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The hottest summer dates start at the OC Fair – here’s your ultimate guide

COSTA MESA (July 21, 2026) — The OC Fair is a magical place where you can leave your worries behind and, for 23 summer days and nights, have some seriously grown-up fun. Grab a favorite person and make plans to soak up the sun and light up the night!

Entertainment
A summer concert under the stars in Pacific Amphitheatre is the ultimate SoCal summertime couples goal. Hands down, PacAmp is the best entertainment venue around, bringing performers like Nelly, AJR, Rebelution and Steel Pulse as well as classic acts such as Patti LaBelle and Nile Rodgers & CHIC. Pro tip: Tickets to shows in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena all include same-day OC Fair admission.

You know that feeling when your favorite song from school comes on the radio? Why not experience it live in The Hangar with a tribute band? This year, choose from Queen Nation (Queen tribute), 24K Magic (Bruno Mars tribute), No Duh (No Doubt tribute), Breakdown (Tom Petty tribute), Swift Nation (Taylor Swift tribute) and more.

Fair After Dark keeps that party going with music and dancing every night in Plaza Pacifica. Not sure how to get your groove on? Lessons in Latin, swing and line dancing help you figure out the fun. Bring your date and hit the dance floor — no need to wait for your cousin’s wedding!

Fair experiences
Enjoy an adult beverage in a new secret bar. This year, the sippin’ scene decidedly moves up a notch with new bars hidden in Fair attractions, each with its own vibe. The Hitchcock speakeasy is inside the REWIND exhibit, the Secret Butterfly Garden brings a natural respite near Centennial Farm, the Promenade Bar serves craft cocktails among the culinary exhibits in the evening and The Lounge at Pacific Amphitheatre offers pre-show drinks to get fairgoers in the mood for the night ahead.

Fair staples La Cantina, where Micheladas and dancing in the evenings come highly recommended, and Baja Bar & Grill, where intimate performances and all the cocktails come together, do not disappoint and offer distinct mini-club scenes.

Crazy or classic — what’s your couples goal for food? The good news is that oodles of Fair food are made to be shared. You know the turkey legs, funnel cakes and pizzas are made for two, but there is another option — the $5 Taste of Fair, offering smaller portions for just $5 until 5 p.m. Such a deal!

Then work it off together by running the OC Fair Fun Run 5K on Aug. 9.

Togetherness vibes
Food and wine pairing seminars are in the Wine Courtyard each Saturday and Sunday — another great shady place to beat the heat, grab an adult beverage and share a snack.

Love is in the Fair! The Tunnel of Love may be a thing of the past, but there are plenty of places to get romantic and you won’t want to miss those photo booths where you can perfect your poses for posterity. We also hear that lots of couples get engaged at the OC Fair, hint, hint.

Pro tip: Grab a scenic sunset selfie on the Sky Ride or from one of the three Ferris wheels.

Do the couple things by getting matching T-shirts, custom airbrushed hats, wax roses or that OC Fair classic — caricatures! If you want to know what the future holds, visit a fortune teller to find out if you will really have 10 kids and move to Paris. 

And … win the big prize at the carnival! 

OC Fair details

Dates: July 17 – Aug. 16
Hours

  • Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight

Fair prices

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $18 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $10 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • Every Day Passports are available for $60 and provide access any day of the Fair with no blackout dates
  • Arrive early and save with Smart Start! Enter the fairgrounds between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday or Thursday for just $11.
  • General parking: $15

For tickets, promotions and complete event information, visit ocfair.com.

OC Fair starts this week – don’t miss opening weekend excitement and last-chance deals

COSTA MESA (July 14, 2026) — The 2026 OC Fair opens this Friday and it’s the last chance for fairgoers to snag the best deals of the season and to make plans to be part of summer’s best launch party.

Gates open at 11 a.m. and the excitement starts right away. The ceremonial opening of the OC Fair will feature the thrill of an amazing flyover of T-34 Mentor aircraft at noon along with the unfurling of the American Flag at The Hangar and the official kickoff of the annual OC Fair where the theme “Your Adventure Awaits” celebrates the American spirit of exploration.

And World Cup fans don’t have to miss the finals this weekend while celebrating at the Fair because it’s been designated as an official FIFA watch site. Huge screens will be set up in four locations. FIFA and Fair – it’s a win-win!

The Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Roundup will tap the kegs at 6 p.m. this Friday while Sweet Revenge, a tribute to My Chemical Romance, gets the beer festival crowd ready to party. There are two more brew-tasting sessions with live music on Saturday in the Fair’s Action Sports Arena.

Midland performs opening night in Pacific Amphitheatre bringing their heart-on-your-sleeve, drinkin’ and cheatin’ country songs to Orange County. In The Hangar, Twisted Gypsy reimagines the best of Fleetwood Mac. View the full entertainment schedule.

Special value bundles are available only until Friday and the OC Fair continues with its limited-capacity model so advance tickets are required and on sale at ocfair.com.

For more information about the 2026 OC Fair, including admission, entertainment and food offerings, visit ocfair.com.

