New Haven County Connecticut Fairgrounds Events

If you searched for the New Haven County fairgrounds, there is no single county fairground to point you to. New Haven County’s fair life is spread across individual towns, each with its own organizers. The biggest and oldest is the Guilford Fair. This page covers it in detail, then the other county fairs and how to take part.

Overview of New Haven County Fairgrounds

The Guilford Fairgrounds

The Guilford Fairgrounds are at 111 Lovers Lane in Guilford, Connecticut 06437, in historic downtown Guilford. The grounds cover more than 30 acres. The Guilford Agricultural Society has produced the fair since 1859, and the fair moved to these grounds in 1969. The fair is a Library of Congress Local Legacy, and it is billed as Connecticut’s second oldest agricultural fair.

Who Runs It

The Guilford Agricultural Society, Inc. organizes the fair. There is no county fair board or county-level fair association. I could not confirm whether the Society owns the grounds.

Significance

Guilford is a shoreline town, not a typical farming community, so the fair is partly a heritage event. Residents treat it as a fixture of the third weekend in September.

Upcoming Events at New Haven County Fairgrounds

The 2026 fair season has ended. In 2026 the county’s major events were:

• Wolcott Country Fair: August 7–9
• Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair: July 31 to August 2, in Durham (Middlesex County)
• North Haven Fair: September 10–13
• Guilford Fair: September 18–20
• Orange Country Fair: September 19–20

The Guilford Fairgrounds also host a Guilford Farmers’ Market. The 2025 season opened May 15. I did not find a list of other events or whether the grounds rent to outside groups. The Association of Connecticut Fairs publishes the fair calendar, and the Guilford Agricultural Society’s website has current details.

The Guilford Fair

Dates and Hours

The Guilford Fair is held on the third full weekend in September. The 2026 fair ran Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20. In 2025, hours were Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. I did not find confirmed 2026 hours.

Admission and Parking

Recent admission was $15 for adults and children 12 and up, and $10 for seniors 62 and over and veterans or active military with ID. Children 11 and under were free, and a three-day pass was $40. On-site parking was $10. Those were the 2025 prices, so check 2026 prices. A free shuttle bus runs from lots at I-95 Exit 57.

Connecticut fairgrounds host a variety of community activities, including agricultural exhibitions, seasonal festivals, livestock displays, and family entertainment. Visitors searching for New Haven County Connecticut Fairgrounds Events can look for upcoming celebrations, fair schedules, and opportunities for local vendors while also discovering Middlesex County Connecticut Fairgrounds Events for additional insights into regional fairs and agricultural traditions.

What You’ll Find

• A children’s zoo with more than 40 exotic and unusual animals
• The Guilford Fair Family Circus, featuring the Flying Wallendas
• Live music, magic, rides, and midway games
• A tractor pull, according to one event listing
• Crafts, homegrown products, and 27 food booths, per an event listing
• Exhibits, animals, and competitions
• A free parade on Saturday on the Guilford Town Green

Past entertainment has included a Bob Seger tribute act on Friday night.

Other Fairs in New Haven County

Wolcott Country Fair

August 7–9, 2026, at 251 Munson Road in Wolcott. It began in 1979 and bills itself as the area’s largest agricultural and family event of the summer. It features antique farm equipment displays, tractor pulls, pig racing, thrill rides, food, and entertainment.

North Haven Fair

September 10–13, 2026, at 290 Washington Avenue in North Haven.

Orange Country Fair

September 19–20, 2026, at 525 Orange Center Road in Orange.

Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair

July 31 to August 2, 2026, at 24 Town House Road in Durham. This fair is held on Durham’s fairgrounds in Middlesex County, and it serves 4-H youth from both counties. It was not open to the public on July 31.

Dates for 2027 are not confirmed for any of these.

Facilities and Grounds

For Guilford, I confirmed the 30-plus-acre size, on-site paid parking, and a free shuttle from I-95 Exit 57. I could not confirm the number of buildings, barns, grandstand capacity, camping or RV sites, ADA features, ATMs, or first aid. Ask the Guilford Agricultural Society.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

• Competitive exhibits: The Guilford Fair has exhibits, animals, and competitions. Look for its premium book and entry deadlines on the Society’s website. I did not find them.
• Vendors: Applications go through the Guilford Agricultural Society, and other fairs have their own organizers. Ask in spring.
• 4-H entries: Join a 4-H club through UConn Extension for the Middlesex & New Haven County 4-H Fair.

Getting to the Guilford Fairgrounds

From the New Haven area, take I-95 to Exit 57, then Route 1 to Church Street (Route 77). A few turns lead to Stone House Lane and the fairground entrance. From the New London area, use Exit 59 (Goose Lane). The fair’s directions page lists the exact turns, so use it on fair weekend. The free shuttle buses park at Exit 57. I did not find rideshare drop-off guidance or public transit options.

4-H and FFA in New Haven County

UConn Extension runs 4-H in the county, and New Haven County youth join Middlesex County youth at the combined 4-H fair in Durham. Club counts, FFA chapter participation, and any junior livestock auction were not found. Ask the Extension office.

History

The Guilford Fair dates to 1859, and the fair moved to the current grounds in 1969. Wolcott’s fair began in 1979. I did not find a record of cancellations, including 2020. Verify locally before publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the New Haven County fair in 2027?
There is no single county fair. In 2026, Guilford ran September 18–20, Wolcott August 7–9, North Haven September 10–13, and Orange September 19–20. 2027 dates are not confirmed.

Where are the New Haven County fairgrounds?
The best known are the Guilford Fairgrounds at 111 Lovers Lane, Guilford.

What time does the Guilford Fair open?
In 2025, 4 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

How much does it cost to get into the Guilford Fair?
In 2025, $15 for adults, $10 for seniors 62 and over and veterans or military, free for children 11 and under, and $40 for a three-day pass.

Where do I park?
On-site parking was $10. A free shuttle runs from I-95 Exit 57.

Is there camping?
Unconfirmed.

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

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

Who do I contact to rent the fairgrounds?
The Guilford Agricultural Society. I did not find a rental contact.