Photo by Northwestern Michigan Fair

Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City

August 2026

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 last year:

Sunday: Family Day

  • 8am-12pm – Pancake Breakfast in the Food Pavilion
  • 9am – Open Pee Wee Goat Breed, Showmanship, Pack, Obstacle in Rosa Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Cavy & Rabbit Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
  • 10am – Draft Horse Team, Wagon in the Horse Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Differently-Abled Swine Show in the Swine Barn
  • 12pm – 4-H Dog Agility, Rally Obedience, Obedience, & Showmanship outside Rosa Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H My Goat & Me Interviews 
  • 5pm – Vows with the Cows. Interested couples should email woodhamsc50@gmail.comwith both of names, how long you have been married, and why you would like to renew your wedding vows at this event. Couples who are chosen receive a renewal of vows certificate, cake, refreshments, a Ferris wheel ride sponsored by Arnold’s Amusements, and dinner for 2.
  • 5-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – TNT Bump ‘n Run in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Glow Party

Monday: Veterans/Seniors Day

  • 7pm – Truck & Tractor Show in the Grandstand
  • 8am – Open Swine Show in Haberlein Arena
  • 8:30am – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Market in the Poultry Barn
  • 8:30am – 4-H Horse Halter, Showmanship, Pole Bending, Keyhole, Speed & Action, Costume, Hobby Horse, & Horse Skillathlon in the Horse Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Breed Cavies, Market Rabbits, Breed Rabbits, Open Breed Cavies & Rabbits in the Rabbit Barn
  • 9am – 4-H Swine Showmanship in Haberlein Arena
  • 9:30am – 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
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 4:30pm – Open Lamb Showmanship & Breed in Rosa Arena
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open

Tuesday: 4-H Day

  • 8am– Open Heifer, Cow, Cow/Half, Bull, Bred, & Owned at Haberlein Arena
  • 8am – Open Dairy Feeder, Jr. Beef, & Large Beef at Haberlein Arena
  • Following Open Cattle Shows – 4-H Dairy Feeder, Jr. Beef, & Large Beef
  • 8:30am – Horse English Equitation, English Pleasure, Dressage, & Trail in the Horse Arena
  • 9am – 4-H Lamb Showmanship, Market, Breed, Pack, & Draft in Rosa Arena
  • 10am-3pm – 4-H Blood Drive at the Front Gate
  • 12-5pm – Midway Open
  • 1pm – 4-H Lamb Showmanship, Clover Buds to follow in Rosa Arena
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6pm – 4-H & Open Llama/Alpaca Showmanship & Halter Class in Rosa Arena
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – SJO Motocross in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Movie Night

Wednesday: Kids & Special Kids Day

  • 8:30am – 4-H Horse Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Reining, Western Riding, Indiana Flag Race, & Cloverleaf in the Horse Arena
  • 9-11am – Differently-Abled Program Petting Zoo
  • 9am – 4-H Large Beef Showmanship, Large Dairy Beef, Dairy Feeder, Clover Buds to follow in Haberlein Arena
  • 12-5pm – Midway Open
  • 1pm – 4-H Rabbit Skillathon
  • 2pm – 4-H Goat Talent & Costume Show, and Parade, Open Goat Fun Class in Rosa Arena
  • 3pm – Homemaker & Jr. Homemaker of the Year Awards
  • 4pm – 4-H & Open Llama & Alpaca Costume Class, Obstacle Course, & Pack in Rosa Arena
  • 5-7pm – 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: AG Day

  • 8am – 4-H Auction Buyer Registration
  • 9am – 4-H Large Animal Auction in Haberlein Arena
  • 10am – 4-H Small Animal Auction in Rosa Arena
  • 11am-2pm – 4-H Buyers’ Luncheon in the Greenspace Tent
  • 12-5pm – Midway Open
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7pm – Tough Trucks in the Grandstand
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
  • 8:30pm – 4-H Movie Night

Friday: Demo Day

  • 8:30am – Open Horse Show
  • 9am-3:30pm – 4-H Blood Drive outside the Jr. Beef Barn
  • 9am – 4-H Cloverbud Showmanship- Rabbits, Cavies, Poultry in Rosa Arena (south end)
  • 10am – 4-H Goat Clover Bud Showmanship in Rosa Arena (north end)
  • 10am-1pm – 4-H Farm Dog in Haberlein Arena
  • 12-5pm – Midway Open with reduced rates on carnival rides for 4-H members
  • 1pm – 4-H Fun Classes in Haberlein Arena
  • 1pm – 4-H Rabbit Fun Classes & Agility in the Greenspace Tent
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 4pm – 4-H Grand Champion Showmanship Showdown in Haberlein Arena
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 6-11pm – Midway Open
  • 7-11pm – All 4-H Dance in Rosa Arena
  • 7pm – TNT Bump & Run and Demolition Derby in the Grandstand
  • 7:30-9pm – 4-H Differently Abled Party in the Greenspace Tent
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
  • 11pm-12am – Adult Only Dance in Rosa Arena

Saturday: Fair Finale Day

  • 7pm – Twisted P Rodeo in the Grandstand
  • 9am – 4-H Awards Program, Celebration of Champions, & Senior Recognition in Rosa Arena
  • 12-11pm – Midway Open with reduced rates on carnival rides for 4-H members
  • 1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 2pm – Fair Queen Pageant in Rosa Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H Fun Saturday Games at Haberlein Arena
  • 4pm – 4-H Fun Saturday Cloverbud Games in the Greenspace Tent
  • 6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
  • 8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
  • 8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn

Stay tuned for information on the 2026 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

What's Happening in West Michigan?

View Current Events Calendar

Discover more to do in West Michigan!

Scroll below for more articles about Activities & Attractions in the West Michigan area.
 

West Michigan Activities & Attractions

M-22 Benzie County

Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in West Michigan. A long winding road of adventure awaits!

The Vogue Theatre in Manistee

The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.

Biking in West Michigan

Much of West Michigan is bicycle-friendly, and you’ll find many nice paths on which to ride. It’s great exercise with great scenery to enjoy.