Our Guide: 50th State Fair 2023

The beloved 50th State Fair returns with all your favorite rides, games, concerts and carnival foods on Friday, May 26, through Sunday, July 9. This annual island tradition for O‘ahu families takes place at the lower Hālawa lot of Aloha Stadium. Expect some changes and new attractions this year.

Click to the information you want to explore:

• Admission and Credits
• Rides and Height Requirements
• Entertainment and Attractions
• What to Eat
• Live Entertainment
• Tips

Photo: Courtesy of E.K. Fernandez Shows

Admission and Credits

As in previous years, rides, games and food can be paid for via credits on a Fun Pass, and each credit is equivalent to 10 cents. You can bring your old Fun Pass card and reload it at the red kiosks marked “Reload Only,” or purchase a new one from the large red kiosks marked “Purchase Only” at the fair’s entrance. Any remaining credits on your old Fun Pass will be usable at the 50th State Fair.

The kiosks accept cash, debit or credit card, but according to the E.K. Fernandez website, there have been occasional delays with debit and credit card transactions, so cash is recommended. The Fun Pass trailers inside the fair accept cash only ($1, $5, $10, $20, $50, or $100 bills). The minimum purchase for a new card is $20. Note that there is one machine in the Fun Pass trailer closest to the Scooter ride where you may purchase a new card with a $20 bill only.

Admission costs $3 to $6 (30 to 60 credits) depending on whether you arrive before or after a certain time. See the schedule below for pricing:

Friday, May 26
6 p.m. to closing: 60 credits

Saturday, May 27
4 p.m. to closing: 60 credits

Sunday, May 28
Noon to 5 p.m.: 30 credits
5 p.m. to closing: 60 credits

Monday (Memorial Day), May 29
Noon to 5 p.m.: 30 credits
5 p.m. to closing: 60 credits

When Are The Cheapest Days To Go?

There are discount days! For this first week, Sunday, May 28, and Monday, May 29, offer half-off rides from noon to 5 p.m. That Monday is also Military Appreciation Day, so all active-duty or retired military personnel and their dependents can enjoy free admission.

Check the website each week for discount days. They vary on weekends. Thursdays are most common, but there are weeks when it’s a Monday.

Photo: Tien Enga

Rides and Height Requirements

We know that for all you thrill-seekers, the rides at the 50th State Fair are the best part! Seventeen rides are available this year, including some of the larger rides, like the Zipper and Wave Swinger. See below for all rides, their height requirements and the number of credits required.

Balloon Race

Height Requirement:

• 36” unless accompanied
• 54” maximum

Credits: 40

Carousel

Height Requirement:

• 24” with an adult
• 42” alone

Credits: 40

Century Wheel

Height Requirement:

• 54” unless accompanied

Credits: 60

Helicopters

Height Requirement:

• 36” unless accompanied
• 54” maximum

Credits: 40

Jungle Twist

Height Requirement:

• 38” with an adult
• 48” alone

Credits: 40

Lolli Swings

Height Requirement:

• 42” minimum

Credits: 40

Magic Maze

Height Requirement:

• 36” with an adult
• 42” alone

Credits: 40

Pharaoh’s Fury

Height Requirement:

• 48” minimum

Credits: 66

Scooter

Height Requirement:

• 42” with an adult
• 48” alone
• 48” to drive

Credits: 60

Seven Seas

Height Requirement:

• 42” with an adult
• 48” alone

Credits: 60

Speedway

Height Requirement:

• 36” minimum

Credits: 40

Spring Ride

Height Requirement:

• 38” with an adult
• 42” alone

Credits: 40

Super Sizzler

Height Requirement:

• 42” with an adult
• 48” alone

Credits: 60

Super Slide

Height Requirement:

• 42” unless accompanied

Credits: 40

Wave Swinger

Height Requirement:

• 45” minimum

Credits: 66

Zero Gravity

Height Requirement:

• 42” minimum
• 76” maximum

Credits: 60

Zipper

Height Requirement:

• 48” minimum

** No single riders

Credits: 66

Photo: Courtesy of Cirque Ma’Ceo

Entertainment and Attractions

The Colton Farms Petting Zoo returns this year with llamas, goats, sheep, cows and mini donkeys. Admission is 35 credits. Another keiki favorite is the Robocars—robot-to-car transforming performers will be roaming around the fairgrounds.

Keiki will also be thrilled to learn that Spider-Man will make a special debut appearance during the first weekend of May 26–29. He will be walking around the fair to interact and take pictures with people on Friday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., and Sunday and Monday at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Another first this year, the circus will arrive! Cirque Ma’Ceo features exotic horses and acrobats in a show that spotlights the beautiful bond between these animals and their riders. Showtimes are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7 and 9 p.m. and Sundays and Mondays at 2, 5 and 7 p.m.

Admissions ranges from 50 to 150 credits depending on showtimes and seating. Children two years and younger can view the show for free if sitting on an adult’s lap.

What to Eat

Expect all the carnival food favorites like pizza, cotton candy, funnel cake, deep fried Oreos and more. Vendors include Crazy Country Corn, Trydis, Café Parkside, Dippin Dots, Flying Saucers and O‘ahu Food Co.

Live Entertainment

Here is the schedule for May 26–29. Check the website for weekly updates on live entertainment.

Friday, May 26

7:00 p.m. Sidney Spencer

8:30 p.m. Joseph Soul

10:00 p.m. Wavvy

Saturday, May 27

4:30 p.m. Annette Oasay

5:45 p.m. Na Maka O Pu‘uwai Aloha Hip Hop

7:00 p.m. Crossing Rain

8:30 p.m. Shar Carillo & Roy Ebalaroza

10:00 p.m. Yasmyn and Koa Lopes

Sunday, May 28

1:00 p.m. Town Hall

3:30 p.m. Na Maka O Pu‘uwai Aloha Hula

5:00 p.m. Sienna Souza

6:30 p.m. Keilana

8:00 p.m. Pohaku

9:30 p.m. Jared Ming

Monday, May 29

1:00 p.m. Town Hall

3:30 p.m. Sade Frame

5:00 p.m. Kainoa

6:15 p.m. Duva

7:15 p.m. Sienna Lalau (Dance Choreographer) & Na Maka Studio Hip Hop

8:00 p.m. B.E.T.

9:15 p.m. Kupu Dalire-Na‘auao & Band

Tips

• Bring your old Fun Pass cards, as there is a fee to purchase a new one.
• Check the website every week for updates and discounts days.
• Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends. In the past, the ride lines were the longest on Saturdays between 7 and 9:30 p.m. and the shortest in the afternoons.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen and a hat since there isn’t much shade.

The 50th State Fair runs from Friday, May 26, through Sunday, July 9. Hours vary, with the fair closing most evenings between 10 p.m. and midnight. Aloha Stadium, Lower Hālawa Lot, 99-500 Salt Lake Blvd., ekfernandezshows.com, @ekfernandezshows