The 2023 Dutchess County Fair

The fair is back in 2023 for the 177th edition! From August 22-27, enjoy six days of fun—rides, animals, food, entertainment and more—at the bucolic fairgrounds in Rhinebeck. 

Dutchess County Fair Features

Every August, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds on Route 9 in Rhinebeck hosts nearly half a million patrons. The second-largest state fair in New York  has a focus on agriculture, with 12 acres of the fairgrounds dedicated to showcasing local livestock, including:

• 12 barns housing dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and more
• 3 show arenas 
• Milking demonstration, wool workroom, and sheep shearing
• A ‘Salute to Agriculture’ Ten

Other popular fair features include:

• More than 20 Midway Rides
• Century Museum Village
• Working Blacksmith Shop & Gas Powered Engine Show
• An authentic one-room schoolhouse
• Fair food, including the famous 4H Milkshakes!
• Nightly entertainment

Each night there will be a special Grandstand performance. This year’s shows include a Jimmy Buffet tribute and a show from KissNation, the Kiss tribute band. All shows are free with paid admission and go on at 7:30 pm.

Fair Tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online using the Dutchess County Fair website.

Daily Admission

General Admission: $13.50 Adults + $1.50 convenience fee (online) $18 at the gate

Children 11 and under: FREE at all times

Seniors (65+) & Military w/proper ID: $12 every day (purchased at gate)
Note: Senior & Military tickets are not for sale online and are available for purchase all week at the gates or in advance at fair box office. Discount available to person with military ID or senior citizen only. THIS IS NOT A FAMILY DISCOUNT.

Ride Tickets sold at the Midway:

1 ticket for $2.00

20 tickets for $25

52 tickets for $60

Special Promotion Rates

Ride All Day Wristbands– $35 to ride all day. Wristbands can be purchased at the Midway ticket booth. These are only good for one day at the fair. Admission is paid separately.

Take Amtrak to the Dutchess County Fair

Experience all the fair fun via Amtrak to Rhinecliff-Kingston Station in the Hudson Valley—Don’t forget to use Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount!

Get picked up from Rhinecliff-Kingston Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Kingston office today at 845-336-4700.

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest

Head to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck on September 7 and 8 for two days of wine and food tastings, beer, spirits, artisans, cooking demonstrations and more!

The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest is celebrating its 23rd anniversary in 2024! For more than 2 decades, the Festival has been one of New York’s premiere showcases for wineries and gourmet speciality foods in New York. The Festival, held at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck, continues to celebrate the local food and wine culture of the region, which is known for its fertile vineyards and orchards. More than 300 vendors will be serving up their best samples: wine, beer, spirits, food (think cheese, chocolate and more!) and artisan products. Guests also enjoy live entertainment, cooking demonstrations and seminars on topics such as wine and food pairing and sustainable farming practices. There will also be the opportunity to meet and mingle with some of New York’s best wine makers.

Guests can also purchase bottles of wine, beer and spirits. No worries: you don’t have to carry your bottles around with you all day. A special storage and pickup system makes it easy to collect your beverages when you are ready to leave the Festival.

Attending the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest

Tasting Ticket – Gate Price – One Day $50  /  Weekend $90 

Includes tasting glass and all the wine/beer/cider/spirits sampling. Most samples are  1-2oz. Food is not included. (Age 21 and over – ID required.)

VIP Tickets – Limited Availability – One Day $99

Includes tasting glass and all the wine/beer/cider/spirits sampling, early access to the festival, access to VIP tent with free refreshments, and a special gift bag.

Designated Driver Ticket – Gate Price – One Day $20  /  Weekend $35 

Includes free water/soda all day & souvenir-tasting glass upon exit.  THIS  IS A NO ALCOHOL TICKET for guests underage or who choose not to drink alcohol. Guests with regular admission wristbands will NOT be served alcohol and if witnessed consuming alcohol will be asked to leave the premises. Food is not included.

Slightly discounted tickets can be bought before the Festival here.

Take Amtrak to The Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest

Experience this great Fest via Amtrak to Rhinecliff-Kingston Station in the Hudson Valley—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount!

Get picked up from Rhinecliff Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Rhinecliff office today at 845-336-4700.