Nevada State Fair 2026 Guide: Carson City & Reno Dates

Nevada is getting two state fair events in June 2026, and the buzz across Northern Nevada is real. For the first time since 2010, the official State Fair of Nevada is returning to Reno — backed by the state legislature and the Nevada Department of Agriculture. Meanwhile, the beloved Nevada State Fair in Carson City continues its run at Mills Park with free admission, carnival rides, food vendors, and community vibes that have kept the Silver State fair tradition alive since 2013.

If you're searching for dates, tickets, parking info, event schedules, or trying to figure out the difference between the two fairs — you're in the right place. This is the complete breakdown of everything happening at both events, plus how Battle Born Clothing can help vendors, staff, and fairgoers gear up for the biggest week of summer in Nevada.

Let's dig in.

This is the question everyone's asking, so here's the straight answer.

The original Nevada State Fair ran from 1874 to 2010 — a 136-year streak that made it the longest continuously running event in Nevada history. In 2011, the Fair Board voted to dissolve it. The fair went dark.

In 2013, a new nonprofit formed to carry on the tradition and relaunched the fair at Mills Park in Carson City. That event has run annually since (minus a COVID pause in 2020), offering free admission, carnival rides by Brass Ring Amusements' Midway of Fun, food vendors, a Home and Garden Show, and community events. This is the fair you'll find at nevadastatefair.org.

Then in 2025, Governor Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 333, transferring the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center back to the Nevada Department of Agriculture. The NDA renamed it the Nevada State Fairgrounds and announced the return of the official, state-sanctioned fair for June 2026 — the first since 2010. That event lives at statefair.nv.gov.

Bottom line: Two separate organizations, two locations, overlapping dates, one incredible week for Nevada. Whether you hit Carson City, Reno, or both — it's going to be a celebration the Silver State hasn't seen in a long time.

The Carson City fair is the event most Northern Nevadans know. It's the community-driven fair that kept the state fair legacy alive after the original dissolved in 2011. Run by a nonprofit with deep roots in Carson City, this is four days of classic Americana at one of the Capital City's most beautiful parks.

Mills Park — 1111 E William Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701

Mills Park is a large, shaded outdoor venue in the heart of Carson City with plenty of green space, mature trees, and a covered pavilion. It's central enough to walk to downtown Carson City for additional dining and shopping.

Admission is 100% FREE. No entry fees, no gate tickets. Walk right in.

Carnival rides, midway games, and food are paid separately. Ride wristbands and individual ride tickets are available at the Midway of Fun kiosks on-site. Check midwayoffun.com for pre-sale wristband deals closer to the event.

The carnival is provided by Brass Ring Amusements' Midway of Fun / Silver State Amusements, a family-owned company that has served Nevada and California fairs since 1985. Expect thrill rides, family rides, and a full lineup of kiddie rides.

Height requirements: Most rides require 36" minimum. Family rides require 42". Thrill rides range from 48"–54".

Tip: Rides may close temporarily due to high winds — it's the desert, after all. No refunds are issued for weather or mechanical closures. You can add food from midway kiosks to your ride purchase, but that only applies to Midway of Fun concessions, not the other food vendors at the fair.

Past years have featured 80–100+ vendors covering food, crafts, toys, soaps, clothing, and more. Fan-favorite food items include Indian Tacos, funnel cakes, BBQ, deep-fried specialties, and food truck offerings from across the Reno-Tahoe region.

Bring cash. Most vendors accept credit cards, but some smaller booths are cash-only. There are no ATMs at Mills Park, so hit a bank or gas station on the way in.

One of the most unique events at the Carson City fair: Saturday, June 13 from Noon–4 PM. Kids run their own businesses, selling handmade goods, treats, and creative products they've built from scratch. It's run in partnership with Kids Markets.

If you've got young entrepreneurs in your life, this is worth the trip alone. Parents can apply to get their child a booth through the Kids Markets website.

Parking is FREE. Two main options:

1. Mills Park Parking Lot — General public parking right at the venue. Fills up fast on Saturday.

2. Carson High School — Free overflow parking across N. Saliman Road. Use the crosswalks to access the park. (Note: Only the designated fair parking areas at the high school are available — other school lots are not permitted.)

Pro tip: If you're coming from Reno, take I-580 south to Exit 39 and head west on E. Williams Street — it takes you straight to Mills Park. From the east on US-50, the highway turns into E. Williams Street after crossing I-580 and leads right to the fairgrounds.

Dogs: Allowed on a leash at the 2026 fair.

Alcohol: Entering or leaving the venue with alcohol is not permitted.

Weather: The fair is entirely outdoors. Carson City in June is typically warm and sunny (80s–90s°F) with low humidity. Bring sunscreen, water, and a hat. Evenings cool down — a light layer is smart.

This is the big one. For the first time in 16 years, the official, state-sanctioned State Fair of Nevada is back — organized by the Nevada Department of Agriculture and held at the newly renamed Nevada State Fairgrounds in Reno.

NDA Director J.J. Goicoechea has called this a historic moment, and it is. The property was originally endowed to the NDA in 1867, leased to Washoe County in 1951, and finally restored to state control in 2025 via Assembly Bill 333. June 2026 marks the official revival.

Dates: June 11–13, 2026 (the broader livestock events run June 10–14)

Tickets go on sale: April 15, 2026

Where to buy: statefair.nv.gov — Pricing details have not been announced yet. Bookmark the site and check back after April 15.

Nevada State Fairgrounds — This is the property formerly known as the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, which also includes the Reno Rodeo Arena. It's one of the top-booked event venues in Northern Nevada.

Exact address and parking details are expected to be released alongside ticket sales. Check statefair.nv.gov for updates.

The Reno fair leans heavily into Nevada's agricultural heritage and youth development programs. Confirmed events include:

Nevada Junior Livestock Show & Sale — The cornerstone event. Youth from across the state show livestock they've raised, competing for top awards. The show runs June 10–14, bookending the fair itself.

Nevada 4-H Expo — Put on by UNR Extension, this showcases the work of Nevada's 4-H youth programs statewide.

Governor's Sale of Champions — A premier livestock auction where top show animals are sold. This is a signature event with historical roots.

Governor's VIP Dinner — An exclusive dinner event tied to the Sale of Champions.

Farmers Market Pavilion — Celebrating Nevada-grown and Nevada-made food and goods.

Next Generation Youth Bull Riding — Young bull riders compete in what promises to be one of the most exciting spectator events of the weekend.

Additional entertainment, a carnival, and vendor experiences are planned. The NDA has signaled this fair will blend nostalgia with new experiences — expect more announcements as June approaches.

The NDA is accepting vendor applications and sponsorship inquiries for the Reno fair. Visit statefair.nv.gov/vendors and statefair.nv.gov/sponsorship for details.

If you're a Nevada business looking for brand exposure at a major state event — this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be part of the first official fair in 16 years.

The Nevada State Fair has a story that's as gritty and resilient as the state itself:

1867 — Fairgrounds property originally endowed to the Nevada Department of Agriculture in Reno.

1874 — The first Nevada State Fair is held. It would become the longest continuously running event in state history.

1951 — The Reno fairgrounds property is leased to Washoe County.

2010 — After 136 years, the Fair Board votes to dissolve the Nevada State Fair.

2013 — A new nonprofit relaunches the fair at Mills Park in Carson City, keeping the tradition alive.

2020 — COVID-19 shuts the Carson City fair down for one year.

2021 — The Carson City fair returns and has run annually since.

2025 — Governor Lombardo signs AB 333, returning the Reno fairgrounds to the NDA.

2026 — Both the Carson City nonprofit fair and the official NDA-organized State Fair of Nevada run in the same June week. History in the making.

If you want to sell at the Carson City fair, here's what you need to know:

Application deadline: Postmarked no later than May 19, 2026

Payment: Check or money order included with the application. Credit cards accepted on request (processing fee applies).

Insurance required: General liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate. If you don't have it, the fair offers a group policy option for around $65 plus tax — that link goes live the first week of May 2026.

Booth cost reference: In 2024, booth pricing started at $375 plus a $75 security deposit and $10 processing fee. 2026 pricing should be similar — check nevadastatefair.org/vendors for the current application.

Note: Overnight lodging at Mills Park is not permitted. Plan your accommodations separately.

