Hill Country/Texas Wine Country/Fredericksburg/Attraction/Gillespie County Fairgrounds
Attraction · Fredericksburg
Gillespie County Fairgrounds
The Gillespie County Fairgrounds is the home of the oldest continuous county fair in Texas, first held in 1881 and reaching its 138th running in 2026. The grounds sit on Fair Drive south of town, next to Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park, and they are busy well beyond fair week: a half-mile track hosts pari-mutuel horse racing on summer weekends, and the halls and pavilions carry Easter Fires, Night in Old Fredericksburg, the Lone Star BBQ cook-off, tractor shows, craft markets, dances and private events through the year. Outside an event the grounds are a quiet place with a gated entrance arch, and there is nothing to tour.
Why people come here
Before you go
There is no general admission outside an event, and nothing to see on the grounds between them. Check the association calendar before driving out.
Good to know
When is the Gillespie County Fair?
Late August. The 138th fair runs 27-30 August 2026, with the parade down Main Street on the Friday morning.
Can you watch horse racing at the fairgrounds?
Yes. Pari-mutuel quarter-horse and thoroughbred racing runs on summer weekends and on two days of the fair. Gates open at 11 and post time is 1 p.m.; adult admission is $10.
Can the fairgrounds be rented for a private event?
Yes. The association rents halls and pavilions for wedding receptions, exhibits and meetings. Call the office at 830-997-2359.
Ask Cooper
Your guide to Fredericksburg and Texas Wine Country.
Which rooms take walk-ins, when Main Street is impossible, the peach season, and what is worth the drive out of town.
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