Spectaculars

The Great American Duck Races

The Great American Duck Race features live mallard ducks raced on a water track. You may be one of the lucky ones chosen to hold and release one of the world’s fastest mallards into it's racing lane. Prizes are awarded to all winners. These ducks have been featured on the Tonight Show, Wall Street Journal and People Magazine. It will definitely quack you up! “You can’t watch a duck race without smiling.”

Location: Youth Hall Courtyard
Hours: 10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:30pm, 5:15pm, *7:00pm (Fri & Sat Only)

Salsa Steel Drum Band
This popular steel drum band plays uplifting music with a heavy groove. Salsa Steel performs across the United States and Mexico, including popular venues like Disneyland, Legoland, The Tijuana Cultural Center, Fairs, Expos, Festivals, and college campuses. The band will be performing Island, Reggae, Calypso, Latin, and Classic Rock music at the Expo this year. Come move to the sounds of Salsa Steel!

Locations: Gate 4 Entrance
Everyday: 11:00am, 12:45pm, 2:30pm, 4:15pm, 6:00pm

Stilt Circus
Stilt Circus is a 3-time award-winning company. Our world-class performers have delighted audiences on multiple continents with their surreal blend of dazzling crowd interaction and feats of exceptionally skilled abilities for over two decades. Stilt Circus looks forward to returning to the 2024 New Mexico State Fair and will be gliding through the fairgrounds with festive stilt artistry, captivating both the young and young-at-heart. Star and Rich will be presenting a different handcrafted costume/character each day of the fair, so come find us and get your picture taken with your Tall friends of Stilt Circus! We are excited to see you all!

Location: Strolling Act
Every day: 2:00pm, 6:00pm

Southwest Dairy Farmers
Trained instructors from the dairy industry will demonstrate how to milk a cow, describe how milk goes from the farm to the fridge, and then answer questions from the audience. This is an innovative program that brings the dairy experience directly to audiences of all ages!

Location: Pattern Energy Jr. Livestock Pavilion/Dairy Barn
Every day: 9:30am, 11:15am, 1:00pm, 2:45pm, 4:30pm

Sea Lion Splash

Educational and entertaining sea lion show. You will learn about the differences between seals and sea lions and be amazed at what an amazing animal a sea lion is.

Location: Kiddie Lot
Everyday: 11:30am, 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6:15pm, *8:30pm (Fri & Sat Only)

Foam Zone
Experience the fun and foaminess of the Foam Zone! Fun for everyone as you dive into the thrill of cloudy like foam.

Location: Heritage Ave.
Hours:12:30pm, 2:30pm, 5:00pm

Great American Petting Zoo

The Petting Zoo is a unique attraction allowing animal lovers to interact with the animals in a barrier-free pen. Fairgoers get an up-close and personal experience with cute and cuddly animals of all kinds. Feel free to touch and see what a truly unique hands-on animal exhibit the petting zoo really is.

Location: Box Car Lawn
Sunday- Thursday: 10:00 am - 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm

FREE ENTRY

$5.00 per cup of food, $8.00 two cups, or $1.00 with coin machine

Lorikeets Encounter

Lorikeets Encounter is a Fun-filled experience where anyone can enjoy and learn about these beautiful, gentle birds. Guests will experience a unique encounter as they hold a mini cup of nectar specially formulated for lorikeets

Location: Heritage Ave. West
Sunday- Thursday: 10:00 am- 9:00 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm

*$5.00 fee

*$6 credit card

Great American Pony Rides
Children from one year old and up to 90 pounds will be able to come ride their favorite pony in this one-of-a-kind living carousel pony ride!

Location: Box Car Lawn
Sunday-Thursday 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday 10:00am - 10:00pm

*$12 fee, 4x6 Photo $15 fee

Sir Loin - The Mechanical Bull
Channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl to try and last 8 seconds on the roughest, toughest, rankest bull at the New Mexico State Fair: Sir Loin! Shoot your shot and earn your spurs at one of the most popular spectaculars at the Fair, year after year!

Location: Adventure Alley
Sunday-Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday- Saturday: 10:00am- 10:00pm
Hours may be extended on Friday and Saturday as well as on concert nights
*$10 fee, $12 Photos

Great American Pig Races

Cheech has brought a few of his friends for some fair time fun! They are faster than a chicken, chubbier than a goat – round, cute and built for speed. Here come the Pigs! The latest racers to hit the Great American Speedway, each exciting educational show includes four heats featuring audience participation, pig trivia, and prizes for the winning cheerleaders. Pick out your favorite porcine pacer and root for them!

Location: Box Car Lawn
Every day: 10:30am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm

Monkey Hut Educational Exhibit
Amazon Wonders is proud to bring to the New Mexico State fair. A family of Capuchin monkeys for a live interaction and educational time!

Location: Main Street
Sunday - Thursday: 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00am - 10:00pm

*$5 fee
*$6 credit card

Giant Snake Educational Experience

We bring to the New Mexico State fair one of the biggest snakes in captivity over 23ft reticulated python!

Location: Main Street
Sunday - Thursday:10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Friday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

*$5 cash fee

*$6 credit card

Sling Shot
Sling Shot Thrill Rides shoots you 240 feet in the air at speeds of almost 100 miles per hour. It is addicting and never loses its popularity!

Location: Adventure Alley
Sunday- Thursday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:00 am- 10:00 pm

*$35 fee (two people required)

NEW THIS YEAR: BOOM! Percussion Entertainment
New to this year's fair is BOOM! Percussion Entertainment!

Location: Strolling Act
Every day: 12:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 5:15 p.m.

NEW THIS YEAR: Dino Encounters

The Dino Encounters Show! Travel back in time 65 million years to the Cretaceous period! Children will get to meet and learn about five different dinosaurs that were all found in North America.

Location: Gate 1
10:00am-9:00pm (Sun-Thurs), 10:00am-10:00pm (Fri & Sat): Shows 1:15pm, 3:45pm, 6:30pm

NEW THIS YEAR: Dueling Pirates High Dive Show
New to this year's fair is the Dueling Pirates High Dive Show!

Location: Adventure Alley
Every day: 11:15 am (Fri. and Sat. only), 1:45pm, 4:15pm, 6:45pm

Robocars
ROBOCARS are unique, transforming robot vehicles with skilled operators, including cars, trucks, and more!

Location: Strolling Act
Every day: 1:15pm, 4:00pm, 6:45pm

New Mexico State Fair AmbassaDOGS
Location: Strolling Act

9/10-9/13 and 9/16-9/2020: 10:00am-12:00pm, 6:00pm-8:00pm

Spectaculars (Special Entertainment)

Stay Tuned For 2026 Entertainment Spectaculars.