Whether you grew up going every summer or you're looking for something to do with the kids this season, California state fairs are a tradition unlike anything else. The smell of funnel cake, the sound of a live band drifting across the midway, livestock competitions, carnival rides, and enough deep-fried food to last you a year. There's something genuinely timeless about a county fair.

California runs one of the largest and most diverse fair circuits in the country. With over 78 fairs operating under the California Department of Food and Agriculture, there's practically something happening every single weekend from February through October. Whether you're in the Bay Area, Central Valley, Southern California, or anywhere in between — there's a fair near you.

Here's your complete guide to California state fairs and county fairs, including what to expect, when they happen, and which ones are worth the drive.

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The California State Fair (Cal Expo, Sacramento)

The California State Fair is the big one. Held annually at Cal Expo in Sacramento, it's the official state-run celebration of everything California — agriculture, culture, entertainment, food, and community.

2026 Dates: July 17 – August 2, 2026

The fair runs 17 days and draws hundreds of thousands of attendees each year to the 350-acre Cal Expo grounds. It features carnival rides, a Toyota Concert Series (free with general admission), livestock competitions, exhibit halls showcasing California industries, and a rotating cast of food vendors serving everything from classic corn dogs to creative new fair food inventions.

One big update to note: starting in 2027, the California State Fair is moving to the fall. Cal Expo and the State Fair Board voted to shift the event to September 17 – October 3 beginning in 2027, citing rising summer temperatures in Sacramento. The 2024 summer logged 45 days at 100 degrees or higher, which made the July timing increasingly difficult for attendees and vendors. The 2026 fair will be the last one held in July.

Tickets: General admission available at castatefair.com

Location: Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA

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The Largest County Fairs in California

Beyond the state fair in Sacramento, California's county fairs are each their own institution. Here are the biggest ones worth knowing about.

Los Angeles County Fair — Pomona

The LA County Fair is actually larger than the California State Fair by attendance — drawing roughly 1.3 million people to its 487 acres at Fairplex in Pomona. It's one of the largest county fairs in the entire United States.

**2026 Dates: May 7–31, 2026**

Expect big-name entertainment, exotic animal exhibits, carnival rides, immersive displays, and a food lineup that includes just about every genre of fair food imaginable.

Website: lacountyfair.com

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San Diego County Fair (Del Mar) — Del Mar

Known locally as the Del Mar Fair, the San Diego County Fair brings in close to 1.4 million attendees — making it one of the highest-attended fairs in the country. It's held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and Race Track right on the coast, which means you get ocean breezes instead of triple-digit heat.

Great entertainment lineups, a world-class food scene, and the signature "best in show" competitions across agriculture, art, and crafts make this one a perennial favorite.

Website: sdfair.com

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OC Fair — Costa Mesa

The Orange County Fair is another massive Southern California event. Set in Costa Mesa at the OC Fair and Event Center, it draws hundreds of thousands of visitors over its run every July and August.

2025 Dates: July 18 – August 17, 2025 (2026 dates TBD)

The 2025 fair theme was "Find Your Happy!" with new carnival rides, fresh food concepts, and a packed entertainment schedule.

Website: ocfair.com

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Alameda County Fair — Pleasanton

For those of us in the East Bay, the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton is the local tradition. Held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Bernal Avenue, this is one of the longest-running county fairs in California and one of the best-value family outings in the Tri-Valley.

2025 Dates: June 13 – July 6, 2025

The 2025 fair featured camel rides, a Monster Truck show, a Trapeze show, and a new thrill ride. The fairgrounds also host live horse racing during the fair, which is one of its signature draws. If you're local to Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, or San Ramon, this is the one to pencil in.

