Looking for an excuse to get out of the South Bay bubble for a day? The OC Fair is it. Running now through Aug. 16 in Costa Mesa, the OC Fair packs 23 days of rides, live music, food and local competitions onto one fairground, and it is close enough for an easy day trip from anywhere in the South Bay.

Whether it is a first fair trip of the summer or an annual tradition, here is everything to know before heading down, including ticket prices, money saving deals and the best ways to spend a day at the fair.

OC Fair 2026 Guide: Tickets, Deals and What to Do at the Fair

OC Fair 2026 Dates, Hours and Location

The 2026 OC Fair runs from July 17 through Aug. 16 at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Hours vary by day, so it is worth checking the schedule before heading out.

Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to midnight

Guests who leave and want to come back the same day can do so with a handstamp. Just note that leaving the property in a vehicle means paying for parking again on the way back in.

OC Fair Ticket Prices and Ways to Save

General admission at the OC Fair is priced by age, and ride and food deals can stretch a fair budget quite a bit further.

General Admission Pricing (Now through Aug. 16)

Child, ages 6 to 12: $9
Adults, ages 13 to 64: $13 Wednesday and Thursday, $18 Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Seniors, 65 and up: $10

$5 Taste of Fair Food

Every day until 5 p.m., fairgoers can grab fun sized food and treats for just $5. The lineup includes shave ice, pan dulce concha, funnel cake, lemonade, cotton candy, cinnamon rolls and more. It is an easy way to sample fair food without committing to a full sized portion or price tag. View the full menu.

Unlimited Ride Wristbands

For anyone planning to hit the carnival hard, the unlimited ride wristband is the best value. It includes unlimited rides plus two free games, valid Wednesday and Thursday only. Wristbands must be redeemed by 5 p.m., and riding continues until 8 p.m. Buy the wristband here.

Smart Start Early Entry

For $11, the Smart Start ticket gets guests through the gates early on Wednesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., before the fair fills up. It is a solid option for beating the crowds and the heat. Buy Smart Start tickets here.

What to Know Before Heading to the OC Fair

A little prep goes a long way at a fair this size. Here is what to know about getting in and what to bring.

What You Can Bring

Purses, diaper bags and backpacks are allowed, subject to search or magnetic wanding.
Outside food and beverages are permitted if they are in factory sealed containers. No cans, glass, outside alcohol or hard sided coolers.
Water bottles are allowed if they are factory sealed or empty at entry.
Wagons and strollers are welcome.
Pack an extra layer for the evening breeze. Lockers are available on the grounds for storage.

Entertainment at the OC Fair

Over the 23 day run, the OC Fair brings in live music and entertainment across several venues on the grounds.

Pacific Amphitheatre

Pacific Amphitheatre is the OC Fair’s premier entertainment destination, hosting some of the biggest acts of the fair each year. More info here.

The Hangar

The Hangar features bands, local performers and more every night of the fair, with plenty of room to gather in the Main Mall and take in the show. New this year, Sunday Funday matinee shows land at 2:30 p.m. on July 19, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9 for daytime entertainment in a shaded venue. More info here.

Action Sports Arena

For anyone who likes their entertainment loud, the Action Sports Arena delivers demolition derbies, monster trucks and daredevil circus performances throughout the run of the fair. More info here.

Fair After Dark

Once the sun goes down, Plaza Stage turns into a dance party. Fair After Dark is free with fair admission and includes karaoke on Wednesdays, country night on Thursdays, a dance party with DJ Narada on Fridays, swing night on Saturdays and Latin night on Sundays. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday shows start at 7:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday shows start at 8:30 p.m. There are even free dance lessons for guests who want to join in.

Carnival Rides and Games

With more than 50 rides and 30 games, the carnival midway is where most fairgoers end up spending a good chunk of their day. The RCS FunPass app makes the whole process smoother by letting guests load tickets ahead of time and skip the ticket kiosks entirely.

Food and Drink at the OC Fair

Fair food is half the reason to go, and the 2026 OC Fair has more ways than ever to find, sample and sip your way through it.

The Ultimate Fair Food Finder

Whether hunting down a favorite dish or exploring something new, the Ultimate Fair Food Finder makes it easy to search every vendor and menu item on the grounds. Search foods here.

The Art of the Pour

New for 2026, the Art of the Pour offers paid, limited seat cocktail and beer tasting experiences for fairgoers 21 and older. Guests can learn to craft a cocktail with a professional mixologist or sample a flight led by a certified cicerone. It is located in the OC Promenade and available on select Fridays and Sundays throughout the fair: July 24, 26, 31, and Aug. 2, 7, 9, 14 and 16. Fair admission is sold separately. More information here.

Chilled Water Stations

Mesa Water provides clean, chilled water throughout the fairgrounds at six refill stations, making it easy to stay hydrated during a long day out. Find station locations here.

