What's Happening at OC Fairgrounds in August - OC Fair & Event Center

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Press Release

What’s Happening at OC Fairgrounds in August

COSTA MESA (July 15, 2025) – 2025 OC Fair, through Aug. 17

With acres of mouthwatering Fair food, heart-pounding carnival rides, adorable farm animals and spectacular competitions, there’s something for everyone! Grab your family, friends and sense of adventure and come Find Your Happy!

Tickets must be purchased online in advance – buy them online now with no fees!

When: Through Aug. 17
Schedule:
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight
How much:
$13 general admission on Wednesday & Thursday
$15 general admission Friday – Sunday
$9 seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 every day
Free for kids ages 5 and younger every day
Parking is $15 for cars and motorcycles, $30 for buses and limos.

Special deals:

Every Day Passports give Fairgoers access to the Fair any or every day for only $60 – while supplies last. No restrictions or blackout days!
Purchase carnival tickets and wristbands online in advance until opening day at discounted prices.
$5 Taste of Fair is back this year, serving up taste-size portions of Fair food favorites for only $5 each every day until 4 p.m.

Free with OC Fair admission:

Exhibits and demonstrations – check out blue-ribbon winners, explore handcrafts and woodworking, marvel at large-scale movie-poster art and get great tips from chefs during culinary demos.
Performances on community stages and nightly fun – see local talent, dance the night away and catch a show in Baja Bar & Grill.
Animal experiences – visit Centennial Farm’s animal educators, All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, livestock displays and Great American Petting Farm.

Ticketed performances:
From high-energy concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre to electrifying shows at The Hangar and jaw-dropping thrills in the Action Sports Arena, there’s something for everyone! Events run from July 18 – Sept. 12, and tickets are selling fast! Buy your tickets now to make this summer one to remember.

More info: Visit Find Your Happy

Ongoing at OC Fair & Event Center

Centennial Farm

Centennial Farm is home to fruit and vegetable gardens, livestock and the Millennium Barn. Two youth educational tour programs are offered – Discovery Days and Jr. Farmer Tours – as well as year-round daily hours so the public can visit the farm.

When: Centennial Farm is open to Fairgoers with paid admission through Aug. 17. The Farm reopens to the public on Monday, Aug. 25.
Schedule through Aug. 17:
Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm
How much: Free with Fair admission. Parking is $15.

More info: Visit Centennial Farm

Farmers Market and Goodwill donations

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 dumplings, burritos and more.

OC Farm Bureau now partners with Goodwill of Orange County! Drop donations off at the designated donation truck before or after shopping for local produce!

When: Through Aug. 14, Thursdays, 8 a.m. – noon; Starting Aug. 21, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Lot D
How much: Free admission and parking.

More info: Visit OC Farm Bureau

Heroes Hall

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.

The current exhibit, “Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam,” offers a powerful and immersive journey through one of modern history’s most complex and divisive conflicts. Through a rich collection of artifacts, personal stories, historical facts and poignant memorabilia, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the war’s profound impact on the soldiers who fought and the broader global context. On display through Dec. 21.

When: Heroes Hall is open to Fairgoers with paid admission through Aug. 17.
Schedule:
Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Heroes Hall Museum & Education Center
How much: Free with Fair admission. Parking is $15.

More info: Visit Heroes Hall

Centennial Farm Pig Cam

Want to keep tabs on our pigs all year long? Watch the Centennial Farm pigs LIVE on our official Pig Cam and see what these adorable rascals are up to!

More info: Visit Centennial Farm Pig Cam

Coming up in September

Heroes Hall Speaker Series – Orange, California to Pleiku, Vietnam, Sept. 6

Join us for a special speaker series presentation by Heroes Hall docent and Vietnam veteran Paul Todd.

U.S. Army veteran Todd was teaching middle school history in 1971 when he was drafted. After his advanced training at Fort Rucker, Alabama, he received orders for Vietnam. He was stationed at Tuy Hoa, then at Artillery Hill, a firebase located in Pleiku in the Central Highlands. Todd will share his personal story and the lessons he learned. He’ll also share his father’s story, a submariner in World War II who was captured by the Japanese and spent two years in a POW camp in Ofuna.

When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2-3:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Heroes Hall Museum & Education Center
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: RSVP here, or call 714-708-1613
Costa Mesa Speedway, Sept. 13

Harley Night Finals / Speedway / Sidecars

Get ready for an adrenaline-packed night of speedway races! Watch as fearless racers rev up their fuel-burning motorcycles and push the limits at lightning speed. Expect unpredictable moments as riders take daring, high-lean turns at full throttle, right in front of your eyes – it’s a race night you won’t forget!

When: Saturday, Sept. 13
Schedule:
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Baja Bar & Grill happy hour, 6-7 p.m.
First race at 7:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena
How much: $30 general admission; free for kids 10 and younger. Parking is $12 for cars and motorcycles.

More info: Visit Costa Mesa Speedway

Rameelo Raas Garba, Sept. 13

Get ready for the most vibrant Garba night of the year! Join us at the OC Fairgrounds for Navlakh Navratri 2025 featuring the sensational Jigardan Gadhavi (Jigrra) live in concert. Experience authentic Gujarati Garba, Raas and high-energy beats as Jigrra brings his powerful vocals and charismatic stage presence to Orange County.

When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Huntington Beach Building
How much: $25 general admission through Aug. 15; $30 general admission starting Aug. 16. Parking is $12.

More info: Visit Rameelo Raas Garba

SoCAL World Guitar Show, Sept. 13 – 14

Bring all the musical instruments or related items you can carry to sell, trade or have appraised. Plus, purchase everything from guitars, amps, banjos, mandolins, drums, violins, effects, memorabilia, sound gear, parts, effects, records, books, clothing, accessories and more!

When: Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 13-14
Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar
How much: $25 general admission; free for kids 11 and younger with an adult. Parking is $12.

More info: Visit Amigo SoCAL

Sand Sports Super Show, Sept. 19 – 21

Join us for three days of fun! Get up close to the latest sand rails, ATVs, UTVs/side x sides, accessories, apparel and a whole lot more.

When: Friday – Sunday, Sept. 19-21
Schedule:
Friday, Sept. 19, 4 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m .- 7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 21, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – All Fairgrounds
How much: Presale through Sept. 18 – $16 general admission, $6 children 6-12, $33 weekend pass. Gate prices – $20 general admission, $10 for children 6-12, $15 for military. Children under 5 are free. Parking is $12.

More info: Visit Sand Sport Super Show

OC Fair Board of Directors Meeting, Sept. 25

When: Thursday, Sept. 25, 9:30 a.m.
Where: OC Fair and Event Center Administration Building or virtually on Zoom
More info: Visit Public Meetings

Costa Mesa Speedway, Sept. 27

Knobby Night Invitational #2 / Speedway / Jrs.

When: Saturday, Sept. 27
Schedule:
Gates open at 6 p.m.
Baja Bar & Grill happy hour, 6-7 p.m.
First race at 7:30 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena
How much: $30 general admission; free for kids 10 and younger. Parking is $12 for cars and motorcycles.