"Your Adventure Awaits" at the 2026 OC Fair, July 17–Aug. 16. Your quest: unearth the hidden gems, best deals and new exhibits, then make memories that last all summer. Whether your journey leads to rides, food, games or events, the possibilities are endless. Where will the Fair take you?

This year, we're introducing pre-Fair pricing and new deals designed to get you on the Fairgrounds for more fun than ever. Some offers expire after July 16, so plan ahead and cash in on discounted rates while you can.

FAIR HOURS

Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday

11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Friday & Saturday

11 a.m. to midnight

PRE-FAIR ADMISSION

$13 Wednesday & Thursday

$15 Friday–Sunday

$9 for seniors 65+ and kids 6-12 every day

FAIR ADMISSION

$13 Wednesday & Thursday

$18 Friday–Sunday

$9 kids 6-12 every day

$10 for seniors 65+

Always free for kids 5 and younger!

EVERY DAY PASSPORT

Navigate the Fair every day with the $60 Every Day Passport! With no restrictions or blackout dates, plus 2-for-1 entertainment tickets and discounts.

New deals unlocked through July 16

A little planning can go a long way. From discounted admission days to value-packed ticket offers, there are plenty of ways to stretch your Fair budget while still enjoying all the excitement. Be sure to browse special promotions before your visit. You might be surprised how much adventure fits into one day at the OC Fair.

Smart Start

Smart explorers get a head start. Plan to visit between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday or Thursday for $11 entry.

Carnival Dream Pass

Dreams do come true — purchase the Carnival Dream Pass for $46, which includes 10 rides or games, or mix and match rides and games for your ideal visit. This deal must be purchased with a Fair admission ticket.

Weekday Unlimited Family Bundle

Looking for family deals? The Weekday Unlimited Family Bundle is $150 for two adult and two kids tickets, two unlimited ride wristbands and two $10 kids meals.

Family Dream Bundle

For more flexibility, the Family Dream Bundle is $155 and valid for all Fair days. You'll get two adult and two kids tickets, two Carnival Dream Passes and two $10 kids meals.

UNLIMITED RIDE WRISTBAND

Make the most of your time on the Fairgrounds with the Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristband, available for $50, which includes unlimited rides plus two free games! The offer is valid Wednesdays and Thursdays; redeem by 5 p.m. and ride until 8 p.m. The price increases to $55 after July 16, so purchase early to lock in the savings.

These deals vanish after July 16. Jump on them now at ocfair.com/tickets.

Follow the flavor

Your taste buds are in for a wild ride this year with over 25 new food items and surprisingly bold creations.

For the savory folks, sink your teeth into a French Onion Ten Pound Bun, made with whipped butter, garlic, various cheeses and onions. Or a Chili Mac 'n' Cheese Baked Potato with beans, cheese and Fritos. Add some Korean Corn Dogs or Chupacabra Tasti Chips to your menu.

If your go-to is on the sweeter side, the path ahead leads to Dubai Deep-Fried Oreos, Gooey Maple Butter Popcorn, Freeze-Dried Magic Unicorn Soda Splash, Fried Tiramisu and Craffles (a chocolate chip croissant cooked in a waffle iron and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream).

For those craving the best of both worlds, the Peanut Butter and Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger delivers all the comforts of home with a Fair twist. The Fried Mangonada alone is worth a trip, and don't let the Bacon-Wrapped Churros pass you by.

If that roams too far out of your comfort zone, a warm funnel cake, some smoky BBQ, a cool ice cream or a refreshing lemonade never go out of style.

Embark on a flavor-filled lark without breaking the bank. The $5 Taste of Fair returns so you can get your fill five days a week until 5 p.m. Participating vendors will offer tasting-sized portions for just $5, making it easy to try new favorites and enjoy more of the Fair’s culinary creations for less.

Hungry competitors, this one's for you! Sign up for an eating competition where the task is to scarf down good ol' fair food as fast as you possibly can. We're talking pies, watermelon, corn, funnel cakes and more. It's free grub and bragging rights for the winner.

