessential summer day trip won’t have to travel far, as the Ulster County Fair returns this August just 90 minutes from Manhattan.
For nearly 140 summers, families have been making the trip to this beloved Hudson Valley fair for carnival rides, blue-ribbon livestock, racing pigs, demolition derbies, and enough funnel cake to satisfy every summer craving.
Now, it’s back for another year of classic summertime fun, bringing six days of midway thrills, agricultural competitions, local vendors, and family-friendly entertainment to New Paltz. First established in 1886, it’s one of New York’s longest-running county fairs and a summer tradition generations of New Yorkers continue to return to year after year.
When and where is the Ulster County Fair taking place?
The Ulster County Fair runs August 4 through August 9, 2026, at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz, New York (249 Libertyville Road).
The fair spans six days, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy everything it has to offer.
Located in the heart of the Hudson Valley, the fairgrounds are roughly a 90-minute drive from Manhattan, making the event an easy day trip or weekend outing from NYC.
Originally founded in 1886, the fair was created to celebrate the region’s agricultural heritage—a mission it still carries on today through livestock competitions, educational exhibits, and showcases from local farms.
While plenty has changed over the past century, the fair remains one of the Hudson Valley’s signature summer traditions.
What to expect at one of New York’s longest-running county fairs
Whether you’re coming for nostalgic fair food or adrenaline-pumping rides, there’s plenty packed into the six-day event.
Visitors can look forward to:
- 🎡 A lively midway packed with carnival rides and games
- 🐖 Robinson’s Racing Pigs, featuring hilarious pig races—and even swimming pigs—multiple times each day
- 🐶 World champion Disc-Connected K9s performing incredible frisbee-catching stunts and acrobatics
- 🧜 An Aquatic Acrobatic Show with high-flying divers, living mermaids, aqua bola performers, and Jet Ski tricks
- 🪵 Live chainsaw carving demonstrations where artists transform logs into intricate wooden sculptures
- 🎆 A fireworks spectacular on Wednesday evening at dusk
- 🐄 Livestock competitions, horse shows, 4-H exhibits, and agricultural showcases celebrating the Hudson Valley’s farming heritage
- 🚜 Truck pulls, tractor pulls, and other classic fair competitions
- 🍗 Classic fair concessions including funnel cakes, fried treats, barbecue, fresh lemonade, and more
- 🛍️ Shopping vendors, family-friendly attractions, and exhibits throughout the fairgrounds
The event has evolved since its beginnings in 1886 while staying true to its agricultural roots.
Today, it blends beloved fair traditions like livestock shows and 4-H competitions with crowd-pleasing entertainment.
How much do tickets cost?
Admission isn’t free, but it’s certainly affordable.
- Online presale (July 6–August 4): $10
- Online (August 5–9): $12
- At the gate (Wednesday–Sunday): $15
Keep in mind that carnival rides are not included with admission and require separate ride tickets or wristbands.
Visitors can purchase tickets online before arriving.
Why it’s worth the trip from NYC
Summer in New York isn’t complete without at least one county fair, and the Ulster County Fair offers everything you’d hope for from a classic American fair—historic charm, carnival rides, prize-winning farm animals, live entertainment, and all the funnel cake your heart desires.
Combined with New Paltz’s walkable downtown, nearby hiking trails at Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park, and plenty of Hudson Valley restaurants and wineries, it’s easy to turn the fair into a full-day (or even weekend) escape from the city.