Tuesday, December 16, 2025 (3:30 am)

What’s happening at OC Fairgrounds in January

Winter Fest OC, Jan. 1 – 4

Get ready for Winter Fest OC as we bring the ultimate winter wonderland to Orange County! Winter Fest OC is SoCal’s largest winter festival, featuring ice tubing, ice skating under the stars, mini slides, snowball tossing and freshly falling snow. Guests can also enjoy more than 30 carnival rides and attractions, nightly tree lighting ceremonies, live entertainment, holiday treats and immersive photo opportunities.

When: Jan. 1 – 4
Schedule:
Thursday – Friday: 5 – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 4 – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 4 – 10 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Lot A
How much: General admission prices vary. Parking is $12.
More info: Visit Winter Fest OC

OC Card Show, Jan. 3 – 4

Celebrate one year of building community, meeting new people, learning and a deepening appreciation for the sport card and trading card game hobbies at the OC Card Show. 

When: Saturday – Sunday, Jan. 3 – 4
Schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 3: Early access 10 – 11 a.m.; general admission 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan 4: General admission 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Costa Mesa Building
How much: Saturday, Jan. 3: Early access is $15, from 10 – 11 a.m.; general admission is $10 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Sunday, Jan. 4: General admission is $5. Parking is $15.
More info: Visit OC Card Show

Discovery Day at the Farm, Jan. 9

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm are open to the public and are perfect for parent groups, homeschool groups and more. Groups may participate in the following activities:

• Self-guided tours
• Radish seed planting
• Chick education
• Oxen demonstration
• Crops education

When: Friday, Jan. 9, 9 a.m. – noon
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Discovery Day

Fruitful Pruning, Jan. 10

Build confidence in your fruit tree care as expert Isabel Barkman guides you through when and how to prune citrus, avocado and stone fruit while explaining what makes Southern California’s pruning season unique.

When: Saturday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m. – noon; RVSP online by Jan. 7
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm Silo Building
How much: $7 fee covers materials and any handouts. Free parking.
Refund policy: There are no refunds for cancellations made within 48 hours of a class. For earlier cancellations, only the class fee will be refunded. Booking fees are nonrefundable.
More info: Sign up at Centennial Farm Garden Classes

LCWW Catstravaganza, Jan. 17

Calling all cat lovers! Support local charities and rescues, witness the most beautiful cats strutting down “The CatWalk,” delve into everything feline at Kitty Corner and find the perfect gift for your furry friend at our amazing shopping village!

When: Saturday, Jan. 17, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Costa Mesa Building
How much: General admission is $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and kids 12-17, $10 for kids 6-11 and free for children 5 & under. Parking is $15. 
More info: Visit Loving Cats Worldwide

Dig In! Growing Root Vegetables with Success, Jan. 24

Dig in and grow with confidence in this hands-on class led by local gardener Kylie Gilliam. Participants will plant a small container garden with root vegetable seeds to take home and grow successfully this season.

When: Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where:  OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm Silo Building
How much: $30 fee covers all tools and materials, including a small container, soil and seeds. Free parking.
Refund policy: No refunds will be issued for cancellations made within one week of the class, as materials and plants will have already been ordered. For earlier cancellations, only the class fee will be refunded. Booking fees are nonrefundable.
More info: Sign up at Centennial Farm Garden Classes

SoCAL World Guitar Show, Jan. 24 – 25

Bring all the musical instruments or related items you can carry to sell, trade or have appraised. Attendees are encouraged to bring a small cart with up to eight items to roll around the show.

See everything from guitars, amps, banjos, mandolins, drums, violins, effects, memorabilia, sound gear, parts, records, books, clothing, accessories, builders, appraisers, repairmen and more!

When: Saturday – Sunday, Jan. 24 – 25
Schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar
How much: General admission is $25, children 11 and younger are admitted free with adult. Parking is $15.
More info: Visit SoCal World Guitar Show

OC Fair Board of Directors Meeting, Jan. 29

When: Thursday, Jan. 29, 9:30 a.m. 
Where: OC Fair & Event Center Administration Building or virtually on Zoom.
More info: Visit Public Meetings

Ongoing at OC Fair & Event Center

Centennial Farm

Centennial Farm is home to fruit and vegetable gardens, livestock and the Millennium Barn. Two youth educational tour programs are offered – Discovery Days and Jr. Farmer Tours – as well as daily hours so the public can visit our year-round working farm. 

When: Open Jan. 2-4: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Normal business hours resume starting Jan. 5:
Monday – Friday, 1 – 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Excluding holidays and all-grounds events; see calendar for closures.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Centennial Farm
Farmers Market

Shop local at this OC Farm Bureau-certified farmers market featuring produce, fish, hummus, honey, hot sauce and more. Some vendors also sell hot food for lunch, such as dumplings, burritos and more.

