Blog > When is the Markham Fair 2026 and what does it cost?
When is the Markham Fair 2026 and what does it cost?
The Markham Fair runs Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 at the Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road, at the northeast corner of McCowan and Elgin Mills. Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under, and gate admission includes the monster truck show, the demolition derby, live entertainment and all exhibits. Midway rides are separate: a Ride All Day pass is $46 and is sold in advance only, not during the fair. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
The Midway Pass Rule People Miss
Start here, because it costs families money every year.
The Ride All Day midway pass is $46 and can only be bought in advance, from mid August until the day before the fair opens. The fair states plainly that discount Ride All Day midway passes are not for sale during the Markham Fair.
If you turn up on Saturday with three children and no passes, you are buying individual ride tickets at full price. Buy ahead through World's Finest Shows.
Hours and Admission
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026 |
| Thursday to Saturday | 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. |
| Sunday | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Adults | $25 |
| Children 12 and under | $10 |
| Midway Ride All Day pass | $46, advance purchase only |
| Location | Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road |
No admittance after 10:00 p.m. Gate admission covers the monster truck show, the demolition derby, live entertainment and every exhibit on the grounds.
The fair's published admission pricing has appeared inconsistently across its own pages in past years. Confirm at markhamfair.ca or by phone before you leave, particularly if you are travelling with a group.
Getting There
The fairgrounds sit at the northeast corner of McCowan Road and Elgin Mills Road, on 104 acres with a half mile track and four wood stables.
- From Highway 401: exit at McCowan and head north
- From Highway 407: exit at McCowan and head north
- From Highway 404: exit at Elgin Mills and head east
Saturday is the busiest day. If you can go Thursday or Sunday, the grounds are meaningfully easier to navigate with young children.
What Is On
The headline attractions
- Monster Truck Madness with FMX freestyle motocross bikes and fireworks
- Truck and tractor pull
- Demolition derby
- Midway rides and games from World's Finest Shows
- Live concerts
The agricultural side
- Livestock shows and equestrian events
- Sheep shearing demonstrations
- Homecraft, horticulture, baking and photography competitions
- Cooking demonstrations
- Artisan vendors
Roughly 3,000 exhibitors enter more than 12,000 items each year. The competition halls are the part visitors most often skip and most often enjoy once they wander in.
A Fair Older Than Canada
The Markham and East York Agricultural Society was founded in 1844, twenty-three years before Confederation. The earliest recorded fair was held in 1857.
It has been cancelled only four times: during both world wars, in 1917 and 1918 and again from 1942 to 1944, and in 2020 during the pandemic. It moved to its present McCowan Road grounds in 1977, having previously been held at the southeast corner of Main Street and Highway 7.
Today it draws upwards of 80,000 people annually and is widely described as the largest fall fair in Ontario. Its own tagline is celebrating agriculture, community and sustainability since 1844.
Michael John Lau, a REALTOR® serving home buyers and home sellers in Markham, Ontario, sends relocating clients here for the same reason he sends them to the Markham Museum. Markham is usually introduced to newcomers as a technology and business city, which is true and incomplete. The fair is the agricultural community it grew from, still operating.
Practical Notes
- No pets. Service dogs only.
- Wheelchair accessible, with free wheelchairs available at two information booths.
- Monster truck rides are offered separately at roughly $10 per person, typically from 11:00 a.m. until dusk.
- Bring cash for smaller vendors, though most take cards.
- Dress for October. Much of the fair is outdoors and evenings turn cold quickly.
Living Near the Fairgrounds
Four days a year, the McCowan and Elgin Mills area gets busy. Traffic thickens, and evening events at the grounds carry sound.
For most of the year it is simply north Markham, close to Highway 404 at Elgin Mills and within reach of Angus Glen, Cathedraltown and Victoria Square. First quarter 2026 detached averages were approximately $1,938,000 in Angus Glen, $1,825,000 in Cathedraltown and $1,024,000 in Victoria Square.
If you are buying in this pocket, ask about the fair the way you would ask about any seasonal factor. Four days of activity a year is a genuine consideration for some households and a selling point for others.
Questions about your own property or timeline? Call Michael John Lau, REALTOR®, at (416) 700-0286 for a direct answer on your street and your situation.
The Rest of Markham's Fall Calendar
- Saturday, September 12: Markham-Milliken Children's Festival at Aaniin Community Centre, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., free entry, with shuttle parking at Milliken Mills Community Centre
- Saturday, September 19: AppleFest at the Markham Museum, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., $14 adults
- Saturday, September 26: Doors Open Markham, free, 17 heritage sites
- Saturdays to October 10: Markham Village Farmers' Market, Main Street and Robinson Street
- Saturday, October 25: Halloween on Main in Unionville
- Saturday, October 31: Trick or Treat on Main Street Markham
- Friday, November 27: Festival of Lights on Main Street Markham
- Saturday, November 28: Markham Santa Claus Parade
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Markham Fair 2026?
Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Markham Fairgrounds, 10801 McCowan Road.
How much are Markham Fair tickets?
$25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Gate admission includes the monster truck show, demolition derby, live entertainment and all exhibits. Midway rides are separate.
How much is the Markham Fair midway pass?
A Ride All Day pass is $46 and is sold in advance only, from mid August until the day before the fair. Discount passes are not sold during the fair itself.
What are the Markham Fair hours?
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday. No admittance after 10:00 p.m.
Can I bring my dog to the Markham Fair?
No. Service dogs only.
How old is the Markham Fair?
The Markham and East York Agricultural Society was founded in 1844 and the earliest recorded fair was in 1857, making it one of Canada's oldest. It draws upwards of 80,000 people a year across a 104 acre site.
Thinking about north Markham?
Michael John Lau knows what living near each Markham pocket actually involves, seasonally and year round.
Michael John Lau, REALTOR® · Markham, Ontario · (416) 700-0286
Disclaimer. Michael John Lau is a licensed REALTOR® serving buyers and sellers in Markham, Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area. Fair dates, hours and admission prices are current to September 2026 and are subject to change. Attendees are encouraged to confirm details directly with Markham Fair before travelling.