Monday, June 19, 2023 (8:05 am)

Wednesday, June 7, 2023 (8:35 am)

COSTA MESA (June 7, 2023) – The OC Fair has announced its entertainment lineup for the summer, featuring 71 performances across three venues, Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena.

Entertainment tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.

Pacific Amphitheatre is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and will kick off its summer season with two pre-Fair concerts: Stephen Marley on July 1, and The Green/Hirie/Mike Love/Jesse Royal/Common Sense on July 8.

Then, the Toyota Summer Concert Series marks the opening weekend of the 2023 OC Fair with Bee Gees Gold/ABBA LA on July 14, 3 Doors Down/Candlebox on July 15, and The Happy Together Tour on July 16.

Pacific Amphitheatre shows also include Dwight Yoakam/Asleep at the Wheel on July 20, Gerardo Ortiz/Los Farmerz on July 23, X/The English Beat/Save Ferris on July 30, Beck/Phoenix on Aug. 9, Jeff Dunham on Aug. 10, and Ne-Yo/Robin Thicke/Mario on Aug. 4.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Pacific Amphitheatre’s summer season includes four post-Fair shows this year: Los Tucanes de Tijuana/La Original Banda El Limon on Aug. 18, Chicago on Aug. 20, Gabriel Iglesias on Aug. 27 and Common Kings/Fiji and guests on Sept. 2. Visit pacamp.com for the full venue lineup.

This year’s entertainment in The Hangar includes Devotional (Depeche Mode tribute), Dead Man’s Party (Oingo Boingo tribute), Spencer Sutherland/DOUBLECAMP, Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac tribute), Queen Nation (Queen tribute), and 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 14 and 15. The Monster Truck Nitro Tour, demolition derbies, rodeos, X-Treme Freestyle Moto-X and the Speedway Fair Derby on Aug. 1 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 14-Aug. 13. Shows are selling out so guests are encouraged to purchase tickets now at ticketmaster.com.

Monday, June 5, 2023 (5:02 pm)

Discovery Day at the Farm, June 1

Visit Centennial Farm for self-guided tours, radish seed planting, chick education, oxen demonstration, crop education and more!

When: Thursday, June 1, 9 a.m. – noon.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm

How much: Free Admission and parking.

More info: Visit Centennial Farm Discovery Days

626 Night Market, June 2-4

626 Night Market is back at OC Fair & Event Center! The iconic Californian festival features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. Join us for warm summer days and bright nights this season!

When: June 2-4, 4–11 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – OC Promenade, Lot I/G 

How much: General admission for adult, senior and children $5. Children 3 and under are free. Parking is $12

More info: Visit 626 Night Market

OC Fair’s Job Fair, June 3

Join us for a job fair to learn about the 1,000+ openings for ages 16 and up. We’ll be conducting walk-up interviews and making offers on the spot. Resumes recommended but not required. Bring family and friends who are looking for a fun summer job! 

When: Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Lot F 

How much: Free admission and parking; enter at Gate 4 off Arlington.

More information: Apply ahead at OC Fair Jobs

Fight Club OC, June 8

Welcome to Fight Club OC, a hybrid boxing and MMA fight series that does six shows a year. With three high definition cameras always on the action and an LED HD video board with instant replay, we’ll sell you the seat, but you need to bring the edge.

When: Thursday, June 8, 6–10 p.m.

Schedule:
Baja Blues happy hour 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Hangar doors 6 p.m.
First fight 7 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar

How much: $60 general admission. Parking is $12.

More info: Visit Fight Club OC

626 Night Market, June 9–11

626 Night Market is back at OC Fair & Event Center! The iconic Californian festival features 200+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. Join us for warm summer days and bright nights this season!

When: June 9–11, 4–11 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – OC Promenade, Lot I/G 

How much: General Admission for Adult, Senior and Children $5. Children 3 and under are free. Parking is $12

More info: Visit 626 Night Market

Repticon, June 17–18

Experience the animal kingdom in an exotic way. Explore rows of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and more! Everything you need to keep your critters happy will be available. Join your friends and make new ones at a celebration of reptiles and their connoisseur.

When: Saturday, June 17, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Sunday, June 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Huntington Beach Building

How much: General adult admission $12, children 5-12 $6, children under 4 are free. Military and teachers are free with ID. Super tickets $15 for both days. Parking is $12.

More info: Visit Repticon Reptile Shows

SoCAL World Guitar Show, June 17–18

International buy-sell-trade event. Get bids from several exhibitors to quickly establish the market value of your item and proceed to sell or trade with confidence.

When: Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Sunday, June 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar

How much: General admission $20; children under 11 are free. Parking is $12.

More info: Visit Amigo Guitar Shows

Costa Mesa Speedway: Harley Night #2, June 17

Harley Night #2 / Speedway / Sidecars

When: Saturday, June 17, gates open at 6 p.m., first race at 7:30 p.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Action Sports Arena

How much: $30 general admission; $20 for juniors ages 13-17, seniors (65+) and active military; $10 for kids ages 3-12; free for kids 2 and younger. Parking is $12 for cars and motorcycles.

More info: Visit Costa Mesa Speedway

OC Fair Board of Directors Meeting, June 22

When: Thursday, June 22, 9:30 a.m.

Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Administration Building or virtually on Zoom

More info: Visit OC Fair Public Meetings

Costa Mesa High School Baseball, June 30 – July 4

Costa Mesa High School Baseball will sell safe and sane TNT fireworks.

