Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (9:00 am)
A burst of flavor at the 2024 OC Fair – plus an expanded $5 Taste of Fair
This year, the OC Fair is serving up a feast of flavor and fun with a spectacular array of inventive eats and culinary delights.
The theme for the 2024 OC Fair is “Always a Good Time,” running through Aug. 18, Wednesday through Sunday.
To elevate the fair experience, last year’s popular Taste of Fair returns! Now, guests can enjoy sample-sized offerings of their favorite Fair treats for only $5 every day until 4 p.m. This incredible offer allows visitors to explore a diverse menu of delicious options sure to satisfy every palate. View the menus here.
Fair-going gourmands are in for a mouthwatering adventure, served up by creative concessionaires.
OC Fair exclusives
- Bacon Churro Fries – Bacon Nation
- Rainbow Original – Ten Pound Buns
- Mondo Birria Beef Burger – Tasti Burger
- Dr. Pepper Pickle Drink – Chicken Charlie’s
- Cookie Butter Croissant Cone – Swirl
- Honey Sriracha Bacon-Wrapped Pork Belly On a Stick – Biggy’s
- Birria Burger – Tasti Burger
- Chocolate Drizzle Strawberry Cup – Swirl
- Bacon-Wrapped Pork Belly On a Stick – Biggy’s
- Le Crookie – Mom’s Bakeshoppe
- Honeycomb Sriracha Soft Serve – Swirl
New at OC Fair
- Pickle Split – Pineapple Whip
- Cali Dog – Pink’s
- Nashville Hot Chicken Tots – Biggy’s
- Candied Watermelon On a Stick – Cowboy Kettle Corn
- Spicy BBQ Bacon Jam Tasti Chips – Tasti Chips
- The Mario Lopez Dog – Pink’s
- Hot Honey Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich – Chicken Charlie’s
- Calamari Tacos – The Hook
- Caramel Apple Cinnamon Roll Sundae – Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls
- Asian Frys – Eddie’s Asian Inspired Cuisine
- Michefrescas – Noel’s Mexican Food
- Beignets – Funnel Cake
- NEW STAND – Wahlburgers, Livestock Lane
- NEW STAND – Spud Ranch, Family Fairway
- NEW STAND – Cantina Nacho & Fruit Bar, La Cantina
- NEW STAND – Vegging Out, Main Mall
Lighter Fair food and plant-based options
- Guacamole & ceviche – Northgate Market Stand
- Plant-based & gluten-free burgers, nachos & tacos – Vegging Out
- Salads – Wahlburgers
- Vegan & gluten-free hot dogs – Pink’s
- Seafood tacos – The Hook
- Fish, veggie & avocado tacos & burritos – Noel’s Mexican Food
- Gluten-free, vegan pastries – MoonGoat Coffee
- Corn on the cob & more – Corn Shack
Returning Fair favorites
- Bangin’ Berries
- Papi’s Puffy Tacos
- Sugar Puff Candy
- Garlicky’s
- Pepe’s Mariscos Fresh Mexican Seafood
- MoonGoat Coffee
- Turkey legs – various locations
- Michelaugas and aguas frescas – various locations
- Cotton candy, candied apples, kettle corn, popcorn – various locations
- Ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, floats – various locations
- Deep-fried treats on a stick – various locations
- Hotdogs, corndogs, hamburgers, fries, pizza – various locations
- Funnel cakes, donuts, cinnamon rolls – various locations
- Nachos, chicken bowls, roasted corn, baked potatoes – various locations
… and more!
The basics – what to know before you go
OC Fair runs July 19-Aug. 18.
Advance ticket purchase is required for admission to summer’s best event, which will be open Wednesday through Sunday with limited daily capacity. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday. Guests are encouraged to buy tickets for the specific days they want to attend as soon as possible – days will sell out. Visit ocfair.com/tickets – there are no fees on admission tickets.
OC Fair ticket prices are $13 general admission Wednesday and Thursday and $15 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 are $9 all days; children 5 and under are free. Parking is $15 for cars and motorcycles and $30 for buses and limos.
Returning for another year, the popular Every Day Passport gives Fairgoers access any day – or every day – to all 23 days of the OC Fair for $60 with no restrictions or blackout days. Supplies are limited. Learn more at ocfair.com/everydaypass/.
Ride an OCTA bus from one of four locations directly to the Fair! Bus fare is $2 one way or $4 round-trip on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., depending on location. Youth 18 and under ride for free. Advance ticket purchase for the OC Fair is required prior to boarding. For complete details and location information, visit ocfairexpress.com.
Free with Fair admission
Exhibits
Orange County Sand and Sea in the OC Promenade allows guests to discover iconic beachside landmarks, wander through culinary entries, explore a touch tank and take a deep dive into virtual reality.
See large-scale album cover art in the Art of Music Experience, featuring 150 hand-painted recreations, neon and displays, a themed cocktail lounge, a pop-up record store and interactive experiences.
In Heroes Hall, guests discover what life was like on the Santa Ana Army Air Base (SAAAB) when it operated in Costa Mesa from 1942-1946 via the SAAAB Story, or view the featured exhibit, “The Vietnam War through the Art & Photography of Ed Bowen” to explore the U.S. military’s use of combat artists during the war.
Take in thousands of competition entries from local artisans across the Fairgrounds in our Home Arts & Collections Gallery, Visual Arts & Woodworking Gallery, OC Promenade and Centennial Farm.
Demonstrations
Watch chefs whip up a quick, healthy meal, learn about olive oils, get insider tips on sourdough starters, watch nightly food contests and more in the OC Promenade. Guests can also watch live cow-milking demonstrations on Centennial Farm.
Entertainment
Enjoy a host of community entertainers on stages around the Fairgrounds, in Baja Bar and Grill or at The Hangar during the day. Take in a nightly “Taps” performance at Heroes Hall. Capture memories with the OC Fair Foodies. Listen to jaunty tunes emitting from roaming entertainers, Red Light Brass Band. Let loose and belt out a power ballad at live band karaoke and more.
In the OC Promenade, the Magic of Frank Thurston returns to delight guests daily with his family-friendly antics. Comedy hypnotist Chris Mabrey makes his OC Fair debut in Action Sports Arena, Aug. 7-11.
Animals
Cheer on your favorite swine as these happy pigs race daily in Plaza Pacifica. Near Yellow Gate, Great American Petting Farm gives guests up close and personal interactions with creatures big and small. Various animal exhibits and livestock competitions happen daily in the Livestock Arena, or visit Centennial Farm to explore the livestock and crops on display on a three-acre, year-round working farm.
Download the 2024 OC Fair app for tickets, events, food, shopping, maps and more!
For more information, visit ocfair.com.