06/14/2026
The York State Fair returns to the York Expo Center from July 24 through August 2, bringing one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and most historic traditions back to life. This fair traces its roots all the way to 1765, making it widely recognized as America’s first fair, started before the country itself was even founded. Gates open at 3 PM Monday through Thursday and 11 AM Friday through Sunday, with entry closing at 10 PM, so there’s plenty of time to wander in, immediately smell fried food, and remember that fair season is basically Pennsylvania’s unofficial summer holiday.
This year’s music lineup has a little bit of everything, especially if you like your summer nights with country, classic sing-alongs, and a grandstand crowd. Acts scheduled include Preston Cooper, Tequila Sunrise featuring Paul Sidoti, the Summer of Boots Festival with Parmalee, The Band Perry, Aubrey Nicole and more, plus Greylan James, Rodney Atkins, Brantley Gilbert with Ashley Cooke, Ingrid Andress, Shane Profitt, Adventures in Parrotdise, Cole Goodwin, and Bullride Mania featuring Michael Ray. Around the grounds, visitors can also check out the midway, livestock and agricultural exhibits, food vendors, shopping, model trains, pig racing, Goat Mountain, and the famous butter sculpture, because nothing says “Pennsylvania fair” quite like admiring dairy art after eating something deep-fried on a stick.
And if you’re making a day of it, York is worth exploring before or after the fair. Downtown York has Central Market House, the Appell Center, the Colonial Complex, the York County History Center, Royal Square’s murals, and plenty of locally owned places to eat or browse. White Rose Bar & Grill, Iron Horse York, The First Post, Caraballo Sisters, and Central Market are all solid nearby stops, and if you’re into history, York’s connection to the Articles of Confederation gives the whole trip a little more weight than just “we came for rides and left with funnel cake dust on our shirt,” although honestly, that is also a valid Pennsylvania tradition.