• Thursday, September 30, 2021 (1:57 pm)

    October events at OC Fair & Event Center

    OC Fair & Event Center will host several large events in October and November, including three weekends of the food fest 626 Night Market OC.

    ♦ 626 Night Market OC – 3 weekends! Oct. 1-3, Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 22-24
    The iconic California festival features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. Come happier and hungrier together with friends and family! Hours: Friday & Saturday, 4-11 p.m.; Sunday, 4-10 p.m. (Oct. 1-3 and Oct. 8-10); Friday, Oct. 22, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 23-24, noon-10 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: OC Promenade, Lot G and Lot I
    How much: $5 admission plus fees. Parking is $10. Most vendors accept cash only; ATMs are available. Get more info at 626nightmarket.com.

     Gem Faire, Oct. 8-10
    Fine jewelry, precious & semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold & silver, minerals & much more at manufacturer’s prices. Nearly 200 exhibitors from around the world. Jewelry repair, cleaning & ring sizing while you shop.  Hours: Friday, Oct. 8, noon-6 p.m. (wholesale preview 10 a.m.-noon); Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: Costa Mesa Building and Santa Ana Pavilion
    How much: $7 general admission. Parking is $10. Get more info at gemfaire.com.

    ♦ Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 8-31
    Pumpkin patch featuring kiddy rides, petting zoo and inflatable slides, bounce house and obstacle course. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 3-9 p.m.; Friday, 3-10 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: Lot C
    How much: Entrance is free; prices for activities and pumpkins vary. Parking fee varies. Get more info at seasonaladventures.com.

     Fight Club OC, Oct. 14
    Pro Boxing & MMA live inside The Hangar. The most fun you can have on a Thursday night in the OC! Hours: Thursday, Oct. 14 & Nov. 11, 7 p.m. (happy hour begins at 5:30 p.m.)
    Where on the fairgrounds: Outdoors in Main Mall
    How much: $60 general admission tickets available via Fight Club OC. Parking is $10; enter at Gate 1 off Fair Drive.
    More info: Visit socafights.com

    ♦ OC Japan Fair, Oct. 15-17
    The 11th annual OC Japan Fair will give everyone the opportunity to experience and learn about Japan, from observing Japanese traditions to learning (and tasting!) the Japanese culinary culture that’s been designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Hours: Friday, Oct. 15, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 16, noon-10 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: Los Alamitos Building and Lot I
    How much: $10 general admission. Parking is $10. Get more info at oc-japanfair.com. 

    ♦ OC Fair Board of Directors meeting, Oct. 28
    OC Fair’s Board of Directors typically meets monthly via Zoom and in person at OC Fair & Event Center. The agenda and location for this meeting will be available later in the month at ocfair.com/public-information/public-meetings. The public is invited to watch or participate in Board meetings via Zoom or in person. The meetings, which begin at 9 a.m., will also be recorded and posted on our website afterward.

    ♦ OC Boo Ha Ha – A Haunted Oktoberfest, Oct. 29 & 30
    In partnership with the amazing Brew Ha Ha Craft Beer Festivals, this event will feature unlimited beer tasting, live music, costume contests and ghoulish decor. Live music includes Lit with special guests MEST and Handsome Devil on Oct. 29 and A Flock of Seagulls with special guest The M80’s on Oct. 30. Hours: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 29-30, 6 p.m.-midnight
    Where on the fairgrounds: Plaza Pacifica
    How much: Friday, Oct. 29, general admission is $47.50-$55 and VIP is $57.50-$99; Saturday, Oct. 30, general admission is $47.50-$67.50 and VIP is $57.50-$99.50. Parking is $10. Get more info at theboohaha.com.

     The Original OC Swap Meet, Oct. 30
    This event was created to provide a space for local small businesses and the community to come together in an outdoor setting. The swap meet showcases products and goods for all to buy and enjoy.                                            Hours: Saturday, Oct. 30, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: Enter at Gate 10
    How much: Free admission, $10 parking (credit card only). 
    More info: Check instagram.com/ogocswapmeet, email ogswapmeet@gmail.com or call (949) 302-0355

     Ongoing events at OC Fair & Event Center

    ♦ 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. 
     Hours: Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: Outdoors in Lot D
    More info: Visit ocfarmbureau.org 

     Heroes Hall – Now open for self tours Wednesdays-Sundays
     Visit our museum to view the latest exhibits and learn about local veterans.
     Hours: Wednesdays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Where on the fairgrounds: Heroes Hall is next to Centennial Farm; enter at Gate 1
    More info: Visit ocfair.com/heroeshall

