New York State Fair

The 13-day celebration of delicious food, exhibits, animals, rides and entertainment in Syracuse, NY is back in 2023. Take Amtrak right to the fairgrounds.

The New York State Fair

The New York State Fair first started in 1841; organized by the New York State Agriculture Society it featured agriculture exhibits, a plowing contest, and samples of goods from the farms. Since then, the New York State Fair has blossomed into one of the biggest events in the northeast; every summer attendance numbers reach the millions. 

New York State Fair Entertainment

Big names performing at the New York State Fair in 2023 include Rebecca Black, George Thoroughgood & the Destroyers, REO Speedwagon, The Fray, Ludacris, Chubby Checker, Julio Iglesias Jr., Quiet Riot and more.

New in 2023

In 2023, a new Asian Village will run from Opening Day on Wednesday, August 23, through the first Saturday, August 26. It will recognize the contributions, history, and experiences of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through music, dance, food, and a number of other special events. Asian Village joins Indian Village, Pan African Village, and Latino Village in providing opportunities for fairgoers to experience the many backgrounds and cultures that make New Yorkers diverse and unique.

NYS Fair Food

Come with an appetite and leave with your taste buds blown away at Taste NY’s different vendors giving out samples every day. Check out the best food the state has to offer with tons of vendors setting up at the fair. Indulge in whatever food and drink you may be craving with companies such as Sweet & Cute Sweets and Old Home Distillers. Find Taste NY inside the Horticulture Building for free samples of food and drink products and meet the people behind the products you’re bound to love. If you like something, you can buy it right there!

Competitions at the NYS Fair

Join in or simply witness some of the hundreds of competitions that the State Fair has to offer. These competitions include the likes of arts and crafts, cooking, and even blue-ribbon rabbits! Take a look at the best of the best in the state in tons of different categories. With such a large state filled with so much talent, you’re certain to see some amazing competition take place.

Click here to learn more about what to do at the New York State Fair!

Ticket Information

Daily admission ticket sales will be available for purchase online only and must be purchased prior to arrival.

• Daily admission is $6 for adults

• Children 12 and under are admitted free every day of the State Fair

• Seniors 65 and older are admitted free every day of the State Fair

Admission tickets and $10 vouchers for parking in the Fair’s parking lots are available online. Find out more about State Fair parking here.

To learn more about other admission offers, please visit our Special Fair Days page.

Click here to learn more about admission and ticket sales. 

Take Amtrak to The New York State Fair

Amtrak has continued its partnership with the New York State Fair to provide direct train service for customers traveling as a more convenient, cost-effective, family-friendly and comfortable way to travel to and from the Empire State’s largest annual event between Aug. 23 and Sept. 4. 

Skip tolls, traffic and parking fees, and arrive steps from the fairgrounds via select Empire Service and Maple Leaf  trains, which will make daily stops at the State Fair (in between stops at Rochester and Syracuse stations), adjacent to the Fairgrounds. The Amtrak station code for the New York State Fair is NYF. 

Westbound trains originating in New York City stop at the Fair at 1:21 p.m. during the week and 12:56 p.m. on weekends (Train 63), 3:58 p.m. daily (Train 281) and 6:57 p.m. daily (Train 283). Eastbound trains originating from Toronto or Niagara Falls stop at the Fair at 9:33 a.m. (Train 284) and 3:00 p.m. (Train 64), and 5:45 p.m. only on Monday, Sept. 2 (Train 288) en route to Albany and New York City. 

In addition to the Fair stop, Amtrak is also offering a “kids ride free” promotion (one free child for each paying adult on the same itinerary) for travel to and from the Fair, which must be booked online at Amtrak.com and at least three days in advance of travel with the promo code V153. This sale is valid only during the duration of the Fair and includes one blackout date on Friday, Aug. 30. Other terms and conditions apply. 

Tickets are available now at Amtrak.com, via the Amtrak mobile app, at station ticket counters or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL. As always, customers will enjoy plenty of legroom, a generous luggage policy, and scenic routes. Amtrak also offers free Wi-Fi, the freedom to use phones and electronic devices at all times (no “airplane mode”). 

Amtrak has been offering train service to the New York State Fair since 2002. The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, attracts more than one million people during the 13-day celebration of delicious food, eye-opening exhibits, captivating entertainment and great fun. The home of the Great New York State Fair is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year.