One of Ancaster’s favourite traditions is back!
The 176th Ancaster Fair takes place from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026 at the Ancaster Fairgrounds, bringing four days of midway rides, agricultural shows, live entertainment, food, competitions, animals, and family fun to the community.
Whether you’ve been attending the fair for years or you’re planning your first visit, it’s a wonderful time to experience Ancaster.
And if you’re travelling from outside the Hamilton area, The Barracks Inn offers boutique accommodations just a short drive from the Ancaster Fairgrounds, making it easy to turn your day at the fair into a relaxing fall getaway.
When Is the 2026 Ancaster Fair?
The 2026 Ancaster Fair runs for four days:
- Thursday, September 24: Grounds open at 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 25: Grounds open at 9:00 a.m.
- Saturday, September 26: Grounds open at 9:00 a.m.
- Sunday, September 27: Grounds open at 10:00 a.m.
The Ancaster Fairgrounds are located at 630 Trinity Road in Jerseyville, just outside Ancaster.
A Fall Tradition Since 1850
The Ancaster Fair is much more than a midway.
Organized by the Ancaster Agricultural Society, the fair celebrates the area’s agricultural roots while bringing generations of families together for one of the community’s biggest weekends of the year.
The 2026 theme is “In Her Hands: Family, Farm and Future.” The theme recognizes the important contributions women have made to agriculture, farming families, and food systems while looking ahead to the next generation.
What to See and Do at the Ancaster Fair
There’s a lot happening throughout the weekend, so it’s easy to spend several hours — or an entire day — exploring the fairgrounds.
Visitors can look forward to:
- Midway rides and games
- Demolition Derby
- Horse shows
- Cattle, sheep, goat, llama, poultry, and rabbit shows
- Agricultural demonstrations
- Live entertainment
- Family and children’s activities
- Homecraft exhibits
- Food vendors and classic fair treats
- Competitions and contests
- Beer garden
- Local vendors and exhibits
It’s the combination of traditional agricultural fair activities and modern entertainment that has made the Ancaster Fair such an enduring local tradition.
Don’t Miss the Demolition Derby
For many visitors, no trip to the Ancaster Fair is complete without seeing the Demolition Derby.
The derby takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
Expect plenty of noise and excitement as drivers compete to see whose vehicle can be the last one standing.
If you’re attending with young children or anyone sensitive to loud sounds, the fair recommends bringing hearing protection.
Midway Rides & Games
The midway is another highlight of the weekend, with rides and games for visitors of different ages.
The midway opens Thursday evening along with the fairgrounds and continues throughout the weekend.
On Thursday, a ride bracelet is available for $40, making opening night a popular choice for visitors who want to spend plenty of time on the rides.
Agricultural Shows & Animals
The agricultural competitions remain at the heart of the Ancaster Fair.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can see a wide variety of animals and competitions, including:
- Dairy cattle
- Sheep
- Goats
- Horses
- Llamas
- Poultry and waterfowl
- Rabbits
- 4-H competitions
For families, these events offer an opportunity to learn more about agriculture and see animals up close while supporting local farmers, exhibitors, and young participants.
Saturday Is Packed With Family Activities
Saturday is one of the busiest days of the fair and features entertainment throughout the day.
The schedule includes horse and livestock shows, dog demonstrations, magic, live entertainment, agricultural demonstrations, and the traditional Ancaster Fair Baby Show.
There’s even a pie-eating contest and hot sauce competition for visitors looking to get involved in some classic fair fun.
Live Entertainment Throughout the Weekend
You’ll find entertainment happening throughout the fairgrounds, with performances scheduled on the Main Stage and other areas of the property.
The 2026 schedule includes:
- Comedy in Motion
- Bandaloni
- Ultimutts dog demonstrations
- Michael Conway Magic
- NorthFire
- Dr. Draw
- DJ Big Daddy
- McCurlie – Doidge – Wiles
- Screeched Inn
With performances happening alongside the agricultural events, midway, and competitions, there’s always something going on around the grounds.
2026 Ancaster Fair Admission
General admission for Friday through Sunday is:
- Adults: $15
- Seniors 60+: $10
- Kindergarten to Grade 8: $5 on Saturday and Sunday
- Pre-school children: Free
On Friday, children from Kindergarten through Grade 8 receive free admission until 4:00 p.m. and admission is $5 after 4:00 p.m.
Thursday offers special opening-night admission. Adults and seniors can enter for $5 with the donation of a non-perishable food item, while Kindergarten to Grade 8 admission is $5 and pre-school children are free.
Parking & Getting to the Fair
Parking at the Ancaster Fair is free.
Visitors arriving by car or rideshare should use Gate 3 on Trinity Road. Accessible parking spaces are available near the gatehouse for visitors with mobility needs.
The fair is also accessible by a special HSR shuttle from Meadowlands and downtown Hamilton. Visitors using transit should check the current HSR schedule and service information before travelling.
What Should You Bring?
The Ancaster Fair recommends coming prepared for a full day outdoors.
Consider bringing:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- An extra layer for cooler evenings
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellent
- A phone charger
- Hearing protection for young children attending the Demolition Derby or louder entertainment
There are water bottle refill stations available on the fairgrounds as well.
Make a Weekend of Your Visit to Ancaster
If you’re coming from outside Hamilton, there’s no reason your visit has to end when you leave the fairgrounds.
September is a beautiful time to explore Ancaster and the surrounding area as the first signs of fall begin to appear.
While you’re here, consider visiting:
- Tiffany Falls
- Sherman Falls
- Dundas Valley Conservation Area
- Historic Ancaster Village
- Downtown Dundas
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre
You can spend the day at the fair, enjoy dinner in Ancaster, and then return to a comfortable room instead of making the drive home.
Where to Eat in Ancaster
Turn your fair visit into a complete day out with lunch or dinner at one of Ancaster’s local restaurants.
Nearby favourites include:
- Ancaster Mill for an elevated dining experience in a beautiful historic setting
- Cavallo Nero for Italian-inspired dining
- Brewers Blackbird Kitchen & Brewery for locally brewed beer and elevated comfort food
- Coach & Lantern for the atmosphere of a historic English-style pub
- The Brassie Pub for a relaxed meal in Ancaster
If you’re planning dinner after a busy Saturday at the fair, consider making a reservation ahead of time.
Where to Stay Near the Ancaster Fairgrounds
Travelling to Ancaster for the fair? Make The Barracks Inn your home base for the weekend.
Located just a short drive from the Ancaster Fairgrounds, our boutique hotel offers a relaxing place to return to after a busy day of rides, entertainment, food, and exploring.
Guests enjoy:
- Spacious, beautifully appointed guest rooms
- Historic architecture and distinctive character
- Complimentary breakfast
- Free on-site parking
- Personalized boutique hospitality
- A peaceful setting in historic Ancaster
- Excellent restaurants nearby
- Easy access to the Ancaster Fairgrounds
- Convenient access to Hamilton, Dundas, Brantford, Burlington, and surrounding communities
Plan Your Visit to the 2026 Ancaster Fair
For 176 years, the Ancaster Fair has brought the community together to celebrate agriculture, entertainment, food, and family fun.
From the Demolition Derby and midway rides to horse shows, livestock competitions, live entertainment, and classic fair food, there’s something for just about everyone to enjoy.
The 2026 Ancaster Fair runs September 24–27, so start planning your visit now.
Coming from out of town? Book your stay at The Barracks Inn and enjoy one of Ancaster’s favourite fall traditions while staying just minutes from the fairgrounds.