Country Star Scotty McCreery Joins 2026 NYS Fair Lineup for $8 Concert

There is no denying country music fans are going to want "Five More Minutes" with Scotty McCreery this summer. The country sensation has officially joined the 2026 Great New York State Fair lineup, taking the Suburban Park stage on Tuesday, September 1 at 8:00 p.m.

Fair Director Julie LaFave summed up the excitement perfectly: “Scotty McCreery is a bona fide star, and we’re excited to welcome him to Suburban Park for what is sure to be an incredible performance. Fairgoers of all ages are going to enjoy this show!"

While the music itself won't cost you a dime extra once you're inside the gate, you will want to account for standard fair admission and parking fees to plan your trip smoothly.

Fast Facts: Scotty McCreery at the NYS Fair

• When: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.
• Where: Suburban Park Stage (Western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway)
• Concert Cost: FREE (Included automatically with your gate admission)
• Fair Admission: $8 for adults; Free for kids under 12 and seniors 65+. Tickets go on sale later this summer.
• Parking & Shuttles: Parking in public fairgrounds lots is $12 (plus small online card processing fees). Cash is no longer accepted at the gate; EZPass Plus is also no longer an option. Free parking is available at Centro Park-N-Ride locations.
• Shuttle service runs $1.00 each way for adults ($0.50 for seniors and kids 6–9).

A Grand Ole Opry Star with 15 Years of Staying Power

McCreery has been a household name for nearly half his life. He shot to fame in 2011, making history as the first country artist and the youngest male artist of any genre to debut a first studio album (Clear as Day) at #1 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200 chart.

He has since built a massive career with over 4 million albums sold and 7 #1 radio hits, including recent favorites like "Cab in a Solo," "Damn Strait," and "This is It," as well as major collaborations like "Bottle Rockets" featuring Hootie & The Blowfish.

His industry peers have certainly noticed. After being invited by Garth Brooks, McCreery was officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 2024 by country legends Josh Turner and Randy Travis, following his 2023 induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

Catch Brand-New Music Live This September

The timing of the September 1st Syracuse show couldn't be better for local fans. McCreery is releasing a highly anticipated retrospective album, 15, on July 17.

The project celebrates his first decade and a half as a recording artist, packing in nine of his biggest career hits alongside four brand-new tracks. Among the new music is his highly anticipated rendition of "Your Man" featuring Josh Turner. Because the album drops about six weeks before his fair date, Upstate crowds will be among the very first to hear these new songs live.

 Part of the Most Affordable State Fair Lineup in America

The Great New York State Fair is consistently recognized as one of the top five state fairs in the nation, and it holds the crown as the most affordable state fair in the entire country. Founded in 1841, it is the oldest fair in the United States and serves as a major anchor for Central New York tourism.

This year's Chevrolet Music Series features a massive roster of 41 national recording acts across two main stages. Chevy Court features daily sets at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., while Suburban Park anchors the evening entertainment at 8:00 p.m.

Seating at both venues is strictly first-come, first-served. To help you plan your summer trips to the Syracuse Fairgrounds, here is the current 2026 concert schedule announced so far:

Suburban Park Lineup (8:00 p.m. Daily)

• Wednesday, Aug. 26: The All-American Rejects
• Thursday, Aug. 27: Sean Paul
• Friday, Aug. 28: Melissa Etheridge
• Sunday, Aug. 30: Flo Rida
• Monday, Aug. 31: Ashanti
• Tuesday, Sept. 1: Scotty McCreery
• Wednesday, Sept. 2: Tori Kelly
• Thursday, Sept. 3: ZZ Top
• Friday, Sept. 4: Violent Femmes
• Saturday, Sept. 5: Trace Adkins

Chevy Court Lineup (1:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. Daily)

• Wednesday, Aug. 26: The Commodores (1 p.m.) & Quiet Riot (6 p.m.)
• Thursday, Aug. 27: The Calling (1 p.m.) & Cooper Alan (6 p.m.). Student Youth Day (Free gate admission for anyone 18 and under)
• Friday, Aug. 28: Kenny Metcalf as Elton (1 p.m.) & Brandy Clark (6 p.m.)
• Saturday, Aug. 29: Maddox Batson (6 p.m.)
• Sunday, Aug. 30: Air Supply (6 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Sept. 2: Wilson Phillips (1 p.m.) & Priscilla Block (6 p.m.)
• Thursday, Sept. 3: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone (1 p.m.) & Jesse McCartney (6 p.m.)
• Friday, Sept. 4: Better Than Ezra (1 p.m.) & Braxton Keith (6 p.m.)
• Sunday, Sept. 6: The Magic School Bus (1 p.m.)

Note: Chevy Court will also host two special late-night 9:00 p.m. shows: DJ Pretty Mess on Friday, August 28, and a Shrek Rave on Friday, September 4.

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New York State Fair Dates & Logistics

The Great New York State Fair runs from Wednesday, August 26, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.

While every single show in the music series is free to attend once you cross the gates, fairgoers should plan ahead for standard entry and travel costs. Admission tickets are $8 for adults, and completely free for children under 12 and seniors aged 65 and older.