Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (9:00 am)

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.

Food photos for media use are available here.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024 (3:42 pm)

COSTA MESA (July 2, 2024) – It’s summer and the annual OC Fair is returning on July 19 for its full 23-day run, bringing the fun through Aug. 18. The theme is “Always a Good Time!”

The fairgrounds’ team is working hard to make sure that kids and families have plenty of opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Rides are rolling in, gigantic stuffed animals are taking their places in game booths, farm animals are getting gussied up and entertainers are polishing up their acts for fairgoers.

It’s time to get tickets and plan this summer’s OC Fair adventure. Advance ticket purchase is required – no transaction fees – and daily capacity is limited; visit ocfair.com or download the OC Fair 2024 mobile app. Days will sell out – don’t miss out!

What’s happening at the Fair?

So many activities and things to see are free with Fair admission. Even the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, The Great American Petting Farm and the Orange County Sand and Sea Exhibit are free!

Things to do

• For kids of all ages, Explorium returns to OC Promenade with new and special activities designed to help everyone learn about the unique Orange County coastline at the Sand and Sea exhibit. Visitors explore sea life in a touch tank and take a deep dive with virtual reality.
• Ever dreamed of singing with a real band? You can do it at the OC Fair! Venture over to Live Band Karaoke in Plaza Pacifica to take the microphone or just be entertained each evening.
• Fairgoers can meet the OC Fair’s costumed characters, the beloved Foodies! Strawberry Jan, Olivia Orange, Sunny Lemon, Carl Cotton Candy and Cornelious Corn are out at various times during the day and are happy to take photos with fairgoers. Too cute!
• The Magic of Frank Thurston brings laughs and surprises to the OC Promenade stage daily. Kids can even participate in the show!
• What’s more fun than a classic pie-eating contest? Contestants can try to be the fastest to chow down a Knott’s Berry Farm boysenberry pie slice or dig into a juicy hunk of watermelon to win a prize.
• Insider tip: Carnival tickets and wristbands are available online for a discount through July 18. The Read and Ride program offers kids 5-11 two free rides in Kidland for reading three books and filling out the online form.

Things to see

• All-Alaskan Racing Pigs will be back on their track in Plaza Pacifica – fairgoers can cheer on their favorites as the little porkers cavort around the course.
• In the Livestock area, there are more animals to teach and entertain. Displays will feature pygmy goats, llamas, global livestock, urban chickens and miniature donkeys.
• At Centennial Farm, the resident animal educators will teach visitors about farm life and fairgoers can check out California crops. Learn about beekeeping, gardening and growing rare fruit.
• Action Sports Arena is back with comedy hypnotism, demolition derbies, monster trucks and BMX bike shows. The new Chris Mabrey Comedy Hypnotist show is free with Fair admission.
• Local residents showcase their talents and attempt to take home coveted OC Fair blue ribbons in categories like photography, fine art, woodworking, floral arrangements, table-setting, cake decorating and growing flowers, vegetables and fruit. Check out the competitions in Visual Arts, Home Arts and OC Promenade. Some entries are still open, visit ocfair.com for more information.

Things to eat and drink

• The popular Taste of the Fair is back and better than ever with smaller-size food options for just $5 every day until 4 p.m. View the menus here.
• Creative concessionaires are cooking up some typically outrageous Fair food so guests looking for something new will not be disappointed. Feeling brave? Try a Dr. Pepper Pickle Soda or Bacon Churro Fries.
• Fairgoers will also enjoy their favorites, including classic funnel cakes, serious BBQ, deep-fried treats, cinnamon rolls, family-sized pizza, exotic floats, ice cream and everything on a stick. There are many options suitable for sharing.
• Adults looking for a break can hit The Courtyard, where award-winning OC Fair wines and a variety of others are served in a shady spot.
• Insider tip: Bring reusable containers to take along extras or purchase take-and-bake options like cookies, pizza and cheesy bread to enjoy more Fair food at home.

