The 2026 OC Fair opens Friday for a 23-day run in Costa Mesa, bringing a full slate of rides, concerts and cultural programming that is expected to pull in hundreds of thousands of visitors. Gates at the OC Fair & Event Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Advance-sale discounts expire Thursday, so some ticket and bundle prices will jump once the fair officially opens.
What’s New and What’s Back
This year’s fair mixes old-school spectacle with a heavy dose of style. The El Pachuco Zoot Suit fashion show and a lowrider exhibit are making their debut, parked alongside returning thrill rides like Joker 360 and the demolition derby series, according to LAist. The outlet also points to stilt performers roaming the grounds and Action Sports Arena events featuring globe-of-death motorcycle shows and other daredevil acts. Concerts will again fill both The Hangar and the Pacific Amphitheatre, with a mix of family-friendly programming and headliner nights.
Tickets, Deals, and Limited Capacity
According to the OC Fair, general admission is $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays and $18 on Fridays through Sundays after pre-sale pricing ends. The fair is offering a $60 Every Day Passport that gets holders through the gates on any day, including dates that sell out, along with limited-time bundles such as the Smart Start early-entry deal. Organizers note that attendance is capped on many days and that advance online tickets are required for some shows and entry windows, so last-minute planners may find certain times unavailable.
Getting There and Family Perks
The OC Fair Express shuttle rolls in on weekends from six OCTA pickup points for $2 each way and requires a valid fair ticket to board, LAist reports. On-site parking is $15 for cars and motorcycles and $30 for limos and buses. Families get a few breaks: the Read & Ride program lets kids ages 5 to 11 earn two free Kidland rides after reading three books and submitting the form online, and children 5 and younger get in free. For busy concert nights, the fair recommends ride-hailing and early arrivals to avoid traffic backups and sold-out parking lots.
Concert Nights and What to Expect
Headline acts and festival-style nights anchor the entertainment schedule, and NBC Los Angeles has outlined an early concert slate for the Pacific Amphitheatre. The outlet notes that show tickets include same-day fair admission. Expect those headliner nights to disappear from the ticket portal faster than the more low-key midweek family shows, so plan ahead if there is a specific act you want to see. Over at The Hangar, tribute and cover bands will keep the nightly schedule packed throughout the run.
Plan Ahead
Some of the most popular dates are expected to sell out, and the fair is urging visitors to buy early, with calendars already indicating which days are likely to hit capacity. For the latest schedules, maps and guest services, call 714-708-1500 or check in with the OC Fair & Event Center for updates before you go.
