7 Things You Need to Know if You’re Going to the San Diego County Fair
Planning a trip to the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar? Here’s what you need to know before you go.
Because we want to keep your summer stress to a minimum (we care!), we’ve narrowed it down to a list of seven simple things you need to know.
1. Dates and Times
The San Diego County Fair is happening from June 10 to July 5 (although it is closed every Monday and Tuesday). Gates open at 11 AM and the Fair is open until 11 PM each day.
Gate entrances close at 10 PM. Exhibit buildings, shopping halls, and Family Funville close at 10 PM, while bars close at 10:30 PM.
Many activities – like rides and games – stay open after the gates close for the night, depending on crowd size. Get details here.
2. Tickets
Tickets are sold by date. Kids five and under are free every day. On Fridays, children 12 and under are also free. Save on admission and parking by buying at least 24 hours in advance.
Ticket pricing varies by day:
- Wed – Thu: General Admission $17 advance / $20 day-of; Senior (62+) $14 advance / $17 day-of; Youth (6-12) $14 advance / $17 day-of
- Fri – Sun: General Admission $20 advance / $25 day-of; Senior (62+) $17 advance / $22 day-of; Youth (6-12) $17 advance / $22 day-of (youth free on Fridays)
- Season Pass: $65 – valid all 20 days of the 2026 season
You can also purchase in person. Note that the Fair is cashless – only credit and debit cards are accepted, though cash-to-card reverse ATMs are available on-site.
3. This Year’s Theme: Once Upon a Fair
This year’s theme celebrates the magic of stories and the wonder found between the pages. Step inside the Theme Exhibit, meander through Fairy Tales to Folklore, browse the Scholastic Book Fair, and catch the stars of Dr. Seuss bringing some laughs to the fairgrounds.
4. Concerts
Toyota Summer Concert Series
The Grandstand is the fair’s biggest stage, where ticketed headliners perform throughout the run, with same-day fair admission included in every ticket.
Demi Lovato, Nelly, AJR, Maren Morris, and Marshmello headline the pop and electronic nights, while Chicago, Bret Michaels & Night Ranger, and Good Charlotte bring classic and alternative rock to the stage.
Country fans have Koe Wetzel and Warren Zeiders, banda and norteño nights feature Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Banda Machos, and El Coyote & Chuy Lizarraga, and Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias brings a full comedy night to the mix.
The July 4 America 250 Fireworks Spectacular carries extra weight this year as the nation marks its 250th anniversary.
ℹ️ See the full Grandstand lineup
Paddock Concert Series Sponsored by Chevrolet
Free with fair admission, the Paddock runs every night of the fair with a mix that keeps things unpredictable in the best way. Original acts include Blue Öyster Cult, Los Lonely Boys, Jefferson Starship, C+C Music Factory, and Brownies & Lemonade closing out the Fourth.
The tribute lineup is equally stacked. Shrekno via the Shrek Rave crew, Kissed Alive paying tribute to KISS, Red Not Chili Peppers, ZZ Tex channeling ZZ Top, Chasin’ U bringing the Morgan Wallen experience, and Top of the World honoring The Carpenters.
Hoobastank, B-Side Players, and Matthew Phillips round out a calendar that has something going on every single night.
ℹ️ See the full Paddock lineup
5. Exhibits and Interactive Opportunities
Featured Exhibitions
The Once Upon a Fair theme exhibit is the centerpiece. Step inside your favorite stories, shop the Scholastic Book Fair, immerse yourself in the world of Dr. Seuss, and experience the magic found between the pages.
The two agricultural exhibits round out the featured lineup:
- Farm 2 U traces the fascinating journey of food, flowers, and fiber from farm to table
- The Farm – tucked away from the carnival bustle in Family Funville – gives kids a hands-on look at fruits, vegetables, and flowers in bloom
Competitive Exhibitions
The competitive side covers an impressive range of crafts, art, and agriculture:
- Design in Wood – international woodworking featuring furniture, instruments, and clocks with interactive demos throughout the day
- Fine Art – a juried competition spanning drawing, painting, sculpture, and ceramics
- Gems, Minerals & Jewelry – faceted gemstones, fossils, and a fluorescent mineral display worth stopping for
- Home Arts & Hobbies – hand-crafted quilts, preserved foods, needle art, and baked goods
- Livestock – 4-H, FFA, and Grange members caring for animals ranging from rabbits to horses
- Photography, Garden Show, Flower Show & Student Showcase – rounding out a lineup that rewards anyone willing to slow down and take it all in
6. Summer Nights at The Sound
When the sun goes down at the San Diego County Fair, the music picks up at Summer Nights at The Sound.
This year’s lineup covers a lot of ground: a Pink Floyd laser spectacular, Stayin’ Alive: One Night of the Bee Gees, reggae heavyweights J Boog, Don Carlos, Israel Vibration & Roots Radics, and Pato Banton, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe celebrating Jimmy Cliff, and comedian Andrew Santino featuring Bernard Fowler with Common Sense.
Every show ticket includes same-day fair admission, making it one of the better entertainment values of the summer. Check the lineup and lock in your nights early.
7. The Food!!!
No fair trip is complete without going all in on the food, and the San Diego County Fair makes it easy to eat well without blowing the budget.
The $15 Meal Deals keep things affordable, Foodie Fridays bring weekly specials, and the Passport to Savings offers stacks of discounts across multiple vendors for serious fair eaters.
Beyond the midway snacking, a full calendar of food and drink events – including beer and wine tastings – gives the experience a little more depth.
See you there!
We hope this list helps you, your family, and your friends enjoy the fair!
See you there, San Diego!