Things to hear

• Local talent is on display on community stages every day and night of the Fair. Watch friends, neighbors and up-and-coming performers give it all they’ve got. Look for acoustic music, rock performances, country music, dance groups and more.
• There’s music every night coming from the shows in The Hangar and fairgoers can dance and sing along, enjoying the party in the Main Mall.
• Pacific Amphitheatre is home to amazing shows under the stars. Performances include comedian Trevor Noah, concerts by The Fab Four & The Monkee Men, Stray Cats, Walker Hayes and Kool & the Gang.
• In The Hangar, tribute bands Red Corvette, Twisted Gypsy, No Duh and The Long Run join Embajadores del Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez over the course of the Fair.
• Tickets are available now for all shows at ocfair.com.

Key things to know about the 2024 OC Fair – July 19-Aug. 18

• A limited number of tickets are available each day – dates will sell out
• Advance online ticket sales are required – no transaction fees
• Tickets are good only for the date purchased; please choose days carefully – no refunds
• With the Every Day Passport fairgoers can enjoy the Fair any day or every day for $60 with no restrictions or blackout dates – quantities are limited

Same-day Fair admission is included with tickets to performances during the Fair

OC Fair schedule

• 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday
• 11 a.m. – midnight Friday & Saturday
• General admission tickets – no fees: $13 weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday) and $15 weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Tickets for seniors (60+) and youth (ages 6-12) are $9 every day and children 5 and younger are always free.

Special deals

• Every Day Passports give fairgoers access to the Fair any day or every day for $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 now every day until 4 p.m. Fairgoers can enjoy taste-size portions of Fair food favorites for only $5 each.

Free with OC Fair admission

• Exhibits and demonstrations – check out blue-ribbon winners, explore handcrafts and woodworking, marvel at large-scale album-cover art and get great tips from chefs during culinary demos
• Visit the Art of Music Experience to wander through more than 150 hand-painted recreations, neon and displays, a themed cocktail lounge, a pop-up record store or participate in one of the many interactive experiences
• Performances on community stages and nightly fun – see local talent, sing karaoke with a live band, catch a show in Baja Bar & Grill and dance in La Cantina
• Animal experiences – visit Centennial Farm’s animal educators, All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, livestock displays and Great American Petting Farm
• New – hypnotist Chris Mabrey performs free in Action Sports Arena, Aug. 7-11

Ticketed performances

• Shows in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena are on sale now – some performances are selling out. Shows start July 9 and run through Sept. 14. More information is at ocfair.com/entertainment. Please arrive early to avoid traffic
• The 2024 OC Fair mobile app is now available with information on daily activities as well as a map, news & information and tickets. Search for “OC Fair 2024” in your app store

Friday, May 24, 2024 (10:14 am)

On May 23, the OC Fair & Event Center Board of Directors proudly proclaimed May as Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month. This special declaration was received by A.G. Kawamura.

A.G. Kawamura is as a third-generation fruit and vegetable grower and shipper in Orange County, former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and co-developer of Centennial Farm. We are honored to celebrate his dedication to the goal of ending hunger in our lifetime, working to provide fresh produce to local food banks through his nonprofit, Solutions for Urban Agriculture

The proclamation was presented by Director Dimetria Jackson and Director Natalie Rubalcava-Garcia, representing both the OC Fair Board of Directors and the 32nd District Agricultural Association.

Friday, May 17, 2024 (9:01 am)

The OC Fair has announced its entertainment lineup for the summer, featuring 83 performances across three venues, Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena.

Entertainment tickets are on sale now at etix.com.

Pacific Amphitheatre will kick off its summer season with five pre-Fair concerts: Cake and DakhaBrakha on July 9, Tash Sultana and Chiiild on July 10, All Time Low and The Band Camino on July 12, Los Tucanes de Tijuana and Voz de Mando on July 14, and Ziggy Marley and Lettuce on July 18.

 Then, the Toyota Summer Concert Series marks the opening weekend of the 2024 OC Fair with Chris Young and Connor Smith on July 19, ABBA LA and Bee Gees Gold on July 20 and Happy Together on July 21.

