Summer is in full swing, and one of Albany’s biggest events is pulling into town. The Linn County Fair officially opens this Thursday, July 16th, bringing three packed days of carnival rides, 4-H/FFA livestock shows, family entertainment, and massive evening concerts to the Linn County Fair & Expo Center.
Whether you go every year for the food or you are looking for a fun day out with the kids, this year’s lineup has something happening from the moment the gates open until the carnival lights turn off.
Daily Fair Hours & Deadlines
Plan your days around these official daily operations to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the action:
- Fair Gates Open: 11:00 a.m. daily (Closes at 11:00 p.m.)
- FamilyLand Adventures: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily
- Commercial Vendor Building: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily
- Carnival Midway Rides: Open until 11:30 p.m. nightly
All-Day Action in FamilyLand
For families with kids, FamilyLand is a must-visit hub. This dedicated kid zone features completely free interactive activities and high-energy shows included right with your gate admission:
- The Silver Starlets & Circus Imagination: Watch incredible acrobatics and interactive kid-led theater performances multiple times a day.
- Puzzlemania Plus & Wings of Whimsy: Creative play spaces filled with giant, brain-teasing interactive puzzles and magical wandering performers.
- Strolling Performers: Look out for Eric Haines’ Hilarious One-Man Band, Mac the Flex Bot, and giant bubble artists walking the grounds.
The Main Stage Lineup (Concerts Start at 8:30 PM)
Every single night features a headline event, and general concert seating is entirely free with your paid fair admission:
- Thursday, July 16 (Senior & Military Day): Seniors 60+ and active military get FREE admission all day long with an ID! The morning kicks off with Senior Bingo at 11:00 a.m. and a free ice cream social at 12:30 p.m. At 6:00 p.m., the Hell on Hooves Rodeo takes over the Calapooia Arena, followed by country star Frankie Ballard hitting the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m. Ticket Info
- Friday, July 17 (Family Day): Enjoy a full day of 4-H youth livestock shows, followed by the Wild N’ Wooly Rodeo at 6:00 p.m. Country rock hitmakers Montgomery Gentry (featuring Eddie Montgomery) headline the Main Stage at 8:30 p.m. Ticket Info
- Saturday, July 18 (Health Day): Watch the local youth 4-H Livestock Auction, catch the final rodeo events at 6:00 p.m., and wrap up the weekend with a massive performance by Grammy Award-winning duo The Band Perry at 8:30 p.m. Ticket Info
Plan Your Visit
- When: Thursday, July 16 through Saturday, July 18, 2026.
- Where: Linn County Fair & Expo Center (3700 Knox Butte Rd E, Albany)
- Admission: Adults (13+) are $9 online ($10 at the gate), Seniors (60+) are $7 online ($8 at the gate), and kids 12 and under are completely FREE all weekend long! Daily parking is $5.
Buying your tickets online ahead of time lets you skip the ticket lines at the gate and save a little cash. Check out full schedules or purchase advance passes by visiting the official Linn County Fair Website.