Uncork something new at The Courtyard, where the Orange County Wine Society will offer various wines and pairing programs. Close your eyes and you're practically in Napa with a glass in one hand and some fair food in the other.

More of a cicerone? Make your way through unlimited beer samples from dozens of local breweries at OC Brew Hee Haw. Also on the agenda? Two-stepping to live music both days. This event only happens on opening weekend, so buy your tickets now.

Where the music leads

OC Fair's packed lineup of performances is on sale now at Etix. Tickets to shows during the Fair, July 17–Aug. 16, include free same-day admission. Catch a great show, then voyage through the Fairgrounds.

The Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Yaamava' Stage at Pacific Amphitheatre brings standout entertainment, featuring Midland, Kolohe Kai, Sugar Ray / Smash Mouth / Tonic, Cypress Hill, Nelly, John Fogerty, Patti LaBelle with special guest The O'Jays, AJR, Colbie Caillat & Mitchell Tenpenny, Steel Pulse and more.

If you're itching to get the summer started, buy tickets to pre-Fair shows for The Elovaters on July 11 or Willie Nelson & Family on July 12.

Plus, the beat of the drum continues post-Fair with shows by Jason Bonham on Aug. 22, Los Tucanes de Tijuana on Aug. 23, Diana Ross on Aug. 28, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas on Aug. 29, Steve Aoki & Tyga on Sept. 3 and Boy George & Culture Club on Sept. 6.

The best part: pre- and post-Fair shows include admission to the OC Fair on any Wednesday or Thursday between July 17 and Aug. 16.

Hear the classics at The Hangar with tributes to Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay, Depeche Mode, Rod Stewart, Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, Grateful Dead, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Queen and The Beach Boys among others. The Hangar will also host three "Sunday Funday" matinee shows: Burritos, a tribute to Sublime, July 19; Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Aug. 2; and Jimmy's Buffet, a tribute to Jimmy Buffett, Aug. 9.

Local musical groups and dance troupes perform daily on two stages. It's the perfect backdrop for a rest and a bite to eat.

La Cantina brings the heat, serving up music, dancing and Latin flavor every night. If you prefer a hoedown, belly up to the bar at The Whiskey Saloon for a boots-and-buckles atmosphere.



The momentum continues nightly at Plaza Pacifica with Fair After Dark. Fair After Dark features free karaoke on Wednesdays, country music on Thursdays, a dance party on Fridays, swing dancing on Saturdays and Latin dance instruction on Sundays. The only question is whether you can keep up.

Included along the journey

OC Fair has plenty to see and do, all included with admission. From entertainment to animals, demonstrations, exhibits and activities, there's something for every voyager, little ones included.

Action Sports Arena has limited, free general admission seating to its thrilling events like daredevil circuses, demolition derbies and truck shows. Throughout the day, Dragon Knight stilt walkers, the OC Fair Foodies, a Strolling DJ, the Red Light Brass Band and Megan the Bubbleologist are sure to turn heads as you wander the Fairgrounds.

The animals are worth marking an 'X' for! If you enter through Yellow Gate, your first stop should be the Great American Petting Farm for an introduction to the Fairgrounds unlike any other. Then, take a jaunt to the livestock arena for animal exhibits and demonstrations like llama and mini donkey competitions. Head over to Centennial Farm to see the year-round resident animal educators, including pigs, goats, cattle, rabbits, chickens, peacocks and sheep, all helping connect Fairgoers to agriculture and its importance to everyday life. If you're an animal lover and still can't get enough, make your way to Park Plaza to see the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs run for glory.

Great expeditions come with great discoveries, and OC Fair offers plenty of both. In the Millennium Barn, take in milking, spinning and weaving demonstrations. In OC Promenade, you can see Chef Ray's stunning produce sculptures, marvel at culinary creations and catch live cooking demonstrations.

Visit Heroes Hall for its current exhibit, "Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam," and year-round exhibit, "The SAAAB Story."

The competition exhibits are a wonderful showcase of community talent. Check out the elaborately designed table settings, see the extraordinary collections and admire the creativity on display in the woodworking, fiber arts and photography exhibits. See something you like? Some of the art on display is also for sale. Look for the tags and ask staff for more information.

