Wednesday, February 16, 2022 (3:32 pm)

OC Fair was featured as a “Grant Spotlight” in the 2021 California Department of Food & Agriculture report for its new exhibit, California Fresh.

The report mentions the backstory of the Specialty Crop Block Grand Program, which was originally granted to Cal Expo in 2020. The State Fair could not host their event in 2021, so Cal Expo granted a “subaward” to its Orange County counterpart – that’s us! 

OC Fair’s Exhibits & Education team developed the exhibit and made it adaptable for display at Cal Expo as well. During the 2021 OC Fair, the exhibit was on display in the OC Promenade.

The CDFA report says, “A tip of the hat to all involved, with CDFA’s thanks for making sure this project ended up where the public could enjoy it, even with all the hurdles the past few years have thrown in everyone’s way.”

See the full 2021 CDFA report

Wednesday, January 19, 2022 (2:31 pm)

OC Fair has announced more if its 2022 summer entertainment lineup. Live music performances at Pacific Amphitheatre include Kool & the Gang with Sister Sledge on opening weekend, and Jim Gaffigan on Aug. 4.

Also performing during the OC Fair at The Hangar: Elton – The Early Years – A Tribute to Elton John, Dog N Butterfly – The Heart Experience and The Long Run – Experience the Eagles. OC Brew Hee Haw, the annual craft beer festival, will return this summer at a new venue: Action Sports Arena.

Tickets for these shows will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.

COMING TO PACIFIC AMPHITHEATRE

Kool & the Gang with Sister Sledge
July 15, 2022, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $39.50-$79.50

Get ready for a dance-filled summer night with Kool & the Gang and special guest Sister Sledge. Formed as a jazz ensemble in the mid-’60s, Kool & the Gang became one of the most inspired and influential funk units during the ’70s, and one of the most popular R&B groups of the ’80s after their breakout hit “Celebration.” They’ll follow Sister Sledge, the sibling vocal group behind the anthem “We Are Family.”

Jim Gaffigan
Aug. 4, 2022, 8:15 p.m.
Tickets are $55-$95

It’s about time for some belly laughs. Jim Gaffigan is a five-time Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, producer, best-selling author, two-time Emmy-winning top touring performer, and multi-platinum-selling recording artist. He is known for his unique brand of humor, which largely revolves around his observations on life. Gaffigan recently released his seventh stand up special, Quality Time, with Amazon Studios, making history as their first original comedy special. He also continues to tour around the world.

COMING TO THE HANGAR

Elton – The Early Years – A Tribute to Elton John
July 21, 2022, 8:15 p.m.
Tickets are $20-$25

Accomplished musician and vocalist, Kenny Metcalf recreates the multiple Grammy-winning legend and flamboyant superstar in each and every performance. Dazzling outfits, stunning vocals, and a spectacular backing band complete this reproduction that brings the audience on an adventure of both sight and sound.

Dog N Butterfly – The Heart Experience
July 29, 2022, 8:15 p.m.
Tickets are $20-$25

Created in late 2003, Dog N Butterfly is a five-piece band dedicated to bringing their talent and love of Heart’s memorable music to the stage. Complete with retro-inspired costume and dance, Dog N Butterfly performs all the ’70s hits as well as the chart-toppers that brought Heart back into the lime light in the ’80s.

The Long Run – Experience the Eagles
Aug. 4, 2022, 8:15 p.m.
Tickets are $20-$25

The Long Run is a hard-working tribute act from Los Angeles dedicated to faithfully recreating the timeless music of The Eagles. Marked by lush harmonies and exceptional musical accuracy, every performance delivers a reverence for the beloved Eagles recordings, blended with TLR’s own live-concert personality.

COMING TO ACTION SPORTS ARENA

OC Brew Hee Haw – A Craft Beer Roundup
Tickets are $50 (GA) / $60 (VIP) / $25-$30 (no-alcohol tickets)
Session 1: July 15, 6 p.m. (VIP) / 7 p.m. (GA)
Sessions 2: July 16, 12:30 p.m. (VIP) / 1:30 p.m. (GA)
Sessions 3: July 16, 6:30 p.m. (VIP) / 7:30 p.m. (GA)

Following another record-breaking year, the 8th Annual OC Brew Hee Haw Craft Beer Roundup will return to the OC Fair on July 15 & 16, 2022! In addition to delicious unlimited beer tastings, each session will include entertainment with epic themes in their genres by some great live music. Band information to be announced, so stay tuned!

