Forget those new year’s resolutions, and pretend you didn’t read the new U.S. Dietary Guidelines for 2025-2030, it’s fair time in Florida.
Whether you go for the food, the rides, the games, entertainment or the agricultural and livestock exhibits, the South Florida Fair has it.
Theme this year is Party with the Pirates.
“Unleash your inner pirate with a variety of activities, entertainment, fair food, and attractions inspired by the legends of the high seas.”
And it’s coming up fast, as in the end of this week, with the fair opening Friday, Jan. 16, just in time for the three-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
The annual fair attracts over 500,000 people.
Here’s what you should know
When is the South Florida Fair?
The South Florida Fair opens Friday, Jan. 16, and lasts through Sunday, Feb. 1.
Hours are:
- Monday-Friday: noon- 10 p.m. except for MLK Day
- Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-10 p.m..
- Admission gates close at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1.
The midway opens an hour after the gates open.
Where is the South Florida Fair?
The South Florida Fair is located on Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach, FL, 1.5 miles west of the Florida Turnpike and 1 mile east of 441/SR7.
Need an address for your GPS? 9067 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach.
How much is admission to South Florida Fair?
- Admission prices:
- Advance discount admission is $12 for those 11 and older. If you use this advance discount admission ticket on opening day, Jan.16, “you can keep the ticket and come back another day, courtesy of Publix,” according to the fair’s website.
- Starting Friday, Jan. 16, admission tickets are $15 for those 11 years and older Monday-Friday, and $20 on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Admission is free for children 10 and younger.
- To buy tickets online
More options are available, including:
- Mega Saver Package: $99
- Includes four any-day admissions, two ride vouchers and four $5 food tickets.
- Available only until Jan. 15 and only at Publix.
- MLK Day Special: $30
- Includes one fair admission and one ride wristband.
- Valid Monday, Jan. 19 only.
- Available only until Jan. 15 at all online at all Palm Beach County Publix stores.
- Gold access: $12 Mondays-Thursdays; $20 Fridays-Sundays and MLK Day
- Skip the regular ride lines and move to the front at designated gold and black checkerboard entrances.
- Gold Access wristbands are sold separately from the unlimited ride wristband and are available for purchase at the fair only.
- A limited number of attractions do not offer a gold access entrance.
Are there ride wristbands at South Florida Fair?
There are wristbands available.
- Ride wristbands:
- Ride vouchers are $30 in advance, available at Publix and online.
- If you purchased an advance discount ride voucher it can be redeemed for one ride wristband any one day of the fair. Admission not included. The wristband is valid for unlimited rides on the day redeemed.
- Starting Friday, Jan. 16, ride wristbands are $35 Mondays-Fridays; and $50 Saturdays and Sundays. They’ll be available at any ticket plaza on the midway.
- Special note: Some attractions are not included with the unlimited ride wristband.
- To buy ride wristbands online
Is there a cost for parking at South Florida Fair? Yes and you can’t use cash
Parking lots for the South Florida Fair open at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays and MLK Day and at 10:30 a.m. Mondays-Fridays.
General parking is $15; premium parking is $25. All parking is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Premium parking offers a closer, more convenient spot
South Florida Fair has strict policy on minors
- Minors
- On Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 5 p.m., all guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian 21 or older with ID when entering the fair.
- There is a maximum of four minors per guardian.
- Purchase of admission and a ride wristband are required for entry for guests ages 11-17.
South Florida Fair policy on bags
- Bags
- Bags brought to the fair must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags, with a maximum size of 12x6x12 inches, or small clutch bags of a maximum size of 6×9 inches. Clutch bags do not need to be clear.
Entertainment at the South Florida Fair
There are four stages at the South Florida Fair offering “continuous entertainment,” in addition to the attractions and educational shows in Yesteryear Village.
Entertainment is free with fair admission. Highlights in 2026 include:
- Country Comes Home, Jan. 17
- Carry the Dream, Jan. 19
- Aurorawave, Jan. 20
- Jasmine Cain, Jan. 21
- Coffey Anderson, Jan. 22
- KVJ After the Show Podcast, Jan. 23
- Britnee Kellog, Jan. 24
- Elvis in person starring Matt Stone, Jan. 26
- Anberlin, Jan. 27
- Tribute to Elton John and Billy Joe, Jan. 29:
- Bryan White, Jan. 30
➤ See full list of entertainment
Is there handicapped parking at South Florida Fair? Is it free?
Yes. Accessible parking spaces are available in the Pink Lot/Lot 6.
Vehicles must have appropriate plates or permits to park.
There is no free parking for handicap permits.
Scooters, wheelchairs available to rent at South Florida Fair
Scootaround is the exclusive scooter and wheelchair rental service for The South Florida Fair 2026.
Items available for walk-up rentals only include:
- Double strollers: $17 a day
- Wagons: $17 a day
- Stroller: $11 a day
Available for rental in advance are scooters and wheelchairs:
- Mobility scooters: $70 a day
- Manual wheelchairs: $25 a day
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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at palmbeachpost.com/newsletters.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.palmbeachpost.com ’
