Friday, August 9, 2024 (9:00 am)

Experience the best of the 2024 OC Fair before it’s gone

The 2024 OC Fair is racing towards its grand finale, and there’s no better time to experience the magic before it wraps up on Sunday, Aug. 18.

With a slew of new attractions, daily events and unforgettable experiences, the final days promise to be a celebration of fun, culture and entertainment!

Enjoy these don’t-miss OC Fair favorites before they’re gone:

Celebrate Chicano Heritage Month: Engage in vibrant cultural activities including making and coloring mini paper lowriders, crafting colorful paper florals and enjoying live painting demonstrations by featured artists. It’s a unique opportunity to explore and honor Chicano culture.

Orange County Sand and Sea: Explore the sun-soaked splendor of OC’s sandy shores! Dive into beachside fun with interactive exhibits like a touch tank, virtual reality deep dive and iconic seaside landmarks perfect for kids and families.

The Art of Music Experience: Return to this beloved exhibit to delve into the stories behind iconic album cover art. Peruse themed galleries, browse through a pop-up vinyl record store, watch live album cover art painting and more in this immersive experience.

Exhibits and galleries: Enjoy a captivating photo exhibit by Fair photographers Michael Goulding and Miguel Vasconcellos, capturing the vibrant excitement of the Fair through their lenses. View the photography, paintings, furniture, jewelry, knitting, mosaics and other creative endeavors submitted by talented locals. Visit Heroes Hall to take in the featured exhibit, “The Vietnam War through the Art & Photography of Ed Bowen” for an insider’s view into the life of a combat artist, or explore life on the Santa Ana Army Air Base via the “SAAAB Story.”

Daily entertainment: Experience live entertainment daily, including comedy hypnotist Chris Mabrey, BMX Big Air Triples, The Magic of Frank Thurston, a nightly performance of “Taps” and a range of roving acts like the OC Fair Foodies, Red Light Brass Band and Veekay the Clown. Plus, local music groups and dance troops perform across three stages, nightly live band karaoke in Plaza Pacifica and Latin music in La Cantina keep the energy high.

Family fun: Engage in free activities like the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, the Great American Petting Farm, color postcards for troops, participate in food-related contests and get photos with the OC Fair Foodies. Cool down in the water fountain at Main Mall, then catch a refreshing drink from one of the four chilled water stations around the Fairgrounds brought by Mesa Water.

$5 Taste of Fair: Savor smaller portions of your favorite Fair foods for just $5 daily until 4 p.m. Enjoy a few of these tasty bites while exploring the Fair with family and friends.

Concerts galore: Catch exciting performances at Pacific Amphitheatre including Rebelution, Chris Lane, Rick Springfield and Richard Marx, Alice Cooper, The Aquabats and Trevor Noah. All Fair-time concerts include free same-day Fair admission. The beat continues post-Fair with shows featuring big names like Squeeze and Boy George, NEEDTOBREATHE, Iration, 311, Big Time Rush, Counting Crows, Steel Pulse, John Fogerty and Bonnie Raitt.

Wine seminars: Indulge in wine seminars at The Courtyard featuring tastings of OC Fair gold medal-winning wines paired with delectable food.

Shop and take the Fair home: Meander through the shopping buildings for exclusive Fair deals and score take-and-bake goodies like cookie dough, pizza, cinnamon rolls and Ten Pound Buns.

Things to know

• A limited number of tickets are available each day – days are selling out.
• Advance online ticket sales only – no transaction fees at ocfair.com/tickets.
• Tickets are good only for the date purchased; please choose dates carefully – no refunds.
• Same-day Fair admission is included with tickets to concerts during the Fair.
• Tickets are $13 weekday general admission (Wednesday, Thursday) and $15 weekend general admission (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Admission for seniors (60+) and youth (ages 6-12) is $9 every day and children 5 and younger are free.
• The Fair will open each day at 11 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it closes at midnight.
• General parking is $15, $30 for buses and limos.
• Tickets for concerts in The Hangar and Pacific Amphitheatre can be found at ocfair.com/entertainment.
• 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.