Minnesota State Fair Kicks Off Thursday — What to Know on Day 1

Twelve Days and Nearly Two Million Visitors Begin Today at the Minnesota State Fair, Heat Included

The Minnesota State Fair opens today for 12 days. Heat, crowd density, and food handling are the risks that actually send people home.

Minnesota State Fair opening day

Gates are open for the 2026 Minnesota State Fair, which runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.

Minnesota State Fair kicks off with pickle-packed new foods

The gates are open. Follow the Star Tribune as the Taste team tries all the new foods on the first day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Plus, concert reviews, visitor guides and reports straight from the fairgrounds.

Minnesota State Fair kicks off Thursday — What to know on Day 1

The 2026 Minnesota State Fair kicks off Thursday morning! Here's what you need to know about Day 1 of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Thousands head to the Minnesota State Fair this morning for opening day

The Great Minnesota Get-Together starts at 7 a.m. Thursday. Follow along here to get on-the-ground updates from opening day.