Sensory-Friendly Hours and Activities at the 2026 Illinois State Fair in Springfield

The Illinois State Fair offers free entertainment, sensory-friendly activities and a dedicated quiet zone for individuals with sensory-processing needs

The 2026 Illinois State Fair is happening Aug. 13 -23 at the fairgrounds, 801. E. Sangamon Ave., in Springfield.

We are excited to again partner with the Illinois State Fair to provide inclusive, accessible fun for families!

Our Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) team members will be at the fair’s Sensory Station from Thursday, Aug. 13, to Monday, Aug. 17. The Sensory Station is open each day of the fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.. It is located inside the Emmerson Building, just off Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue in the center of the fairgrounds.

The Sensory Station is an air-conditioned, quiet zone with tools and activities for children and adults who need help processing the sights, smells, noises and crowds at the fair, including:

• Calming pods
• A foam block pit
• A stuffed animal “petting zoo”
• A twinkle tunnel, coloring station and other sensory-processing activities
• Sensory bags families can check out to use while exploring the fairgrounds

There is also stroller parking, a diaper changing station and a nursing area at the Sensory Station’s entrance.

Stop at DSCC’s tent just outside the Sensory Station to enjoy rock-painting and coloring activities, along with information about our programs and services for families statewide.

The fair will also host Sensory-friendly Sunflower Hours:

• Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Carnival hours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

During this time, the fair will adjust certain programs and activities to create a more calming environment for individuals with sensory processing sensitivities.

The fair has Sunflower Hours stickers available for families to use during this timeframe. This sticker allows fair visitors with sensory sensitivities to enjoy select amusement rides for free from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Youth must have an adult and/or caregiver accompany them on rides. All riders must have the Sunflower Hours sticker to ride for free.

DSCC has a limited number of stickers available for our program participants. To request a Sunflower Hours sticker, please email dscc@uic.edu with your name and your participant’s name by Aug. 6.

We will send stickers on a first-come, first-served basis.

All families may visit the Sensory Station during the Sunflower Hours event to get more stickers. The stickers will be available while supplies last.

Conservation World, located at the fair’s Eighth Street entrance, will also host Sunflower Hours on Saturday, Aug. 15, and Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Fairgoers can explore the great outdoors in a more peaceful and sensory-friendly setting during these times.

The Illinois State Fair has a social story to help you plan your visit to this year’s event. It is a step-by-step guide to help parents and caregivers explain what to expect during a visit to the Illinois State Fair.

You can find the social story and more details about the Sensory Station, Sunflower Hours, the entertainment schedule and more in the Sensory Friendly Fair section of the Illinois State Fair website.