OC Fair details

Dates: July 17 – Aug. 16
Hours

  • Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight

Pre-Fair admission prices

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $15 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $9 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • Every Day Passports are available for $60 while supplies last and provide access any day of the Fair with no blackout dates
  • Special value bundles are available until opening day

Fair prices starting July 17

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $18 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $10 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • General parking: $15

For tickets, promotions and complete event information, visit ocfair.com.

Thrill-seekers’ guide to the 2026 OC Fair

The best deals are available before Opening Day July 17

COSTA MESA (July 8, 2026) — Death-defying daredevils? Check! Extreme thrill rides? Check! Smash ’em, crash ’em demolition derbies? Check! White-knuckle roller coasters? Check!

Looking for the most summer excitement per acre? Look no further than the midways and arenas of this summer’s OC Fair, where Your Adventure Awaits!

Action Sports Arena

The Nerveless Nocks Daredevil Circus comes charging back into Action Sports Arena with the Globe of Death, the Wheel of Steel and the FMX Stunt Spectacular. This family of audacious stuntmen and stuntwomen pull out all the stops to entertain Fair guests with adrenaline-pounding acts, bringing thrilling tour de force performances July 22-26.

Fairgoers asked for more demolition derbies and the OC Fair delivers with 10 nights of bashing, smashing, crashing and utter destruction. If it can be crushed, it is being crushed this summer in Action Sports Arena. Mini cars, minivans and motorhomes will face their demise Aug. 5-Aug. 16. Special shows include Damsels of Destruction, Emergency Pursuit Demolition Derby and two nights of the famous Orange Crush Demolition Derby when local first responders get behind the wheel to chase down serious damage.

Monster trucks are big-footing their way back to the OC Fair with five nights of huge tires and gigantic thrills July 29-Aug. 2. The audience will hold its collective breath as these behemoths attempt nearly impossible feats sailing across Action Sports Arena executing gravity-defying stunts.

View the full entertainment schedule.

Main carnival midway

The new Air Raid ride soars into summer, taking its place among the most high-speed intense rides in the carnival. This multi-action thriller combines a rotating tower with acrobatic, tumbling gondolas. It delivers an intense, multi-dimensional spinning experience, often reaching up to 4Gs of force and taking riders upside down.

Thrill-seeker favorites such as Cyclone, Aviator, Endeavor, Tango and Insanity feature tall drops, high speeds or intense spins. Super spectacular is a real ride category describing massive pendulum, drop tower or spinning loop rides such as Titan, Joker 360, Sound Storm and Overdrive. With more than 65 rides, the OC Fair midway throws out so much excitement that guests may need to pace themselves.

The game scene is strong and bragging rights are serious when winners strut around with giant stuffed prizes. Fairgoers cheer on players showing off their skills while debating the best way to win. The thrill of victory can be found at more than 30 game booths including Hi-Striker, Big Basketball and Whopper.

Fairgoers should grab carnival and admission deals now before prices increase when the Fair starts July 17.

Around the fairgrounds

While walking through the Fair, the thrills come to you. Keep an eye out for Dragon Knights Stilt Show, an elite performance troupe celebrated worldwide for their gravity-defying acrobatic stilt performances. They are famous for bounding up to 15 feet in the air using specialized pneumatic spring stilts. Fairgoers may also spot Captain Tall Tale, an 8’3″ adventuring performer who even does circus tricks on his stilts.

Fear not, there is also plenty of excitement for little thrill-seekers-in-training.

More magic can be found on stage in the OC Promenade where Frank Thurston astounds guests of all ages with his wizardry and conjuring. He has been an OC Fair fixture for more than 30 years and is known for bringing audience members on stage to be part of the show.

The OC Fair splash fountain is the place where tots find their own kind of drippy thrills as water shoots into the air in unexpected ways to surprise and delight. Families in the know pack towels and a change of clothes.

In the Kidland Carnival, the excitement comes in fun-size versions made just for kids. Kiddie Bumper Boats, Flying Jumbo Elephants and even a mini version of Monster Trucks provide thrills that are just right for smaller fairgoers.

For more information, visit ocfair.com.

OC Fair details

Dates: July 17 – Aug. 16
Hours

  • Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight

Pre-Fair admission prices

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $15 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $9 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • Every Day Passports are available for $60 while supplies last and provide access any day of the Fair with no blackout dates
  • Special value bundles are available until opening day

Fair prices starting July 17

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $18 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $10 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • General parking: $15

For tickets, promotions and complete event information, visit ocfair.com.

2026 OC Fair serves a fresh lineup of exclusive eats, global flavors and Fair food favorites

COSTA MESA (July 2, 2026) — From globally inspired creations and over-the-top combinations to indulgent fried desserts and family-friendly value meals, the 2026 OC Fair is serving up an exciting menu of new culinary experiences and beloved fair classics when it opens this month.

This year’s food lineup features dozens of new items, OC Fair exclusives and expanded value offerings – including the $5 Taste of Fair now daily until 5 p.m. – giving fairgoers even more reasons to arrive hungry. Anyone interested in the Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheeseburger?

