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SoCal county fairs

Every major Southern California county fair — carnival rides, livestock barns, concerts and all the fair food — with seasons and ticket info. Find the closest to you. (Dates shift yearly; confirm with each fair.)

Curated by Punita Patel, Editor

Your area

3 spots within 60 miles of 92692

County fair17 mi

OC Fair

Costa Mesa · County fair

The closest major county fair to south OC, with a huge carnival midway, livestock and competitive exhibits, concerts, and fair food. Kids 5 and under get in free.

🗓️ Mid-July to mid-August

💵 ~$13–15 adult; kids 5 & under free; season pass ~$60

Visit site →
County fair34 mi

Los Angeles County Fair

Pomona · County fair

One of the largest county fairs in the US, held at Fairplex with rides, farm and animal exhibits, and food. Periodic canned-food-donation days offer free admission.

🗓️ Early to late May (spring fair, not summer)

💵 ~$18–25 adult online (cheaper early in the run)

Visit site →
County fair49 mi

San Diego County Fair

Del Mar · County fair

A summer fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds with rides, livestock and hobby exhibits, food, and concerts. Kids 5 and under are always free, and kids 6–12 get free Friday admission.

🗓️ Mid-June to early July

💵 ~$17–20 adult advance; kids 5 & under free; season pass ~$65

Visit site →
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Frequently asked questions

When is the OC Fair?

The OC Fair in Costa Mesa runs from mid-July to mid-August each summer. It's the closest major county fair to south Orange County, and kids 5 and under get in free. Confirm the exact current-year dates on the official site.

Which SoCal county fairs are in summer vs other seasons?

Summer fairs include the San Diego County Fair (mid-June–early July), OC Fair (mid-July–mid-Aug) and Ventura County Fair (late July–Aug). The LA County Fair runs in May, and the desert fairs — the Riverside County Date Festival and the Imperial Valley Mid-Winter Fair — run in February–March.

Are county fairs free for kids?

Most SoCal fairs let kids 5 and under in free, and several have discounted youth tickets or free-admission days. Each listing shows approximate pricing — always check the official site for current-year deals.

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