Happy Together At The OC Fair

The 2023 OC Fair is just around the corner and we can’t wait to welcome you back to the Fairgrounds for another fun-filled summer! This year, the Fair runs from July 14 – Aug. 13, under the theme “Happy Together” because the best times are shared with the ones we love. So, here’s everything you need to know for a successful day at the Fair. See you on the Fairgrounds!

OC FAIR HOURS

11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday

11 a.m. to midnight Friday & Saturday

OC FAIR ADMISSION

$13 on Wednesday & Thursday

$15 on Friday, Saturday & Sunday

$9 for seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 every day!

The OC Fair has a ton of activities and entertainment in store to keep everyone engaged over the 23 days of the Fair. Fairgoers can love-up on critters big and small, enjoy the local groups performing on community stages, immerse in cool, new exhibits or just spend the time shopping through the rows of vendor booths.

Things to do

• Featured exhibit, The Art of Music Experience, will offer a unique, immersive journey through a series of themed gallery environments, with over 100 hand-painted works of art on display. Fairgoers can flip through bins of vinyl records at a pop-up record store, have a cocktail in the music themed lounge and watch live painting of album cover art. Learn more about the different exhibits available through the Fair here.

 

• What would the Fair be without the exceptional creations by talented locals? Check out the Home Arts & Hobbies and Visual Arts galleries to view the entries local residents worked diligently to produce for the OC Fair competitions. Be inspired by blue-ribbon winners in categories like photography, fine art, woodworking, floral arrangements, table-setting, cake decorating and growing flowers, vegetables and fruit. Want to be a part of the Fair? Great news: some entries are still open! Visit ocfair.com/competitions to view the different categories and learn more.

 

• For kids and families, Explorium returns to OC Promenade and will be buzzing with bugs. The special activities are designed to help little ones learn all about the creepy crawlies on our planet, how different cultures use insects in their daily lives and the vital role bugs and insects play in the environment.

 

• At Centennial Farm, check out the milking demonstrations as well as marvel at the impressive produce and floral exhibits. Don’t forget to greet the farm’s resident animals and admire the growing plants and crops.

 

• Action Sports Arena is back with endless excitement, starting with the OC Brew Hee Haw craft beer festival July 14-16 before the non-stop adrenaline moves in with monster trucks, demolition derbies, rodeos and freestyle moto.

Things to see

• Sundays in La Cantina will become a lot more lively with mariachi performances. Hypnotist Mark Yuzuik returns to Plaza Pacifica with his antics, and magician Frank Thurston will dazzle audiences at the OC Promenade. More evening music will be coming from the shows in The Hangar, Baja Blues and, as always, Fairgoers can enjoy the non-stop party in the Main Mall.

 

• All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, a fan-favorite, are returning to their track in Plaza Pacifica. Fairgoers can cheer on their favorite little squealer as the piggies dart around the course.

 

• In the livestock area, get up close and personal with the sheep, goats, llamas and urban livestock on hand to teach and entertain Fairgoers young and old.

Things to eat and drink

• The popular $4 Taste of the Fair is back with sample-size food options for $4 on Thursdays, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. View the menus here.

 

• Our creative concessionaires are whipping up some daring and delectable food to keep guest’s taste bud’s guessing throughout the Fair.

 

• Fairgoers with more classical fair food tastes – have no fear! All your favorites are returning. Enjoy mouthwatering funnel cakes, finger-licking BBQ, gooey cinnamon rolls, family-sized pizza, freakshakes and floats, refreshing ice cream and whips, and, naturally, everything on a stick.

 

• Award-winning OC Fair wines return to The Courtyard, and guests can partake in weekend wine seminars starting July 22. Also offered on the Fairgrounds are frozen cocktails, beer booths and michelada stands.

Things to hear

• Pacific Amphitheatre is delivering entertainment you don’t want to miss. Performances include comedians Gabriel Iglesias and Jeff Dunham, concerts by Beck, Ne-Yo, War, George Thorogood, Rebelution, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, -X-, Stephen Marley, Cheap Trick, Bee Gees Gold, The Green, Dwight Yoakam, 3 Doors Down, Yung Gravy, Ziggy Marley, The Fab Four, Styx, Chicago, Gerardo Ortiz, Smokey Robinson, Midland, Ramon Ayala, AJR, Common Kings and Sweet & Tender Hooligans.

