The OC Fair is a magical place where you can leave your worries behind, and for 23 summer days and nights, have some seriously grown-up fun. Grab a favorite person and make plans to soak up the sun and light up the night!
Entertainment
A summer concert under the stars in Pacific Amphitheatre is the ultimate SoCal summertime couples goal. Hands down, PacAmp is the best entertainment venue around, bringing performers like Nelly, AJR, Steve Aoki and Midland as well as classic acts such as Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, John Fogerty and Boy George.
The best shows are always in the house and you can catch Cypress Hill, Rebelution, Steel Pulse and Sugar Ray and more favorites such as Colbie Caillat, Trevor Noah and Cole Swindel at the Fair. Pro tip: Tickets to shows in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena all include same-day OC Fair admission.
Watch your favorite tribute band and party like you ARE the party: You know that feeling when your favorite song from school comes on the radio? Why not experience it live in The Hangar? This year choose from Queen Nation (Queen tribute), Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac tribute), No Duh (No Doubt tribute), Breakdown (Tom Petty tribute), Swift Nation (Taylor Swift tribute) and more. Full Hangar lineup is here.
Fair After Dark keeps that party going with music and dancing every night in Plaza Pacifica. Not sure how to get your groove on? Lessons in Latin, swing and line dancing help you figure out the fun. Bring your date and hit the dance floor – no need to wait for your cousin’s wedding!
Fair experiences
Enjoy an adult beverage in a new secret bar. This year the sippin’ scene moves up a notch with new bars hidden in Fair attractions, each with their own vibe. The Hitchcock speakeasy is inside the VHS: Comeback exhibit, the Secret Butterfly Garden brings a natural respite near Centennial Farm, the Promenade Bar serves craft cocktails among the culinary exhibits and The Lounge at Pacific Amphitheatre offers pre-show drinks to get fairgoers in the mood for night ahead.
Fair staples The Cantina, where Micheladas and dancing in the evenings come highly recommended, and Baja Bar and Grill, where intimate performances and all the cocktails come together, do not disappoint and offer distinct mini-club scenes.
Gourmet or classic – what’s your couple goal for food? The good news is that oodles of Fair food is made to be shared. You know the turkey legs, funnel cakes and pizzas are made for two, but there is another option – the $5 Taste of Fair, offering smaller portions for just $5 until 5 p.m. Such a deal!
Then work it off together by running the OC Fair Fun Run 5K on Aug. 9.
Only at the Fair
Get your adrenaline on with thrill rides on the midway or action-packed shows in Action Sports Arena. A daredevil circus, monster trucks and more demolition derbies than ever before. If it can be crashed, we will smash it!
Go shopping – and go big. The big difference between being a kid and being an adult is the ability to buy things (hello, credit card!). What’s the largest thing you can buy at the Fair? A Toyota is pretty big, but you could also get a spa, a mattress, an air conditioner or an entire set of snazzy cookware.
There are great only-at-the-OC Fair deals in the shopping buildings, Crafters Village and at stands located throughout the fairgrounds.
Did you know that some of the art entered into blue-ribbon competitions is available for purchase? Look for prices on the tags and get details on how to buy your new favorite piece of art by visiting the info booth nearby.
Togetherness vibes
Learn enough to do your own Ted Talk or discover a new hobby. Seminars in the Culinary Arts building include cooking with olive oil, sushi-making and creating mascarpone cheesecake. Art demonstrations include quilting, woodworking, tole painting, spinning and digital art.
Food and wine pairing seminars are in the Wine Courtyard each Saturday and Sunday.
Love is in the Fair! The Tunnel of Love may be a thing of the past, but there are plenty of places to get romantic and you won’t want to miss those photo booths where you can perfect your poses for posterity. We also hear that lots of couples get engaged at the OC Fair, hint, hint.
Pro tip: Grab a scenic sunset selfie on the Sky Ride or from one of the three Ferris wheels.
Do the couple things by getting matching T-shirts, custom air-brushed hats, wax roses or that OC Fair classic – caricatures! If you want to know what the future holds, visit a fortune teller to find out if you will really have 10 kids and move to Paris.
And … win the big prize at the carnival!
