Nc State Fairgrounds

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The North Carolina State Fairgrounds is a sprawling complex in Raleigh, NC, that hosts a variety of events throughout the year.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

One of the main draws is the annual North Carolina State Fair, which takes place in October and features rides, games, agricultural exhibits, and live music performances. Other events held at the fairgrounds include car shows, flea markets, craft fairs, and livestock shows.

Visitors to the fairgrounds can explore a number of attractions, including the Dorton Arena, a historic indoor arena that has hosted concerts, circuses, and sporting events since the 1950s. The arena's unique design features a cable-supported roof and a sloping concrete floor, and it has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark.

Other points of interest on the fairgrounds include the Jim Graham Building, which houses the fair's agricultural exhibits; the Kerr Scott Building, which hosts trade shows and conferences throughout the year; and the Village of Yesteryear, a collection of historic buildings that showcase traditional crafts and trades.

In addition to the North Carolina State Fair, the fairgrounds also host a number of other events throughout the year, including the Southern Ideal Home Show, the Carolina Collector Auto Fest, and the Got to Be NC Festival.

The best time of year to visit the fairgrounds depends on what type of event you're interested in. The North Carolina State Fair is by far the biggest and most popular event, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. However, other events held on the fairgrounds throughout the year may appeal to different audiences.

Overall, the North Carolina State Fairgrounds offer a wide range of activities and events for visitors of all ages. Whether you're interested in agriculture, entertainment, or history, there's something for everyone to enjoy on this sprawling complex.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks