The North Carolina State Fair for 2023 will run from Thursday, October 12 to Sunday, October 22. The first day of the fair has a different schedule than all the days following. On October 12, gates open at noon, as do exhibit halls and ticket booths. From October 13-22, gates open at 9 a.m. daily and either close at 11 p.m. or midnight. Ticket booths and exhibit halls open at 9 a.m. as well, and depending on the day, they close either at 9:45, 10, or 11 p.m. . Adverse weather may cause shifts in the daily schedule.

Tickets for the event are available for purchase online from August 15 to October 12, and at walk-up locations from September 28 to October 12. Early ticket prices are $10 for ages 13-64, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 5. There are also special event days, such as PrimeTime with the Pack on October 12, where NC State students can purchase admission for $8 when showing their student ID at the gate.