Walworth County Fair 2026 Guide: Tickets, Rides, Food, Schedule & Local Tips
Quick answer: The Walworth County Fair runs 6 days every year, from the Wednesday before Labor Day through Labor Day Monday, at the Walworth County Fairgrounds (411 E. Court St., Elkhorn). It’s about 10 miles north of downtown Lake Geneva, and parking is free.
2027 dates haven’t been posted yet. Labor Day 2027 falls on Monday, Sept. 6, so watch walworthcountyfairgrounds.com for the official dates and grandstand lineup.
This is one of the oldest county fairs in Wisconsin. The first one was held in East Troy in 1850, and it’s been on the same Elkhorn grounds since 1855.
Today it fills about 99 acres with livestock barns, exhibit halls, a full carnival midway and a grandstand that books national acts. In 2026 that meant Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ludacris.
Which day should you go?
What each day is usually like
The lineup changes every year, but the shape of the week stays about the same. Here’s how 2026 played out.
| Day | Grounds hours | Grandstand (2026) | Wristband hours | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Rice Pro Rodeo with Bella Cain | 3 p.m. to close | Lightest |
| Thursday | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Truck and tractor pulls | 3 p.m. to close | Moderate |
| Friday | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Russell Dickerson | Noon to close | Busy after 5 p.m. |
| Saturday | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Lynyrd Skynyrd | Noon to close | Busiest |
| Sunday | 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Ludacris with DJ Bizzon | Noon to close | Busy |
| Labor Day Monday | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Demolition derby (3 sessions) | Noon to 9 p.m. | Moderate, early close |
Tickets, prices and parking
Gate admission
Free parkingSeason passDaily admission in 2026 was $13 for adults (13 and up), $8 for ages 5 to 12, and free for 4 and under. Seniors 62 and up paid $10 Wednesday through Friday only.
If you’ll go 4 or more days, the adult season pass ($50, or $35 early bird until the first Friday in August) pays for itself. Junior season passes were $20.
Tip: Buy through the fair’s website or Tixr, its official ticketing partner. Resale sites mark up grandstand seats.
Grandstand shows
Concerts, rodeo and motorsports
Book aheadHeadlinersThe grandstand is the reason a lot of people come from Chicago and Milwaukee. Expect a rodeo, a night of pulls and 3 headline concerts across country, classic rock and hip-hop.
The 2026 run was Rice Pro Rodeo with Bella Cain, PI Motorsports Truck and Tractor Pulls, Russell Dickerson, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ludacris. The next lineup usually rolls out in spring and early summer.
Tip: Saturday’s headliner sells out first. Grab those seats the week they go on sale.
Labor Day demolition derby
Labor DayClassic fairThe fair ends the way it has for decades: cars smashing into each other in the grandstand arena. With 3 sessions, you can pick a time that fits the drive home before the grounds close at 8 p.m.
Carnival rides and wristbands
The midway
WristbandPresale saves $5Rides aren’t included with gate admission. You either buy ride tickets or a wristband good for unlimited rides on 1 day.
Wristbands start at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, at noon Friday through Sunday, and run noon to 9 p.m. on Labor Day. The presale price ends at midnight the night before the fair opens.
Tip: On a weekday, a wristband only covers the evening. If you’re there at 10 a.m., spend the morning in the barns and start riding at 3.
What’s free with admission
A lot more than people expect. Once you’re through the gate, all of this costs nothing extra (per the fair’s own “What’s free” list).
Livestock barns and horse events
Free with admissionAg heritageThis is still a working county fair. 4-H and FFA exhibitors show beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits, and the horse arena runs shows through the week.
Tip: Go in the morning. That’s when judging happens and the barns are coolest.
Barnyard Adventure and the Discovery Barn
With kidsSaturday combine ridesBarnyard Adventure is the best stop with kids: hands-on animals, demonstrations and its own stage. The Discovery Barn covers where food comes from, and on Saturday you can ride in a combine.
Exhibit halls, stages and demos
Free with admissionRainy-day pickQuilts, baking, photography, flowers and giant vegetables, all with ribbons. Add live glassblowing, circus acts, pedal tractor pulls, plein-air painters and free shows on Peggy’s Park Stage, and you can fill a whole day without buying a ride ticket.
Fair food
Food stands run all over the grounds, from cheese curds and corn dogs to local nonprofit stands. The fair doesn’t publish a full vendor list ahead of time, so plan to graze.
Eat lunch before noon or dinner before 5 p.m. The lines double once the grandstand crowd arrives. Carry-in alcohol isn’t allowed.
A first-timer’s game plan
Arrive by 10 or 11 a.m. Parking is free, and weekend lots fill by early afternoon.
Barns and exhibits first. They’re cooler and calmer in the morning, and judging is happening.
Early lunch, then shopping. Commercial vendors in North Hall run 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Fair Office Building).
Rides once wristband hours start. 3 p.m. on weekdays, noon on weekends.