Tickets to these shows go on sale to the public Saturday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster. Tickets to concerts occurring during the OC Fair include same-day admission to the OC Fair. The 2022 OC Fair is July 15-Aug. 14, open Wednesday-Sunday. Advance tickets are required.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 (11:30 am)

Today the OC Fair announced that “Feel the Sunshine” will be the theme of the 2022 annual event which will be back July 15-Aug. 14 and tickets are on sale now.

Advance ticket purchase will again be required with limited capacity for summer’s best party, which will be open Wednesday through Sunday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We are excited to invite everyone to come out to the 2022 OC Fair and ‘Feel the Sunshine,’” said OC Fair & Event Center CEO Michele Richards. “Our limited capacity, advance ticket sale model worked out so well last year that we are bringing it back so fairgoers can have more great experiences.”

Fair officials kept the ticket prices at the same as the past several years, $12 general admission on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday) and $14 general admission on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Tickets for seniors 60+ and kids 6-13 are $7 all days. OC Fair will absorb the online admission ticket transaction fees. Parking is $10 for cars and motorcycles and $20 for buses and limos.

Tickets are also on sale for the first OC Fair concerts announced for Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar. Live music performances include Steve Miller Band, ABBA LA and Bee Gees Gold, Which One’s Pink?, 24K Magic and the brand new show, LA Sound Machine.

“The annual OC Fair is a wonderful opportunity to provide fun and education to the community,” said OC Fair Board Chair Doug La Belle. “Our guests get to experience agriculture, our competitions, Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall along with all the excitement of the carnival, food and entertainment.”

Returning OC Fair favorites include magician Frank Thurston, Brew Hee Haw craft beer fest, monster truck races, Dragon Knights stilt walkers, Russell Brothers Circus, hypnotist Mark Yuzuik, demolition derbies, All-Alaskan pig races and, of course, crazy fair food.

The OC Fair returned to an in-person event during the summer of 2021 with attendance at 1,055,770 after a virtual Fair was held online in 2020 due to the pandemic.

(11:15 am)

FAQs about the 2022 OC Fair

(Updated May 13, 2022)

The theme of the 2022 OC Fair is “Feel the Sunshine,” and we can’t wait to celebrate from July 15 through Aug. 14.

When will tickets for the 2022 OC Fair go on sale?

Tickets are on sale now at ocfair.com/oc-fair/buy-tickets. The 2022 OC Fair will be July 15-Aug. 14, open Wednesdays-Sundays. 

Do I have to purchase my tickets in advance?

Yes. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster; you will be able to select a date between July 15 and Aug. 14 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Dates may sell out. Bonus: no transaction fees for Fair admission tickets! 

What if I buy tickets for the wrong day?

Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please select your ticket date carefully before purchasing. 

Will tickets be available at the gate?

No. We cannot guarantee tickets will be available for purchase at the gate during the run of the OC Fair. Please purchase your tickets online in advance. We’d hate to have to turn you away if we are at full capacity, and parking fees are non-refundable. 

Is it safe to buy tickets online?

The only authorized seller for OC Fair tickets online is Ticketmaster. OC Fair & Event Center is not affiliated with any other vendor for the purchase of OC Fair admission or concert tickets. 

I am fully vaccinated. Do I have to wear a mask at the fair?

Information about Covid precautions, vaccination and mask requirements, etc. will be updated as we get closer to the event, but please expect to follow state/county regulations as OC Fair & Event Center is a state agency.

What are the other restrictions?

We have a limit on the number of tickets available; when days sell out, no more tickets will be added. Information about Covid precautions, vaccination and mask requirements, etc. will be updated as we get closer to the event, but please expect to follow state/county regulations as OC Fair & Event Center is a state agency. 

Will you be selling a season pass this year?

No. The Super Pass will not be for sale for the 2022 season. Super Passes from past years will not be valid. We so appreciate our loyal fans, but with limited ticket sales, we aren’t able to offer an unlimited pass. We hope you’ll still be able to Feel the Sunshine a couple times next summer ! 

Will you offer free or discounted admission days?

No. We are sorry that we will not be able offer admission options that were available in the past.

Will Opening Day be free?

No. We are sorry that we will not be able offer admission options that were available in the past.

Can military/veterans get in free?

No. We are sorry that we will not be able offer admission options that were available in the past.

Will you offer any ride or food promotions?

This information has yet to be determined but will be posted here as it becomes available.

Will you have unlimited ride wristbands?

This information has yet to be determined but will be posted here as it becomes available.

When can I buy carnival tickets?

This information has yet to be determined but will be posted here as it becomes available.

When will concert tickets go on sale?

All performances in Action Sports Arena and The Hangar are on sale now. Most of the performances planned for Pacific Amphitheatre are on sale now as well. Visit ocfair.com/entertainment to plan your summer. 