Website: alamedacountyfair.com

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More Great California Fairs to Know About

Here's a broader look at the fair circuit across the state, broken down by region and timing:

Bay Area & Northern California

Contra Costa County Fair — Antioch
2026 Dates: May 14–17 | contracostafair.com

Marin County Fair — San Rafael
2026 Dates: July 1–5 | marinfair.org

Sonoma County Fair — Santa Rosa**
Year-round fairgrounds with an annual summer fair | sonomacountyfair.com

Humboldt County Fair — Ferndale
One of the oldest continuously running fairs in California. August dates, coastal weather, and a small-town feel that's hard to match. | humboldtcountyfair.org

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Central Valley & Gold Country

Big Fresno Fair — Fresno
2026 Dates: October 7–18 | fresnofair.com

California Mid-State Fair — Paso Robles
2026 Dates: July 15–26 | midstatefair.com
Called "The Biggest Little Fair Anywhere," this one is beloved for its agricultural roots and concert series.

Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee — Angels Camp
2026 Dates: May 14–17 | frogtown.org
Yes, the frog-jumping competition made famous by Mark Twain. This one is a genuine California original.

Gold Country Fair — Auburn
2025 Dates: September 4–7 | goldcountryfair.com

Kern County Fair — Bakersfield
2026 Dates: September 23 – October 4 | kerncountyfair.com

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Southern California & Inland Empire

San Bernardino County Fair — Victorville
2026 Dates: May 23–25 and May 29–31 | sbcountyfair.com

Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival — Indio
Held in February with a desert theme. One of the most unique fairs in the state. | datefest.org

Antelope Valley Fair — Lancaster
2025 Dates: September 24–28 | avfair.com

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Year-Round Starters: The California Fair Season Kicks Off in February

California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta — Imperial
2026 Dates: February 27 – March 15 | ivexpo.com
The fair season in California actually kicks off in the Imperial Valley each February with this one.

Cloverdale Citrus Fair — Cloverdale
2026 Dates: February 13–16 | cloverdalecitrusfair.com

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What Makes California Fairs Different

California's fair system is one of the most regulated and organized in the country. The California Department of Food and Agriculture — Division of Fairs and Expositions oversees 78 officially recognized fairs, ranging from small citrus festivals in the North Bay to the massive multi-week events in Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Each fair reflects its county's identity. Calaveras has frog jumping. Humboldt has old-growth redwood vibes and coastal cool. Paso Robles has wine country energy and a rodeo. The Alameda County Fair has horse racing and an 18-day run that gives working families multiple weekends to attend.

The common thread is community. These fairs exist to celebrate local agriculture, showcase resident talent, and give families something real to do together — away from screens, in open air, with food that's objectively too good to eat only once a year.

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Tips for Making the Most of a California Fair

Go early in the week if you can. Weekends are packed. Tuesday or Wednesday mornings give you the same experience with shorter lines and more breathing room.

Bring cash. Many food vendors and game booths still prefer it, and ATM fees add up fast.

Check the concert schedule ahead of time. The Toyota Concert Series at the California State Fair is free with admission. OC Fair, LA County Fair, and others also run free concert lineups worth planning around.

Arrive early for livestock competitions. Judging events happen in the morning and are genuinely worth watching — especially if you're bringing kids who've never seen them.

Wear layers at coastal fairs. Humboldt, Marin, and the Del Mar fair all benefit from coastal microclimates. July morning fog is real.

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Planning Around the Fair: East Bay Edition

If you're living in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin, or San Ramon, the Alameda County Fair is right in your backyard and genuinely one of the better-run fairs in the state. It's about a 10-minute drive from most of the Tri-Valley, and it's the kind of summer tradition that's easy to turn into an annual thing with family or friends.

Beyond that, the California State Fair in Sacramento is about 90 minutes up the freeway — absolutely worth a day trip, especially for the food and concerts. And if you're up for a Southern California weekend, the Del Mar Fair or OC Fair both make for a great excuse to get out of the summer heat.

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The fair season in California is long, varied, and genuinely one of the best things about living here. Whether you're a state fair loyalist or a county fair devotee, there's something on this list for everyone.

Have questions about living in the East Bay, Livermore, Pleasanton, or Dublin? That's my wheelhouse. Reach out anytime.