Carnival/Midway Deals and Discounts

Passport to Fun (UNLIMITED RIDES ALL WEEK!)

Passport to Fun - $90
The Dakota County Fair Passport to Fun is good for ALL rides, ALL seven days of the 2026 Dakota County Fair!

Where to buy:

Fair week: $90 (Fair Office - Ahlberg Hall)
Advance sale: $80 (Fair Office - Ahlberg Hall)

Wrist Bands

Carnival Wrist Bands - $30
Wristbands are good for one of the following days/times:

Tuesday, August 11 - 2 PM to 6 PM
Thursday, August 13 - 11 AM - 3 PM
Friday, August 14 - Noon to 4 PM
Sunday, August 16 - Noon to 4 PM

Where to buy:

Fair week: $30 (Carnival ticket booth)
Advance sale: $25 (Fair Office)

Ride Sheets

Carnival Ride Sheets - $20
Includes six tickets, valid for one ride each. Only available as a presale item, will NOT be sold the week of the fair.

Where to buy:

Advance sale: $20 (Fair Office)
Fair week: Not available

Advance Sale Ticket Office Hours

Advance tickets are available at the Fair Office inside Ahlberg Hall Museum.
Advance Sales Start: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 9 AM
Advance Sales Close: Monday, August 10 at 12 PM

Ticket office hours

Monday - Friday: 9 AM – 4 PM
Saturday, Aug 8: 10 AM - 3 PM
Sunday, Aug 9: 10 AM - 3 PM

Hours may change.

Fair Week Office Hours

August 10-16: 8 AM - 8 PM
The Fair Office ticket booth in located inside Ahlberg Hall Museum.

2026 Carnival Hours

Fair week, August 10-16, 2026

Monday: 2:00 PM. - 10:00 PM
Tuesday & Wednesday: Noon - 10:00 PM
Thursday - Saturday: 10 AM - 11:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

See all fair week and building hours here.

Carnival FAQ

Does my Rider need to be present when I buy the Passport to Fun?
NO. If you do not have your rider with you at the time of purchase, you will get a coupon and your rider can come to the office at another time to have their photo taken for their Passport to Fun.

What if I lose my Passport to Fun?
There are no refunds. No exceptions!

Do parents need to be present when purchasing the Passport to Fun?
No, there is no waiver required at time of purchase.

Do you take cash?
Yes. The fair office takes cash, credit cards, or checks (made out to the Dakota County Ag Society).