Does my concert ticket include Fair admission?

Yes, if the performance date is during Fair-time. Tickets to shows in Pacific Amphitheatre, Action Sports Arena or The Hangar that occur during the 2022 OC Fair, July 15-Aug. 14, include same-day admission to the OC Fair. Parking is not included. 

Will there be Action Sports Arena performances?

Yes! We are so excited to bring back monster trucks, demo derbies and speedway! Go to ocfair.com/oc-fair/entertainment/action-sports-arena/ for tickets.

Can I be a vendor?

The deadline to apply to be a vendor was March 4. If you’re interested in being a Platinum Partner, which is handled through our sales department, the application is  available at ocfair.com/oc-fair/be-a-part-of-the-fair

Can I perform at the OC Fair?

The deadline to apply to be a part of the community entertainment program was March 4. To join the waitlist, the application is still available at ocfair.com/oc-fair/be-a-part-of-the-fair/community-entertainment

Will there be competitions this year?

Yes. Entries are now open and competition guides are available at ocfair.com/oc-fair/competitions-contests. Deadlines begin soon!

We will continue to add information to our website at ocfair.com/oc-fair as it becomes available.

Other frequently asked questions are below, or go to ocfair.com/about-us/faq/. For a list of upcoming events at OC Fair & Event Center, go to ocfair.com/events.

Is the swap meet open?

No. The OC Market Place, also known as the weekend swap meet, is no longer operating at OC Fair & Event Center. The company that was contracted to operate the OC Market Place through a formal agreement with OC Fair & Event Center has opted not to reopen. 

However, a new event, the Original O.C. Swap Meet, features many of the same vendors as the former swap meet. More info on our event calendar.

Why can’t the OC Fair run the OC Market Place?

As a state agency, OC Fair & Event Center is not permitted to operate a swap meet business.

Is the farm open?

Yes. Centennial Farm is open daily for visitors and is currently accepting reservations for school and group tours. See hours and more info at ocfair.com/centennial-farm/calendar-hours

Got another question? We are working hard to plan for the 2022 OC Fair. We appreciate your patience as we work out the logistics! If you have a question regarding a specific issue, please use our contact form. 

Monday, December 6, 2021 (2:32 pm)

The OC Fair is ranked No. 7 in North America – and top in the state – based on attendance in 2021, according to the list of top 5o Fairs released by  carnivalwarehouse.com.

Even with daily capacity limits in place, the 2021 OC Fair, which ran from July 16-Aug. 15, attracted 1,055,770 guests during the 23-day event. 

Fair officials are proud that the annual OC Fair guest survey results showed that attendees ranked this year’s festival as rating 4.20 out of 5 for overall enjoyment, and a 4.52 for the new advance ticket sale process.

Guests rated their favorite aspects of this year’s OC Fair as food, animals and exhibits. Some 16 percent of attendees were first-timers while the average years attended was 4.5.

See a full list of top fairs by attendance here, as  reported by carnivalwarehouse.com.

Monday, November 15, 2021 (3:31 pm)

Community Entertainment

Share your talent! Whether you sing, dance or play – solo or as part of a group – the OC Fair Community Entertainment program provides the stages where you can shine.
Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 4, at 5 p.m.

Apply Now

Vendor Information

Do you sell the best food or product in the county? Become a commercial vendor or concessionaire at the 2022 OC Fair.  Applications will be accepted until Dec. 10, 2022 (returning vendors) and March 4, 2022 (new vendors).

Apply Now

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

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.

Monday, August 16, 2021 (1:21 pm)

The 2021 OC Fair is a wrap and there were several firsts and a whole lot of summer memories for fairgoers who felt it was “Time for Fun,” the theme of this year’s Fair which ran from July 16 through Aug. 15.

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.

Here’s a look at this year’s Fair by the numbers:

16 sold-out days – For the first time, the OC Fair had sold-out days and 16 of the 23 days maxed out. Fairgoers also got to enjoy two additional hours with gates opening at 10 a.m. instead of noon. The Fair Board voted to keep admission and parking prices the same as in 2019.

Preliminary figures show that just over one million fairgoers agreed that it was Time for Fun and came out to enjoy summer’s most anticipated event. Also for the first time, there was a limit of approx. 45,000 tickets sold daily for Fair admission, The Hangar concerts and shows in Pacific Amphitheatre. There were some ticket types already in the market, such as promotional tickets and passes, that were taken into account.

“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.”

3,091 entries competed for blue ribbons – There were1,588 adult cut flower entries, 134 youth cut flowers entries, 1,060 adult fruit & vegetable entries and 300 youth fruit and vegetable entries for a total of 331 exhibitors.

