News Summary
The Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa is concluding its season, offering a variety of events, entertainment, and activities until August 17. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, tribute shows, carnival rides, and a popular table-setting competition. Ticket prices vary, with reduced rates for children and seniors. The fair features interactive exhibits and the chance to savor diverse culinary delights. As attendance is limited, early ticket purchases are recommended for this beloved community celebration.
Costa Mesa – The Orange County Fair is entering its final week, running until August 17. Fair-goers still have the opportunity to partake in a variety of events and activities before the season ends. Operating hours through the fair’s closing include 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
The cost for general admission is $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays have a ticket price of $15. Reduced prices are available for children ages 6-12 and seniors over 60, who can enter for $9. Children under the age of 5 can enjoy the fair free of charge. Tickets must be purchased in advance online at ocfair.com.
Attendance each day is limited to approximately 50,000 visitors, making it essential for attendees to secure their tickets early, especially on weekends. Parking at the fairgrounds is priced at $15, while those seeking alternative travel options can take advantage of the OC Fair Express, which provides direct bus service from various locations, including the ARTIC Station in Anaheim and the Santa Ana train station, at a fare of $2 each way.
One of the featured events on the final day, August 17, is “We Are OC! A Cultural Celebration,” showcasing a diverse range of entertainment including Middle Eastern dancers, a Scottish band, and a Polynesian dance group from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m..
In addition to cultural performances, visitors can explore the Orange County Sand and Sea exhibit, which offers interactive experiences such as a touch tank and virtual reality diving. The Friesian Horse Club of Southern California will also present unique displays at the livestock area throughout the fair’s concluding week.
The Plaza Pacifico will be the site of “Fair After Dark” events, which feature swinging dancing on Fridays at 8 p.m., a DJ on Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Latin dancing on Sundays at 7:30 p.m..
Comedy hypnotist Mark Yuzuik will perform at the Action Sports Arena with shows scheduled for 4 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. from August 13 to August 17. For those interested in music, exciting tribute shows taking place at The Hangar include: Damage, Inc. (Metallica tribute) on August 13, Red Corvette (Prince tribute) on August 14, and Twisted Gypsy (Fleetwood Mac tribute) on August 15, along with Blink 180True (Blink 182 tribute) on August 16, and Hot Lava (B-52’s revue) on August 17.
Fans of live performances can also look forward to shows at the Pacific Amphitheatre featuring: T-Pain and DJ Montay on August 13, Carly Pearce and Restless Road on August 14, continuing with Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors on August 15, followed by Swift Nation and Bad Guy Billie on August 16, and closing with Grupo Marca Registrada, DJ Trice, and Los Primos de la Baja on August 17.
The annual table setting competition, which has grown in popularity this year and attracted participation from social media influencers, features creative themes including “Murder Mystery,” “Tropical Paradise,” “Steampunk,” “A Table For the Gods,” and “Find Your Happy.” Awards in this competition can range from $20 to $150, with additional recognitions for categories such as Best Use of Color.
The Orange County Fair continues to offer a multitude of interactive displays, a wide array of food options featuring indulgent deep-fried treats, and carnival rides suitable for all ages. The fair remains a long-standing tradition for families, with past years featuring beloved events such as pie-eating contests and racing pigs.
As the OC Fair approaches its conclusion, this week’s exciting lineup of events provides a fitting end to a summer of entertainment, culture, and community celebration.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Last Week of the OC Fair
- NBC Los Angeles: OC Fair Overview
- LA Times: Opening Day of Orange County Fair
- ABC7: OC Fair Kicks Off
- Record Online: OC Fair 2025 Lineup
- Wikipedia: Orange County Fair
- Google Search: Orange County Fair
- Google Scholar: Orange County Fair
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Orange County Fair
- Google News: Orange County Fair
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
