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The Big E 2024: Your guide to New England’s biggest fair
West Springfield's massive fairgrounds will welcome more than a million visitors for The Big E 2024 starting Sept. 13.
One sure sign that fall is just around the corner: The Eastern States Exposition (known by all as The Big E) returns to Springfield this week, welcoming nearly 1.5 million visitors to its Hampden County grounds.
Dating back to 1916, The Big E is New England’s version of beloved state fairs across America, with all six New England states represented at its grounds.
For its 2024 edition, the fair, which runs from Sept. 13-29, will have even more live musical acts, all of its beloved agricultural competitions, and plenty of the deliciously deep-fried treats visitors have come to expect.
Whether you’re a veteran visitor or a first-time fair-goer, here’s everything you need to know about The Big E 2024.
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Click the links below to jump directly to the following information:
- What’s New at The Big E 2024
- The Big E 2024: Tickets and pricing
- The Big E 2024: Hours, Parking, Transportation
- Full schedule of music acts at The Big E 2024
What’s new at The Big E 2024
New food at The Big E 2024
Like many state fairs, The Big E 2024 has its fair share of deliciously indulgent food options. More than 75 new menu items will make their debut at this year’s fair, including five different types of deviled eggs, served regular or deep-fried.
Many of the new food vendors will be found in the Better Living Center, which has been completely overhauled for The Big E 2024. There you’ll find vendors selling sweet and savory crepes (The Nook); a reimagined Craz-E Burger made with Angus beef and smashed between two doughnuts (The Emporium); and cotton candy-topped cocktails (The Cantina).
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It’s not all gluttonous gastronomy, though: More than 40 food and drink vendors at this year’s fair will feature gluten-free options, while 10 vendors will offer vegan items, including Front Porch eatery SoulFully Vegan.
If you want the most bang for your buck, visit The Big E on Monday, Sept. 16 for the fair’s Three-Buck Bites day. More than 50 vendors will have select menu items available for only $3.
No more exotic animals
In years past, the Big E allowed visitors to see animals like lions, tigers, and elephants up close and personal at its Circus Spectacular. But with a new Massachusetts law passed earlier this summer bans the use of those animals in circus exhibitions.
Animal rights activists pointed to Beulah — a 54-year-old Asian elephant that died of blood poisoning caused by a uterine infection while at The Big E in 2019 — as a turning point in their legislative battle.
Big E President Eugene Cassidy publicly denounced the ban, while admitting that the lack of circus animals would not have a major impact on Big E ticket sales.
“They were a centerpiece of the American circus,” Cassidy told MassLive. “This movement has put the American circus out of business.”
The Big E 2024: Tickets and pricing
How much do tickets cost?
There are several different price tiers for admission to The Big E 2024, as well as a number of ways to get discounted prices. (More on that below.)
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The standard one-day general admission to the fair costs $20 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $12 for children ages 6 to 12, and free for children ages 5 and under. Those prices are the same whether you’re purchasing online or at the fairgrounds.
If you’re planning on making repeat visits, a full season pass, good for admission to all 17 days of The Big E, costs $70 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $35 for children ages 6 to 12.
How much do carnival rides cost?
When it comes to amusement park rides on the Big E’s Midway, you have two choices on how to buy tickets. You can either purchase a Midway Magic pass that allows for unlimited carnival rides for $35, or you can purchase a specific number of ride tickets, which can be redeemed as you board the ride. The cheapest rides cost nine tickets, while the most expensive — the giant ferris wheel — costs 21 tickets.
Here’s how much it costs to purchase ride tickets.
- 1 Ticket – $.50
- 20 Tickets – $10
- 45 Tickets – $20
- 65 Tickets – $30
- 140 Tickets – $60
- 240 Tickets – $98
And here is the full list of carnival rides at The Big E, as well as ticket costs and height requirements.
How do I get discounted tickets?
If you’re not heading to The Big E until after work, the fair offers $11 admission for entry after 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
Seniors (ages 60 and up) also enjoy $16 admission all day Sunday through Thursday.
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Finally, those who show a military ID (either active duty or military veterans) can enjoy free admission on opening day, Friday, Sept. 13.
The Big E: 2024: Hours, Parking and Transportation
When does The Big E 2024 open?
Visitors to The Big E 2024 have plenty of flexibility when it comes to planning their day. Gates to the fairgrounds open at 8 a.m., with most shops and attractions opening at 10 a.m. and areas generally closing down for the night sometime between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Here’s a detailed look at the hours for The Big E 2024:
- Gates: 8am
- The Big E Bakery: 9 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Buildings and Craft Common: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Avenue of States and Storrowton Village Museum & Shops: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- New England Center: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- Midway: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Parking and Transportation
The Big E is a short drive from several major highways: I-91 for guests hailing from points North and South, and I-90 for visitors traveling from the East and West. Parking access for cars, vans, and trucks is at Gate 9, and costs $10, while motorcycles cost $5. Be warned: Parking is cash only, and there are no ATMs near Gate 9.
