From music legends and iconic pop throwbacks to thrill shows and family variety acts, fair attendees will have more than 300 hours of live entertainment to choose from at the 2026 State Fair of Virginia, Sept. 25 through Oct. 4, at The Meadow Event Park (13191 Dawn Blvd.) in Doswell.
That’s right, 300 hours — and because the live music concerts are fully integrated into the fairgrounds, the atmosphere feels vibrant and casual with the layered mix of the fair permeating the backdrop: amusement rides and carnival games, the sounds of farm animals located in the animal barn areas, strolling performers and the aroma emanating from dozens of vendors throughout the 300-acre grounds. Get ready to be wowed.
“The State Fair is a magical combination of live entertainment and the compelling story of how food gets to the table from a farming standpoint,” said Marlene Pierson-Jolliffe, the fair’s vice president of operations. “Between the live music, animal shows and gravity-defying trampoline stunts — the fair will even feature new equine events, Greg Frisbee’s rubber chicken show and an Xtreme Strongman Show — there’s truly something to keep everyone entertained.”
Themed, “Virginia’s Best of Show,” Pierson-Jolliffe said this year’s fair is guaranteed to showcase the very best of Virginia! For those visiting on weekends, check out the Sunset Club VIP experience which features a private bar in beautiful Meadow Hall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each weekend evening. General fair operating hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Pierson-Jolliffe said that the Main Stage concerts presented by Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance are a huge draw for many visitors, featuring a different band every night of the fair. This year’s lineup includes everything from country legends and rising stars to throwback favorites.
Performers include Sammy Kershaw (Sept. 25), an iconic entertainer who has amassed three platinum and six gold albums with more than 100 million combined streamed and scanned songs sold; Lakeview (Sept. 26), often dubbed the “arena rock of country”; Richmond’s The Jack Wharff Band (Sept. 27), which plays a strikingly unique blend of bluegrass, country and rock; Nashville artist-songwriter George Birge (Sept. 28); contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Leanna Crawford (Oct. 1); bluegrass instrumentalists Red Camel Collective and the Amanda Cook Band (Oct. 2); O-Town & LFO (Oct. 3), iconic fixtures of the early 2000s pop culture; and North Carolina’s Parmalee (Oct. 4), a band with more than 1.6 billion streams, six number one country hits and a growing list of platinum singles.
The fair’s Main Stage concert area features an open standing-room-only area close to the stage for the more energetic fans, transitioning into a lawn area further back for those who prefer to bring their own chairs or blankets for a spot on the grass. All seating/standing is on a first-come, first-served basis. Access to all of the shows is included with the price of fair admission.
To plan a trip to the fair or to learn more about The Meadow Event Park events, please visit statefairva.org.