 Pacific Amphitheatre shows also include Keyshia Cole, Joe and Eric Bellinger on July 25; Sublime with Rome and Fortunate Youth on July 27 Stray Cats on Aug. 1 & 2, Walker Hayes and Kylie Morgan on Aug. 7, Chris Lane on Aug. 14, and Trevor Noah on Aug. 18.

 But the fun doesn’t stop there. Pacific Amphitheatre’s summer season includes nine post-Fair shows this year: Squeeze and Boy George on Aug. 21; NEEDTOBREATHE and JOHNNYSWIM on Aug. 22; Iration, Pepper, DENM and Artikal Sound System on Aug. 23 & 24; 311, AWOLNATION and Neon Trees on Aug. 27; Big Time Rush and Crash Adams on Aug. 30; Counting Crows and Toad The Wet Sprocket on Aug. 31; John Fogerty and Hearty Har on Sept. 3; and Bonnie Raitt and James Hunter on Sept. 14. Visit pacamp.com for the full venue lineup.

 This year’s entertainment in The Hangar includes Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo/Danny Elfman tribute), Ticket To The Moon (Electric Light Orchestra tribute), 24K Magic! (Bruno Mars tribute), No Duh (No Doubt tribute), I Am King (Michael Jackson tribute) and Embajadores del Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. See ocfair.com for the complete venue lineup.

 Action Sports Arena will launch the Fair season with OC Brew Hee Haw, a craft beer roundup with live music, on July 19 & 20. Monster Truck Nitro Tour, demolition derbies, comedy hypnotist Chris Mabrey and BMX Big Air Triples will round out the entertainment. Check out ocfair.com for the detailed venue lineup.

 Fair-time entertainment tickets include free same-day admission to the OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18. Shows are selling out so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets now at etix.com.

 The 2024 OC Fair runs July 19 through Aug. 18 and offers 23 days and nights of entertainment, food, rides, shopping, exhibits and more. The theme is “Always A Good Time.”

 Daily Fair capacity is limited to provide a better experience for fairgoers and advance tickets are required. Visit ocfair.com/tickets to purchase now – days will sell out.

 Photos and video are available for media use at ocfair.com/media-center.

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (1:59 pm)

OC Fair & Event Center needs employees who are looking for terrific summer jobs and a fun way to earn some income. The theme of this year’s Fair is “Always a Good Time!”

About 750 seasonal employees are needed for the 2024 OC Fair. Job postings are available at ocfair.com/jobs for people 16 and older. Hiring has begun for several positions, with some start dates closer to the 2024 OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18.

OC Fair & Event Center will be hosting a hiring event on June 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the administration building at the corner of Arlington Drive and Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Applications are required and must be submitted before the event. On-site interviews will take place. Resumes will be accepted, but are not required. To view open positions and apply, visit ocfair.com/jobs.

Most open positions are seasonal, part-time with opportunities to build exhibits, work as a ticket taker, administrative assistant or customer service representative. Departments such as parking, security, janitorial, landscaping, maintenance and admissions are also seeking workers. There are also some year-round jobs available.

Perks include free admission to the OC Fair and the option to purchase discounted tickets for friends and family.

For more information, visit ocfair.com/jobs or contact the human resources department at 714-708-1563, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

ABOUT THE 2024 OC FAIR

“Always a Good Time” is the theme of this year’s OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18. Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Tickets are on sale now for Fair admission, the carnival and performances in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena.

Again this year, the Fair will limit daily attendance and require that tickets be purchased online in advance for specific days – no fees. The Every Day Passport provides admission any day or every day of the Fair for $60 with no restrictions. Quantities are limited.

For more information, visit ocfair.com.

OC Fair photos and video are available for media use at ocfair.com/newsroom.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, is home to the annual OC Fair. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. OC Fair & Event Center also hosts year-round events. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Support of OC Fair & Event Center provides year-round educational opportunities and helps fund community give-back programs.