Photo by Northwestern Michigan Fair

Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City

August 2027

The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is held in mid-August. It was established in 1908 and has been held at its current location at 3606 Blair Town Hall Rd., Traverse City, since 1975. The fair continues to follow its original purpose of celebrating area agriculture and youth programs.

Gates are open from 8am-11pm, Livestock Barns are open from 10am–10pm, Exhibit Building is open from 10am–10pm (Mon-Sat), Midway is open Mon-Sat (see below for times)

Here's what happened in 2026:

Sunday

  • 8am-12pm – Pancake Breakfast in Iva Lewis Pavilion
  • 9am-12pm – 4-H Still Exhibit Judging in Tanner Building
  • 9am – Open Goat Shows in Rosa Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Cavy & Rabbit Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
  • 11am – 4-H Cloverbud Swine Show in Haberlein Arena
  • 12pm – 4-H Dog Agility, Rally Obedience, Obedience, & Showmanship in Greenspace Tent
  • 4pm – 4-H My Goat & Me Interviews in the Goat Barn
  • 4:30pm – Vows with the Cows
  • 5-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – TNT Bump & Run and Demolition Derby in the Grandstand

Monday

  • 8am – Open Swine Show in Haberlein Arena
  • 8:30am – 4-H Horse Halter, Showmanship, Pole Bending, Keyhole, Speed & Action, Costume, Hobby Horse, & Horse Skillathlon in the Horse Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Open Breed Cavies & Rabbit Shows & Poster Contest in the Rabbit/Cavy Barn
  • 9am – 4-H Swine Showmanship in Haberlein Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Differently Abled Program Show in the Greenspace Tent
  • 1pm – 4-H Swine Market in Haberlein Arena
  • 1pm – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
  • 1pm – 4-H Lamb Market in Rosa Arena
  • 1pm – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Market Show in the Poultry Barn
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 4:30pm – Open Lamb Showmanship & Breed in Rosa Arena
  • 6pm – Veteran’s Memorial & Ice Cream Social in the Iva Lewis Pavilion
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – Truck & Tractor Show in the Grandstand

Tuesday

  • 8am– Open Cattle Shows in Haberlein Arena
  • Following Open Cattle Shows – 4-H Cattle Shows in Haberlein Arena
  • 8:30am – Horse English Equitation, English Pleasure, Dressage, & Trail in Haberlein Arena
  • 9am-1pm – Blood Drive at the Front Gate
  • 9am – 4-H Goat Showmanship, Markete, Breed, Pack & Draft in Rose Arena
  • Following 4-H Goat Showmanship – 4-H Cloverbud Goat Show in Rose Arena
  • 12-5pm – Midway Open
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 3pm – 4-H Lamb Showmanship in Rosa Arena
  • Following 4-H Lamb Showmanship – 4-H Cloverbud Lamb Show in Rosa Arena
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – Northern Power Park Pit Bike Races in the Grandstand

Wednesday

  • 8:30am – 4-H Horse Western Shows in the Horse Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Beef Shows in Haberlein Arena
  • Following 4-H Beef Shows – 4-H Cloverbud Beef Shows in Haberlein Arena
  • 12-11pm – Midway Open
  • 1pm – 4-H Rabbit Skillathon in the Rabbit/Cavy Barn
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 2-4pm – 4-H Cloverbud Activities in Tanner Building
  • 2pm – 4-H Goat Talent & Costume Show, and Parade in Rosa Arena
  • 2pm – Open Goat Fun Class Show in Rosa Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H & Open Llama & Alpaca Costume Class, Obstacle Course, & Pack in Rosa Arena
  • 4-7pm – 4-H Auction Buyer Pre-Registration
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 7pm– Lawnmower & Mini Wedge Races in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn

Thursday

  • 8am – 4-H Auction Buyer Registration in Greenspace Tent
  • 8am – 4-H Still Exhibit Auction in Tanner Building
  • 8:30am – Open Horse Show
  • 9am – 4-H Large Animal Auction in Haberlein Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Poultry, Rabbit & Cavy Cloverbud Showmanship Show in Greenspace Tent
  • 10am-1pm – 4-H Fast Cat in Haberlein Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Small Animal Auction in Rosa Arena
  • 11am-2pm – 4-H Buyers’ Luncheon in the Greenspace Tent
  • 2-4pm – 4-H Cloverbud Activities in Tanner Building
  • 4pm – 4-H Showmanship Showdown in Haberlein Arena
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – Southpoint Rodeo in the Grandstand
  • 7:30-9pm – Differently-Abled Party in Greenspace Tent
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn

Friday

  • 9am-3:30pm – 4-H Blood Drive outside the Jr. Beef Barn
  • 12-5pm – Midway Open
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – TNT Bump & Run and Demolition Derby in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn

Saturday

  • 9am – 4-H Awards Program, Celebration of Champions, & Senior Recognition in Rosa Arena
  • 12-11pm – Midway Open
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 2pm – Fair Queen Pageant in Rosa Arena
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 7pm – Tough Trucks in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn

Stay tuned here for info on the 2027 Northwestern Michigan Fair!

For more information on the Northwestern Michigan Fair, please contact the event organizer:

Northwestern Michigan Fair Board

3606 Blair Townhall Rd., Traverse City, MI 49685

(231) 943-4150

northwesternmichiganfair.net

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