From Reno to Carson City: Take I-580 South. It's about 30 minutes. Take Exit 39 and head west on E. Williams Street — it leads straight to Mills Park.

From the East (US-50): US-50 crosses I-580 and becomes E. Williams Street, which takes you directly to Mills Park.

From the West (US-50/Lake Tahoe): Stay on US-50 East from the Tahoe side — it connects to E. Williams Street and the fairgrounds.

From Las Vegas: Plan for a 7+ hour drive via US-95 North. There are no direct interstates connecting Las Vegas and Carson City. Consider flying into Reno-Tahoe International Airport instead.

Fair week strategy: With both fairs running simultaneously, you could hit the Reno fair during the day and swing down to the Carson City fair in the evening — or vice versa. The 30-minute drive between the two makes a double-header completely doable.

Carson City has several budget-friendly options near Mills Park. Gold Dust West (east of the park) offers a lounge, casino, free parking, and internet access. Hardman House Inn & Suites (west of the park) has free RV parking, continental breakfast, and free WiFi.

For RV travelers, Silver City RV Resort in Minden (about 15 miles south) has 200+ sites with full hookups, WiFi, a gym, and laundry. Shamrock RV Park closer to Carson City offers 30/50-amp sites with pool access and Good Sam/AAA discounts.

Reno obviously has extensive hotel options ranging from casino resorts to downtown motels. Book early — fair week overlaps with early summer tourism season and the Reno Rodeo follows just days later (June 18–27).

NDA Director Goicoechea designated June as Agriculture Month in Nevada. The State Fair kicks off the month, and the Reno Rodeo (June 18–27) closes it out. If you're planning a Northern Nevada trip, the back half of June is stacked with events. Add in Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, and the Sierra Nevada — and you've got one of the best two-week windows of the year to experience the Silver State.

Whether you're a vendor setting up a booth, event staff running the show, or a Nevadan who just wants to rep the Silver State — Battle Born Clothing is your in-house custom apparel partner right here in Nevada.

🏪 For Vendors & Booth Operators:

First impressions matter when you're competing for foot traffic at a fair. Custom screen-printed or embroidered shirts with your brand, logo, and booth number help customers find you and remember you. We offer no minimums, so even a solo vendor can get a small batch of branded shirts, aprons, or hats without overpaying for a massive order.

👷 For Event Staff & Organizers:

Matching staff shirts make your team look professional and make them easy to identify in a crowd. We can turn around custom crew shirts, volunteer tees, and security/staff polos with fast turnaround on our M&R Gauntlet 8-color press. Need high-vis or safety-adjacent options? We print on Carhartt, Dickies, and other workwear blanks.

🤠 For Fairgoers & Nevada Enthusiasts:

Want to show up repping Nevada? Check out our Nevada-inspired apparel collection — from Yupoong trucker hats to premium tees built for the kind of heat you'll catch in June.

🎨 Custom Fair Merchandise:

Running a club, organization, or youth group at the fair? We do custom embroidery, screen printing, and laser engraving — all produced in-house at our Yerington, NV shop. Same-day quotes, no minimums, and everything is hand-finished by us. No outsourcing, no middlemen.

GET A FREE QUOTE FOR FAIR WEEK →

☀️ Sunscreen & sunglasses — June in Northern Nevada means strong high-desert sun. No shade on the midway.

💧 Water bottle — Stay hydrated. Temps can hit the 90s.

🧥 Light jacket — Desert evenings cool down fast, especially if you're staying until 10 PM.

💵 Cash — Not all vendors take cards. Bring enough for food and impulse buys.

👟 Comfortable shoes — You'll be walking on grass, gravel, and pavement for hours.

🧢 A Battle Born hat — Obviously. Grab one here.

If you're into Nevada life, off-road culture, or custom apparel — check out more of what we've been building:

→ Shop All Nevada-Made Apparel

→ Request a Custom Quote — Screen Printing, Embroidery & Engraving

→ Read More on the Nevada Life Blog

2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year for Nevada fairs in a generation. Whether you hit the carnival at Mills Park, the livestock show in Reno, or make it a full Silver State double-header — get out there and celebrate what makes Nevada, Nevada.

Born in Nevada. Built for the grind. See you at the fair.