     Centennial Farm – Now open daily
    Visit our three-acre working farm, which features seasonal crops, farm animals and knowledgeable staff.
     Hours: Daily, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (except holidays and all-grounds events)
    Where on the fairgrounds: Centennial Farm is on the south side of our property; enter at Gate 1
    More info: Visit ocfair.com/centennialfarm

    At a Glance: November Highlights
     The SDCCU OC Running Festival, Nov. 5-7
    Fight Club, Nov. 11
    Sugar Plum Arts & Crafts Festival, Nov. 11-13
    Repticon, Nov. 13-14
    IMS Outdoors Southern California, Nov. 19-21
    Seasonal Adventures Tree Lot, Nov. 22-Dec. 19
    Night of Lights OC, Nov. 26-Jan. 2


  • (10:09 am)

    Heroes Hall to close Oct. 1-12 in preparation for new exhibit

    Heroes Hall will be closed from Oct. 1 through 12 as the team installs a new exhibit. 

    Through Their Eyes: Artwork by Active Military and Veterans is a juried show featuring artwork from 23 U.S. military veterans from the Southern California region. The artists have expressed themselves through a variety of mediums including sculpture, photography, painting, carving and woodworking. Their subject matter is as unique as they are and ranges from combat scenes to flowers and surreal portraits. But there is one thing they all have in common: they have all served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

    The exhibit will run from Oct. 13, 2021, through Jan. 20, 2022.

    View a list of artists and get more info about the exhibit

    Heroes Hall at the OC Fairgrounds
    Open Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-5  p.m.


  • Wednesday, September 29, 2021 (2:03 pm)

    Fair Board pays tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month

    During September’s OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors meeting, members paid tribute to National Hispanic Heritage Month.

    The presentation highlighted the contributions Hispanics have made to Orange County’s communities, education and heritage, and to agriculture throughout California. 

    View full presentation 


  • Thursday, September 23, 2021 (4:46 pm)

    Gov. Newsom appoints Melahat Rafiei to OC Fair Board

    SACRAMENTO (Sept. 21, 2021) – Melahat Rafiei, 44, of Anaheim, has been appointed to the 32nd District Agricultural Association (Orange County Fair Board).

    Rafiei has been Secretary at the California Democratic Party since 2021. She has been Principal at Progressive Solutions Consulting since 2009 and a Co-Founder of WeCann since 2017. Rafiei was Executive Director at the Democratic Party of Orange County from 2007 to 2009 and a Board Member at the Community Action Fund from 2007 to 2013. She is a delegate for the California Democratic Party and a member of Democratic National Committee and the City of Anaheim’s Cultural and Heritage Commission. 

    View governor’s official announcement


  • Wednesday, August 25, 2021 (11:23 am)

    OC Fair announces final attendance numbers for 2021 event

    The OC Fair has announced that 1,055,770 guests attended the 2021 event which ran from July 16 through Aug. 15, 2021.

    Advance tickets were required for the first time as the Fair moved forward with limited daily capacity and a slightly slimmed down array of booths and attractions.  Also for the first time, the OC Fair sold out 16 of its 23 days due to capacity limitations.

    “While we’re so pleased that more than a million people came out to support the return of the OC Fair this year, increased attendance is no longer a number by which we will measure the success of the Fair,” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Michele Richards. “More important to us is the great guest experience we were able to create, our ability to responsibly manage our resources and achieve profitability, and our efforts to be good neighbors and support the community in times of need.”

    “Time for Fun,” was the theme of this year’s Fair and guests agreed. The 2021 guest survey showed that the Fair earned an overall enjoyment rating of 4.2 out of 5 and the advance ticketing process earned a 4.5 out of 5 rating from visitors.

    Some 16 percent who answered the survey said they attended the OC Fair for the first time and fairgoers said their favorite parts of the event were food, animals and exhibits.

    Visitors also enjoyed music at this year’s Fair with 20 sold-out concerts in The Hangar and so far nine sold-out shows in Pacific Amphitheatre.

    Concerts under the stars are continuing with five more shows in Pacific Amphitheatre:
    Aug. 25 – Goo Goo Dolls / Sister Hazel – Buy tickets
    Aug. 26 – Flaming Lips / Greer – Buy tickets
    Sept. 2 – Chase Rice / Breland – Buy tickets
    Sept. 11 – Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture – Buy tickets 
    Sept. 23 – Hank Williams Jr. / Jackson Dean – Buy tickets

    The 2020 OC Fair was canceled due to the pandemic and a virtual event was held online. Attendance at the 2019 OC Fair was 1,393,482.


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