What’s going on at the OC Fairgrounds in August
2023 OC Fair – Happy Together, through Aug. 13
We are thrilled to welcome everyone back for the 2023 OC Fair, “Happy Together.” Get ready for 23 days of fun-filled live entertainment, exhibits, food, carnival rides, shopping and more!
When: Through Aug. 13
Schedule:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
How much:
$13 general admission on Wednesday & Thursday
$15 general admission on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
$9 seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 every day
Free for kids ages 5 and younger
Parking is $12 for cars and motorcycles, $24 for buses and limos
More info: Visit 2023 OC Fair
*Advanced ticket purchase is required and no fees on admission tickets. Purchase your tickets at ocfair.com/tickets.
OC Fair Fun Run 5K, Aug. 6
Run, walk or skip through the OC Fair! Every runner gets an awesome medal, a technical runners t-shirt and FREE race photos. Huge thanks to our partner OC Marathon for making this event possible!
When: Sunday, Aug. 6, 8 – 11 a.m.
Schedule:
Bib pickup: 6 – 7:40 a.m.
Race begins: 8 a.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
How much: $50 until July 31, $25 for youth 6-12, $10 for kids 5 and under.
More info: Visit OC Fair Fun Run 5K
Fight Club OC, Aug. 24
Welcome to Fight Club OC, a hybrid boxing and MMA fight series that does six shows a year. With three high definition cameras always on the action and an LED HD video board with instant replay, we’ll sell you the seat, but you need to bring the edge.
When: Thursday, Aug. 24, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Schedule:
Baja Bar & Grill happy hour 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hangar doors open at 6 p.m.
First fight 7 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar
How much: General admission varies by seating selection ($40-$80). Parking is $12.
More info: Visit Fight Club OC
Gem Faire, Aug. 25-27
The largest jewelry & bead show in SoCal. Shop fine jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold and silver, pearls, minerals, fossils and much more at manufacturer’s prices. Jewelry repair and cleaning while you shop.
When: Friday – Sunday, Aug. 25 – 27
Schedule:
Friday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
No admittance after 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Santa Ana Pavilion, Costa Mesa Building
How much: General admission is $7. Parking is $12.
More info: Visit Gem Faire
626 Night Market, Aug. 25-27
626 Night Market invites you to a night out at the night market!
626 Night market is back at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. The iconic Californian festival features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. Join us for warm summer days and bright nights this season!
When: Friday – Sunday, Aug. 25 – 27, 4-11 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – OC Promenade and Lot I/G
How much: General admission for adults, seniors and children $5. Children 3 and under are free. Parking is $12.
Most vendors accept cash only. ATMs will be available.
More info: Visit 626 Night Market
Entertainment during the 2023 OC Fair
Pacific Amphitheatre
Pacific Amphitheatre’s 40th anniversary continues to deliver the hottest entertainment with upcoming performances by comedians Gabriel Iglesias and Jeff Dunham, concerts by Beck, Ne-Yo, War, George Thorogood, Rebelution, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, -X-, Cheap Trick, Ziggy Marley, The Fab Four, Chicago, AJR, Common Kings and Sweet & Tender Hooligans.
When: Through Sept. 2
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Pacific Amphitheatre
How much: Varies by performer and seating selection
More info: Visit Pacific Amphitheatre
The Hangar
In The Hangar, the tribute bands have delivered some classic tunes that have kept Fairgoers rocking. Up next: Journey Unauthorized, Wild Child, Zeppelin Live, Elton: The Early Years, Yachty By Nature, Red Corvette, Which One’s Pink?, Start Making Sense, Damage Inc., Queen Nation join Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez and Spencer Sutherland to close out the second half of the Fair.
When: Through Aug. 13
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar
How much: Varies by performer and seating selection
More info: Visit OC Fair
Action Sports Arena
The adrenaline rush carries on in Action Sports Arena with demolition derbies, rodeos, charros and moto sports keeping Fairgoers entertained.
When: Through Aug. 12
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena
How much: Varies by performer and seating selection
More info: Visit OC Fair
Things to do and see during the 2023 OC Fair
‘Armed Only With A Camera’
The World War II Photography of Stanley Troutman is now on display at Heroes Hall. Troutman served his country by photographing the war in the South Pacific Theater including the devastated cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
When: Through Sept. 2023
Where: Heroes Hall is next to Centennial Farm
How much: Included with Fair admission
More info: Visit Heroes Hall
Bug Bizarre
Explore this year’s Bug Bizarre exhibit where touchable displays and hands-on demonstrations will immerse you into the exotic world of bugs! Visitors will also have the chance to learn from an expert entomologist about these critters’ intricate ecosystems, ecological importance and how different cultures utilize insects in their daily lives.
When: Through Aug. 13
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – OC Promenade
How much: Included with Fair admission
More info: Visit Exhibits
The Art of Music Experience
An experiential exhibit that inspires people of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate the stories and creators behind album cover art.
Embark on an immersive journey through a series of themed gallery and vendor environments, flip through bins of vinyl records at a pop-up independent record store, watch live painting of album cover art, rank your favorite album cover and more.
When: Through Aug. 13
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Huntington Beach Building
How much: Included with Fair admission
More info: Visit Exhibits
The SAAAB Story
The SAAAB (Santa Ana Army Air Base) Story exhibition celebrates the history of the flight training center, its contribution to the war effort, the servicemembers that served here and its role in the development of the growth of Orange County through film, photographs, maps, oral histories, works of art and ephemera.
