A Guide to the Historic Utah State Fair

From wild cowboys lassoing bulls to piglets racing for a prize ribbon, the Utah State Fair is the perfect destination for you and your family this summer. Hosted at the Utah State Fairpark, the historic annual event begins on the first Thursday after Labor Day and lasts 11 days. The expansive fairpark is home to some of Salt Lake City’s biggest events throughout the year, including the Kilby Block Party, Utah Days of ‘47 Rodeo, Craft Lake City DIY Festival and most recently, the X Games. This makes the fairpark Utah’s premiere spot for world-class entertainment.

The Utah State Fair is Utah’s oldest establishment. In fact, it is older than the state itself — the first fair was held in 1856, 40 years before Utah was incorporated as a state. Originally, the fair stood as a way for local farmers and tradesmen to sell off their wares to the burgeoning town of Salt Lake City, but quickly incorporated more familiar elements that still exist in the fair today. From awards for best cow and pig to live music, the state fair still remains true to its roots while evolving and adapting to modern-day sensibilities. Although the current fairpark is far from the founding location, it does feature plenty of historical buildings on its 65 acres.

The Days of ‘47 Arena

The headlining acts at the Utah State Fair take place in the historic Days of ‘47 Arena. This state-of-the-art, 10,000-seat stadium is the premiere venue to witness professional rodeos, demolition derbies and renowned musicians each year.

Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo

For over 35 years, the Utah’s Own Rodeo has put on three nights of high-quality bronco busting, bull riding and barrel racing. It is one of the American West’s best Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) sponsored rodeos. This particular rodeo is special because it serves as a qualifier for top cowboys and cowgirls hoping to compete in the National Finals Rodeo, which takes place every December in Las Vegas. All eyes are on the incredible athletes who compete each year, battling their way to rodeo's biggest stage.

Day of “Wreck”oning Demolition Derby

No state fair is complete without a night of absolute destruction. For one night a year, you can witness the best demo drivers in the state face off in the Day of “Wreck”oning Demo Derby. This event is perfect for the thrill seekers, providing nonstop action all night. Audiences can buy tickets to the derby separate from fair admission — get yours in advance because they sell out quickly.

Monsters Are Real Monster Truck Show

To complement the demolition derby, the Utah State Fair puts on a no-brakes Monsters are Real Monster Truck rally complete with massive jumps and show-stopping tricks. Like the demo derby, this show leads with high-octane stunts, devastating car crushes and total destruction. Motorheads can get their tickets to witness these 12,000 pound beasts ahead of the fair every year.

Concerts & Performances

The Utah State Fair has a long history of booking internationally renowned acts to perform in the arena, making the summer fair a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see some of your favorite artists. Previous fair performers have included a wide range of acts such as John Fogerty, The All-American Rejects, Yung Gravy, Steve Miller Band, Flo Rida featuring the Ying Yang Twins and many more. At the 2025 fair, Third Eye Blind and comedian Gabriel Iglesias will headline the arena.

Fairgrounds Entertainment

Beyond the sensational events in the arena, the fairpark features many other eye-catching entertainers, performing on smaller stages and roaming throughout the grounds.

Flying Fools High Dive 

These dynamic acrobatic divers pull off incredible jumps from as high as 80 feet and land effortlessly into a pool only nine and a half feet deep — and not just one at a time. Some dives include up to five divers all jumping at once!

Barnyard Friends & Little Hands On The Farm

The Little Hands On The Farm exhibit is an award-winning way for your children to become a farmer for the day. Educators teach aspiring agriculturists about the wide world of farming around them. For children between the ages of 2-10, this exhibit offers a range of micro-exhibits from barns for hogs, dairy cattle and sheep to a grain silo and orchard where the kids can practice harvesting their own crops.

Barnyard Friends complements the educational farm with a display of real baby farm animals like lambs, goats, calves and piglets. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get the chance to see a baby chick emerge from its shell.

Concessions & Rides

Beyond all the rotating entertainment, you'll find the fair mainstays: iconic rides everyone recognizes, including the Tilt-A-Whirl, Ferris Wheel and fun houses. Plus, there are unique fixtures like the Big Yellow Slide, Rock-O-Plane, Gravitron and Tidal Wave.

Along with excellent rides is excellent food, and there are endless options at the Utah State Fair. From beloved Utah classics like Moochies Meatballs, The Pie Pizzeria and Navajo Tacos to more classic fare like deep-fried Oreos and Twinkies, cheese pretzels, grilled corn cobs and massive turkey legs, there’s something to satisfy every appetite.