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Every year in Jefferson City · July

Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair

Six summer nights at the fairgrounds on Fairgrounds Road: carnival rides, fair food, an arena show every night and a concert after it.

When
Six nights, Monday to Saturday, at the end of July (running into August some years), 5 to 11 p.m.
Where
Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fairgrounds, 1445 Fairgrounds Road
Cost
Admission by the night: $2 to $20 in 2024. Concerts and arena events are included.
Who runs it
The Jefferson City Jaycees
The next one

We haven't seen a confirmed date for 2027 yet.

The last one was July 27 to August 1, 2026. Usually: Monday to Saturday at the end of July, 5 to 11 p.m.

Check back here once the date is posted, or get the weekly email below.

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What it is

The Cole County Fair is the Jefferson City Jaycees' summer week at the fairgrounds on Fairgrounds Road: carnival rides and fair food, an arena event every night with a concert on the stage after it, and the 4-H and FFA livestock shows that make it a county fair.

It is an old one. The 2023 fair was the 73rd, and Visit Jefferson City called it a 75-year tradition in 2025.

What to expect

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the fair runs until 11 each night. The arena event starts at 7: motocross, tractor pulls, truck pulls, go-kart racing, figure 8 racing or the rodeo, depending on the night. A band or a country act takes the stage later in the evening.

Recent headliners give you the idea: Neon Union and Shane Profitt in 2024; Sweet Addiction, David Nail, Trey Lewis, Saving Abel and Buckcherry across the 2026 week.

The livestock side runs all week. In 2023 it held breeding and market beef and swine shows, the livestock ceremonies, the market livestock auction, and a ham and bacon breakfast and auction.

Good to know

  • There has been a bargain night early in the week: $5 admission and $1 rides on the 2023 opening Monday, $2 admission on the 2024 opening Monday, and $2 admission and $2 rides on Tuesday in 2025.
  • Kids 10 and under got in free Tuesday through Saturday with a paying adult in 2024 and 2025.
  • Unlimited-ride armbands were $30 in 2024, and on most nights in 2025.
  • The Jaycees post each year's lineup on the fair's Facebook page, and the 4-H and FFA schedule is on the Cole County 4-H page.

Past years

  • 2026July 27 to August 1, 2026Buckcherry closed out Saturday night.
  • 2025July 28 to August 2, 2025A 75-year tradition, by Visit Jefferson City's count.
  • 2024July 29 to August 3, 2024Opened with motocross; Neon Union and Shane Profitt on stage.
  • 2023July 31 to August 5, 2023The 73rd fair, with a rodeo on August 3 and 4.

Official information

Schedules, maps and changes come from the people who run it.

The Jaycees' fair page on Facebook ↗

Questions people ask

When is the Cole County Fair?

At the end of July, Monday through Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m. each night. In 2026 it ran July 27 to August 1; in 2025, July 28 to August 2; in 2024, July 29 to August 3.

How much does the Cole County Fair cost?

Admission is charged by the night. In 2024 it was $2 on Monday, $15 Tuesday through Thursday and $20 on Friday and Saturday, with kids 10 and under free Tuesday through Saturday with a paying adult.

Are the concerts included with admission?

Yes. All concerts and arena events have been included with paid admission.

Where is the Cole County Fair?

At the Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fairgrounds, 1445 Fairgrounds Road.

More every year in Jefferson City

All the annual events, month by month →
Where this comes from: 9 sources, checked October 18, 2026
  1. Cole County Fair returns with live music, carnival Jefferson City News Tribune
  2. Cole County Fair to return for 73rd year Jefferson City News Tribune
  3. Soak up summer at the JC Jaycees Cole County Fair Visit Jefferson City
  4. Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair (listing as scraped by JCMO Today, starting July 27 2026) Visit Jefferson City
  5. Cole County Fair, Tuesday July 28 2026: Sweet Addiction (listing as scraped by JCMO Today) Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce
  6. Cole County Fair, Wednesday July 29 2026: David Nail (listing as scraped by JCMO Today) Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce
  7. Cole County Fair, Thursday July 30 2026: Trey Lewis (listing as scraped by JCMO Today) Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce
  8. Cole County Fair, Friday July 31 2026: Saving Abel (listing as scraped by JCMO Today) Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce
  9. Cole County Fair, Saturday August 1 2026: Buckcherry (listing as scraped by JCMO Today) Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce