Big E Food 2025
Yes, Big E food in 2025 is bigger, bolder, and cheekier than ever. It’s not just about fried dough anymore — though, trust me, fried dough devotees will still queue up for that classic fix. Creativity is running wild:
Amy’s Sweet Treats is serving a Pickle Sundae (yep, ice cream and pickles together — my friend Miranda swears it’s decent, if you don’t make eye contact with your bowl).
The “Dirty Monkey Frappuccino” blends coffee, chocolate, banana, peanut butter, and enough whipped cream to make you forget your troubles. Not exactly health food, but it did keep me awake for half a day last year.
Lobster nachos are officially a thing; I tried them as a dare. Verdict: surprisingly luxe, and you can taste the butter oozing through.
The Big E Bakery has outdone itself with an espresso-flavored cream puff. Got one for breakfast; didn’t regret it.
Sloppy Dough — a Sloppy Joe sandwiched not inside buns, but fried dough. Somewhere, a dietician fainted.
Fair warning: you’ll see pizza thrones, elote corn dogs with Cheetos crumbs, and two-foot chili dogs that belong in a legend. Each year, I promise I won’t mix sweet with savory, and each year the Big E breaks me.
Big E Performers 2025
The stars are coming out, and it’s not just for the food court. This year’s music lineup has a little of everything:
- Opening acts are never predictable; sometimes it’s Gov’t Mule with JJ Grey & Mofro, the next hour Busta Rhymes and Rick Ross go from zero to party in seconds.
- TLC (yeah—“No Scrubs” TLC) with Big Boi are taking center stage September 19. Talk about a throwback!
- Country lovers can catch Cole Swindell and John Morgan (honestly, the crowd goes wild — and a little bit tipsy).
- The Avett Brothers, ZZ Top, The Kid LAROI, and even Foreigner ("I wanna know what love is!") are dropping in throughout the fest.
- On smaller stages, you’ll find rock bands, comedians, and even family-friendly acts — last year I stumbled onto a juggler who tossed flaming torches over a chicken costume. Peak Big E.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNDm5EpKXuT/
What Time Does The Big E Open?
The gates usually swing open at 8:00 AM during the fair, piercing the cool September air with the scent of coffee and fried stuff. But be honest—there’s never a “too early” for fair food and fun. If you’re an early bird, bonus: smaller crowds, shorter food lines, a shot at snagging that limited-edition cream puff flavor before anyone else.
One year, I arrived at 8:03 with a plan for a low-key stroll and ended up lost in the Avenue of States until noon. Early mornings at the Big E are peaceful, with vendors setting up and music drifting from distant speakers. Perfect time for awkward dancing before anyone sees you.
Big E Hours 2025
Typical hours for the Big E in 2025: open 8:00 AM until somewhere around 10:00 or 11:00 PM, depending on the day and event schedules (plus those after-dark concerts). Some vendors start serving breakfasty bites as soon as you walk in; others go late, hawking fried Oreos and lemonades until your feet say “nope.”
A few tips I wish someone had told me:
- Weekdays: Slightly less packed by mid-afternoon, but evenings fill up fast for headliners.
- Weekends: Prepare for big crowds and buzzing energy. Worth it for the atmosphere, but finding a seat in the food court? Good luck!
Big E Schedule 2025
The Big E runs September 12-28, with daily happenings, theme days, concerts, car shows, and those odd moments that feel truly, hilariously “Big E.” Here are a few highlights for 2025:
- Concerts most evenings; some require extra tickets, so check the schedule early.
- Collector Car Live with Ryan Preece races through memories on September 18.
- Classic acts ZZ Top (September 28), Foreigner (September 21), and Train (September 27) cap off busy weekends.
- Special events like bike nights, Irish music lineups for St. Patrick’s halfway mark, and daily showcases for new musical talent.
- Don’t miss the themed food days — lobster volcano one day, pickle popcorn the next. It gets weird, but in a good way.
Each day of the Big E brings a fresh lineup—with surprises. I always end up chasing something new. Last year, it was lobster bisque in a bread bowl and a pop-up Irish dance-off.
