Sneak Peek Night Kicks Off the Sioux Empire Fair

Welcome to the Sioux Empire Fair!

It hardly seems possible, but it's already Sioux Empire Fair time! Summer has been flying by, and before we know it, South Dakota's biggest summer celebration will be in full swing.

Kick off the 87th Annual Sioux Empire Fair with "Sneak Peek Night". You can enjoy reduced admission ($5 for ages 6 and up, free for kids 5 & under ), eat some of your favorite fair foods, check out the Discovery Barn, visit the petting zoo, and end the night with a fantastic fireworks show in the grandstand.

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The east parking lot will be closed for this event, and there will only be parking in the north lot. But getting to the Grandstand isn't a problem because there will be courtesy carts and trams running from the north entrance between 7:30 and 9:30 PM.

Grandstand Entertainment Lineup

Country artist Carly Pearce is performing in the grandstand on August 1st at 7:30 PM. Remember, all grandstand entertainment is free with paid admission. Pit Passes include Fair Admission, and a Fair Admission Ticket is required to access the Concert Area.

Siouxper passes are also available for the fair, and they include fair admission, grandstand entertainment, and unlimited carnival rides for 1 person, all 9 days of the 2026 fair. The Siouxper Pass does NOT include separately ticketed grandstand entertainment. Wristbands are non-transferable.

Fiesta Latina is also going at the fair on August 2, with all kinds of music on the Front Porch and in the grandstand.

The legendary band Hairball hits the Sioux Empire Fair Grandstand stage on Monday, August 3, and fans are encouraged to come to the show dressed as their favorite rock music icon.

August 4, the Senior Lunch is happening in the corporate tent from 11 AM to 1 PM, and tickets are available at the main entrance. Then, from 7:30 to 10:30 PM, the band Skillet will fill the grandstand with their big Christian rock sound.

Ag Appreciation Day & Even More Grandstand Events

Ag Appreciation Day is Wednesday, August 5, and the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce is hosting the appreciation luncheon from 11 AM to 1 PM. Then in the evening in the Grandstand, it's country artist Rodney Atkins beginning at 7:30 PM.

Thursday, August 6, country artists Cooper Alan and Dylan Schneider will be entertaining in the Grandstand.

Monsters in the Midway, Bulls & Broncs will bring rodeo excitement to the fair on Friday evening, August 7, beginning at 7 PM.

The rousing Sioux Empire Championship Rodeo takes over the Grandstand for two performances on Saturday, August 8. The first performance is at 1:30, and the other begins at 7 PM. You'll see some of the absolute best barrel racing, steer wrestling, bull riding, and so much more!

When you're not seeing a great performance in the Grandstand, you can be experiencing some of the most fun carnival rides around and chowing down on your favorite fair foods, from corn dogs to funnel cakes, cheese curds to mini-donuts; you'll find it all!

Source: Sioux Empire Fair