The Courtyard Wine Seminars

The OC Wine Society hosts wine seminars at The Courtyard every Saturday and Sunday of the fair. Registration is $30 per attendee and can be purchased at the Wine Courtyard counter during fair hours, or by phone with a credit card at 714-708-1639. View the schedule here.

Featured Exhibits at the OC Fair

Beyond the rides and food, the OC Fair’s exhibit buildings showcase local artists, makers and California culture. Exhibition buildings close at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

REWIND: A VHS Comeback

Located in the Huntington Beach Building, REWIND: A VHS Comeback is an immersive tribute to the VHS era, complete with hand painted movie poster reproductions, soundtrack displays, live painting demonstrations, an 80s vintage arcade and the Hitchcock speakeasy.

El Pachuco Zoot Suit Fashion Show and Lowrider Exhibit

At the Plaza Pacifica Stage, this exhibit celebrates the history, artistry and traditions of Chicano culture with beautifully restored and custom built lowriders alongside a Zoot Suit Fashion Show. The event takes place Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More Exhibits Worth Seeing

Orange County Sand and Sea, located in the OC Promenade, featuring beachside landmarks, culinary entries, a touch tank and virtual reality experiences.
Monica Esparza and Gil Ortega, a featured artist exhibit celebrating heritage, tradition and community.
Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam, a collection of artifacts and personal stories from the Vietnam War.
The SAAAB Story, the history of the Santa Ana Army Air Base, which operated in Costa Mesa from 1942 to 1946.

Local competition entries are also on display throughout the fair, including handcrafts and fiber arts, table settings, collections, fine arts, photography, woodworking, and fruit, vegetable and cut flower competitions at Centennial Farm.

Shopping at the OC Fair

Shopping is spread across the Costa Mesa Building, Santa Ana Pavilion, Crafters Village and throughout the fairgrounds, with vendors selling everything from handmade goods to seasonal finds. Shopping buildings close one hour before the fair does each night.

OC Fair Kids Guide

For South Bay parents making the drive down, the OC Fair has quite a bit built in for kids at no extra cost.

Family Fun Included with Admission

Several of the fair’s most popular attractions are free with admission, including the All Alaskan Racing Pigs, the Great American Petting Farm, hands on crafts and educational exhibits, community entertainment stages and roving performers throughout the day.

Kids can also meet the fair’s costumed characters, Strawberry Jan, Olivia Orange, Sunny Lemon, Cornelius Corn and Carl the Cotton Candy, and catch daily comedy and magic shows from the Magic of Frank Thurston.

Children ages 5 to 11 can earn two free Kidland rides through the Read and Ride program by reading three books and completing an online form. New this year, the OC Fair and Share program lets guests donate extra carnival prizes at collection boxes near the exits, with donated toys distributed to local kids in need through a partnership with local Lions clubs.

New this year, four family friendly KP’s Kids Place locations offer kids meals for $10, with meal vouchers available for advance online purchase.

Parent Pro Tips

Bring a wagon or stroller for younger kids.
Pack hats, sunblock and refillable water bottles, and take advantage of the on site water stations.
A soft sided cooler is allowed and worth bringing.
Bring reusable containers for leftovers, or grab take and bake items to enjoy fair food at home.
Pack dry clothes and a towel if the splash fountain is on the itinerary.
Arrive early for shorter ride lines and cooler temperatures.
Baby changing stations are located next to The Hangar and behind the west end of the Sky Ride.
Snap the family photo at the iconic OC Fair sign, with the Foodies characters, or in a classic photo booth.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the OC Fair 2026 end?

The 2026 OC Fair runs through Aug. 16 in Costa Mesa.

How much are OC Fair tickets?

General admission ranges from $9 for children ages 6 to 12 up to $18 for adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Seniors 65 and up pay $10, and weekday adult admission is $13.

Is there a cheap way to try fair food?

Yes. The $5 Taste of Fair Food deal runs daily until 5 p.m. and includes items like shave ice, funnel cake and cinnamon rolls.

Are unlimited ride wristbands worth it?

For anyone planning to ride a lot, yes. The wristband covers unlimited rides plus two free games, but it is only valid Wednesday and Thursday, redeemable by 5 p.m.

Can I bring outside food into the OC Fair?

Outside food and factory sealed beverages are allowed. Cans, glass, outside alcohol and hard sided coolers are not permitted.

Make a Day of It

The OC Fair is an easy day trip from the South Bay and an ideal way to shake up the summer routine. Between the rides, the food, the live entertainment and the local exhibits, there is enough to fill an entire day, or several. Plan your visit at ocfair.com and check the calendar for South Bay based events before heading out.

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DISCLOSURE: Event schedules are subject to change. Please contact the event host or venue to confirm event details.