NEAR-Fest Tickets & Passes
Buy your tickets online, get your order instantly, and enjoy drive-up service at check-in.
Buying tickets online is strongly encouraged.
Attendees without an online order will need to park and pick up passes at the ticket booth upon arrival.
Ticket and Pass Prices
The following is a list of tickets, passes, and their costs:
| Item | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Ticket | $15.00 | Admission for one to the event, valid for BOTH days |
| Badge Holder & Lanyard | $2.00 | Badge holder with lanyard for your admission ticket (optional, limited supply) |
| Tailgating Pass | $20.00 | Allows selling out of your vehicle in the flea market area, valid for one vehicle |
| RV/Camper Overnight Pass | $30.00/night | Self-contained RV, travel trailer, or camper (offered Thursday & Friday) |
| Tent/Overnighter Pass | $15.00/night | Sleeping in your vehicle, car camping, or a tent on the grounds (offered Thursday & Friday) |
All participants need an admission ticket – the passes listed above are add-on options.
Please see the camping section for more info on staying on the grounds.
All Ticket Sales Are Final. Attendees may not cancel orders or request refunds for any reason. NEAR-Fest is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets and will not issue replacements.
NEAR-Fest reserves the right to cancel any order at its sole discretion. In the event NEAR-Fest cancels an order, a refund of the order amount less a $3.00 processing fee will be issued.
Thursday Camping Admission
The ticket booth will open on Thursday at 3:00 PM for camping admissions.
No attendees are permitted on the grounds before 3:00 PM on Thursday.
If you arrive early, you will be asked to leave and stage elsewhere until 3:00 PM.
New for NEAR-Fest
Inside Selling Space
Open to All Participants!
Inside selling space at NEAR-Fest is available to any attendee; no special invitation or separate vendor registration required.
Set up shop indoors in the Buck Barn and stay out of the weather while still being right in the middle of the action. Tables, chairs, and electrical power are available to rent with your indoor selling space, all through the regular ticket checkout.
Whether you’re a longtime NEAR-Fest seller or setting up for the first time, inside selling offers a convenient, protected place to buy, sell, trade, and connect with other attendees.
Spaces are limited and going fast — reserve yours today!
| Inside Selling Space | $35.00 |
| Table Rental | $20.00 |
| Rental Chair | $5.00 |
| Electrical Power | $25.00 |
For more details about inside selling, see the Inside Selling Space page.
Ready to secure your spot at NEAR-Fest?
Tickets are delivered electronically via email. No physical tickets will be mailed. Print your confirmation or have it ready on your smartphone at check-in.
Physical Locations
- Other Area Hamfests – NEAR-Fest staff attend hamfests all over the East Coast and can help you register for an event. Check our website homepage and Facebook page for updates on where we are. (You will get the same order confirmation with a QR code for check-in that you get with an online order, but can pay with cash or card in person)
- NEAR-Fest Ticket booth on the grounds – Opens on Thursday at 3:00 PM for camping check-ins, Friday at 6:00 AM for an 8:00 AM admission, and Saturday from 7:00 AM through closing ceremonies at 2:00 PM. Cash and Credit Cards Accepted
Starting in fall 2026, we will no longer sell tickets at other physical locations.
Complimentary Tickets
The following participants are eligible for complimentary admission:
- Under-18 or full-time students – may enter at no charge
- Non-ham spouses and minor children – admitted free of charge and do not need a ticket
- Prospective new Hams – those taking their Amateur Radio exam at the event may enter at no charge
Participants seeking a complimentary ticket must visit the ticket booth at the gate. Complimentary tickets are not available for online orders and can not be added to an online order.
Other charges and fees, such as camping, tailgating, food, etc., may still apply. ID and proof of age may be required.
Prize Eligibility
Drawings are open to any US resident with an eligible entry ticket. You must be present on the event grounds at the time of the drawing to win a door prize. You do not need to be present to win the Grand Prize.
For complete rules, eligibility requirements, and claim details, see the Prize Drawing Rules & Terms.
