CarnivalWarehouse.com publishes the industry's official top 50 fair and carnival ranking. Annually, fairs are assessed based on attendance and calculated with a special patented formula to determine their official ranking. In addition to the nations top fairs, the carnivals that provide amusement rides for the fairs are also ranked based on the number of fairs within a given year's top 50 list that they play.
Since 2006, CarnivalWarehouse.com has received national recognition for its Top 50 Fair list, being covered nationally by the Chicago Tribune, New York Times, as well as numerous local publications and business journals.
Official Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals Playing the Top 50:
2023 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
The annual Top 50 Fairs, as compiled by Carnival Warehouse, ranks the top fairs in North America and 2023 contained very positive indicators for the continued success of the fair industry, cementing its place in popular culture and the North American economy. It's an outdoor business, and with climate change disrupting weather patterns worldwide, many fairs saw attendance downticks, some as high as 26.8 percent, such as K Days (Edmonton), knocking this Canadian event down from 23 in 2022 to 31 in 2023 - but a slight majority saw increases over 2022.
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
View 2023 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
2023 Top 50 Fairs Story
2023 Top Carnivals Playing the Top 50 Fairs Story
2022 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Overall, the industry had a very strong year. If 2021 was a recovery year, 2022 was a restoration. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, more people attended the largest fairs in North America in 2022 than they did in 2021.
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2021 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Many fairs make a comeback after cancelations in 2020, however, several fairs and carnivals make their top 50 debut due to cancelations of several fairs in 2021.
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
View 2021 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
2021 Top 50 Fairs Story
2021 Top Carnivals Playing the Top 50 Fairs Story
2020 Top 20 Fairs & Carnivals
The COVID-19 Pandemic had an adverse effect on the fair industry resulting in the cancellation of most events. Instead of our usual Top 50 Fairs, we compiled a list of the Top 20 Fairs of 2020.
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
View 2020 Top 20 Fairs & Carnivals
2020 Top 20 Fairs & Carnivals Press Release
2019 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Larger Fairs Rediscover Community; Dallas regains top spot
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
View 2019 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
2019 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals Press Release
2018 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Improved Economy Benefits Fairs; Top Performers Aided by Operational Reinvestment
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
View 2018 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
2018 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals Press Release
2017 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Houston holds top slot with record year; six fairs record record attendance
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2016 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Houston takes top slot; New York up 23.1% over 2015; IL State Fair drops off the list.
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2015 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Texas State Fair up 22.7%; Maryland State Fair up 58.5% over 2014; while IL State Fair down 53.8%
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2014 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Attendance up 1% over 2013 at top 50 fairs; Calgary Stampede up 25% over 2013
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2013 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Attendance up 1% over 2012 at top 50 fairs
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2012 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Overall attendance remains on par with 2011
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2011 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Texas State Fair Remains in the #1 spot
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2010 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Texas State Fair returns to #1 spot
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2009 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo rises to #1 spot
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2008 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
Texas State Fair retains top rank, Wilson County (Leabnon, TN) makes list for first time.
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2007 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
North America's Top 50 Fairs drew over 41,000,000 visitors in 2007 and Texas State Fair remains #1
Sponsored by Berk Concession Supply
2006 Top 50 Fairs & Carnivals
CarnivalWarehouse.com Releases first annual Top 50 Fair & Carnival Ranking
