Fair Season Returns! Here’s The 2025 Northland County Fair Guide

Summertime in the Northland brings with it the fun of county fairs across the region!

Whether you enjoy going for the food, rides, animals, music, grandstand events, or all of the above, this year's county fairs across Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin have plenty to offer all summer long.

The year's county fair season gets going at the beginning of July and runs all the way through mid-August. Here's a look at when each of the Northland's county fairs are, and a peek at what they'll offer this year.

2025 Northern Minnesota & Wisconsin County Fair Schedule

South St. Louis County Fair: July 2-6, 2025

Proctor, MN

The first of two county fairs in Minnesota's largest county gets going at the beginning of July. There are daily opportunities to check out the petting zoo and enjoy pony rides. Speaking of rides, you can enjoy carnival rides starting at noon each day, starting on Thursday.

Other highlights include the Bulls & Barrels Rodeo on Thursday, live music from acts like Todd Eckart (Thursday), Backstreet Detour (Friday), and Aftershock (Saturday), and stock car racing on Sunday.

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Plenty of other things go on through the fair, including 4H events, free cornhole games with some tournaments scheduled, and more!

$5 for a daily pass, and $15 for a weekly pass

Full schedule and more information on the South St. Louis County Fair website.

Aitkin County Fair: July 9-12, 2025

Aitkin, MN

This year is the 134th Aitkin County Fair, happening at the Aitkin County Fairgrounds in Aitkin.

Going along with the normal fair fun like the food, animals, and midway, the grandstand will feature bus & stock car races on Thursday, Baja races on Friday, and rodeo action on Saturday. There's also a free foam party daily for some frothy fun.

There is also a full slate of live music, with free shows from a number of local and regional acts, including the Chicago tribute band DTA on Friday.

Admission is free, and parking is $5 per vehicle per day.

Full schedule and more information on the Aitkin County Fair website.

Washburn County Fair: July 24-27, 2025

Spooner, WI

This year is the 113th Washburn County Fair, with a lot to enjoy this summer in Spooner.

To go along with the staples of carnival rides, food, and animals, some of the highlights include a horse show on Thursday evening, opportunities to check out "Marvin the Mechanical Bull" on Friday and Saturday, and live music and entertainment throughout the fair.

Also on the schedule are Friday's kiddy tractor pull and Veterans' program, comedy show on Saturday, and Sunday's Veggie 500 race, Whips and Wheels, and a talent show in the afternoon.

Gate fees:

• $10 per person for walk-in visitors ($5 plus fees when bought ahead)
• $15 season pass available for access throughout the whole fair ($10 plus fees when bought ahead)

See the full schedule and get more information on the Washburn County Fair website.

Head of the Lakes Fair: July 29-August 2, 2025

Superior, WI

Superior's annual fair gets going at the end of July and goes into early August, with some great music among the many highlights for this year.

Former REO Speedwagon guitarist and songwriter Gary Richrath and his band Richrath Project 3:13 will play the music of REO Speedwagon on July 31, while Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry plays on Friday, August 1.

Other highlights include races, a demo derby, meat bingo, the carnival, and more.

Admission includes the grandstand events at the Head of the Lakes Fair, with prices this year being:

• $15 for general admission
• $10 for children 5-17 and those ages 65+
• $10 military discount
• Kids 5 and under are free

See the full schedule and get more information on the Head of the Lakes Fair website.

St. Louis County Fair: July 30-August 3, 2025

Chisholm, MN

Yep, St. Louis County is so big, it gets two county fairs! Besides the one in Proctor earlier in the summer, this Iron Range-based version of the St. Louis County Fair gives the largest county in Minnesota a second fair to enjoy.

Gates open at 3 pm on Wednesday the 30th, and the week's events include rodeo action on Thursday, kids day on Friday, all-day horse show activities on Saturday, and things wrap up with one more day of fun for all on Sunday.

You'll also be able to hit rides and games on the midway, catch live music, car show, and more! You can see the full daily schedule here.

