Plus, there are all the concerts by superstar recording artists and acts.
Each year, the state fair offers a high-profile concert series featuring performances by an array of well-known musicians and bands. The 2019 edition of the fair, which runs from October 4 to 27, is certainly no exception.
This year’s concert series packed with legendary names from a variety of genres, ranging from hip-hop and pop to country and good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. And, in all likelihood, you’ve heard each of their hits on the radio or your streaming service of choice.
The biggest names on the 2019 lineup include viral hip-hop sensation Lil Pump, pop star Becky G, and rock legends like The Cult and Pat Benatar.
There also will be plenty of country musicians performing at this year’s fair (such as Billy Currington, Trace Adkins, and Chase Rice) and a few artists offering a nostalgia kick (like MC Hammer)
As always, the concerts will take place in the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which is located within the state fairgrounds at 1826 West McDowell Road. Each performance starts at 7 p.m. and will last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes, allowing you plenty of time to hit up the midway and corn dog stands.
It's free to attend the concerts with regular fair admission. (Presale tickets are currently $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and kids ages 5 to 13, and can be found here. Children 5 and under get in free).
General seating inside the Coliseum will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved seating, which is closer to the stage or located on the floor of the coliseum, ranges in price from $30 to $60, depending on the show.
This year, there will also be a VIP option for certain shows, which will run you $100 and includes swag, two drink tickets, and other perks.
All ticketing options are on sale now through the Arizona State Fair website.
If you're curious about who's playing at the fair in 2019, here's a complete rundown of every single concert taking place.
Billy Currington
Friday, October 4$40-$60 for reserved seating
The Grammy-nominated country crooner behind the radio hits "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right," "People Are Crazy", "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer," and "We Are Tonight" will take the stage on the fair's first night.
The Cult
Saturday, October 5$40 for reserved seating
Led by Ian Astbury, the British-born hard rock act that first rose to fame in the '80s with "She Sells Sanctuary," "Love Removal Machine," and "Fire Woman" make their first-ever appearance at the fair.
Stryper
Wednesday, October 9$30-$50 for reserved seating
Like The Cult, Christian metal act Stryper experienced its greatest successes back in the 1980s, back when albums like To Hell with the Devil, In God We Trust, and Soldiers Under Command made the Billboard charts.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Thursday, October 10$40-$60 for reserved seating
Sing along with the female rock 'n’ roll icon as she performs signature hits such as “Heartbreaker,” “Love is a Battlefield,” “We Belong,” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” along with her husband and guitarist, Neil Giraldo.
Fiesta Friday
Friday, October 11$30-$50 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
This showcase of old-school rappers and hip-hop artists has become an annual staple of the state fair’s concert series. This year’s version will include sets by NB Ridaz, Lil Rob, DJ Kane, and Kid Frost.
Lee Brice
Saturday, October 12$30-$50 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
The country hitmaker, whose 2018 single “Eyes On You” topped the charts and went gold, will stop off at the fair as part of his current AM/PM tour.
Matthew West and Zach Williams
Wednesday, October 16$40-$60 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
Both of these Christian singer-songwriters have won awards (West scored a Grammy in 2018, while Williams earned a GMA Dove Award), not to mention the hearts and minds of millions. Expect an evening of Christian rock and pop when they perform at the fair.
Trace Adkins
Thursday, October 17$40-$60 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
Country superstar Trace Adkins has done it all. He’s won awards, topped the Billboard charts, sold millions of albums, released numerous hit singles (including "Rough & Ready" and "You're Gonna Miss This”), and – best of all – introduced the term “badonkadonk” into pop culture.
Becky G.
Friday, October 18$40-$60 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
Mexican-American pop singer/rapper Rebecca Marie Gomez, better known as Becky G, is a star on the rise. She’s had several hit singles in both English and en Español, collaborated with the likes of Kesha and Pitbull, and is currently headlining her first tour, which includes a stop at the fair.
Lil Pump
Saturday, October 19$40-$60 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
Whether or not you buy into Lil Pump's claim of being the "New Age Michael Jackson," there's no denying the SoundCloud rapper and viral sensation has skills. He’s also got savvy and swagger to spare, not to mention a resume that includes a triple-platinum hit (“Gucci Gang”) and collaborations with Kanye and Lil Wayne.
Awolnation
Wednesday, October 23$40 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
One thing is guaranteed when this band (and alt-rock radio staple) take the stage inside the coliseum: they’re absolutely, positively going to play “Sail,” their super-duper hit single, during their set.
Chase Rice
Thursday, October 24$40-$60 for reserved seating
The tunes of burgeoning country artist Chase Rice have gotten some serious airplay over the last several years, including 2013’s “Ready Set Roll” and 2014’s “Gonna Wanna Tonight,” as well as more recent hits like 2018’s “Eyes on You” and this year’s “Lonely If You Are.” You’ll likely hear all these gems when Rice performs at the fair.
Hammer’s House Party
Friday, October 25$40-$60 for reserved seating, $100 for VIP admission
Feeling 2 Legit 2 Quit? Break out your coolest parachute pants and side-shuffle over to the fair for its final concert, which will feature MC Hammer and C&C Music Factory with Freedom Williams.
Arizona State Fair 2019. Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 27, at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 West McDowell Road, 602-252-6771; azstatefair.com.
