Central Panhandle Fair Returns to Panama City October 6–10, 2026 |
Five days of carnival rides, fair food, games and family fun return to the Central Panhandle Fairgrounds in Bay County. |
One of Bay County’s longtime fall traditions is getting ready to light up Panama City once again. The 2026 Central Panhandle Fair returns Tuesday, October 6 through Saturday, October 10, bringing five days of rides, games, food and family entertainment to the Central Panhandle Fairgrounds.
The fair will be held at 2230 East 15th Street in Panama City, where generations of Bay County families have made memories walking the midway, testing their skills at carnival games and enjoying those once-a-year fair food favorites.
A Bay County Tradition Since 1945
The Central Panhandle Fair is more than carnival rides and funnel cakes. Its roots in Bay County stretch back more than 80 years.
The Bay County Fair Association was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1945. Early fairs were held at different locations throughout Bay County before the organization eventually established its permanent home on East 15th Street.
Over the decades, the fair grew significantly. According to the organization’s history, attendance had climbed to more than 40,000 people by 1998.
The fairgrounds continue to promote the agricultural and community traditions behind county fairs, including agriculture, livestock, home arts and crafts, cooking, horticulture and animal care.
What to Expect at the 2026 Fair
The 2026 fair promises the familiar sights, sounds and smells that make a night at the fair such a fall tradition.
Visitors can expect carnival rides, midway games, attractions and plenty of fair food throughout the five-day event. Whether your first stop is a thrill ride or the concession stands, the fair is designed to offer something for both kids and adults.
And, of course, part of the fun is the food. Fair night wouldn't be complete without walking the midway surrounded by the smell of sweet treats, fried favorites and classic carnival concessions.
2026 Central Panhandle Fair Schedule
The fair opens at different times throughout the week, so families will want to plan accordingly. Fair Closes at 11:00 p.m. All times are Central Time.
Tuesday, October 6: Gates open at 6:00 p.m.
Opening earlier on Friday and especially Saturday gives families additional time to enjoy the fairgrounds before the lights of the midway take over after sunset.
Tickets and Admission
Online ticket options currently range from a $15 base price for admission-only tickets to $35 base-price Pay One Price tickets, depending on the day and ticket type. Online processing fees and applicable taxes may increase the final purchase price.
The online ticket listings currently show Pay One Price tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, while Friday and Saturday tickets are listed as admission only, with rides not included.
🎟️Purchase Central Panhandle Fair Tickets
Because ticket terms can vary by day, visitors should carefully check the description for their selected date before purchasing.
The fair also has several policies visitors should know before arriving: clear bags only, no weapons of any kind, and no outside food or drinks.
Make a Night of It in Panama City
For longtime Bay County residents, the Central Panhandle Fair is one of those events that can bring back memories almost instantly, bright midway lights, carnival music, rides spinning against the night sky and the unmistakable smell of fair food.
For families introducing younger children to the fair for the first time, 2026 offers another chance to start those traditions.
2026 Central Panhandle Fair
🎟️Purchase Central Panhandle Fair Tickets
🌐Central Panhandle Fair Official Website
Central Panhandle Fair Facebook
Whether you come for the rides, games, food or simply an evening out with family and friends, the Central Panhandle Fair remains a piece of Bay County tradition, and the midway will soon be lighting up Panama City once again.
What’s your must-have fair food?
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