When: Friday, June 30, 12–10 p.m.
Saturday – Monday, July 1 – 3, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Tuesday, July 4, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center
How much: Firework prices vary. Free Admission and parking.
More info: Visit Costa Mesa High School Baseball

Ongoing 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: Outdoors in Lot D

How much: Free admission and parking; let parking attendant know you are going to the Farmers Market.

More info: Visit OC Farm Bureau

Centennial Farm open daily

Visit our three-acre working farm, which features seasonal crops, farm animals and knowledgeable staff.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (see calendar for closures)

Where on the fairgrounds: Centennial Farm is on the south side of our property

How much: Free admission and parking

More info: Visit Centennial Farm

Centennial Farm Pig Cam

Watch the Centennial farm pigs LIVE on our official Pig Cam and see what these adorable animals are up to!

More info: Visit Centennial Farm Pig Cam

Heroes Hall Museum open Wed.-Sun.

Visit our museum to view the latest exhibits and learn about local veterans.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (see calendar for closures)

Where on the fairgrounds: Heroes Hall is next to Centennial Farm

How much: Free admission and parking

More info: Visit Heroes Hall

Exhibit: ‘Armed Only With A Camera’ through Sept. 2023

The World War II Photography of Stanley Troutman is now on display at Heroes Hall. Troutman served his country by photographing the war in the South Pacific Theater including the devastated cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (see calendar for closures)

Where on the fairgrounds: Heroes Hall is next to Centennial Farm

How much: Free admission and parking

More info: Visit Heroes Hall

Looking ahead to July

OC Fair, July 14 – Aug. 13

The 2023 OC Fair is starting to come alive and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for “Happy Together.” Advance ticket purchase is required as we are limiting the number of admission tickets available for each day. Choose your days and plan your summer! Bonus: No service fees on OC Fair admission tickets!

When: July 14 – Aug. 13

Schedule: 

Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight

Where: OC Fair & Event Center

How much:

$13 general admission on Wednesday & Thursday

$15 general admission on Friday, Saturday & Sunday

$9 seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 every day

Free for kids ages 5 and younger

Parking is $12 for cars and motorcycles, $24 for buses and limos

More info: Visit OC Fair

Monday, May 8, 2023 (9:00 am)

COSTA MESA – VOICES Veterans Storytelling Project returns to Heroes Hall on Saturday, May 13, at 5 p.m. for a new installment of powerfully captivating stories from those who served our country.

The public event is the culmination of a six-week veterans’ initiative, which provides servicemembers with a creative outlet and empowers them to share their memories of military duty and how their experiences have shaped them.

Participants in this VOICES installment will include:

Jersson Nieto of Baldwin Park, U.S. Army, Sergeant – 2015-2023
Khang Phi of Anaheim, U.S. Army, Specialist – 2004-2007
Tori Rhoades of Fullerton, U.S. Marines, Corporal – 1994-2000
Elizabeth Rocha of Orange, U.S. Marines, Sergeant – 2015-2020

The evening will be facilitated by Giovanni Berdejo a former sergeant who served in the U.S. Army from 2002- 2010. Berdejo is the author of “One Angry Veteran,” and he narrated his own VOICES story in 2020.

Held at Heroes Hall at OC Fair & Event Center, VOICES is a collaboration with Arts Orange County and Tierney Center for Veteran Services, and is supported through grants from the California Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Orange County Community Foundation, Heroes Hall Veterans Foundation and the William J. Gillespie Foundation. The program began in 2015 as a way to help address issues raised in the Orange County Community Foundation 2014 report, “The State of the American Veteran: The Orange County Veterans Study,” which found that military veterans coming home to Orange County are significantly underprepared for civilian life.

RSVP for VOICES at voicesmay2023.eventbrite.com. The event is free and open to the public. The staged reading is suggested for mature audiences.

Heroes Hall is a permanent year-round veterans museum and education center at OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. The museum features exhibitions, performances and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. For more information, visit ocfair.com/heroeshall or call (714) 708-1500.

Arts Orange County is a nonprofit, countywide arts council and its mission is to be the leader in building appreciation of, participation in, and support for the arts and arts education throughout Orange County. For more information, visit artsoc.org or call (714) 556-5160.

Goodwill of Orange County’s Tierney Center for Veteran Services is a global approach to serving veterans and their families. The center serves all veterans in Orange County, including immediate family members and military personnel and families. For more information, visit ocgoodwill.org/tierney-center.

OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa is home to the annual OC Fair and Imaginology. Year-round attractions include Centennial Farm, Table of Dignity, Heroes Hall and Pacific Amphitheatre. Throughout the year events ranging from recreation shows to cultural festivals are held at the fairgrounds. For more information, visit ocfair.com.

Thursday, May 4, 2023 (10:20 am)

COSTA MESA – OC Fair & Event Center needs seasonal workers who are looking for terrific summer jobs and a fun way to earn some income. The theme of this year’s Fair is “Happy Together!”

About 1,000 seasonal employees are needed for the 2023 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 2023 OC Fair, July 14-Aug. 13.

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, the option to purchase discounted tickets for friends and family and the opportunity to win a Fair employee scholarship.

Employees will need to follow all health and safety precautions in place at OC Fair & Event Center. More specific information will be provided to applicants and will be based on current protocols from public health agencies.

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.

Job fair, June 3

OC Fair & Event Center will be hosting a hiring event on June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. On-site interviews will take place and applications will be accepted on the spot. Visit ocfair.com/jobs to view open positions. Resumes will be accepted, but are not required.