OC Fair's featured exhibit, "REWIND: A VHS Comeback," is returning with a revamped setup to offer more showcases and artist-created reproductions of film posters and album art.

For young pioneers, Explorium's Orange County Sand and Sea provides a themed playground, an aquatic touch tank and guided arts and crafts. Don't miss the energy and magic of Frank Thurston on the Promenade Stage. Just outside, the littles can cool down and play in the Main Mall water fountain and splash zone.

Like any grand caper, there are some stops you'll want to make as you wind your way around the Fairgrounds. You can soak in the sights, smells and sounds or dive headfirst into every experience.

For starters, the carnival welcomes a new high-intensity ride called Air Raid. This beast spins and pitches riders in every direction, creating an out-of-body experience that's sure to get hearts racing and adrenaline pumping.

Also, mark your calendar for a few standout moments:

• The Daughters of the American Revolution will present a plaque at Heroes Hall commemorating America's 250th anniversary on July 25.
• Immerse yourself in California's famed car culture and Chicano heritage with a lowrider car show and parade in Plaza Pacifica, Aug. 9.
• Jeopardy! master Isaac Hirsh will host OC Trivia Day in the OC Promenade, Aug. 15 and 16.
• Stop by Heroes Hall on Saturdays at 2 p.m. to catch its new speaker series and hear firsthand accounts from Vietnam veterans.

Interested in learning how to make a perfect drink or understand the nuances among beers in a flight? Fairgoers 21 and older can buy a seat at The Art of the Pour for an exclusive tasting experience.

Bring your water bottles and enjoy the crisp, refreshing taste of cold water at a Mesa Water refilling station, now with five locations around the Fairgrounds to keep you plenty hydrated!

OCTA will continue to offer the OC Fair Express. Skip the traffic, skip the parking and take the bus to fun for only $2 one way or $4 round trip! Buses depart for the Fair on Saturdays and Sundays from the following six locations: Anaheim ARTIC, Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, Fullerton Park & Ride, Goldenwest Transportation Center (Huntington Beach), Irvine train station and the Laguna Hills Transit Center. Hop on, hang tight and let the OC Fair Express whisk you away to corn dogs and Ferris wheels.

Do I have to purchase my tickets in advance?

Tickets are on sale now and daily capacity is limited. Visit ocfair.com/tickets to purchase. Tickets are good only for the dates purchased; please choose days carefully — no refunds or exchanges. Fairgoers should make sure to get tickets for special days, group outings and weekends now, as days could sell out.

Can I transfer my tickets?

Yes, through Etix. Please contact Etix regarding problems with transfers or other ticketing issues.

Will tickets be available at the gate?

Our on-site box office will sell admission tickets only until July 16. Tickets will be available at entry gates on a first-come, first-served basis during the Fair. Do not purchase tickets elsewhere as they may not be valid. Parking fees are nonrefundable.

Where can I find carnival ride and game information? How do I purchase carnival tickets?

Carnival ride and game tickets can be purchased through the RCS Fun Pass app or onsite at any RCS ticket booth. For the most up-to-date information on rides, games, ticket counts and pricing, download the RCS Fun Pass app or visit ocfair.com/carnival.

Will the OC Fair Express buses be available this year?

Take an OCTA bus from convenient locations across Orange County, including Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hills and Santa Ana directly to the Fair. Advance ticket purchase for the OC Fair is required before boarding. Bus fare is $2 one way or $4 round-trip on Saturdays and Sundays, times depending on location. Youth 18 and under ride for free. For more information, visit ocfairexpress.

Where can I access my ride-sharing services?

Drop-off and pick-up for ride-sharing services is located at Gate 1 off Fair Drive.

Where is the Access Bus drop-off and pick-up?

Drop-off and pick-up for Access Bus users is located at Gate 8 off Arlington Drive.

Can I buy concert tickets at the box office?

Yes, the Pacific Amphitheatre Box Office at the OC Fairgrounds is open Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.