The Florida State Fair is the big one. It has more rides than the Strawberry Festival, more livestock, and more fried food than anyone needs. It takes over the Florida State Fairgrounds off I-4 in east Tampa for 12 days every February. For kids, it's rides, animals, and a funnel cake. For parents, it's a long day that goes better with a plan.
Here's what to know about the 2027 fair: dates, how tickets and armbands work, and how to get through it with small kids.
Florida State Fair 2027: quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday, February 4 – Monday, February 15, 2027 |
| Location | Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US Hwy 301 N, Tampa, FL 33610 |
| Opening times | 11 a.m. on Feb 4 and Feb 8–11; 10 a.m. on Feb 5–7 and Feb 12–15; listed until 9 p.m. |
| Entrances | US Hwy 301, MLK Jr Blvd, Orient Rd |
| 2027 tickets | Not yet released; the fair says "coming this fall" |
| Kids 5 and under | Free admission in 2026 |
The dates and daily times come from the fair's official 2027 event listing. The fair always ends on Presidents Day, so February 15 is a school holiday for many families. That makes it one of the busiest days.
Tickets and admission
As of late September 2026, the fair hadn't published 2027 prices. For budgeting, here's what 2026 looked like:
- Adults: about $12 on weekdays and $16 on weekends at the gate
- Kids 6–11: about $7 on weekdays and $11 on weekends
- Kids 5 and under: free
These 2026 gate prices come from the fair's own social posts, not an official price page, so treat them as a ballpark. Online and advance tickets were cheaper than the gate. The fair also ran flash sales and deal days in 2026, so it's worth following them in the fall before you buy.
Family Day is the deal to watch for. In 2026, on Friday, February 13, kids 17 and under got in free until 5 p.m. with an admission-paying parent or guardian 21 or older. If a similar day shows up on the 2027 calendar, that's your cheapest weekday with kids.
Rides: armbands vs. credits
Admission gets you through the gate. Rides cost extra, and you have two options.
Ride armband. It covers almost the entire midway of 80+ rides. The exceptions are 3 or 4 specialty attractions, like the mechanical bull and bungee jump, that you pay for separately. Armbands don't include admission.
Ride credits. In 2026: 7 credits for $10, 25 for $30, or 50 for $50. Each ride costs 4 to 8 credits.
How to choose:
- Toddlers and preschoolers: credits usually win. A three-year-old might ride five kiddie rides and be done. That's 20–30 credits.
- Kids 6 and up who want to ride all day: buy the armband. They'll get the value in the first couple of hours.
- Mixed-age families: armband for the big kid, credits for the little one, and the adults ride with whoever needs a buddy.
Check heights before you buy
The midway has 90+ rides, and many have minimum or maximum heights. The fair doesn't refund armbands, so measure first. Wade Shows, the midway operator, has a "Measure Up" tool on its website. Enter your child's height and it lists every ride they can safely ride at the Florida State Fair. Do this at home. If your kid is 40 inches and most of their list is kiddie rides, don't pay for an armband.
Beyond the rides
The rides get the attention, but the rest of the fair is where young kids tend to have the best time. It's also cheaper, because it comes with admission.
- Livestock barns and ag exhibits. Cows, goats, pigs, and poultry, plus youth livestock shows. Farm kids show animals they raised themselves, which older kids find surprisingly interesting.
- Cracker Country. A living history village on the fairgrounds with 13 original buildings from about 1870 to 1912. It's open during the fair and only a few other days a year, so this is your chance. Kids can watch demonstrations and walk through an old schoolhouse and general store.
- Florida Learning Garden. A hands-on garden showing what grows in Florida, open during the fair.
- Creative Living exhibits. Lego builds, art, baked goods, and photography, including entries from Florida kids in grades 1–12. If your kid likes Lego, they can enter next year.
- Live entertainment. Stages throughout the grounds all day.
Rules parents should know
A few fair policies catch families off guard. These are from the fair's 2026 FAQ:
- Youth policy after 5 p.m. Anyone 17 or younger must be with an admission-paying parent or guardian 21+ with ID. This mostly affects teens hoping for a friends-only night.
- Outside food and drinks aren't allowed, with exceptions for special diets, food allergies, baby food and formula, and individually wrapped snacks for kids. Pack the snacks.
- No coolers, luggage, or bags with wheels. Strollers and wagons are fine.
- No pets, except service animals.
- No refunds or rainchecks if weather shuts down rides.
- No skateboards, hoverboards, rollerblades, or wheeled shoes.
Parking and getting there
In 2026, parking cost $8 per car if bought online in advance (through opening day), $10 online during the fair, and $15 at the gate. Buy it with your tickets.
There are three entrances: US Hwy 301, MLK Jr Blvd, and Orient Rd. On weekends, the traffic backup is usually at whichever gate your GPS picks, so it's worth checking the map before you leave.
Strollers and rentals
Bring your own stroller or wagon if you have one. Rentals at Gates 1–4 in 2026 were $20 for a single stroller, $25 for a double, $20 for a wagon, and $30 for a wheelchair. The grounds are huge, and a wagon is worth it even for a six-year-old by mid-afternoon.
Best days and times with kids
- Weekdays are easiest. Monday through Thursday, when the fair opens at 11 a.m., are quieter than weekends.
- Avoid Presidents Day and the final weekend if crowds bother your kids.
- Arrive at opening. Ride lines are short, it's cooler, and you can be heading home by the time the evening crowds arrive.
- Eat off-peak. Lunch at 11 or after 2 means shorter food lines.
- Set a meeting spot and put your phone number on your kid's arm in marker or on a wristband. It's easy to get separated in a crowd this size.
State Fair or Strawberry Festival?
They're only a few weeks apart, and families often ask which to pick. The State Fair is bigger, with more rides, more exhibits, and more everything. The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City feels smaller-town and easier with toddlers, and the strawberry shortcake alone justifies the drive.
With big kids who want rides, go to the State Fair. With toddlers, the Strawberry Festival is more manageable. Some families do both.
Planning the months before February? See our Christmas events for kids in Tampa. For the rest of the year, see family fun in Tampa.
