What you should know about discounts and tickets for the 2024 Oklahoma State Fair
Oklahoma State Fair returns in 2023 with rides, shows and more
The 2023 Oklahoma State Fair features familiar classics and new attractions and will run until September 24 at the OKC Fairgrounds.
Brandy McDonnell, Oklahoman
The 2024 Oklahoma State Fair is just around the corner.
And thanks to the wide range of discounts, you can save a lot when visiting the fair – especially if you buy the tickets and wristbands in advance and plan your visit on a weekday rather than at the weekend.
One of the state’s largest annual events, the Oklahoma State Fair, takes place September 12-22 at the OKC Fairgrounds, 3001 General Pershing Blvd.
Here’s how much it costs to get into the fair and ride the rides, and how you can potentially save money while having all the fun:
How much is admission to the 2024 Oklahoma State Fair?
For the 2024 Oklahoma State Fair, regular outdoor admission is $16 for adults and children 12 and older, $10 for children 6-11, and free for children 5 and under.
During the fair, tickets for the outside entrance are available at the ticket counters outside each entrance. Same-day re-entry is possible with a ticket stub and a hand stamp from the ticket seller. There is a surcharge for purchases made with a credit card.
The Oklahoma State Fair has a new visitor policy for minors: All minors must be supervised by a responsible adult who must be on the OKC Fairgrounds while minor visitors are present. After 5:00 p.m., visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or chaperone age 25 or older. Chaperones may accompany up to five minors. Identification may be requested and minors found violating the policy will be removed from the grounds.
How can trade fair visitors save money on outside entry?
Prior to the fair’s opening day on September 12, fairgoers can save by purchasing outside entrance tickets in person at the OKC Fairgrounds Gate 9 Box Office, online or by phone. Discounted tickets are also available for presale at OnCue stores in the Oklahoma City area.
Advance ticket prices at the outdoor box office are $12 for adults and children ages 12 and older and $7.50 for children ages 6 to 11. Children ages 5 and under are free. Advance ticket prices are valid through September 11.
Season passes, which allow one person admission once per day for all 11 days of the fair, cost $40 and are only available online.
To purchase tickets, go to the OKC Fairgrounds Gate 9 Box Office, call 405-948-6800 or go to https://okstatefair.com.
How much do fairground wristbands and rides cost at this year’s fair?
About 60 different rides make up the State Fair’s Midway this year, which has switched from paper tickets to reloadable cards with ride credits available at the fair’s ticket kiosks. Each individual card has a $1 activation fee. Fairgoers can purchase individual credits in groups of five or save by purchasing 30 or 50 credits at once. The credits on the reloadable cards are valid for the entire duration of the fair.
Single ride credits cost $7 for five rides, $35 for 30 rides and $50 for 50 rides.
All rides require either credits or unlimited carnival wristbands. Rides cost between four and six credits.
Wristbands are available at the fair box office and cost $35 Monday through Wednesday, $25 on Tinker Federal Credit Union Thrifty Thursdays (Sept. 12 and 19), and $50 Friday through Sunday. There is a $1 activation fee for each wristband. They do not include outside admission to the fair.
Although swim fins are often more affordable for people who want to go on multiple rides, they are not suitable for everyone. Swim fins are not recommended for children under 3 feet tall as they can only go on a limited number of rides.
People under 48 inches tall – and parents of children under 48 inches tall – should check ride requirements online before purchasing wristbands. On multiple rides, children between 42 and 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult.
No replacements will be given for wristbands, even in the event of bad weather. Upgrades from a weekday to a weekend wristband are also not possible.
Passengers who wish to have priority boarding can purchase a Fast Lane Pass at any fairground ticket booth or kiosk, although quantities may be limited each day. Fast Lane Passes cost $15 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday.
Separate tickets are required for the Sky Eye Wheel, which is considered the largest mobile observation wheel in North America. Each ride on the Sky Eye Wheel costs $7.
How much can fair visitors save with fair wristbands purchased in advance?
