COSTA MESA (July 1, 2025) – OC Fair fans have been waiting all year for the return of summer’s best party – and it starts July 18! Here are some awesome things that are free with Fair admission that will help you Find Your Happy.
For a full OC Fair schedule, visit ocfair.com. Advance tickets are required – no fees. The Fair runs July 18 – Aug. 17.
ENTERTAINMENT
- NEW! OC Fair After Dark at Plaza Pacifica is the place to find dancing and music Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights – swing dancing, DJ sets and Latin music set the beat
- Roving entertainment including the OC Fair Foodies costumed characters, Megan the Bubbleologist, Red Light Brass Band and strolling pianos – throughout the Fairgrounds
- Community entertainment featuring local music groups, dance troupes and more – daily on three stages; evenings in Promenade/Culinary
- Live music in a more intimate setting – nightly in Baja Bar & Grill
- Latin music and dancing – nightly in La Cantina
- The Hangar and Action Sports Arena – performances accessible via standing room with Fair admission (or via paid ticket for reserved seating)
- Comedy hypnotist Mark Yuzuik returns with a week of entertainment in Action Sports Arena
- Performance of Taps – 6 p.m. nightly at Heroes Hall
ANIMALS
- Aquatic touch tank – Explorium/Sand and Sea
- All-Alaskan Racing Pigs – daily in Plaza Pacifica
- Animal judging and displays – daily in Livestock
- Great American Petting Farm – daily near Yellow Gate
- OC Fair’s resident animal educators including pigs, goats, cattle, chickens, rabbits, peacocks and sheep – daily at Centennial Farm. Look for the baby animals!
- Pro tip: Look up on the berm area surrounding Pacific Amphitheatre to see our animal landscapers at work
DEMONSTRATIONS
- Llama show – adult and youth competitions in livestock (rotating)
- Milking – daily in Millennium Barn
- Food preservation, chef’s tips and more – daily in OC Promenade/Culinary
- Chef Ray creates amazing sculptures out of produce – daily in Promenade/Culinary
- Crafts and handmade goods – daily in Home Arts & Collections Gallery plus Cane’s Craft Corner with hands-on fun for everyone
- Pro tip: Hands-on scroll saw demonstrations in woodworking
EXHIBITS
- FEATURED EXHIBIT – REWIND: A VHS Revival: This exhibit showcases hand-painted large scale reproductions of album covers and movie posters, live-painting demonstrations and more that bring the VHS era to life
- Produce and floral competitions – daily at Centennial Farm
- Woodworking, quilting, table setting, baking and more – daily in Home Arts & Collections Gallery and OC Promenade/Culinary
- Fine arts and visual arts competitions and displays in addition to featured artists – daily in Visual Arts Gallery
KID STUFF
- Explorium kids’ Orange County Sand and Sea learning and play area – daily in OC Promenade. Pro tip: Beach games at noon
- Food-related contests for kids – daily in OC Promenade
- Photos with OC Fair Foodies – daily throughout the Fairgrounds
- Color postcards for troops and veterans – daily at Heroes Hall
- Kids’ carnival area
- Fair favorite magician Frank Thurston – Daily on the Promenade/Culinary stage
For more ideas on what to do and see at the OC Fair, visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/
Things to know before you go
- Advance ticket purchase is required – days will sell out – get tickets at ocfair.com for the days you want to attend. No fees on admission tickets.
- The Fair will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to midnight weekends (Friday and Saturday) July 18 – Aug. 17.
- General admission is $13 on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday) and $15 general admission on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Tickets for seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 are always $9.
- Parking is $15 for cars and motorcycles and $30 for buses and limos.
- Performances in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena during Fair-time include same-day Fair admission – it’s an all-day pass to enjoy the Fair. Admission for post-Fair shows include Fair admission any Wednesday or Thursday through Aug. 17. Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit ocfair.com.
- Unlimited ride carnival wristbands are back this year for $49. The one-day wristbands can be used Wednesdays and Thursdays, must be purchased or redeemed by 5 p.m. and include unlimited rides and two free games; guests can ride and play from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. Prices increase after July 17.
More information is at ocfair.com/thefair.
Got questions? Check out our FAQs.
Photos and video for media, as well as OC Fair’s media access request form, are available on the Media Center.