DC State Fair 2026
About The Event
Celebrate everything homegrown, handmade, and proudly DC at the 17th Annual DC State Fair. On September 6, Anthem Row comes alive with a free, all-day celebration of the District’s agricultural, culinary, and artistic talents. From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., rain or shine, enjoy live music, local vendors, creative demonstrations and plenty of family-friendly fun!
With 50+ contests and 50+ local vendors, the DC State Fair brings the community together to celebrate the creativity and traditions that make the District unique. Cheer on local competitors, discover talented makers, and explore everything from creative crafts to homegrown harvests and local flavors.
Your Fair Day Lineup
- 🏆 50+ Contests celebrating DC’s arts, food, agriculture, and more
- 🎶 Live Music on the Main Stage all day long
- 🧸 Kids Zone with games and activities for younger fairgoers
- 🧘♀️ Wellness Zone with roller skating and health-focused organizations
- 🧩 Craft Corner featuring clothing swaps, upcycling, and hands-on crafts
- ✏️ Education Stage with demonstrations in art, cooking, gardening, and more
- 🍅 50+ Local Vendors serving up fair food, crafts, and local finds
2026 Contests
From Best Flower Arranging to Best Mac and Cheese, put your skills to the test and show DC what you’ve got. Your creation could be the next one in the spotlight! Ready to compete? Register HERE by Friday, August 21, at 11:00 p.m.
Most contests will be judged on Saturday, August 29, or Sunday, August 30. Explore the contest lineup to find your competition and check out its guidelines, submission details, and judging dates.
Not competing? You can still get in on the action! Some contests will take place live at the fair, so come cheer on the competitors and see who takes the win:
- 🥧 Pie Eating | Children and adults
- 💐 Best Flower Arranging
- 👚 Best Outfit
- 🌶️ Best Chili
- 🧀 Best Mac and Cheese
Bring your family, meet your neighbors, and celebrate the creativity, community, and local spirit that make DC home!
Main Stage Agenda
- 11:05 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. | Pocket Threes
- 11:40 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. | Jump DC
- 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. | Agriculture & Art Contests Winner Announced
- 12:50 p.m. – 1:10 p.m. | Best Outfit Contest
- 1:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. | National Hand Dance Association
- 1:50 p.m. – 2:10 p.m. | Flower Arranging Contest
- 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. | TBD
- 2:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. | Culinary Contest Winners Announced
- 3:25 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. | Pie Eating Contest (Kids + Adults)
- 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Talent Show Performance
- 4:35 p.m. – 5:05 p.m. | Elijah Jamal Balbed ft. The JoGo Project
- 5:10 p.m. – 6:o0 p.m. | SOROCHE
Beyond the Main Stage, check out the Education Stage Schedule to learn something new, from making tortillas and growing your own garden to testing your DC knowledge and getting the buzz on bees.
Bike Your Way to the DC State Fair
Use code CABI2026DCSF for a FREE unlock on a Capital Bikeshare bike or ebike, valid only on September 6 while supplies last. And no need to play dock roulette when you arrive—a bike valet will be available for you at the corner of 7th & K Streets from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
For even more ways to get to the DC State Fair, check out the Get Around Guide from goDCgo.
Details
- Cost: FREE
- Location: Anthem Row, 800 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro Station (Red/Green/Yellow lines) via the 7th and H Street Exit.
The 2026 DC State Fair is presented in partnership with the DowntownDC BID. Click HERE for more information about the event. Stay connected to DowntownDC Signature Events: Text “Events” to 771-208-3007.
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