Big price hike coming to the New York State Fair

Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State lawmakers have approved a proposal to permanently double admission and parking prices for the New York State Fair, effective May 1. Adult tickets will now cost $6, up from $3, while parking fees will increase to $10 per vehicle from $5. The price hike returns ticket costs to their pre-pandemic levels.

The NYS Fair had lowered its prices to $3 in 2020, the lowest since 1990, after maintaining a $6 advance-sale ticket price and $10 gate price since 2005. The decision to increase prices follows pandemic-related declines in attendance and financial losses, with the fair seeing over half a million fewer guests in 2021 compared to 2019.

Additionally, the State Fair will raise fees for concession rentals and non-fair events by 1.5% for the 2023 fair. The Governor’s Office has noted that the new $6 admission fee remains lower than the $10 charge in 2019 and is significantly less than other state fairs, such as those in Texas ($15), Minnesota ($17), and Iowa ($14).

Despite the price increase, New York State Fair admission remains competitive when compared to other state fairs and the Erie County Fair near Buffalo. The fair’s new pricing structure aims to recover from pandemic-induced financial challenges while remaining accessible to visitors.