 

• In The Hangar, tribute bands Dead Man’s Party, Twisted Gypsy, Devotional, Journey Unauthorized, Wild Child, Don’t Look Back, Sweet Home Alabama, Zeppelin Live, Elton: The Early Years, Yachty By Nature, Ticket to the Moon, 24K Magic!, Red Corvette, Which One’s Pink?, Start Making Sense, Damage Inc., Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, The Beatles vs The Stones and Queen Nation join Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez and Spencer Sutherland over the course of the Fair.

 

• Local entertainers take to our community stages throughout the day and feature acoustic music, rock performances, country music, dance groups and more. This is delightful, free fun the whole family will enjoy!

 

• Tickets are available now for all shows at Ticketmaster or at the Pacific Amphitheatre Box Office. The box office is open Wednesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Things to know before you go

• The Fair will be open Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.

 

• General admission is $13 on weekdays (Wednesday, Thursday) and $15 general admission on weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Tickets for seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 are $9 all days.

 

• Parking is $12 for cars and motorcycles and $24 for buses and limos.

 

• Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance with no fees on ocfair.com. Fairgoers should make sure to get tickets for special days and group adventures now, with limited capacity days could sell out.

 

• Performances in Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena during fair-time include same-day Fair admission. Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/entertainment.

 

• Unlimited ride carnival wristbands are back this year for $44 presale online through July 14 and $49 during the Fair. The one-day wristbands can be used Wednesdays and Thursdays, must be redeemed by 5 p.m. and include unlimited rides and two free games; guests can ride and play from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

 

• Carnival ride and game tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate for a limited time. FunPasses loaded with 50 or 100 tickets can be purchased for $1 per ticket. During the Fair, carnival ride and game tickets will increase to $1.25 each. Tickets required for each ride range from three to 14 tickets and games require between four and eight tickets each. For more information on this year’s rides and games, visit ocfair.com/oc-fair/buy-tickets/carnival/.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to purchase my tickets in advance?

Yes. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster; you will be able to select dates between July 14 and Aug. 13 (closed Monday and Tuesday). Dates may sell out. Bonus: no transaction fees for Fair admission tickets! 

 

What if I buy tickets for the wrong day?

Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and are non-refundable. Please select your ticket date carefully before purchasing.

 

Can I transfer my tickets?

Yes, through Ticketmaster. Please contact Ticketmaster regarding problems with transfers or other ticketing issues.

 

Will tickets be available at the gate?

No. We cannot guarantee tickets will be available for purchase at the gate during the run of the OC Fair. Please purchase your tickets online in advance. We’d hate to have to turn you away if we are at full capacity. Parking fees are non-refundable. 

 

Why are you limiting tickets/capacity in 2023?

In order to ensure we are adequately staffed and stocked, and that our guests have plenty of elbow room, we are using the same limited ticket/capacity model that we used for the 2022 OC Fair.

 

Do I have to wear a mask at the Fair, show proof of vaccination or negative Covid test?

Not at this time, but, should anything change, please expect to follow state/county regulations as OC Fair & Event Center is a state agency.

 

Will the OC Fair Express buses or Experian shuttles be available this year?

Unfortunately no, we were not able to partner with OCTA or Experian for the 2023 OC Fair, and free offsite parking is no longer available.

 

Will you be selling a season pass this year?

The new Every Day Passport is available for $60 and includes admission to the OC Fair any day or every day with no restrictions. Quantities are limited. To purchase, visit ocfair.com/everydaypass/.

 

Will you offer free or discounted admission days?

Yes. The new Every Day Passport allows Fairgoers to come any day or every day of the Fair for $60 with no restrictions. Quantities are limited. Carnival tickets and unlimited ride wristbands are on sale now at discounted rates online through July 13. Each Thursday, $4 Taste of the Fair options will be available from food vendors so Fairgoers can enjoy sample-sized menu items. Unfortunately, some previous discounts are no longer available with the Fair’s limited daily capacity.

 

Will you have unlimited ride wristbands?

Yes, unlimited ride wristbands are on sale now for Wednesdays and Thursdays (see hours and details).

 

Can I buy concert tickets at the box office?

Yes. Box office hours are:

• Wednesday-Friday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tickets for all OC Fair/Pacific Amphitheatre events and shows are also available online at Ticketmaster.