Advance tickets for the 2026 South Carolina State Fair went on sale this week, offering savings of up to 50% off gate prices before the fair opens Oct. 15 in Columbia.
The discount window runs Sept. 16 through Oct. 14, with admission and ride vouchers available at participating Circle K locations and on the fair’s official website. Advance general admission costs $10 at Circle K or $11 online, compared with $15 to $20 at the gate during the fair. Ride vouchers are $32 at Circle K and $33 online in advance, versus $40 to $42 during the fair. Ride vouchers can be exchanged for a Pay-One-Price wristband good for unlimited rides on any one day, or for a reloadable 90-ticket ride card that can be shared, used across multiple days, or saved for the following year if tickets remain.
The fair runs Oct. 15 through 25 at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds in Columbia. Seniors age 55 and older pay $15 every day at the gate except on Senior Day, Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the senior price drops to $5. Opening Day, Thursday, Oct. 15, is $5 all day at the gate. Children age 5 and under enter free every day. Group sales are available for offices, schools and organizations through the fair’s group-sales page.
The fair will also host its first Scholars Day on Sunday, Oct. 18, honoring Ride of Your Life Scholarship recipients. Scholars can request two complimentary admission passes through the fair’s scholarship coordinator by Oct. 1. Nancy Smith is the fair’s general manager. The full slate of daily promotions, ride card mechanics and gate pricing is posted on the fair’s official website.
