Don’t Pay Full Gate Price: Here’s Every 2026 Central WA State Fair ‘Discount Day’

Don't you just hate it when you miss out on saving money? A great deal is hard to come by these days, yet one thing we can always count on is discount days at the Central Washington State Fair.

Let's take a look at which days will be great for your bank account this year, especially if you hate paying for parking (like me, ha).

Don't Wait, Buy Your Stuff Now at a Discount

The Central Washington State Fair happens at the Yakima Sundome (1301 S Fair Ave) from Friday, September 25th through Sunday, October 4th. Get your admission tickets and carnival ride passes before Thursday, September 24th! They will go up in price after that.

Kids under age 5 get in for free and kids up to age 12 get in for 10 bucks. Everybody else pays $15 to get into the fair, except for the following:

• Active/Retired/Reserve Military and First Responders: $11
• Family of Active/Retired/Reserve Military/First Responders and Seniors: $12

Carnival Rides at State Fair Park

List of Discount Days at the Fair

Discount Day #1:

The first day of the Fair is Friday, September 25th. It'll be here before you know it. Thanks to generous donations from Legends Casino Hotel, the price of fair admission drops to just five bucks and the BEST part is there's no parking fees! (Available only between noon and 4 p.m.)

The Fair will be open from Noon to 11 p.m. that day.

Discount Day #2:

Mark down Monday, September 28th for the next Discount Day. Bring in 39 dollars plus:

• Proof of Purchase of a loaf of Franz bread or
• Proof that you follow Franz Bread on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok

...and you get to ride all the rides you want plus it covers the cost of admission. You will still have to pay for your own parking, though.

The Fair will be open from 2 to 10 p.m. that day.

Discount Day #3:

The folks at Southeast WA Aging & Long-Term Care and Highgate Senior Living want to make sure our region's veterans, active-duty military, and first responders get a discount on admission ($5). Seniors also get their special discount day, too ($12). This offer is great all day for Tuesday, September 28th.

The Fair will be open from 2 to 10 p.m. that day.

Discount Day #4:

Donate 3 UNOPENED new items on this list and between 2 and 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30th, and you'll get in the gate for just 5 bucks. Presented by Apple Valley News Now's Veterans Supply Drive and Mark the Ballot.

The Fair will be open from 2 to 10 p.m. that day.

Discount Day #5:

This might be my favorite Discount Day of them all: Thursday, October 1st is $5 Food Bites Day, sponsored by Coca-Cola. Admission drops to $8 and participating food vendors will give you special bites for 5 bucks. What's the catch? It's between 2 and 5 p.m. I might have to start *cough* feeling like I need to *coughs again* leave work early that day, if you catch my drift. (Just kidding Boss, if you see this. I feel just fine!)

The Fair will be open from 2 to 10 p.m. that day.

Before you go, make sure you read this updated list of contraband items at the Fair.