Durham Fair 2025 (Unofficial State Fair)

Every fall, the small town of Durham, Connecticut, turns into one big celebration of New England agriculture, food, music, and family fun. The Durham Fair has been welcoming visitors since 1916, and it still feels delightfully local while delivering big-time entertainment. Think prize-winning pumpkins, horse and ox pulls, tractor competitions, live music on multiple stages, and a midway full of classic rides. If you want an authentic harvest-season fair with New England charm, this is it.

What is the Durham Fair?

The Durham Fair is a volunteer-run agricultural fair and one of Connecticut’s signature fall events. Its mission is to showcase farming, horticulture, and home arts while bringing the community together with concerts, competitions, and food vendors. You’ll find livestock barns, plant-science exhibits, giant vegetables, baking and crafts competitions, motorized events, and daily family activities. Many visitors consider it Connecticut’s “unofficial state fair” because of its scale and statewide draw.

Durham Fair 2025: Event Details

• Dates: Thursday, September 25 to Sunday, September 28, 2025.
• Venue: Durham Fairgrounds, Durham, Connecticut.
• Hours: Thu 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Fri and Sat 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sun 9:00 am to 7:00 pm.
• Tickets: Buy Tickets Online 
• How to get there:
  • By car: The fairgrounds sit near Routes 68, 17, and 77. Follow posted signs from I-91 Exit 15 or from the shoreline via Route 77.
  • Parking and shuttles: Use official satellite lots. Parking is listed at 10 dollars per day or 30 dollars for a 4-day pass, with shuttle buses to the gates. There is no visitor parking directly on the fairgrounds. Accessible parking is provided at designated lots with shuttle service.

What to Expect At the Durham Fair?

• Headlining music on the Main Stage: For 2025, rock legends Styx are slated for Saturday, September 27, with additional acts to be announced.
• Motorized action: Cheer on tractor pulls, diesel truck pulls, and more in the motorized arena.
• Traditional animal pulls: See impressive horse, ox, and pony pull competitions that highlight New England farm heritage.
• Livestock barns and ag education: Visit dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, swine, rabbits, poultry, and llamas, and talk with local producers.
• Plant-science exhibits: Browse prize-winning flowers, fruits, vegetables, and the crowd-pleasing Garden of the Giants.
• Home arts competitions: Baking, canning, needlework, photography, art, and collections fill the exhibit halls with local talent.
• Kid favorites. Petting zoo, pony rides, discovery center, and a full kids’ stage schedule.
• Classic fair food and vendors: From apple crisp and fried dough to hearty sandwiches and seasonal treats across the midway.

Things to Do near Durham, CT

Make a weekend of it with easy side trips around Middlesex and New Haven Counties.

• Lyman Orchards, Middlefield: Pick apples, tackle the seasonal corn maze, and grab pies at the Apple Barrel farm market. Great for families and photos.
• Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middlefield and Middletown: Short hikes lead to scenic falls and picnic areas. Ideal for a calm break from the crowds.
• Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort, Middlefield: Year-round outdoor fun like mountain coaster rides, ziplines, and downhill mountain biking, plus seasonal events.
• Downtown Middletown and Wesleyan University: Main Street is packed with indie eateries and cafés, a quick drive from the fair. (Local visitor info via CT tourism.)
• Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven: A Free world-class museum about 30 minutes away. Pair it with pizza on Wooster Street.
• Essex Steam Train & Riverboat, Essex: A nostalgic train and boat excursion through the lower Connecticut River Valley.
• Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford: Hilltop views and a relaxing tasting room, a short drive from the fairgrounds.

Travel Tips To Attend the Durham Festival

• Buy tickets in advance: Online discounts usually apply before opening day. Print or save your QR codes for faster entry.
• Use the shuttle lots: Plan extra time for bus lines during peak afternoon and evening hours. Pack light if you can, since large strollers and wagons are limited on school-bus shuttles.
• Go early or stay late: Mornings are calmer for barns and exhibits. Evenings feel festive with stage lighting and the midway.
• Footwear first: You will be on dirt and grass. Closed-toe shoes keep you comfortable around livestock areas.
• Check the daily schedule: Main Stage times, pulls, and arena events vary by day.
• Know the policies: Review the General Information page for hours, gate rules, and accessibility details before you go.

Conclusion

Durham Fair 2025 delivers everything people love about New England fairs in one friendly, walkable setting. Come for the animals and giant veggies, stay for the music and motor events, and leave with apple-cider-sweet memories. If you are planning a fall trip to Connecticut, put Durham on your list.

Frequently Asked Questions