2026 Iowa State Fair Announces Huge Lineup of Free Shows

Each year, the Iowa State Fair features some of the best grandstand entertainment in the entire nation. And this year is no different! You can see artists like HARDY, Rod Stewart, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green in Des Moines this August. But the Iowa State Fair also offers a huge lineup of FREE shows to enjoy!

Iowa State Fair Announces Free Shows for 2026

The Iowa State Fair has announced its free show lineup for 2026, and it truly has something for everyone! The Des Moines Register reports that all the shows listed below are free with your paid daily admission to the Iowa State Fair. Admission this year is $11 in advance and $16 at the gate. Here are the free shows playing at the various stages at the Iowa State Fair.

SUSAN KNAPP AMPHITHEATER

• Aug. 13: Josh Baldwin (contemporary Christian), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 14: Montgomery Gentry featuring Eddie Montgomery (country), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 15: Moon Taxi (indie alt-rock), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 16: La Sonora Dinamita (Cumbia and tropical), 7 p.m.
• Aug. 17 and 18: Hairball (rock and roll), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 19: Asleep at the Wheel (western swing), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 20: SugarHill Gang (hip-hop/rap), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 21: Eli Young Band (country), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 22: Chancey Williams (country), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 23: Aaron Watson (country), 7 p.m.

ANNE AND BILL RILEY STAGE

• Aug. 13 and 14: Tonic Sol-fa (a cappella), 7 and 9 p.m.
• Aug. 15: Iowa State Fair Queen Coronation, 7 p.m.
• Aug. 16 and 17: Tribute to the Troops, 7 and 9 p.m.
• Aug. 18 and 19: The Britins (British Invasion/classic Rock/pop), 7 and 9 p.m.
• Aug. 20: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (rock and roll), 7 and 9 p.m.
• Aug. 21 and 22: Ron Diamond (hypnotist), 7 and 9 p.m.
• Aug. 23: Ron Diamond (hypnotist), 5 and 7 p.m.

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MIDAMERICAN ENERGY STAGE

• Aug. 13: Jake Worthington (country), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 14: The Nadas (folk), 7 and 9 p.m.
• Aug. 15 and 16: Jammy Buffet (Gulf & Western Coastal rock/tribute), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 17: PetRock (soft rock/”Yacht Rock”), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 18: Tyler Halverson (country/folk-rock/Americana), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 19: Colt Ford (country), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 20: Slaughter (metal/rock), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 21: Not Quite Brothers (rock), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 22: Jason Brown (country), 8 p.m.
• Aug. 23: Dwayne Gretzky (pop/rock and party rock), 7 p.m.

FUN FOREST STAGE

• Brad Weston (comedy/juggler)
• The Rubber Chicken Show with Greg Frisbee (comedy/variety)

You can buy your tickets for all of the grandstand shows at this year's fair HERE.

The 2026 Iowa State Fair runs from August 13th to 23rd!