FREE WITH ADMISSION: Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel, Hot Dog Eating Competition with Joey Chestnut, Grandstand Concerts Featuring We Are Messengers and The Band Perry and Much More!
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AUG. 17, 2026)—The Carolina Classic Fair is offering discounted advance tickets during a presale beginning Monday, August 17. The presale, which is available online, concludes the day before the fair opens at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 1. The Carolina Classic Fair will take place in Winston-Salem from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 11, 2026.
New for 2026—the Carolina Classic Fair is offering free daily gate admission from opening until 1 p.m. excluding Saturdays and Sundays.
During the presale, all admission tickets will be $5 ($10 regular price/$13 at the gate), and unlimited ride weekday only wristbands will be $30 ($35 regular price). All applicable Ticketmaster fees will be added to the presale prices when checking out online.
“We’re holding the line on prices at the Carolina Classic Fair this year with significant savings on admission and ride tickets during the presale. I encourage everyone to purchase tickets online as soon as possible,” Carolina Classic Fair Director Cary Hester said. “In addition to savings, getting tickets before opening day during the presale means avoiding lines at the gates. As a reminder, always be sure to purchase authentic Carolina Classic Fair tickets and ride wristbands by going online to our website at carolinaclassicfair.com or through Ticketmaster.”
The Carolina Classic Fair is offering a wide range of free entertainment this year, including grandstand concerts with We Are Messengers and The Band Perry as well as bluegrass music in Yesterday Village and an R&B takeover at the WQMG Clocktower. Other free entertainment includes artisan demonstrations and heritage crafts featuring a chainsaw artist, glass blower, tinsmith, pottery artisans and woodturners.
In addition, the fair will offer a variety of free unique entertainment including Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel (October 2–6), Agricadabra—Agricultural Magician, Sky High Skylar and the return of Mark Dobson’s One-Man Band. The Carolina Classic Fair will showcase a range of animal and family friendly shows with a dog show obstacle course as well as skills demonstrations, Show Me Swine, The Wayward Falconer and Bar C Ranch Petting Zoo.
The fair’s World of Wonder area features a two-headed snake, a two-headed turtle, sword swallowers and fire eaters as well as vintage midway sideshow exhibits and performers. Special interactive activities include bingo in the beer garden and a veterans’ wall to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
“We’re offering many free activities for the whole family, including our Community Showcase with more than 13,000 competitive categories,” Hester added. “And we’re particularly excited to welcome the legendary Joey Chestnut to our hot dog eating competition on October 8 as well as free grandstand concerts throughout the week.”
A complete lineup of Carolina Classic Fair entertainment is available at carolinaclassicfair.com/entertainment.
About the Carolina Classic Fair Celebrating its 144th year in 2026, the Carolina Classic Fair is proudly owned and operated by the City of Winston-Salem, having been entrusted to the City by the Winston-Salem Foundation in 1969. Each year, the fair brings together the best in music, mouthwatering food, livestock and agricultural exhibits, fine arts and crafts and a world-class carnival. With something for everyone, the Carolina Classic Fair is a can’t-miss tradition for the region. The fair will follow all current state and local health and safety protocols as of opening day.
For more information on the Carolina Classic Fair, please visit CarolinaClassicFair.com.
News media contact
Scott Carpenter 336-722-9660 or scott@capturevalue.com