If you’re dropping off or picking up guests, you can utilize Gate 9A.
If you’d prefer to avoid the long waits at the parking lots, you can take a free shuttle from Union Station in Springfield.
Music at The Big E 2024
For live entertainment, head to one of The Big E’s three primary musical stages, where more than 50 artists will play over the festival’s full run. The Big E Arena hosts the largest headline acts each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night at 7:30, including artists like Ludacris, Diplo, Umphrey’s McGee and Public Enemy.
It should be noted that unlike the other stages, The Big E Arena costs between $39 and $69, depending on the artist. That price also includes a daily pass to the rest of The Big E.
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Over on the Court of Honor Stage, you’ll hear everyone from one-hit wonders (Wang Chung, Deep Blue Something) to throwback performers (Fuel, Hinder, Debby Boone).
Finally, The E Stage is reserved for up-and-coming talent, so stop by if you want to hear the next big thing before anyone else.
The Big E 2024: Full Music Lineup, Schedule
The Big E Arena (all shows at 7:30 p.m.)
- Friday, Sept. 13: Phil Witham (with Bogie)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: Ludacris
- Sunday, Sept. 15: Umphrey’s McGee (with Lotus)
- Friday, Sept. 20: Dustin Lynch (with Dylan Scott)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: Diplo (with Kito)
- Sunday, Sept. 22: America (with Jim Messina)
- Friday, Sept. 27: Brothers Osborne
- Saturday, Sept. 28: Public Enemy
- Sunday, Sept. 29: Big Time Rush
Court of Honor Stage
- Friday, Sept. 13 to Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 12 p.m.: DNA Mindreaders
- Friday, Sept. 13 to Sunday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m.: Siamsa Tire: The National Folk Theatre of Ireland
- Friday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m.: Let’s Sing Taylor
- Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m.: Young Dubliners
- Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.: Average White Band
- Monday, Sept. 16 to Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.: Chubby Checker
- Monday, Sept. 16 to Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.: Australian Bee Gees
- Wednesday, Sept. 18 to Thursday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.: Debby Boone
- Wednesday Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.: Asia
- Thursday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m.: Paul Russell
- Friday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m.: Deep Blue Something
- Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.: Fuel
- Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.: Pepa of Salt-N-Pepa
- Monday, Sept. 23 to Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m.: Herman’s Hermits
- Monday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m.: Wang Chung
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Sept. 29 at 12 p.m.: Powerhouse
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 to Thursday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.: Femmes of Rock
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m.: Slaughter
- Thursday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.: Great Southern
- Friday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Sept. 29: Andy Kim
- Friday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.: Lisa Loeb
- Saturday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m.: Matt Friend
- Sunday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m.: Hinder
The E Stage
- Friday, Sept. 13 at 12:30 p.m.: Wyn and the White Light
- Friday, Sept. 13 at 4:30 p.m.: Reservations at 8
- Friday, Sept. 13 at 8:30 p.m.: Sláinte
- Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m.: The Corner Boys
- Saturday, Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.: Ruby Leftstep
- Saturday, Sept. 14 at 8:30 p.m.: Hello Sister
- Sunday, Sept. 15 at 12:30 p.m: Charlie Marie
- Sunday, Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m.: Sarah the Fiddler
- Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8:30 p.m.: The New Limits
- Monday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m.: King Saison
- Monday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m.: Delta Generators
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m.: Natasha Ramos and the Casuals
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.: Padded Waltz
- Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 3 p.m.: Stoneface Mountain
- Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m: JULAI and the Serotones
- Thursday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.: nuVos
- Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.: Leon Trout
- Friday, Sept. 20 at 12:30 p.m.: Katie Dobbins
- Friday, Sept. 20 at 4:30 p.m.: CATWOLF
- Friday, Sept. 20 at 8:30 p.m.: The Breaks Inc.
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m.: Derek O’Kanos
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m.: Rolling Nectar
- Saturday, Sept. 21 at 8:30 p.m.: Krishna Guthrie Band
- Sunday, Sept. 22 at 12:30 p.m.: Audio Jane
- Sunday, Sept. 22 at 4:30 p.m.: Natalia Bonfini
- Sunday, Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m.: Buddahfly
- Monday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m.: J Smith & The Oddballs
- Monday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.: Mainline
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m.: Our Common Roots
- Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.: Slow Burn
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.: River Sang Wild
- Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m.: Immuter
- Thursday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.: Madison Curbelo
- Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.: Maddi Ryan
- Friday, Sept. 27 at 12:30 p.m.: Jeaux
- Friday, Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m.: Drop Party
- Friday, Sept. 27 at 8:30 p.m.: Elle Baez
- Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12:30 p.m.: John Spignesi Band
- Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m.: The 413s
- Saturday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 p.m.: Noah Richardson
- Sunday, Sept. 29 at 12:30 p.m.: DAYMEN
- Sunday, Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m.: Jelly
- Sunday, Sept. 29 at 8:30 p.m.: LASTMINUTE
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