Visitors take the Sky Ride at the California State Fair at Cal Expo on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The fair announced Babyface and KC and the Sunshine Band will perform in the Toyota Concert Series this year.
JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS
jvillegas@sacbee.com
The 2026 California State Fair has announced the headliner schedule to perform during the Toyota Concert Series at this summer’s Cal Expo.
State Fair organizers announced Monday that 13-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist, songwriter and producer Babyface will headline the fair.
The R&B artist is scheduled to grace the main stage on Friday, July 17, during the first week of the State Fair.
“We want to get everyone excited about the concert series and kick things off in a big way with Babyface,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of Cal Expo and the California State Fair. “By bringing a top-level entertainer of his caliber to perform on opening night really sets the tone of what’s to come for the entire Fair.”
Babyface, known for his hit songs “Tender Lover”, “Never Keeping Secrets” and “When Can I See You.”
More recently, the producer/artist won his 13th Grammy-Award for Best R&B Song for “Snooze” by SZA and in the past has written and produced for Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Ariana Grande.
The fair is set to host nightly concerts during the fair’s 17-day run.
In addition to Babyface, the fair announced KC and The Sunshine Band will be performing on the main stage on Saturday, July 25.
The Grammy Award-winning band known for their songs “Boogie Shoes” and “Get Down Tonight” has been entertaining audiences for more than 45 years and have sold in excess of 100 million records.
“KC and the Sunshine Band is one of those groups that will have the crowd dancing for the entire concert,” Martinez said. “Have a corndog, funnel cake, a turkey leg and then come and get your grove on.”
Concerts are free with fair admission, however, fans can purchase tickets for closer views. Ticket presales begin Monday, March 9, followed by general sales opening Tuesday, March 10.
The California State Fair runs from July 17 to Aug. 2.
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This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 11:11 AM.
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Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado is a service journalism reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked at the Star Democrat in Annapolis, Maryland. Veronica graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s degree in journalism.