When: Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Lot D
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit OC Farm Bureau 

Heroes Hall

Heroes Hall is a free, permanent, year-round museum and education center with exhibitions, performances and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. The two-story exhibition space will rotate themes with each focusing on an aspect of the personal stories and experiences of veterans.

The current exhibit, “Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam,” offers a powerful and immersive journey through one of modern history’s most complex and divisive conflicts. Through a rich collection of artifacts, personal stories, historical facts and poignant memorabilia, visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the war’s profound impact on the soldiers who fought and the broader global context. On display through Sept. 20.

When: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Excluding holidays and all-grounds events; see calendar for closures.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Heroes Hall Museum & Education Center
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Heroes Hall

The Ranch Community Center

The Ranch Community Center celebrates horses, ranching and nature. Free or low-cost public programs are offered, including The Ranch Discovery Days, The Ranch After-School Program, horse shows and equine-assisted therapy. Visitors can connect with the equestrian community year-round during daily hours.

When: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays and select holidays; see calendar for closures.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Ranch Community Center
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit The Ranch

Centennial Farm Pig Cam

Want to keep tabs on our pigs all year long? Watch the Centennial Farm pigs LIVE on our official Pig Cam and see what these adorable rascals are up to!

More info: Visit Centennial Farm Pig Cam

Coming up in February

Discovery Day at the Farm, Feb. 4

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm are open to the public and are perfect for parent groups, homeschool groups and more. Groups may participate in the following activities:

• Self-guided tours
• Radish seed planting
• Chick education
• Oxen demonstration
• Crops education

When: Wednesday, Feb. 4, 9 a.m. – noon
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Discovery Day

Ranch Discovery Day, Feb. 11

Saddle up for Ranch Discovery Day and experience an educational adventure all about horses! The Ranch will come alive with horses, livestock and interactive demonstrations, creating a memorable day for visitors of all ages!

What to expect:

• Meet horses, chickens and rabbits
• Explore horse care and grooming
• Learn about horses in the military
• Discover the world of bees
• Stick horse rodeo activity for kids
• Watch horse demonstrations
• Check out our horse boarding areas including box stalls, arenas and other amenities

When: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m. – noon 
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Ranch Community Center
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Reservations required, visit Ranch Discovery Day

Fight Club OC, Feb. 12

The most fun you can have on a Thursday night in Orange County! 

Boxing and MMA fights are presented by Roy Englebrecht Promotions.

When: Thursday, Feb. 12
Schedule:
Baja Bar & Grill happy hour, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Hangar doors open at 6 p.m.
First fight starts at 7 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – The Hangar
How much: General admission varies. Parking is $15.
More info: Visit Fight Club OC

Gem Faire, Feb. 20 – 22

The largest jewelry and bead show in SoCal. Fine jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold and silver, pearls, minerals, fossils and much more at manufacturers’ prices. Jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing while you shop.

When: Friday – Sunday, Feb. 20 – 22
Schedule: Friday, Feb. 20, noon – 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
No entry or re-entry after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Wholesale preview on Friday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Costa Mesa Building, Main Mall, Santa Ana Pavilion
How much: General admission is $7, children 11 and under are free. Parking is $15.
More info: Visit Gem Faire

Repticon, Feb. 21 – 22

This show features everything that you’ve come to love most about Repticon’s two days of fun and excitement! See live animals from around the world, purchase pets and pet products direct from the experts at amazing prices you won’t find anywhere else and learn more about reptiles and exotic animals. Repticon Costa Mesa is one reptile and exotic animal expo that you can’t afford to miss!

When: Saturday – Sunday, Feb. 21 – 22
Schedule:
Saturday, Feb. 21, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Huntington Beach Building
How much: Adult general admission is $15, child general admission is $7. Adult two-day super tickets are $20, child two-day super tickets are $7. Parking is $15.
More info: Visit Repticon Reptile Show

Discovery Day at the Farm, Feb. 26

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm are open to the public and are perfect for parent groups, homeschool groups and more. Groups may participate in the following activities:

• Self-guided tours
• Radish seed planting
• Chick education
• Oxen demonstration
• Crops education

When: Thursday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. – noon
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Centennial Farm
How much: Free admission and parking.
More info: Visit Discovery Day

OC Fair Board of Directors Meeting, Feb. 26
When: Thursday, Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m. 
Where: OC Fair & Event Center Administration Building or virtually on Zoom.
More info: Visit Public Meetings

California Bridal & Wedding Expo, Feb. 28

The Bridal & Wedding Expo features an amazing selection of wedding professionals ready to help you find the perfect gown, reception venue, invitations, photographer, music, menu, honeymoon destination and much more!

When: Saturday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center – Costa Mesa Building
How much: Free passes available online or $10 general admission at the door. Parking is $15.
More info: Visit CA Bridal & Wedding Expo
Interested in exhibiting: Visit CA Bridal & Wedding Exhibitors