2.5 million carnival rides were enjoyed by fairgoers and their favorites were Skyride, La Grande Wheel XL, Euroslide, Rave Wave and Titan. The top three games were Bottle Up, Big Water Race and Bank A Ball. More than 30,000 Fast Passes were sold in the carnival

100 semi-trailer loads full of stuffed toys were received at OC Fair to be awarded to carnival game winners. The No. 1 most-requested prize for the past five years remained Pokemon characters. The two new favorite items on midway are the Squismallows and Bob Ross stuffed doll.

72 pallets of merchandise were delivered to the OC Fair’s Lolo Boutiques booth.

75,900 fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies were baked from scratch at Mom’s Bakeshoppe using one ton of flour, two tons of brown sugar, more than 100 pounds of margarine, 4,600 eggs and a whopping 1,062,600 mini chocolate chips.

10 pallets of Oreos were deep-fried at RCS food stands along with two swimming pools full of Flaming Hot Cheetos added to Biggy’s food items. They reported that their top-three food items were corn dogs, deep-fried Oreos and pizza slices.

10,000 avocados, 10,000 waffle cones, 10,000 pounds of flour and more than 10,000 Oreo cookies were served up at the Chicken Charlie’s stands throughout the fairgrounds.

9,404 kids took advantage of the Read & Ride program and received 28,212 free carnival rides for reading books and writing or drawing reports.

7,700 pounds of Ten Pound Buns were served up at this year’s OC Fair.

“There really is something for everyone at the OC Fair,” said OC Fair Board Chair Natalie Rubalcava-Garcia. “We are so proud of the economic impact OC Fair has on Orange County, generating $300 million in economic impact and creating over 3,000 jobs. Although the 23 days of the fair have to come to an end, we are so grateful for the success of the fair and the support from our community and look forward to the 2022 Fair. On behalf of the Board, I’d like to thank staff, partners and guests for making this OC Fair such a wonderful event.”

300 volunteer hours and 1,200 jars of canned fresh produce were the results of work from UCCE Master Food Preservers over the course of the Fair.

One new OC Fair Foodie costumed character was introduced this year and Strawberry Jan made her debut, posing for photos daily and parading through the fairgrounds.

237,591 cars were parked during the Fair and the organization awarded $2,500 in scholarship money for the annual employee essay contest.

73,970 pounds of recycling were diverted from landfills during the Fair and 6,000 gallons of cooking oil were also recycled.

$131,898 was paid out to agriculture students through the Junior Livestock Auction and this year we saw the sale of 103 animals.

20 concerts were sold out in The Hangar and, so far, there have been nine sold-out shows in Pacific Amphitheatre.

Concerts under the stars are continuing with these upcoming shows in Pacific Amphitheatre:
Aug. 20 – Colbie Caillat / Natasha Bedingfield / Diana DeMuth
Aug. 21- “Toy Story” with the Pacific Symphony (the animated movie will be shown during the concert)
Aug. 22 – Ramon Ayala / Enigma Norteno
Aug. 25 – Goo Goo Dolls / Sister Hazel
Aug. 26 – Flaming Lips / Greer
Sept. 2 – Chase Rice / Breland
Tickets are for sale on Ticketmaster.

Sept. 11, Pacific Symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture, complete with pyrotechnics, in Pacific Amphitheatre. Tickets are available via pacificsymphony.org.

Sept. 23, country artist Hank Williams Jr. will close out the season at Pacific Amphitheatre when he performs with special guest Jackson Dean. Tickets are for sale on Ticketmaster.

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.

Friday, August 13, 2021 (6:29 am)

2021 OC Fair admission is sold out for the final weekend of Aug. 13-15. Advance ticket purchase is required as there is limited daily capacity. No tickets will be sold at entry gates.

On days when OC Fair admission is sold out, there may still be concert tickets available for Pacific Amphitheatre or The Hangar which include same-day Fair entry. There is a limited supply of show tickets and they are sold on a first come, first served basis.

Wednesday, August 11, 2021 (4:45 pm)

Country artist Hank Williams Jr. will appear in concert at Pacific Amphitheatre on Sept. 23. Special guest Jackson Dean will perform with Williams at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, and tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Aug. 13 on Ticketmaster.

On Sept. 11, Pacific Symphony will perform Tchaikovsky’s thrilling “1812” Overture, complete with pyrotechnics, in Pacific Amphitheatre. Plus, critically acclaimed pianist and International Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist George Li will join the orchestra to perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. The concert is Saturday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25-$99 and are available via pacificsymphony.org.