Illinois e-News Release

For Immediate Release

July 31, 2025

[email protected] 

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair offers free entertainment options and daily discounts, allowing families to have fun together without breaking the bank.

“Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, the Illinois State Fair has flourished financially, allowing us to provide diverse entertainment options free of charge,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Our goal is to ensure the Fair remains accessible to everyone, and we’re committed to keeping it affordable.”

The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce theme and discount days for 2025. 

The Double the Fun parking promotion will be offered on Thursday, August 7. If you pay to park on the Illinois State Fairgrounds on August 7, you will receive free parking on a return trip to the fair on the following Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

“Twosday” will feature $2 admission for seniors and adults on Tuesday, August 12. To enhance this family-friendly promotion, North American Midway, the fair’s carnival operator, will also offer all rides at $2 each. This is in addition to honoring all Mega Passes and Jumbo Passes sold before and during the fair. 

“We love celebrating all the unique experiences the Illinois State Fair has to offer with our theme days,” said Illinois State Fair Manager Rebecca Clark. “Each year, we look for ways to make the fair fun, affordable, and easy for families to enjoy—while helping them learn more about agriculture, which is the number one industry here in Illinois.”

Here is the complete list of the 2025 Illinois State Fair theme and discount days: 

Thursday, August 7 - County Fairs & Horse Racing Day, Double the Fun

Friday, August 8 - Agriculture Day

Saturday, August 9 - Kids Day 

Sunday, August 10 - Veterans & Gold Star Families Day (Free admission for veterans and their immediate families)

Monday, August 11 – Senior Citizens & Scout Day (Free admission for seniors and scouts in uniform)

Tuesday, August 12 – Twosday ($2 Admission for seniors and adults)

Wednesday, August 13 - Governor’s Day 

Thursday, August 14 - Republican Day 

Friday, August 15 - First Responder & Healthcare Heroes Day (Free admission for first responders and healthcare workers with ID) 

Saturday, August 16 - Park District Conservation Day 

Sunday, August 17 - Family Day

Big Top Adventures will offer free performances daily in Happy Hollow at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The 800-seat circus will feature jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists and many other performers.

If big thrills are your thing, Harness Racing, Watershow Productions High Dive Show, Extreme Dogs Stunt Dog Show, and Off Axis Stunt Show all offer free events throughout the Illinois State Fair. 

For hair-raising competition, check out the ponytail contest on August 9. And to witness the best agriculture has to offer, stop by the Sale of Champions on August 13.

New this year is a round-robin doubles pickleball tournament happening Saturday, August 16 in the Orr Building, with youth and adult divisions. Register to compete or just come to watch America’s hottest new sport.

Grand Central Stage will feature free concerts every night of the fair at 7:30 p.m. This year’s lineup is:

- Thurs. Aug. 7:  Everclear

- Fri. Aug. 8:  Diamante

- Sat. Aug. 9:  Pecos & The Rooftops

- Sun. Aug. 10:  Kashus Culpepper

- Mon. Aug. 11:  Shake Rattle ‘N Roll (A Doo Wop & Soul Tribute)

- Tue. Aug. 12:  Stephen Wilson Jr

- Wed. Aug. 13:  Hunter Flynn

- Thurs. Aug. 14:  Head East

- Fri. Aug. 15:  The Frontmen

- Sat. Aug. 16:  Simply Spice (A Spice Girls Tribute)

- Sun. Aug. 17: Twista

“We want everyone to take full advantage of the free entertainment options at the Illinois State Fair,” said Clark. “Use our 2025 Illinois State Fair Guide, our website and our newly updated mobile app to make it easy to plan ahead for an affordable and memorable state fair adventure.”

The 2025 Illinois State Fair runs August 7 through 17 in Springfield. Stay up to date with all the latest news and announcements from the Illinois State Fair by connecting with us via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.