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Arizona State Fair announces 2026 dates. Here’s what we know

It may feel as though the Arizona State Fair only just wrapped up for 2025—but it’s already time to announce the dates and theme for 2026.

people on a swing ride against a blue sky
People react while riding a swing attraction during opening day of the Arizona State Fair on Sept. 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (Owen Ziliak/The Republic via Reuters Connect)

It feels as though the Arizona State Fair only just wrapped up for its 2025 season, which makes it hard to believe that it’s already time to announce the dates and theme for 2026.

`This year’s fair will run Thursdays through Sundays from Oct. 1-Nov. 1 with the theme being “A State of Wonder.”

According to the blog over at azstatefair.com, this year’s theme is about “highlighting the unforgettable wonder that lives in every corner of our Fair and State. For us, ‘Wonder’ is the glow of the Midway against the Phoenix skyline. It’s the sheer excitement in a child’s eyes as they conquer their first big-kid ride. It’s the discovery that your competitive entry is a blue-ribbon winner, and the delicious anticipation of that first bite of classic Fair food.”

While we’ve been hit with plenty of information, there’s still plenty to come. And the blog has promised something “amazing is happening” on March 19 and that those looking forward to this year’s fair should be refreshing their inbox that day.

However, if you sign up to become a member of the Fair Fandom, which is free to join, you’ll not only be the first to get updates about this surprise that’s coming in March but also receive early bird deals on fair admission and concert tickets, the inside scoop on the concert lineup, new attractions and more.

So, stay tuned, because it looks like it’s going to be a “wonder”-ful year at the Arizona State Fair.

 

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Jessica Swarner
Jessica Swarner Newsletter Editor
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