Food, Fun, Concerts and Familiar Favorites Drive Excitement for the 2026 Great New York State Fair.

View the 2026 New York State Fair survey infographic here.

As the Great New York State Fair prepares to welcome visitors to Syracuse, NY from across the state and beyond, August 26 through Labor Day, September 7, 2026, new research from Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) offers a glimpse into what fairgoers are looking forward to the most, and how much they expect to spend when they arrive.  According to a recent RMS Viewpoint survey of panel members nationwide, the New York State Fair continues to remain a highly anticipated end-of-summer event with strong attendance expected among those familiar with the annual Syracuse-area tradition. Nearly 82% of respondents rated their familiarity with the New York State Fair a 4 or 5 on a five-point scale, producing a weighted mean of 4.46.  And if there is one word that captures what people think of when they hear “New York State Fair,” it is remarkably simple and wholly fitting: 

“Fun!”

New York State Fair 2026: It’s All About the “Fun” 

When asked in an open-ended question what word or phrase they most associate with the New York State Fair, 13% of respondents answered simply “fun.” Another 10% included the word “fun” along with other descriptions. That means nearly one in four respondents (23%) mentioned fun when describing the Fair.  The enthusiasm is backed up by experience. Nearly 95% of survey respondents have attended the New York State Fair before, and 44% said their most recent visit was just last year, in 2025. That familiarity appears likely to translate into another strong turnout for 2026.  Nearly 63% of respondents said they either will or probably will attend this year’s New York State Fair, including 39% who said they definitely plan to attend and another 24% who said they probably will. Additionally, those who have their sights set on going to the Fair plan to visit more than one time. And once they arrive, visitors aren’t planning on making a quick stop. Nearly 80% of prospective fairgoers expect to spend at least four hours at the New York State Fair. 

What Will New York State Fair Visitors Spend? 

Beyond attendance, the RMS Viewpoint survey provides insight into the economic activity generated by a visit to the NYS Fair. Respondents planning to attend expect to spend an average of $183.54 per visit, including admission, food, beverages, rides, games, shopping and parking. The most common response was $100, cited by 23% of respondents. Other frequent estimates included: 

• $200: 12% 
• $50: 11% 
• $150: 10% 

With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to make their way to the Fairgrounds in Syracuse, those individual expenditures add up to an important part of the New York State Fair’s economic impact, and the broader Central New York economy. 

How Are Fairgoers Buying Tickets? 

Nearly half (48%) of prospective attendees say they plan to purchase their New York State Fair tickets in advance. Another 25% expect to purchase tickets at the gate, while 15% anticipate receiving free admission, such as through age-based admission policies (e.g. senior day(s). Nearly 10% expect to get their tickets through family, friends, or at their workplace. 

Majority of Expected New York State Fair Visitors Surveyed Aren’t Coming From Very Far Away 

The RMS survey also highlights just how much the New York State Fair serves as a regional attraction. Nearly 56% of those surveyed who plan on attending expect to travel 15 miles or less to reach the Fairgrounds. Overall, 70% anticipate traveling 30 miles or less. For many visitors, getting to the Fair will mean getting behind the wheel. Approximately 65% say they plan to drive their own vehicle, while a sizable 22% plan to use Centro’s Park-N-Ride shuttle service (back for 2026 with direct shuttle service to the Fair and free parking at Park-N-Ride locations). 

Food Is the Main Attraction at the New York State Fair 

If the survey makes one thing clear, it’s that food is a major part of the New York State Fair experience. When asked about their primary reasons for visiting, 77% cited food and drinks, making it the leading response. Other major draws included: 

• Attractions: 65% 
• Concerts: 54% 

And when it comes to favorite Fair foods, one iconic New York State Fair staple pulled ahead of the pack. 

The Most Popular New York State Fair Foods 

Pizza Fritte was the clear favorite Fair food among survey respondents, with 41% saying they enjoy it most. It was followed by: 

• Milk: 35% 
• Potatoes from the Potato Booth: 33% 
• Sausage sandwiches: 31% 
• Gyros: 29% 

For many fairgoers, the food isn’t simply something to eat between attractions — it is an attraction in itself. 

Which New York State Fair Attractions Are Most Popular? 

While food may bring people through the gates, the Fair’s longstanding attractions remain an important part of the experience. The five attractions respondents said they enjoy most are: 

• Animal Buildings: 49% 
• Center of Progress Building: 47% 
• Butter Sculpture: 41% 
• Milk Bar/Dairy Products Building: 41% 
• Chevy Court: 40% 

The results underscore the appeal of the Fair’s combination of traditional favorites and entertainment — from agriculture and animals to exhibits, food and live music. 

2026 New York State Fair Concerts: Who Are People Most Excited to See? 

Live entertainment remains another major reason people attend the New York State Fair, with 54% of respondents citing concerts as a reason for visiting. Among this year’s performers, excitement was closely distributed across several acts. The artists respondents were most looking forward to seeing included: 

• Third Eye Blind: 27% 
• Air Supply: 25% 
• ZZ Top: 24% 
• Melissa Etheridge: 23% 
• The Commodores: 21% 

The Fair’s two primary concert venues also have substantial name recognition among past attendees.  Chevy Court (view 2026 concert lineup) has been visited by 79% of respondents, while 56% have attended a performance at Suburban Park (view Suburban Park 2026 concert lineup). Not only do both venues draw big names from a multitude of genres and decades spanning the music industry, but they’re free for all fairgoers to experience. 

The New York State Fair Remains a Tradition Worth Returning To 

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the RMS Viewpoint panel survey is not any single food, attraction or concert. It’s the Fair’s ability to bring people back. With nearly 95% of respondents having attended the New York State Fair previously, and nearly two-thirds indicating that they will or probably will attend in 2026, the data points to a familiar combination of experiences continuing to drive interest: food, entertainment, attractions, music and, above all, fun.  As the 2026 Great New York State Fair gets ready to open its gates on Wednesday, August 26, Central New York’s annual summer’s-end tradition appears poised to once again give visitors plenty of reasons to stay for a while.  And based on what RMS Viewpoint respondents told us, they may want to arrive hungry.   

About the RMS Viewpoint Panel Survey 

The RMS Viewpoint panel survey was conducted by Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) among members of its national research panel from August 7 through August 17, 2026.  A total of 820 surveys were completed. The survey explored respondents’ familiarity with the Great New York State Fair, previous attendance, likelihood of attending the 2026 Fair, anticipated spending, transportation, length of visit, reasons for attending, favorite attractions and foods, and interest in this year’s concert lineup. Not a member of the national RMS ViewPoint panel yet? Sign up is easy and free. Participate in market research studies and fun surveys such like this one!