Gate prices:

• Seniors (62+): $5
• Adults (16-61): $10
• Kids (6-15): $5
• 5 and younger: Free

Full schedule and more information on the St. Louis County Fair website.

Pine County Fair: July 30-August 3, 2025

Pine City, MN

Labeling themselves the "Greater Minnesota Get-together", inspired by the Minnesota State Fair's nickname, the Pine County Fair includes a lot of free entertainment and some exciting grandstand events, along with the other fair food and fun for this year.

The Grandstand features a truck pull, tractor pull, and two nights of demolition derbies, while the free entertainment includes a long list of live music to enjoy.

Parking and admission to the fairgrounds are free, but there is a charge to get into the grandstand events.

Full schedule and more information on the Pine County Fair website.

Lake County Fair: August 7-10, 2025

Two Harbors, MN

Four days of fun are waiting on the North Shore this summer as the Lake County Fair gets going on August 7.

Thursday is Senior Citizen and Veteran Appreciation Day, Friday is Kids Day, and Sunday is Family Day this year.

With things like a horse show on Friday, professional wrestling and barrel racing on Saturday, and the "Human Tractor Pull" on Sunday, there are a lot of unique activities to go along with the daily events like live music, seeing the animals in the barns, food, and more.

General admission for the fair is $5, with those 65 and older and military members getting in for $3. Kids under 6 are free. Sunday is also free gate day, so you can enjoy the end of the fair without paying the entry fee.

Full schedule and more information on the Lake County Fair website.

Bayfield County Fair: August 7-10, 2025

Iron River, WI

Going along with the normal fair things like booths, food, live music, and the midway, some of the highlights for the fair include grandstand events like bull riding and barrel racing on Friday, the Tuff Truck Challenge on Saturday, and Dirt Dash on Sunday afternoon.

Admission (includes parking, grandstand shows, and all entertainment):

• Daily admission: $20/person (only $10 on Thursday)
• Season pass for the duration of the fair: $40/person
• Veterans: $10 on Friday
• Seniors (62+): $10 on Sunday
• Children 4 and under are free

Full schedule and more information on the Bayfield County Fair website.

Itasca County Fair: August 13-17, 2025

Grand Rapids, MN

This year's fair kicks off on Wednesday, August 13, running through August 18, with a variety of fair fun all week long. The fair doesn't have any specific details for this year's event listed yet, but you can follow the latest at the link below.

Admission to the fair is free, with parking either $10 per day or $20 for the duration of the fair. Camping is also available.

See the full schedule and get more information on the Itasca County Fair website.

Carlton County Fair: August 14-17, 2025

Barnum, MN

Thursday, August 14, kicks off four days of fun in Barnum this summer. The entire slate of events isn't yet announced for the 2025 fair, but car racing, horse racing, demo derby, and a tractor pull are all on the schedule at the grandstand.

Going along with those highlights are other classic fair activities like live music, food, and bingo, among other things.

$10 gate fee for adults, $5 for kids under 6-11, free for kids 5 and under with grandstand events $10 for adults and $5 for kids

Free parking

See the full schedule and more information on the Carlton County Fair website.

Ashland County Fair: August 14-17, 2025

Marengo, WI

This is a unique element that not many of the fairs around the region offer. The Ashland County Fair features free rides and grandstand event access all weekend with paid admission to the fair. While the fair's website doesn't offer a lot of specifics for this year's event yet, they highlight the traditions of carnival rides, visiting 4H exhibits, and food.

Daily Passes

• Thursday: $5 (ages 4+)
• Friday & Saturday: $15 (ages 4+)
• Sunday: $12 (ages 4+)
• Senior daily passes (62+): $5

Season Passes

• Ages 4+: $30 ($25 in advance)
• Seniors (62+): $10

You can get the latest updates on the Ashland County Fair website.

What comes after the Northland's county fair season? The Minnesota State Fair gets going at the end of August! If you're thinking about going, here's a rundown of the grandstand performers for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.