Visitors at the Orange County Fair enjoying various attractions and new food offerings.
The Orange County Fair is back at the Costa Mesa fairgrounds for its 135th year, running from July 18 to August 17. Anticipating over 1 million visitors, the fair promises new food options, unique attractions, and engaging entertainment. Popular ticketed events, including concerts, will provide access to the fairgrounds even on busy days. With the introduction of exciting culinary offerings and a theme celebrating happiness, attendees can look forward to a month of vibrant experiences.
Costa Mesa – The Orange County Fair returns to the Costa Mesa fairgrounds for its 135th year, running from July 18 to August 17, expecting over 1 million visitors during its month-long run. With a daily attendance cap set at approximately 50,000, organizers are gearing up for a vibrant event filled with new food options, attractions, and entertainment.
This year, ticketed events, such as concerts at the Pacific Amphitheater, will provide additional access to fairgrounds even on sold-out days. Last year, the fair saw over 1.13 million guests, marking an increase of more than 81,000 visitors from 2022. Due to its growing popularity, the event experienced high attendance levels, with 12 out of 23 days exceeding the daily cap and nine of those days reaching sell-out status.
Concerts at the Pacific Amphitheater attracted more than 130,000 attendees, while other venues like the Hangar and Action Sports Arena drew in an additional 32,000 and 30,000 visitors, respectively. The fair also served as a platform for local talent, with residents submitting 16,259 entries across various competition and display categories, which earned $38,275 in prize money.
This year’s fair introduces exciting food items including nopales tacos, Dubai chocolate brownies, tres leches cinnamon rolls, and deep-fried apple pie a la mode. Returning favorites like bacon-flavored cotton candy on a smoked pork belly stick will also be available for attendees to enjoy. A special feature called “Taste of the Fair” will be available daily until 4 p.m., offering reduced-size samples of various dishes for just $5.
General admission for adults is priced at $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $15 on Fridays through Sundays. Seniors over 60 and children aged 6 to 12 can purchase tickets for a reduced price of $9, while kids aged 5 and under enter for free. To ensure the best experience, attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as many days tend to sell out quickly.
Parking at the fairgrounds costs $15 daily, and those attending the fair are encouraged to use ridesharing services or public transit to ease congestion. Fair operating hours are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, with extended hours until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The fairgrounds are located at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA.
The theme for this year’s fair is “Find Your Happy,” which highlights a variety of free events including animal interactions, craft demonstrations, and live performances. Featured exhibits include “REWIND: A VHS Revival,” which showcases artwork inspired by 1980s pop culture, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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