Middlesex County Connecticut Fairgrounds Events

Upcoming Events at Middlesex County Fairgrounds

Two scheduled events anchor the grounds, and both have already happened for 2026:

• Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair: July 31 to August 2, 2026. It was not open to the public on July 31.
• Durham Fair: September 24 to 27, 2026 (the 106th annual)

The Durham Fair is held on the last full weekend of September. Dates for 2027 are not confirmed, but expect the same weekend. The Durham Fair’s website is the authoritative source for the current schedule, and the fair has listed a phone number of 860-349-9495. Confirm it before calling. I did not find whether the grounds are rented to outside groups.

The Durham Fair

Dates and Hours

The Durham Fair runs Thursday through Sunday on the last full weekend of September. The 2026 fair was September 24–27. Listed hours were:

• Thursday: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission

2026 listings showed Thursday admission at $10, Friday through Sunday at $20 for adults, and seniors 65 and over at $10. Children 11 and under were free, as were active military with ID. Multi-day discounts were also offered. Admission covers the demolition derby, tractor pulls, motor sports, live music, and exhibits. Sources differ slightly on senior pricing and hours, so check the fair’s website.

Parking

There is no visitor parking directly on the fairgrounds. Visitors park in off-site lots and ride shuttle buses to the gate. In recent years, parking in fair-operated lots has been $5 per day. Lot locations have included Strickland’s on Cherry Hill Road in Middlefield, Greenbacker’s on Wallingford Road in Durham, and school and community center lots on Pickett Lane. Confirm the current lots and price before you go.

Entertainment

The 2026 lineup included the Queen tribute band Queen Nation on Friday night and Tyler Hubbard on Saturday night. Past headliners have included KC and the Sunshine Band, Blues Traveler, Melissa Etheridge, and the Brothers Osborne. The fair has also run talent shows, a lumberjack show, animal pulls, and a monster truck rally.

Exhibits and Competitions

The fair reports more than 12,000 entries each year, from beef cattle to goats, llamas, and rabbits. There are multiple exhibit halls and a farm museum. In 2017, more than $90,000 in prize money was paid out. Check the fair’s premium book for current class lists.

Food

About 30 nonprofits set up food and information booths. Durham-Middlefield Youth & Family Services is one. The fair’s Lime Rickey mocktail made a Food Network list of fair foods. The Dough House’s Original Big Donut was named best state fair food in Connecticut by one food site.

Crowds

A good-weather weekend can draw around 200,000 people. The fair runs rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe.

Local fairs and fairground gatherings help preserve Connecticut’s agricultural heritage while creating opportunities for families, farmers, and small businesses to connect. Those looking for Middlesex County Connecticut Fairgrounds Events can explore seasonal celebrations, livestock shows, and vendor activities while also checking out Litchfield County Connecticut Fairgrounds Events for more information about rural traditions and community entertainment.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Entering Exhibits

4-H entries are for registered members. Contact the UConn Extension 4-H office for Middlesex County or your club leader. Entries for the Durham Fair’s open competitions run through the fair’s premium book. I did not find the deadline.

Selling at the Fair

Vendor applications go through the Durham Agricultural Fair Association. Thirty nonprofits already operate booths, so spaces for commercial vendors are likely competitive. Ask early in the year.

Contact

The fair has listed 860-349-9495 and a website. Confirm both before relying on them.

Getting to Middlesex County Fairgrounds

The fair is at the junction of Routes 68, 17, and 77 in Durham. Park at one of the fair-operated lots and ride the shuttle. From Middletown, Route 17 leads south to Durham. From the shoreline, Route 77 runs north from Guilford. Use the fair’s current parking-lot addresses, because they change from year to year. I did not find public transit or rideshare drop-off details.

4-H and FFA in Middlesex County

UConn Extension runs 4-H, and Middlesex County families join the combined Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair in Durham. Club counts and FFA participation were not confirmed. The Durham Fair also runs a Junior Fair program, but details on any junior livestock auction were not found.

History of Middlesex County Fairgrounds

The Durham Fair began in 1916 as a one-day event. It grew to four days in 2010. In 2023, a news report said the fair had been canceled only four times since 1916. I did not confirm which years, so verify before publishing. In 2026 it reached its 106th annual edition.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Middlesex County fair in 2027?
The Durham Fair is held the last full weekend of September. It ran September 24–27 in 2026. The 2027 dates are not confirmed.

Where are the Middlesex County fairgrounds?
24 Town House Road, Durham, CT, at the junction of Routes 68, 17, and 77.

What time does the Durham Fair open?
In 2026, Thursday at 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 9 a.m., and Sunday at 9 a.m.

How much does it cost to get into the Durham Fair?
In 2026, Thursday was $10, Friday through Sunday $20 for adults, seniors 65 and over $10, and children 11 and under free.

Where do I park?
In off-site lots with shuttle buses. Parking has been $5 per day in recent years. There is no visitor parking on the fairgrounds.

Is there camping?
Unconfirmed.

Are dogs allowed?
Unconfirmed. Check the fair’s rules.

Who do I contact to rent the fairgrounds?
The Durham Agricultural Fair Association. I did not find a rental contact.

How do I enter livestock?
Through the Durham Fair’s premium book or, for youth, through 4-H.