The Big E
- Dates
- Sep 17 to Oct 3, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Eastern States Exposition
- Price
- $20
- Camping
- Available
- Last checked
- Oct 15, 2026
The Big E returns to Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA, Sep 17 to Oct 3, 2027. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, camping, attendee feedback and travel details.
What to eat & drink
The organiser names its signature Cream Puffs and Craz-E Burger as iconic bites 'plus deep-fried everything.' A Media Center release names NOLA Cajun Kitchen & Raw Bar as the Fairgoer Favorite foodie-award winner (sponsored by CutCo) for a second consecutive year, and names three long-running concessionaires honored for milestone years at the Fair: Yankee Boy at 100 years, and Billie's Baked Potatoes and Captain Nemo's each at 50 years.
The experience
What's special
The Big E, the Eastern States Exposition's name for itself, returns to its West Springfield fairgrounds for 17 consecutive days, September 17 through October 3, 2027, a run already published on the organiser's own event pages. Gate admission at the organiser's FAQ runs twenty dollars for an adult and twelve for a child aged six to twelve, with children five and under free, and the Fair describes itself as the largest event on the East Coast and the fourth largest fair in North America. Gates open at eight in the morning, with individual areas of the grounds, from the Avenue of States to Storrowton Village Museum, keeping their own closing times through the evening, and the Midway running later on Friday and Saturday nights than the rest of the week. The Big E Arena hosts a different ticketed headliner most Friday through Sunday nights, and the organiser's own Arena FAQ states that a concert ticket bought in advance includes that day's Fair admission, so a single purchase covers both. The Court of Honor Stage and The E Stage run free daily shows included with regular gate admission, and vehicle parking at Gate 9 runs ten dollars for a car or truck and five for a motorcycle, cash only
What people love
The organiser names its Cream Puffs and Craz-E Burger as signature, iconic bites, and NOLA Cajun Kitchen & Raw Bar has won the Fairgoer Favorite foodie award for two consecutive years running. The Big E Arena's 2026 run stacked Ice Cube, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, deadmau5, a Twisted Sister and Tesla double header and a closing-night set from Styx, while the free Court of Honor Stage added Switchfoot, Jet and Rare Earth to its daily bill
Last time around
The 2026 Big E ran September 18 through October 4, 2026, opening with the unveiling of Showmen's Park, a permanent walk of fame honoring figures in the outdoor amusement industry, and closing with Styx headlining The Big E Arena
Music & entertainment
Tap an artist to play them right here.
2027 lineup not yet announced. Here's who played in 2026:
Getting there
How do I get to The Big E?
By car
Most people drive to The Big E. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost $10 cash only for cars/trucks, $5 cash only for motorcycles, at Gate 9. Bicycles park free at 915 Memorial Avenue; electric bikes and scooters also park free, chained at the Gate 9 bike racks. In heavy traffic, local law enforcement and State Police direct drivers via the quickest route based on conditions at the time; the organiser asks drivers to follow their directions over GPS guidance
🚙 Car hire
Where
Venue
Eastern States Exposition
Accessibility & comfort
What the organiser or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
The Big E provides more than 1,200 ADA-accessible parking spaces at Gate 9 on a first-come, first-served basis, with complimentary shuttles from Gate 9A to the entrance gate. ADA-accessible restrooms are sited throughout the fairgrounds (Better Living Center, C Barn, Coliseum, Farm-A-Rama, First Aid Station, Food Court, Hampden Avenue Restrooms, Mallary Complex, New England Center, Transportation Center, Visitors' Center East and West, West Road Restrooms, Young Building/International Plaza).
Read the full notes
Scootaround provides wheelchair and scooter rentals inside the Transportation Center at Gates 1B, 4 and 9; wheelchairs (including a limited number of oversized) are $30 per day, electric scooters $80 per day, strollers $15, double strollers and wagons $20, by reservation 24 hours ahead or as walk-up rentals.
Only manual and power wheelchairs are permitted in designated ADA seating at the Big Top, the Court of Honor Stage premium section and The Big E Arena; other power-driven mobility devices are not permitted in those areas
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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