Get Ready for the 2026 OC Fair: A Super Simple Guide!

Every summer, all sorts of people—thrill seekers, folks who love farming, couples on dates, and the young and old—from Orange County and beyond travel to Costa Mesa. Why? Because the 2026 OC Fair is opening on Friday, July 17! It will stay open for 23 days, and more than 1 million people are expected to visit.

Think of the fair as a giant playground with:

• Fun rides and prizes: The midway (the area with all the games and rides) is packed with prizes and rides of every shape and size.
• A brand-new scary ride: If you love heart-pounding fun, check out the 118-foot Air Raid. It will tilt and tumble brave riders at super-fast speeds (up to 4Gs, which means you’ll feel a heavy pushing force, like a crazy roller coaster drop!).
• Crazy and yummy foods: You can try a French onion-flavored Ten Pound Bun, fried tiramisu, Korean corn dogs, and classic funnel cakes with powdered sugar.
• Shopping and shows: You can shop the product buildings for the next cool gadget, watch lots of entertainment, and wander through displays of contest entries (like giant veggies or crafts), wondering if you too could win a blue ribbon (a prize for being the best)!

When and Where is the 2026 OC Fair?

Here are the simple details for planning your visit:

• Dates: July 17 through August 16 (that’s 23 days!).
• Closed Days: It is closed every Monday and Tuesday.
• Hours:
  • Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m. to midnight.
• Location: The OC Fair & Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa, right next to the 55 Freeway.

How Much is Admission?

Ticket prices changed a little this year. Here is the breakdown:

• General Admission (most adults): $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but $18 on Fridays and weekends (it went up this year).
• Seniors (ages 60+): $10.
• Kids (ages 6 to 12): $9.
• Tiny Tots (ages 5 and younger): Free!

IMPORTANT POINT: The fair only lets a certain number of people in each day (they "cap" daily entry). You must buy your tickets online before you go! Last year, some days sold out completely—especially days with big concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, and the Action Sports Arena. Also, if you buy a ticket for a show at those venues, your fair entry is free on that day!

What Kinds of Discounts Are Available?

Because the fair limits daily visitors to about 50,000 people, they stopped giving away totally free tickets like they used to. But they added more ways to save money!

• Every Day Passport ($60): Love the fair? This pass lets you visit any day and any time with no restrictions, but only a limited number are sold.
• Early Bird Deal: Buy Friday or weekend tickets during the pre-fair window (before the fair opens) and pay only $15.
• Morning Saver: Get in for $11 on Wednesdays and Thursdays if you arrive before 1 p.m.
• Bundle Deals: Until opening day, you can buy packages that include ride wristbands and game tickets.
• Bookworm Bonus: Kids who read 3 books can fill out a form on the ocfair.com website (under "general information") to get free rides in Kidland.
• Taste of Fair: Try small food samples for just $5 until 5 p.m. daily at food booths.

Tip: Visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/admission to see all the money-saving options!

How Do You Park and Get There?

Driving yourself? Here is what you need to know:

• Parking Cost: $15 for cars and motorcycles.
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Use Gate 1 on Fair Drive (the main gate) to get dropped off or picked up.
• Avoid Gate 10: Gate 10 off Newport Boulevard often closes when it’s busy (peak hours). Try Gate 1 or Gate 3 (on Fairview Drive and Merrimac Way) instead.

The Easy OC Fair Express Bus

Let someone else do the driving! The Orange County bus system (OCTA) is running the OC Fair Express on weekends.

1. Cost: $2 one-way or $4 round-trip (kids ride free!).
2. Times: Buses run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. on Saturdays, and until 11:30 p.m. on Sundays (about every 30 minutes).
3. Pick-up Spots: You can catch the bus at these 6 locations:
   • ARTIC station, 2626 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim
   • Fullerton Park & Ride, 3000 W. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton
   • Goldenwest Transportation Center, 7301 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
   • Irvine Train Station, 15215 Barranca Parkway, Irvine
   • Laguna Hills Transportation Center, 24282 Calle De Los Caballeros, Laguna Hills
   • Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana
4. Payment: Use the OCTA “Wave” mobile app or tap a debit/credit card or phone digital wallet on the bus.
5. More Info: Check octa.net for schedules.

What Items Can You Bring Inside?

To make sure everyone is safe, the fair has easy-to-follow rules about what you can carry through the gates.

You CAN bring:

• Soft-sided coolers
• Sealed food and drinks
• Water bottles (must be factory-sealed or empty when you arrive)
• Wagons and strollers (you can also rent these there)
• Service animals (special helper animals for people with disabilities, allowed by the ADA law)

You CANNOT bring:

• Cans, glass bottles, or any alcohol from outside
• Hard-sided coolers
• Regular pets (only service animals)
• Cigarettes or vapes (no smoking or vaping anywhere!)
• Selfie sticks, drones, or weapons

REMEMBER: Security will check all your bags before you enter, so pack smart!

Summary

The 2026 OC Fair is a 23-day event in Costa Mesa starting July 17. It has exciting rides like the new Air Raid, wild foods, and fun contests. Tickets must be bought online ahead of time because they sell out—general entry is $13–$18 depending on the day, with discounts for kids, seniors, and early birds. Parking is $15, or you can take the cheap OC Fair Express bus. You can bring a soft cooler with snacks, but leave the glass, alcohol, and regular pets at home!

FAQ

1. What happens if I don’t buy fair tickets ahead of time?
Because the fair limits daily visitors to around 50,000 people, you must buy tickets online before you arrive. If you wait, the day might be sold out—just like some popular days last year!

2. Is the fair free for kids?
Children aged 5 and younger get in free. Kids aged 6 to 12 cost $9, but if they read 3 books and fill out a form online, they can get free rides in Kidland!

3. Can I bring my own lunch to the fair?
Yes! You can bring sealed food and soft-sided coolers. Just remember no glass jars, no cans, and no outside alcohol are allowed.

4. What is the Air Raid ride?
It is a giant 118-foot tall new ride that tilts and tumbles brave riders at up to 4Gs (a strong pushing force that makes you feel super heavy) high above the fairgrounds.

5. How do I get the $5 food deal?
Look for the "$5 Taste of Fair" signs at food booths. You can buy small samples of fair food for just $5 if you go before 5 p.m. each day.