The Sacramento County Fair opens today at Cal Expo, kicking off five days of carnival rides, over-the-top fair food and homegrown competitions running through Memorial Day. The event mixes classic agriculture displays and 4‑H projects with family entertainment, grandstand shows and nightly performers, so expect plenty of company whether you are chasing new fried creations or angling for a front-row seat at the arena.
When, where and admission
The fair runs May 21–25, with gates open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Memorial Day. The carnival typically starts rolling at 11 a.m. each day. Admission is listed as $12 for adults 17 and up, $10 for teens ages 12 to 16 and free for children 11 and under. Seniors receive a reduced rate on a designated day, and visitors with military ID get in free on Monday. On-site parking is $10, and you can check the full schedule and ticket details, according to Cal Expo.
What to expect on the grounds
Organizers say fairgoers can look for petting farms, rescued-animal exhibits, strolling entertainers, magic acts and hands-on educational demos alongside the midway and vendor rows. Daytime programming leans family friendly, with lots of school groups and ag education, while evenings bring more concerts and those Instagram-ready novelty-food options. For the day-by-day lineup and vendor information, check the fair's official site at Sacramento County Fair.
Arena shows, competitions and livestock
This year’s grandstand slate includes monster-truck performances, 4x4 truck pulls and rodeo events, with the Junior Livestock Auction scheduled for Sunday. The fair's livestock page notes that some poultry and dairy cattle shows in 2025 were postponed because of H5N1 guidance, but that "the Board looks forward to 2026 and returning with a full barn of animals," according to Sacramento County Fair. Arena dates and ticketing for monster-truck nights and other grandstand events are listed by official partners and ticket outlets such as MonsterTruck.show.
Getting there and quick tips
Expect heavier traffic on Exposition Boulevard and build in extra time to get in and out of the lots. On-site parking is $10, and spaces often fill early on weekend evenings. Buying tickets or arena seats in advance can shorten your wait at the gate, and the venue posts maps and visitor policies online for planning, per Cal Expo. Families bringing larger groups may want to review daytime schedules ahead of time to catch the educational programming and key livestock events.