The OC Fair opens July 17 and runs through Aug. 16 featuring more than 100 food vendors, bringing more variety and more exciting options than ever before. Get tickets now at ocfair.com.

New and exclusive flavors

  • The Croffle from Mom’s Bakeshoppe makes its OC Fair debut after gaining popularity in South Korea. The Chocolate Chip Croffle combines a buttery croissant pressed in a waffle iron and topped with vanilla ice cream.
  • French Onion Ten Pound Bun, an OC Fair exclusive from Ten Pound Buns, layers whipped butter, garlic, mozzarella, cheddar and caramelized onions into an irresistible oversized bread creation. The stand also offers Campfire Breakfast and vegan Avocado Toast.
  • Gooey Maple Butter Popcorn Cone from Planet Popcorn is another OC Fair exclusive, featuring warm maple butter popcorn served in a cone with optional chopped nuts. Guests can also choose from several gluten-free popcorn flavors.
  • Shawarma Fry Cone brings middle eastern flavors to the Fair in a portable cone (or wrap) via Chicken Charlie’s stands. While there, look for the OC Fair exclusive Deep-Fried Tiramisu.

Chicken Charlie’s celebrates 30 years
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Chicken Charlie’s introduces:

  • Fried Mangonada
  • Shawarma Fry Cone
  • Parmesan Garlic Fry Cone
  • Fried Tiramisu (OC Fair exclusive)

The stand is also offering a special $30 anniversary meal deal that includes an entrée, fries, Fried Oreos and a drink.

Bigger, bolder potato creations
Corn Star & Baked Potato Club introduces several hearty new menu items, including:

  • Street Corn Baked Potato
  • Chili Mac ‘n’ Cheese Baked Potato
  • Street Corn Fries
  • Tot-Zilla
  • Vegetarian Broc-Star Potato with broccoli

A smaller Street Corn Baked Potato is also available through the $5 Taste of Fair.

More new Fair favorites
Additional highlights include:

  • Peanut Butter & Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger (Philly Cheese Steak)
  • Dutch Fries with black truffle mayo (Biggy’s)
  • Dubai Deep-Fried Oreo (Fried Affair)
  • Porkapalooza Pizza (Enzo’s Pizza)
  • Korean Corn Dogs and Cheese Sticks rolled in Takis or buldak ramen (Mustard’s)
  • Chupacabra Tasti Chips (Tasti Chips)
  • Candied drinks dirty beverages (Sugar Puff Candy)
  • Gluten-free Cheese Curds (Tasti Burger)
  • Loaded Tater Kegs (Tasti Burger)
  • New freeze-dried candy beverages and Candy Blast gummies (Sugar Puff Candy)

More value and great variety

Guests can enjoy $5 Taste offerings daily until 5 p.m., with the popular promotion extended by one additional hour this year. View menu.

Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options continue to grow throughout the fair, including vegan avocado toast, vegetarian baked potatoes, gluten-free cheese curds and multiple gluten-free popcorn flavors, Dole Whip creations, cheese on a stick and more.

Whether guests come for adventurous flavors, nostalgic treats or classic fair favorites, the 2026 OC Fair offers one of its most diverse and delicious food lineups yet.

For more information about the 2026 OC Fair, including admission, entertainment and food offerings, visit ocfair.com.

OC Fair details

Dates: July 17 – Aug. 16
Hours

  • Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight

Pre-Fair admission prices

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $15 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $9 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • Every Day Passports are available for $60 while supplies last and provide access any day of the Fair with no blackout dates
  • Special value bundles are available until opening day

Fair prices starting July 17

  • Adults: $13 weekdays; $18 weekends
  • Youth (6-12): $9 daily
  • Seniors (65+): $10 daily
  • Children 5 and younger: Free
  • General parking: $15

For tickets, promotions and complete event information, visit ocfair.com.

Governor Newsom appoints Vakharia and Murphy to OC Fair Board

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the appointment of two new board members to the 32nd District Agricultural Association, also known as the Orange County Fair Board.

Priti Vakharia, of Newport Beach, has been the Corporate Legal Counsel of LISI Group since 2022. She was the General Counsel and Compliance Officer in the Division of Community Development for the Jersey City Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Commerce from 2017 to 2021.

Vakharia was a Board Attorney for the Jersey City Alcoholic Beverage Control Board from 2013 to 2014. She was Assistant Corporation Counsel for the Jersey City Law Department from 2007 to 2014. Vakharia has a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the College of William and Mary.

Michelle Murphy, of Costa Mesa, has been a Senior Consultant for Orange County United Way since 2024, where she has held multiple positions since 2016, including Associate Director of Advocacy and Health, Director of Public Affairs and Senior Director of Public Affairs. Murphy was a Strategic Development Consultant at CalOptima from 2014 to 2016.

She was a Federal Health Care Grants Manager for the United States House of Representatives. Murphy has a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona.

Board members Doug La Belle, who served since 2010, and Nick Kovacevich, who served since 2020, were thanked for their service on the board.

These changes were effective June 26.

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