Tips to save money during your visit to the Washington State Fair in Puyallup
The Washington State Fair starts on Aug. 29. According to the fair’s website, this is what 2025’s prices look like:
- General admission at the gate: $16 on weekdays and $20 on weekends for adults. For children 6 to 12 years old, it costs $14 on weekdays and $17 on weekends. Children 5 years old or under get in for free.
- Standard parking in one of the fair’s lots: $15 on weekdays, $22 on weekends
- Rides: Ride tickets are $1.25 each, with each ride costing between 5 and 8 tickets.
- Concerts/Rodeo: A ticket to a concert or the Puyallup Rodeo generally starts at about $50, but varies based on the event and where in the grandstand the seat is located.
This does not include food, which depends on the prices set at each booth or restaurant. Some vendors now offer $12 discount meal deals and $8 snacks on weekdays.
Prices have also gotten more expensive over the years. According to News Tribune archives, general admission was $12.50 for adults in 2016.
Renee McClain, the chief executive officer of the fair, told The News Tribune that prices have gone up because the cost of doing business has increased.
“That’s hard because we want to be an affordable option for people to come and enjoy and there are ways to do that,” McClain said.
McClain said the fair is always comparing its prices to other entertainment options.
“We’re always looking at what’s out there – what does it cost to go to the movies? What does it cost to go to the zoo?” McClain said. “All those different pieces, and how do we make sure we’re providing a good value?”
Saving money on admission and parking at the fair in Puyallup
One tip for cheaper general admission is to attend on a free fair admission day. According to a news release from the fair, free admission days are:
- Aug. 29 Opening Day food drive: If you bring a non-perishable food donation on opening day between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., you do not have to pay general admission.
- Aug. 29 - Sept. 1: Children 18 years and under can attend the fair for free during the fair’s Free Kids Weekend.
- Sept. 5 School Supply Drive: Residents who bring a new school supply or snack donation before 12:30 p.m. get free admission.
- Military Appreciation Days: “Eligible military personnel” get free admission every Monday.
If you can’t attend on a free admission day, your next best bet is to attend on a weekday instead of a weekend, and to buy your tickets online at thefair.com. Tickets for weekday admission are $1 cheaper for adults and children when purchased online.
- Weekday admission for an adult, purchased online: $15
- Weekday admission for an adult, purchased at the gate: $16
- Weekday admission for a child 6-12, purchased online: $13
- Weekday admission for a child 6-12, purchased at the gate: $14
Those who attend on a weekend can save a couple bucks if they purchase their tickets online.
- Weekend admission for an adult, purchased online: $18
- Weekend admission for an adult, purchased at the gate: $20
- Weekend admission for a child 6-12, purchased online: $15
- Weekend admission for a child 6-12, purchased at the gate: $17
If you plan to visit the fair multiple times, you can buy a season pass online for $59.50.
McClain told The News Tribune that school children and educators receive free tickets through the fair’s Educational Ticket Program.
A tip for next year is to buy your tickets online early. Early bird prices are a couple dollars cheaper.
According to the fair’s website, standard parking at any fair lot costs $15 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and $22 on Saturdays and Sundays.
To save money on parking on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday, you can visit an O’Reilly Auto Parts store to get $3 off parking. Those with time and patience can also find street parking for free across downtown Puyallup.
McClain said those looking to save at the fair can have fun without spending money outside of general admission. She pointed out that many families don’t know they can bring their own food into the fair as a way to save.
“Whether that’s the funny farm, or the face painting, or the piglet palace, or the history exhibit, the amount that we have here that is free for the guests… that is what is really important,” McClain said.
Saving money on other activities
To save money on rides, the fair offers two options to buy tickets in bulk:
- 24 tickets for $30
- 54 tickets for $60
The fair also has opportunities to save on rides and food with two of its packages: the Fair Fun 2-Pack and the Fairtastic 4-Pack.
The Fair Fun 2-Pack costs $99 and includes:
- Two any-day admission tickets
- $30 in Food & Drink Bucks
- Two 4-Ride passes, excluding Extreme Scream and Adventure Zone
- Two scones
The Fairtastic 4-Pack costs $149 and includes:
- Four any-day admission tickets
- $60 in Food & Drink Bucks
- Two 4-Ride passes, excluding Extreme Scream and Adventure Zone
- Four fair scones
Visit tickets.thefair.com for more information.
This story was originally published August 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM.