Fairgoers who are determined to ride the rides can save money by purchasing fair wristbands in advance at the Gate 9 box office, online, or by calling 405-948-6800.
The pre-sale price for carnival wristbands at the fair is $25 Monday through Thursday and $40 Friday through Sunday.
There is an additional $1 activation fee for each wristband. Pre-sale prices are valid until September 11.
Purchasing in advance also allows fairgoers to skip the line at the fair ticket counters and redeem their voucher for their actual fair wristband once they arrive at the fairgrounds. (Any person wishing to use a fair wristband must be present at the redemption center so the fair employee can apply the wristband.)
Advance tickets for the Sky Eye Wheel are also available for $4.
How much do advance tickets cost for Disney on Ice and the Hoofs & Horns Spectacular?
Families looking to see Disney on Ice or rodeo fans who can’t wait to catch the action at the Hoof & Horns Spectacular can save by purchasing their tickets in advance. Tickets purchased on or before September 11 for these attractions include outside-building admission, saving up to $15 per person.
Featuring more than 50 Disney movie characters, “Disney on Ice presents Magic in the Stars” is coming to Jim Norick Arena from September 12-16 during the 2024 Oklahoma State Fair. Ticket prices range from $20 to $70. All children ages 2 and older require their own seat ticket; children under 2 are admitted free but must sit on the lap of a paying customer.
For the second year, the Hoof & Horns Spectacular will bring rodeo broncos and freestyle bullfighting to the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. The new event, conceived by the famous Beutler family of Elk City, is set to debut in 2023 and will replace the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Xtreme Bulls & Broncs previously offered at the fair.
Ticket prices for Hoofs & Horns range from $15 to $30. All children ages 2 and older require their own seat ticket. Children under 2 are admitted free but must sit on the lap of a paying visitor.
What discount days are offered for the 2024 Oklahoma State Fair?
To get the best value for money, trade fair visitors should plan their attendance on weekdays rather than weekends.
On select days there are special discounts on outdoor admission, rides and tickets for the Sky Eye Wheel:
- Thursday, September 12th is Tinker Federal Credit Union’s Savings Thursday: That means $8 admission for everyone (children 5 and under are still free), all-day carnival wristbands for $25, and the state coupon booklet “The Little Book of Big Deals” for $4.
- Thursday, September 12 is also College Day: College students receive $5 admission. A college ID is required and one admission is allowed per ID. (College Day was introduced at the 2023 fair but will be held on a different day this year.)
- To Monday, September 16, Tractor Bobs presents Military Monday: All active and retired military members and their spouses, as well as veterans and their spouses, receive free front-of-house admission and $5 Sky Eye Wheel tickets. Military IDs or proof of compliance are required.
- Tuesday, September 17th is Taste of the Fair Tuesday: All fair visitors receive admission at the entrance for $4 (children up to 5 years old still get in free), for $4 you can get food at almost every stand at the fair, for $4 you can get the “Little Book of Big Deals” and for $4 you can get tickets to ride the Sky Eye Ferris wheel.
- Wednesday, September 18, is Senior Citizens’ Day: Seniors 55 and older (ID required) receive free admission and Sky Eye Wheel tickets for $5.
- Thursday, September 19 is Tinker Federal Credit Union Thrifty Frugal Thursday Again, outside admission is $8 for everyone (children 5 and under are still free), plus there are wristbands for $25 and “The Little Book of Big Deals” for $4.
What should visitors know about the Oklahoma State Fair coupon booklet?
For coupon fans, the State Fair will again be selling its official coupon book, “The Little Book of Big Deals,” at its outdoor box offices, the OKC Fairgrounds Box Office, InFAIRmation booths, and the Made in Oklahoma Store in the Bennett Event Center.
The coupon booklet will contain over 50 coupons and over $250 in savings on fairground food, fun and shopping.
The regular price for the coupon book is $5, and on Thrifty Thursdays and Taste of the Fair Tuesdays it is $4.