When: Ongoing
Where: Heroes Hall is next to Centennial Farm
How much: Included with Fair admission
More info: Visit Heroes Hall
Ongoing at OC Fair & Event Center
Centennial Farm
Centennial Farm reopens to the public Aug. 21! The Farm is home to fruit and vegetable gardens, livestock, and the Millennium Barn. Two youth educational tour programs are offered – Discovery Days and Junior Farmer Tours – as well as year-round daily hours so the public can visit the farm.
When: Re-opening Aug. 21
Schedule: Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. through Sept. 22
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Centennial Farm
Centennial Farm Pig Cam
Want to keep tabs on our pigs during the Fair? Watch the Centennial farm pigs LIVE on our official Pig Cam and see what these adorable animals are up to!
More info: Visit Centennial Farm Pig Cam
Farmers Market every Thursday
Shop local at this OC Farm Bureau-certified farmers market featuring produce, fresh flowers, fish, hummus, honey, hot sauce and more. Some vendors also sell hot food for lunch such as tamales and tacos/burritos.
When: Thursdays, 8 a.m. – noon starting July 27.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Lot D
How much: Free admission and parking; let parking attendant know you are going to the Farmers Market.
More info: Visit OC Farm Bureau
Heroes Hall
Heroes Hall reopens to the public Aug. 23! Heroes Hall is a free, permanent, year-round museum and education center with exhibitions, performances and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. The two-story exhibition space will rotate themes semi-annually with each focusing on an aspect of the personal stories and experiences of veterans.
When: Re-opening Aug. 23
Schedule: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Heroes Hall Museum
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Heroes Hall
Coming up in September
Fight Club OC, Sept. 2
DAZN Special Edition
Welcome to Fight Club OC, a hybrid boxing and MMA fight series that does six shows a year. With three high definition cameras always on the action and an LED HD video board with instant replay, we’ll sell you the seat, but you need to bring the edge.
When: Saturday, Sept. 2
Schedule:
Baja Bar & Grill happy hour 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hangar doors open at 6 p.m.
First fight 7 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar
How much: General admission varies by seating selection ($40-$80). Parking is $12.
More Info: Visit Fight Club OC
Cruisin’ For A Cure Sept. 9
Cruisin’ for a Cure is the world’s largest one-day charity car show with over 3,000 vehicles on display and over 150+ vendors and exhibitors. Be assured that your participation in the event and any donations go directly to prostate cancer research at the KSK Cancer Center of Irvine to help find a cure.
When: Saturday, Sept. 9, 6 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
How much: General admission is $17, kids 11 and under are free. Parking is $12.
More Info: Visit Cruisin’ For A Cure
Costa Mesa Speedway, Sept. 9
Harley Night Finals / Speedway / Sidecars
See “mad men” on high-compression single-cylinders powering down short straights before throwing their bike on its ear and sliding at impossible lean angles around each end of the track. It’s a spectators’ dream!
When: Saturday, Sept. 9
Schedule:
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Races start at 7:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena
How much: General admission $30; juniors (13-17), military and seniors (65+) $20; children (3-12) $10; kids 2 and under are free.
More Info: Visit Costa Mesa Speedway
Sand Sports Super Show, Sept. 15-17
The world’s biggest sand sports expo! Join us for three days of fun and get up close to the latest Sand Rails, ATVs, UTVs/Side x Sides, accessories, apparel and a whole lot more! Take part in the world’s largest sand sports expo!
When: Friday – Sunday, Sept. 15-17
Schedule:
Sept. 15, 4 – 10 p.m.
Sept. 16, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sept. 17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
How much: General admission $16, kids (6-12) $6, kids 5 and under are free. Parking is $12.
More Info: Visit Sand Sports Super Show
Costa Mesa Speedway, Sept. 23
53rd U.S. National Speedway Championship
See “mad men” on high-compression single-cylinders powering down short straights before throwing their bike on its ear and sliding at impossible lean angles around each end of the track. It’s a spectators’ dream!
When: Sunday, Sept. 23
Schedule:
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Races start at 7:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena
How much: General admission $30; juniors (13-17), military and seniors (65+) $20; children (3-12) $10; kids 2 and under are free.
More Info: Visit Costa Mesa Speedway
SoCal VegFest, Sept. 23-24
A vegan festival that offers a range of activities for attendees to enjoy, including free food samples, food and drink for purchase, a cruelty-free marketplace, inspirational speakers, food demonstrations, appearances by celebrity chefs and social media influencers, live music from famous musicians and DJs, comedy performances, yoga sessions, games, a kids area, and much more!
When: Saturday – Sunday, Sept. 23-24, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
How much: General admission is $10, kids 11 and under, seniors 65+, veterans and active military are free. Parking is $12.
More Info: Visit SoCal VegFest
Costa Mesa Speedway, Sept. 30
Fall Classic / Speedway / Sidecars / Juniors
See “mad men” on high-compression single-cylinders powering down short straights before throwing their bike on its ear and sliding at impossible lean angles around each end of the track. It’s a spectators’ dream!
When: Saturday, Sept. 30
Schedule:
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Races start at 7:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena
How much: General admission $30; juniors (13-17), military and seniors (65+) $20; children (3-12) $10; kids 2 and under are free.
More Info: Visit Costa Mesa Speedway