Fair Season Returns! Here’s The 2026 Northland County Fair Guide

Summertime in the Northland means the return of county fair season once again! From food to exhibits, animals, rides, and entertainment, these county-wide community celebrations each summer have plenty of fun things to bring people together across Northern Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin.

The 2026 county fair season gets going at the beginning of July, with a fair scheduled somewhere in the Northland nearly every weekend through mid-August this summer.

If you're looking to check out one of (or several of) the Northland's county fairs this summer, here's a schedule for all of Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin's county fairs and a guide to some of the highlights at each of them this year.

2026 Northern Minnesota & Wisconsin County Fair Schedule

South St. Louis County Fair - July 2-5, 2026

Proctor, MN

Minnesota's largest county by size has two county fairs, because why not? The South St. Louis County Fair is happening over America's birthday weekend, with lots in store this year.

Some of the highlights include carnival rides, nightly free live music, a rodeo event on Friday, free horse shows on Saturday and Sunday, a talent show on Sunday, and this year, a new kids bubble zone and kids farm playland open daily.

Another free thing returning to the fair is knockerball games for anyone older than 10 years old, and cornhole tournaments.

What would a fair over the 4th of July holiday weekend be without fireworks? The fair is planning a Friday night show, and if it rains, the rain date is Sunday night.

Admission is $10 and includes free parking. Kids 9 and under get free admission.

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

Aitkin County Fair - July 8-11, 2026

Aitkin, MN

This year is the 135th annual Aitkin County Fair at the fairgrounds on the northern edge of Aitkin.

To celebrate the 250th birthday of America, the fair is holding a Create an American Flag contest, encouraging visitors to create a flag out of natural or recycled materials to be displayed at the fair and be part of a competition.

In addition to that and the normal fair foods, animals, exhibits, and rides, some of the grandstand entertainment highlights for this year include bus & stock car races on Thursday, baja races on Friday, and Bulls & Barrels rodeo action on Saturday.

A slate of free live entertainment includes ABBAsolutely Fab! (an ABBA tribute band), Church of Cash (Johnny Cash tribute show), and some other local and regional acts throughout the fair.

READ MORE: Minnesota State Fair 2026 Free Entertainment Lineup & Schedule

There's also a daily free "Foam Zone" foam party during the 4 days of the fair, a kids pedal tractor pull, a classic tractor parade, and more.

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

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

Head of the Lakes Fair - July 21-25, 2026

Superior, WI

Superior's annual fair gets going on  Tuesday, July 21, running through Saturday, July 25.

Fair organizers just shared some of the grandstand events for this year, which include a demo derby on Friday at 7 pm and enduro racing on Saturday at 7 pm. Grandstand events are included in the price of admission to the fair.

Add in some fair food carnival rides, and other fun to be announced in the lead-up to this year's event, and it's going to be a good time in Superior!

Full schedule and more information on the Head of the Laks Fair website.

Washburn County Fair - July 23-26, 2026

Spooner, WI

This year's theme at the Washburn County Fair is "Barnyard Bash", happening July 23-26, 2026.

The 114th annual Washburn County Fair will include the Tri-State Carnival with rides and games throughout the fair.

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In addition, some other things to look forward to at this year's fair include the Ace Justice Strolling Robot Show multiple times during the fair, the Jim Mitchell Hypnotist Show on July 23, the Wisco Kid comedy and trick roping show on July 23, music from Faster Horses on July 24, and a talent show and classic car show, both on July 26.

This year's fair hours are:

• Thursday 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm
• Friday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
• Saturday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
• Sunday 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Day passes are $10 per person online or at the gate, while you can get a season pass for the entire fair, also for only $10 in advance, or for $15 at the gate. Online tickets can be purchased here.

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

Pine County Fair - July 29 - August 2, 2026

Pine City, MN

The Pine County Fair calls itself the "Greater Minnesota Get-together", inspired by the Minnesota State Fair's nickname. This fair includes a lot of free entertainment and some exciting grandstand events, along with the other fair food and fun for this year - happening July 29-August 2.

The Grandstand features a truck pull, tractor pull, and two nights of demolition derbies this year, while the free entertainment includes a long list of live music to enjoy through each day at the fair at a few different fair venues.

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.

(North) St. Louis County Fair - August 5-9, 2026

Chisholm, MN

Minnesota's largest county has two county fairs, with this one happening in the heart of the Iron Range. Referred to by organizers as "The five best days of summer", a wealth of agricultural events and shows are scattered throughout this year's fair schedule.

In addition, lumberjack shows, a magician, draft horse demonstrations, and kid-friendly events like a mini rodeo and kids' tractor pull are all on the schedule.

You'll also be able to hit rides and games on the midway, catch live music, a 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.

Lake County Fair - August 6-9, 2026

Two Harbors, MN

As always, there's lots of fun on the schedule for the Lake County Fair this year. One of the headline events is multiple daily lumberjack shows that include audience giveaways during each show.

This is, of course, in addition to the normal fair fun you can expect, with vendors, animals, and other activities.

General admission for the fair is $5, with those 65 and older and military members getting in for $3. Kids under 6 are free. Parking is free.

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

Bayfield County Fair - August 6-9, 2026

Iron River, WI

Happening at the same time as the Lake County Fair across Lake Superior, the Bayfield County Fair runs the same dates this year.

Recurring activities at the fair this year include a petting zoo, pickleball and cornhole, magic & illusion shows, a beer garden, mini golf, food booths, face painting, live music, and more.

The Grandstand lineup this year includes bull riding and barrel racing on Thursday and Friday, a Tuff Truck Challenge on Saturday, and Dirt Dash on Sunday.

Hours for the Bayfield County Fair this year are:

• Thursday, August 6: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
• Friday, August 7: 7:00 am - Midnight
• Saturday, August 8: 7:00 am - Midnight
• Sunday, August 9: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

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
• Seniors (62+): $10
• Children 4 and under are free

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

Carlton County Fair - August 13-16, 2026

Barnum, MN

Thursday, August 13, is the start of four days of fun in Barnum this summer. The entire slate of events isn't yet announced for the 2026 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 13-16, 2026

Marengo, WI

The Ashland County Fair has a unique element that not many of the fairs around the region offer.

This 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.

One thing that has been announced for this year is the Western Wisconsin Truck Pullers at the fair on Friday, August 14.

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.

One fair currently missing from this list is the Itasca County Fair, which doesn't have any dates or information listed for 2026 at the time I am writing this article. I'll be sure to add details when they are made available.

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 2026 Great Minnesota Get-Together: