The Big E Opens Today: What To Know Before You Go

One of New England's biggest fall traditions is back.

The Big E opens Friday, Sept. 18, kicking off a 17-day run of food, rides, concerts, agriculture and entertainment at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts.

The fair runs through Sunday, Oct. 4. Gates open daily at 8 a.m., while most buildings open at 10 a.m. The Midway is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

General admission is $21.50 for adults and $13.50 for children ages 6 to 12, while children 5 and younger get in free. On-site parking for cars and trucks is $10, cash only, at Gate 9.

What's new to eat?

For plenty of fairgoers, the food is half the reason to make the trip — and the 2026 menu has no shortage of unusual additions.

Among the new vendors this year are Tater Tot Heaven, Deep-fried Calzones, Golden K-Dog, Simply Gluten Free and Sweet & Salty, which specializes in elaborate "dirty sodas."

New dishes elsewhere around the fairgrounds include deep-fried sushi, a birria bomb coated in Hot Cheeto dust, Nashville hot pickles, fried deviled eggs, a baked potato pizza, a Wagyu beef surf-and-turf burger topped with lobster and even a burger served on an Uncrustable.

The Big E Bakery is also introducing a peanut butter cream puff as its 2026 flavor of the year, available plain or with chocolate or marshmallow fluff poured over it.

Who's performing?

This year's Big E Arena lineup begins Friday night with Jessie Murph and includes Alice Cooper on Saturday and Roger Daltrey on Sunday.

Later in the fair, The Beach Boys will perform Sept. 24, followed by Brad Paisley on Sept. 25, deadmau5 on Sept. 26 and All Time Low on Sept. 27. Twisted Sister featuring Sebastian Bach with Tesla is scheduled for Oct. 2, Ice Cube for Oct. 3 and Styx for closing night Oct. 4.

Concert tickets for Big E Arena performances include fair admission.

There is also plenty of entertainment included with regular admission. Court of Honor Stage performers include Chubby Checker and Uncle Kracker on opening day, The Calling on Sept. 19, Dax on Sept. 23, Great White on Sept. 29 and Switchfoot on Oct. 1.

A Circus Spectacular will offer three shows daily at 1, 4 and 7 p.m., with general seating included with fair admission.

When is Connecticut Day?

Connecticut gets its turn in the spotlight on Wednesday, Sept. 23, when The Big E celebrates Connecticut Day.

The Connecticut Building is a replica of Connecticut's Old State House and features food, products, businesses and organizations from around the state. This year's exhibitors include Bear's Smokehouse BBQ, Connecticut Craft Beer Works, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Department of Agriculture, among others.

The Connecticut Building is part of the Avenue of States, where each of the six New England states has its own building. The Avenue is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What else is there?

Beyond the food and concerts, The Big E includes its North American Midway, agricultural exhibits, livestock, shopping, the Avenue of States and Storrowton Village Museum.

Storrowton features nine restored 18th- and 19th-century buildings and offers self-guided tours, open-hearth cooking demonstrations and live blacksmithing during the fair. Admission is included with a fair ticket.

Fair organizers recommend visiting on a weekday for smaller crowds. Good-weather weekends typically bring heavier crowds and traffic delays.

The Big E is located at 1305 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield. More information, tickets and the full daily schedule are available on The Big E's official website.