Right now, the California State Fair just wrapped up its first day. If you plan on going but you’re worried about how much it might cost, we have some tips to save you money. KCRA 3’s Anahida Jafari walks us through *** number of ways that you can have fun on *** budget. Yep, that’s right, Eddie Goldston. If you want to go to the California State Fair, but you’re on *** budget, that’s OK because we have some tips for you on how to come without breaking the bank. Do you think that the fair is expensive? Yes, why? Because it has lots of rocks. Thing you go to, it’s like pay, pay, pay, and it’s very expensive. Luckily we have some tips to make it free, free, free, or at least cheaper. Starting on Mondays, the first two hours of the fair, 4 to 6 o’clock, everybody gets in for $2. So for *** family of 4, that’s less than $10 for everyone to get in. You pretty much know where you’re gonna come to the fair, you know it’s gonna be expensive. On certain days there are more affordable options. On Tuesdays it’s Kids’ Day, so kids 12 and under get in free. We’ve done fun houses, rides. Ice cream and if you do come on kids day, make sure you thank your parents. I love her and she’s so nice for taking us here. Wednesday we have butler. They’re giving $10 off of their ride wristband, so that’s *** great savings right there, especially if you have kids who love to ride, OK, and big kids. who love to ride the rides. Most people don’t know where to find all the deals. It was $8 for soda and *** drink. Usually I anticipate that like we’ll drop anywhere between like $100 to $200 mostly on food. You know, one of the most expensive things we hear from people that they spend money on at the fair is the food. What if we told you that there were options here to eat for free? The California kitchen has food demonstrations, but what does she put in it? And there are samples, Free sample samples, guys. We’re local. Instead of spending money on water bottles at the fair, you can actually bring unopened bottles of water into the fair and refill them throughout. It can get pretty hot, so staying cool is *** priority, wandering out of the heat and into the art showcase where there is plenty to see. And just like the Legos say, if you’re looking for something else to do that’s free, this is the kids zone opened up for kids to have lots of fun and in an air conditioned space. The free stuff, the animals, they’re fun because, uh, we got here in time to watch when they, uh, were the pigs were first, uh, on the show. So overall there are plenty of free options at the fair. Sounds like he agrees. You know, I learned *** couple of things today. On Fridays you can bring at least 5 non-perishable food items to the front entrance and get in for free before 2 p.m. And I also learned unfortunately that camels are camera shy. I learned from experience that one sending it back to you. Maybe not the first nip from someone who didn’t want to be interviewed. I hate it, thank you.
California State Fair offers discounts and free activities for families
The California State Fair is providing affordable admission options, discounted rides, and free food samples to help families enjoy the event on a budget
Updated: 11:27 PM PDT Jul 17, 2026
The California State Fair is underway, and organizers are offering several ways for families to enjoy the event without overspending. Fairgoer Myree Ray shared her thoughts on the cost, saying, “Everything you go to, it’s like pay, pay, pay, and it’s very expensive.” California State Fair spokesperson Darla Givens highlighted some of the deals available. “Starting Monday, the first two hours of the fair, 4 to 6, everyone gets in for two dollars,” she said. For a family of four, admission during this time costs less than $10. Givens also said, “On Tuesday, it’s kids’ day, so kids get in free, and then the rides are $2 for everybody.” Fairgoer Andy Garcia shared his approach to managing expenses. “I really like the games. I go anywhere between $30 to $50. I try to limit myself a little bit,” he said. For those who enjoy rides, Givens added, “Wednesday we have Butler. They’re giving $10 off of their ride wristbands so that’s a great savings right there, especially if you have kids who love to ride.” Food is often one of the biggest expenses at the fair. Fairgoer Payton Teeter said, “It was $8 for a soda and drink.” Garcia added, “Usually I anticipate that, like, we’ll drop anywhere between, like, $100 to $200, mostly on food. That’s usually, like, the most expensive thing.” Food costs can be reduced by visiting the California Kitchen, which offers free food demonstrations and samples, including popcorn and jerky. Attendees can also bring unopened water bottles and refill them at water stations throughout the fairgrounds. To escape the heat, fairgoers can visit indoor attractions like the art showcase or the kids’ zone, which is air-conditioned and filled with activities. Fairgoer Mario Nava said he enjoys the free attractions. “The free stuff, the animals, they’re funny. Just, we got here in time to watch when the pigs were first on the show,” he said. Mariama Sims shared her strategy for attending concerts at the fair. “We actually bought the 250th year anniversary season passes for $25 on the 4th of July. So we’ll be at all the concerts this year in general admission,” she said. On Fridays, attendees can bring at least five nonperishable food items per person and receive free admission before 2 p.m. With plenty of free and discounted options, the California State Fair offers families a chance to enjoy the event without breaking the bank.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The California State Fair is underway, and organizers are offering several ways for families to enjoy the event without overspending.
Fairgoer Myree Ray shared her thoughts on the cost, saying, “Everything you go to, it’s like pay, pay, pay, and it’s very expensive.”
California State Fair spokesperson Darla Givens highlighted some of the deals available.
“Starting Monday, the first two hours of the fair, 4 to 6, everyone gets in for two dollars,” she said. For a family of four, admission during this time costs less than $10.
Givens also said, “On Tuesday, it’s kids’ day, so kids get in free, and then the rides are $2 for everybody.”
Fairgoer Andy Garcia shared his approach to managing expenses.
“I really like the games. I go anywhere between $30 to $50. I try to limit myself a little bit,” he said.
For those who enjoy rides, Givens added, “Wednesday we have Butler. They’re giving $10 off of their ride wristbands so that’s a great savings right there, especially if you have kids who love to ride.”
Food is often one of the biggest expenses at the fair. Fairgoer Payton Teeter said, “It was $8 for a soda and drink.” Garcia added, “Usually I anticipate that, like, we’ll drop anywhere between, like, $100 to $200, mostly on food. That’s usually, like, the most expensive thing.”
Food costs can be reduced by visiting the California Kitchen, which offers free food demonstrations and samples, including popcorn and jerky. Attendees can also bring unopened water bottles and refill them at water stations throughout the fairgrounds.
To escape the heat, fairgoers can visit indoor attractions like the art showcase or the kids’ zone, which is air-conditioned and filled with activities.
Fairgoer Mario Nava said he enjoys the free attractions.
“The free stuff, the animals, they’re funny. Just, we got here in time to watch when the pigs were first on the show,” he said.
Mariama Sims shared her strategy for attending concerts at the fair.
“We actually bought the 250th year anniversary season passes for $25 on the 4th of July. So we’ll be at all the concerts this year in general admission,” she said.
On Fridays, attendees can bring at least five nonperishable food items per person and receive free admission before 2 p.m.
With plenty of free and discounted options, the California State Fair offers families a chance to enjoy the event without breaking the bank.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel.