The Big E
The Big E
4.5
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
646 reviews
Excellent
374
Very good
165
Average
65
Poor
23
Terrible
19
Biscuit1
4 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
Heartless and Insensitive people who run this show. I purchased two advance tickets to their latest show at the Big E. My wife and planned on taking our grandson. Unfortunately, we were exposed to Covid from a family member and quarantined ourselves and could not go to the show. I contacted the show office on Saturday January 29th . i explained to the woman who answered about the Covid situation and asked about how to get a refund. She became very belligerent and screamed "NO REFUNDS!". She then said to contact the President of the event, Joe Biagioni the following week and talk to him. I called back later several days later and left Biagioni a message reviewing the Covid situation and asked about a refund. There has been no response. We are senior citizens on a fixed income and can not afford to lose the $30 that we paid for these tickets.
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
motorcycle nannie
Londonderry, NH3 contributions
Sept 2021 • Family
The quality of this years Big E is really missing the mark. The food and the vendors are so different. I remember so many vendors in the buildings and this year it seems only junk merchandise is available. The states buildings are practically empty and of the few vendors representing, the prices are crazy expensive. I hate being ripped off Took me longer to get to the big E than we were there. Very disappointed
Written 19 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYC Edge
Queens, NY402 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
There is so much to do at The Big E that you just gotta try and get here at some point during the 2 weeks that it runs.
So many food options, so many things to do and see. You can do it all in a day but it will likely take at least 2. If you only have one day, then do what you can. Go back next year.
When you go, just the guide for the entertainment. The music events usually have at least one "name" act per day (and sometimes they perform in the 'Court of Honor' at no additional charge.
Try to make a visit a yearly event. You won't be disappointed.
So many food options, so many things to do and see. You can do it all in a day but it will likely take at least 2. If you only have one day, then do what you can. Go back next year.
When you go, just the guide for the entertainment. The music events usually have at least one "name" act per day (and sometimes they perform in the 'Court of Honor' at no additional charge.
Try to make a visit a yearly event. You won't be disappointed.
Written 3 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nevesdawn
Dartmouth, MA17 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
LOVE LOVE LOVE This fair! Tons of food choices, crafts, vendors, carnival rides, games to play that you can actually win a stuffed animal from! There's a circus, a parade every day, petting zoo, ride a camel, horse shows, alpacas, the New England states exhibits and oh my the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses!
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dustythoughts
Manchester, CT2 235 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
This fabulous annual fair is a marvelous way to get to know New England culture. Come and stuff yourself with fried dough and corndogs, wander through each state’s pavilion to experience that state’s cuisine and culture, interact with the animals, and ride the rides. Parking can be super difficult, especially on weekends. If you can, come during the week when there are fewer people.
Written 29 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail S
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Friends
I wanted to see the Giant Pumpkins so I went to look it up on the map where it would be. Online it said it is in the Stroh building. However, they changed the name of the building to "Farm-A-Rama" and after 2 visits to the Big E and looking all over for the Stroh building, I finally gave up. I went online looking up old maps to see where the Stroh building would be. I found an old map showing that the Stroh buiding is now the Farm-A-Rama building. I really wish I knew this because I walked everywhere to find the Stroh building and left very disappointed both times when I couldn't find it after using the map and spending 2 days there. Big E should have announced or updated their 2024 map to reflect where the Stroh building is and how the name has changed to be the Farm-A-Rama building. There is literally no Stroh building on their entire 2024 map! This made me miss finding the Giant Pumpkins and ultimately ruining my experience.
Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coastal00645726831
1 contribution
Sept 2024 • Family
We went on Tuesday expecting less people but it was a good turn out.We made a plan to go to what we wanted to try first, 2nd etc. It worked out great even though we side tracked on the way!Salmon on a stick, Pilgrim grinder,steak and cheese egg rolls and poutine were excellent! Cheap no. But about the same price if we went out to dinner at a restaurant and to hang out with my kids is priceless! And NO we didn't have any problems. That's reserved for people that over indulge. We had a great time!
Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jtg1961
Ocala, FL190 contributions
Sept 2022
I've been to many state fairs over the years and this one rates towards the best. We went on a Monday and we were grateful that we did as it was a traffic nightmare so I can't imagine how bad it is on the weekend. The parking is painless and run well and reasonably priced. There is plenty to do and it's like visiting six state fairs in one which is pretty cool. The food is good and reasonably priced for a state fair. The ag exhibits are plentiful, there a plenty of rides for the kiddos and the state capitols and vintage village were interesting with plenty of free entertainment at the main pavilion. We all had a lot of fun here.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel O
Massachusetts390 contributions
Sept 2021
We went on Sept. 26th. We got there about 5 p.m. The whole thing is mega huge, w/tons of parking lots/spaces. The traffic was guided very nicely. The only negative thing i must say was the lack of caring for the disabled. We asked at least 5 transporters if we could get a ride into the place. Every single one said they were off duty. This happened once again when we left about 930 pm. It took an hour when we left to finally get help to our car. I wrote a complaint to the facility and the ADA.
This fair had everything, from a to z. Regardless, when it came down to it, it was still a fair though. They charged for parking and to get in. We did like that the Marines and the Clydesdales were there . Mostly everything to buy, no matter what is was, was expensive-naturally. My favorite building was VT because it smelled of maple everywhere!
They definitely need to put more places to sit down though. We used the brick walls that we could find and a stage.
it is definitely a fun experience but i doubt i would ever go back. Once you've seen a large fair, you have seen them all.
This fair had everything, from a to z. Regardless, when it came down to it, it was still a fair though. They charged for parking and to get in. We did like that the Marines and the Clydesdales were there . Mostly everything to buy, no matter what is was, was expensive-naturally. My favorite building was VT because it smelled of maple everywhere!
They definitely need to put more places to sit down though. We used the brick walls that we could find and a stage.
it is definitely a fun experience but i doubt i would ever go back. Once you've seen a large fair, you have seen them all.
Written 8 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelsWithGeorge
Randolph, VT195 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
I used to go to the big E when I was a kid but after going there for the America concert last month I will not be going back again, and would never take my family there.
First issue was horrendous traffic and not enough parking. After 45 minutes stuck going nowhere I ended up paying to park in a private lot at a car dealer.
Second issue was ridiculous wall to wall crowds and lines for food vendors.
Third issue was no men's restrooms anywhere in sight and no signs saying where they were. I eventually found a port-a-potty.
Fourth issue was alcohol sales and letting people walk around drunk with open containers.
Fifth issue was the music "arena" which is actually just folding metal chairs set up in front of a stage and some bleachers.
Sixth issue was filth and trash everywhere.
The concert was the only good thing.
First issue was horrendous traffic and not enough parking. After 45 minutes stuck going nowhere I ended up paying to park in a private lot at a car dealer.
Second issue was ridiculous wall to wall crowds and lines for food vendors.
Third issue was no men's restrooms anywhere in sight and no signs saying where they were. I eventually found a port-a-potty.
Fourth issue was alcohol sales and letting people walk around drunk with open containers.
Fifth issue was the music "arena" which is actually just folding metal chairs set up in front of a stage and some bleachers.
Sixth issue was filth and trash everywhere.
The concert was the only good thing.
Written 5 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nori S
Worcester, Massachusetts
when buying tickets at the box office, can i use an amex card? credit card?
Written 21 September 2023
I bought mine on line and it was with a credit card. Didn’t buy on site and didn’t look at ticket windows when I came in. Sorry.
Written 22 September 2023
Show times to see the Saddlebred show classes on the 23,24, 25, 26, September 2022.
Written 18 September 2022
Where to Park for Big E rather than Gate 9, just outside with a 5 minute or so walk, & cost 2022 coming from NJ
Written 14 August 2022
Gates open at 8, things start up anytime after 9. Some buildings open at 10. I would go early and spend the day and miss the traffic
Written 14 September 2019
There is a parade every day. Weekends there are more participants (school bands, etc) Volunteers who want to costume up and ride the floats can do so early in the day. Doesn't matter where you are to view the parade the route runs a loop around the whole fairgrounds, just line up early to get 'front row'.
Written 14 March 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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