Grandstand at night. Find your seat 30 minutes early.
What to bring
Comfortable shoes (the grounds are big, and mostly pavement and grass), sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, cash for smaller stands, and a light jacket for the grandstand after dark. Leave pets at home: only ADA service animals and exhibition animals are allowed.
Accessibility
A limited number of standard wheelchairs are available first come, first served. Electric scooters aren’t available to rent, so bring your own if you need one. Service animals must be leashed and aren’t allowed on rides.
Getting there from Lake Geneva
The fairgrounds sit on the east side of Elkhorn at 411 E. Court St., about 10 miles north of downtown Lake Geneva (15 to 20 minutes via US-12). From Williams Bay or Delavan it’s about the same. Chicago is roughly 90 miles, Milwaukee about 45.
The fairgrounds the rest of the year
Elkhorn Antique Flea Market
AntiquesRain or shineAntique, vintage and collectible dealers spread across the fairgrounds. The early hour matters: the best furniture and signs are gone by 9.
Elkhorn Ribfest
SummerLive musicA 5-day barbecue and music festival that’s become Elkhorn’s other big summer event. Dates post in spring.
The grounds also host horse shows, dog shows and craft shows most months. For everything else going on, see the Lake Geneva events calendar.
Make a Labor Day weekend of it
The fair lands on the last big summer weekend at the lake. Spend the day in Elkhorn, then head back to Geneva Lake for an evening on the water while the boats are still out. The boat tours guide and bars and wineries guide cover the rest.
Fall starts the week after. See the fall activities guide and orchards and pumpkin patches.
Best by category
| Category | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best day overall | Saturday | Everything running, combine rides, biggest concert |
| Best first visit | Wednesday | Lightest crowds, senior pricing, rodeo at night |
| Best free stop | Barnyard Adventure | Hands-on animals, included with admission |
| Best deal | Season pass | Cheaper than 4 daily tickets |
| Best for rides | Friday to Sunday | Wristbands start at noon |
| Best spectacle | Labor Day demolition derby | 3 sessions, classic fair finale |
| Best rainy-day backup | Exhibit halls | Indoors, free with admission |
Mistakes first-timers make
Buying a wristband for a weekday morning. Weekday wristbands don’t start until 3 p.m.
Waiting on grandstand tickets. The Saturday and Sunday headliners sell out.
Skipping the barns. They’re the heart of the fair and cost nothing extra.
Bringing the dog. Pets aren’t allowed, and the car is no place for one in early September.
Missing the presale. Wristbands bought before opening day save $5 each.
If you’re moving here
Elkhorn is the Walworth County seat, about 10 miles north of Geneva Lake with I-43 on its edge. The fair is the biggest week on its calendar, and the fairgrounds stay busy most weekends from spring through fall.
Housing runs from older homes a few blocks from the downtown square to newer subdivisions and rural acreage outside town. Lake Geneva, Delavan and Williams Bay are each 15 to 20 minutes away. See the Elkhorn community guide for more.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Walworth County Fair?
Every year from the Wednesday before Labor Day through Labor Day Monday, 6 days in all. The 2026 fair ran Sept. 2 to 7. The 2027 dates haven’t been posted yet; Labor Day 2027 is Monday, Sept. 6. Check walworthcountyfairgrounds.com for official dates.
Where is the Walworth County Fair?
At the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121. It’s about 10 miles north of downtown Lake Geneva, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car.
How much are Walworth County Fair tickets?
In 2026, daily admission was $13 for adults 13 and up, $8 for ages 5 to 12, and free for 4 and under. Seniors 62 and up paid $10 Wednesday through Friday. Adult season passes were $50, or $35 early bird. Grandstand shows and rides cost extra.
Is parking free at the Walworth County Fair?
Yes. General parking is free.
What are the Walworth County Fair hours?
The grounds open at 7 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, and at 8 p.m. on Labor Day Monday. Barn and carnival hours vary.
How much is a carnival wristband?
In 2026, a 1-day unlimited-ride wristband was $32 in presale (through midnight before opening day) and $37 at the fair. Wristbands run from 3 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, from noon Friday through Sunday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Labor Day.
Are rides included with fair admission?
No. Rides need ride tickets or a wristband. Barns, exhibits, Barnyard Adventure, the Discovery Barn, free stages, glassblowing, pedal tractor pulls and Saturday combine rides are included.
What day is best to go to the Walworth County Fair?
Saturday for the full experience, Wednesday for the lightest crowds, and Labor Day Monday if you want the demolition derby.
Are dogs allowed at the Walworth County Fair?
No. Only ADA service animals and exhibition animals are allowed. Service animals must be leashed and can’t go on rides.
Like Elkhorn enough to stay?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover Elkhorn and the lake towns around it, from homes a few blocks from the courthouse square to acreage outside town and lake property on Geneva and Delavan lakes.
Search Elkhorn properties Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.