Carolina Classic Fair : Tickets, Schedule, Dates, Prices, & More (2024)

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Fall is in the air, and so are fireworks and the smell of funnel cakes at the Carolina Classic Fair. Get your fill of rides, exhibits, animals, and fair food from September 29 to October 8, 2023.

The Carolina Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, NC, is the second-largest agricultural fair in the state. Ferris wheels, fun rides, and furry friends abound! Enjoy live entertainment, fried foods on a stick (are you up for trying fried butter or a Krispy Kreme burger?), blue ribbon entries, tractor pulls, and more.

Where And When Is The Fair

• Location: the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, 421 27th Street, Winston-Salem
• Hours: Sunday-Friday, 11 am-11 pm, and Saturdays, 9 am-11 pm.
• Dates: September 29 through October 8, 2023
• Fireworks: nightly at 9:45 pm

2023 Tickets And Info

Tickets are available now at Ticketmaster.

Ticket Prices

• Adults 12 – 64 $10 via Ticketmaster ($12 at gate)
• Kids 6-11 $5 online ($7 at gate),
• Kids 5 & under & seniors over 65 (with ID) FREE.
• Early Bird Special Admission $5 weekdays from opening until 4 pm
• Individual tickets are available at $0.50 each; buy $50 worth and receive 120 tickets
• Unlimited Ride wristband:
  • Weekday (Mon-Fri): $35
  • Weekend (Sat-Sun): $40

Advanced Sale Tickets

• Adult (12-64) Admission: $8
• Children (6-11) Admission: $3
• All-inclusive, Unlimited ride Weekday wristband + admission: $30
• All-inclusive, Unlimited ride Weekend wristband + admission: $40
• New for 2023, all advanced wristband purchases include free admission

Promotions & Discount Days

• Friday, September 29 107
  • $5 admission all-day
  • Ride Feature: *Centennial of Smiles* Celebrate Strates Shows 100^th anniversary with 100 minutes of free rides starting at 3 p.m.
• Monday, Oct 2 School Day presented by Deer Park Spring Water, powered by iHeartMedia
  • Ticket Special: Bring three school supplies and receive free admission (all supplies will be contributed to Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools.
  • Special Feature: School performances, free carousel rides, free popcorn in the Agriculture Building until 2 p.m., and more!
  • Ride Feature: $20 for 10 rides
• Tuesday, October 3 Senior Day/ $2 Tuesday
  • Ticket Feature: $2 admission
  • Ride Feature: ALL rides $2
  • Food Features: $2 food specials
• Wednesday, October 4 – Special Ed Day/Can Food Day with Crisis Control Ministry, Pinnacle, Honda of Winston-Salem
  • Ticket Feature: Free admission with five nonperishable food items to benefit the Crisis Control Ministry
  • Free admission for persons with disabilities and their aides.
• Thursday, October 5 – Military Day/College Day/Night/Thirsty Thursday (WXII, 1075KZL & Rock 92)
  • Ticket Special: Free Admission for military (with ID) and their immediate family
  • $5 Admission for college students (with ID)
  • Ride Feature: $20 for 10 rides
• Friday, October 6 – Family Fun Day (Audacy)
  • Ticket Special: Kids 11 and under are free until 6 p.m.
  • Ride Feature: Kiddie rides $20 wristbands, noon to 7 p.m. (children 7 and under)

Parking

• LJVM Coliseum lot, Allegacy lots, and other WFU-controlled lots – $10
• Other surrounding lots owned by businesses provide parking for a fee
• VIP Leaf Lot is the closest but is first come, first served, so you might want to buy ahead online. All cars must leave by 8:15 pm each night from this lot for fireworks. The address is 2885 Shorefair Dr.

Find Out More About The 2023 Fair

Visit the Carolina Classic Fair Facebook page for the latest info on this unique event.

History Of The Carolina Classic Fair

The fair began in Winston’s twin city, Salem (now Old Salem), in 1882 as a grain exposition. The Piedmont Tobacco Fair began in Winston in 1897. The two events soon joined and became the Winston-Salem Fair.

The fair moved to its current location at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum entertainment complex grounds in 1952 and was then renamed the Dixie Classic Fair for Northwest North Carolina (name shortened in later years). One of the largest fairs in North America, in 2007, the Dixie Classic fair had a record attendance of 371,000 and achieved its second-highest attendance record in 2011, with 357,416 visitors.

In 2020, the fair was renamed the Carolina Classic Fair.

After The Fair

After all the walking, excitement, rides, and fill of fair food, it may be time for some relaxing and a meal that is not deep fried! Take a look at ourbest casual restaurants. Check out our list and menus, and find a perfect place to go directly from the fair.

What do you enjoy most about the fair? Let us know in the comments.

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