The Coastal Carolina Fair runs Oct. 29 to Nov. 8, 2026, at Exchange Park in Ladson. Gate admission is $15, $7 for ages 6-12; parking is free.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the Coastal Carolina Fair’s own hours and directions, FAQ, ways to save and VIP parking pages, and its Circle K ticket page.

The Coastal Carolina Fair runs 11 days, Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 8, at Exchange Park, 9850 Highway 78 in Ladson, about six miles northwest of central North Charleston. The Exchange Club of Charleston has run it since 1957: rides, games, fair food, competitions and free concerts with admission. Buy tickets from the fair.

Who to call

Hours

The fair notes that hours can change closer to opening. Check the hours page before you go.

Day Gates open Gates close
Thursday, Oct. 29 3 p.m. 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30 3 p.m. 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31 10 a.m. 10 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1 noon 9 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 2 3 p.m. 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 noon 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 (Senior Day program) 10 a.m. 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 3 p.m. 9 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 5 3 p.m. 9 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6 3 p.m. 9 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7 10 a.m. 10 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 8 noon 9 p.m.

Tickets

Prices as the fair’s Circle K ticket page lists them:

Ticket Circle K through Oct. 28 Circle K after Oct. 28 At the gate
Adult admission (13 and over) $13 $15 $15
Child admission (6-12) $6 $7 $7
Ride wristband (one day, unlimited rides, all ages) $30 $35 $35 weekdays, $40 Saturday and Sunday
  • An admission ticket is good for any one day of the fair.
  • Rides are not included in admission. Some games and exhibits also cost extra.
  • Concerts are free with gate admission; seating is first come, first served.
  • Tickets bought online arrive by text and email as a QR code you can show on your phone.
  • The fair warns that tickets resold on social media are probably fake. Buy only from the fair’s website or Circle K, and keep the actual ticket; a receipt will not get you in.

Deals by day

From the fair’s ways to save page:

  • Thursday, Oct. 29, and Thursday, Nov. 5: Circle K Bring a Friend Free. Buy one Circle K ticket and a friend gets in free (admission only, not rides).
  • Friday, Oct. 30, and Friday, Nov. 6: Military and First Responders Appreciation Day. Active duty, retired, veterans and reservists, plus current first responders and 911 dispatchers from Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties, get in free with one guest. Valid ID required.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 3: 2-fer Tuesday. Buy one ride wristband at the gate or the Reithoffer midway booth and a friend gets one free. Online and Circle K wristbands do not count, and admission is still extra.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4: Senior Citizens Day. $5 admission all day for guests 55 and up, with one free caregiver admission per senior, and a seniors-only program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Getting there and parking

General parking is free, the fair says. VIP parking right by Gate 1 costs $10 Monday to Friday and $20 Saturday and Sunday; it is sold online only, and you print the pass for your dashboard. The only VIP entrance is from Highway 78 at the main entrance in the middle of the property; skip the vehicle lanes before it.

Directions from the fair:

  • From North Charleston and Charleston (I-26 west): take Exit 205A onto US 78 West to Exchange Park.
  • From Columbia (I-26 east): take Exit 203, College Park Road, toward Ladson and Goose Creek; turn right on College Park Road, then right on US 78 after the Burger King.

Our road construction and closures page tracks I-26 work.

Bags, pets and what to leave at home

  • Clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC, no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon freezer bag; one per person, children included. Diapers go in a clear bag. Medically necessary items are allowed after inspection. (Full policy.)
  • Not allowed: weapons, alcohol or drugs, backpacks, glass containers (baby food excepted) and coolers.
  • Pets stay home. Only ADA service animals are admitted.
  • Strollers and wheelchairs. Wheelchair, scooter and stroller rentals are on site, first come, first served.
  • Rain or shine. The fair opens in any weather, and rides run while safety inspectors allow. There are no refunds or rain checks, but tickets are good any day of the fair.
  • Smoking and vaping are limited to certain areas under the Exchange Park policies.

About the fair

The fair’s history page traces a county fair in Charleston back to 1922. The Exchange Club of Charleston took it over in 1957 and runs it as a fundraiser; the fair says it has given more than $11 million back to Lowcountry causes since 2003.

More this season

The fair overlaps Halloween: see our Halloween events guide and trick-or-treat hours. Before it comes the city’s free Harvest Festival on Oct. 17. For everything else, see fall festivals and pumpkin patches and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Coastal Carolina Fair in 2026?

Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, at Exchange Park, 9850 Highway 78 in Ladson. Gates open at 3 p.m. on most weekdays, 10 a.m. on Saturdays and noon on Sundays.

How much are Coastal Carolina Fair tickets?

At the gate, adult admission (13 and over) is $15 and child admission (6-12) is $7. Circle K sells them for $13 and $6 through Oct. 28. A one-day ride wristband is $35 on weekdays and $40 on weekends at the gate.

Is parking free at the Coastal Carolina Fair?

Yes, general parking is free. VIP parking next to Gate 1 is $10 Monday to Friday and $20 on weekends, sold online, with entry only from Highway 78.

Can I bring a bag or my dog to the Coastal Carolina Fair?

Only clear bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon freezer bag. Pets must stay home; only ADA service animals are allowed.

Are concerts included in Coastal Carolina Fair admission?

Yes. The fair says all concerts are free with gate admission, with first-come, first-served seating.