Name: Kickoff to Summer at the Fair
Start: 2025-05-22T16:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-25T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Minnesota State Fair

Featuring More Food, Cool Bands, a Puzzle Hunt, Weekday Ticket Deal, Spin to Win & More!
The fifth annual Kickoff to Summer at the Fair is May 22-25, 2025! This slice-of-the-fair event features more food than ever, including the ultra-popular hit from the 2024 Minnesota State Fair – Deep-Fried Ranch Dressing – and new-to-Kickoff vendors LuLu’s Public House, Minneapple Pie, El Burrito Mercado and Jersey Jo’s.
A brand-new challenge arrives at the State Fairgrounds! A one-of-kind puzzle hunt tests your wit and sense of adventure as you explore the grounds in a most unique and immersive quest. Can you solve the Kickoff Conundrum?
Check out the entertainment schedule featuring ABBASolutely Fab – Tribute Band on Thursday night and GB Leighton on Friday night – and the fun doesn’t stop there!
On Thursday and Friday only, try your luck at a free spin-to-win prize wheel for a chance at fair admission tickets and entries into grand prize drawings for tickets to a 2025 Grandstand concert of your choice, on-site State Fair parking passes and more!
Plus, enjoy food and brews at nearly 40 vendors, music and entertainment free with admission, shopping at 30+ specialty Minnesota merchants, Giant Slide rides, yard games, history tours, free parking, and so much more! The fair-fan-favorite Milk Run 5K Race takes place Saturday, May 24, at 9 a.m. The race is sold out (!), so registration is now closed.
New this year! We’re offering a Weekday Ticket Bundle! Buy four Kickoff to Summer tickets for either Thursday or Friday, and receive one free 2025 State Fair admission ticket!
Kickoff to Summer at the Fair is getting more popular every year, but we’re still limiting attendance each day to make this an extra-special experience and keep that laid-back patio vibe we all love about Minnesota summers.
Thursday, May 22: 4-9 p.m.
Friday, May 23: 4-9 p.m.
Saturday, May 24: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 25: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tickets are on sale Friday, April 4 at 10 a.m. Note that tickets for this event are limited for each day, and some days may sell out.