2026 California State Fair guide: What to know about tickets, concerts, food and rides

BILLION. THAT WOULD BE THE LARGEST SPENDING PLAN IN STATE HISTORY. WINERIES IN SACRAMENTO, SAN JOAQUIN AND YOLO COUNTIES ARE BEING RECOGNIZED. THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR ANNOUNCED THIS YEAR’S WINNERS IN A COMPETITION THAT SHOWCASES CALIFORNIA GROWN GRAPES THAT 172 YEAR OLD COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS CALIFORNIA’S WINE INDUSTRY. KCRA 3’S MARICELA DE LA CRUZ HEARD FROM TWO WINERIES GETTING THE HONOR. THE 2025 ROSÉ FLOURISH. THAT’S THE BEST MICRO WINERY ROSÉ IN CALIFORNIA, ACCORDING TO THIS YEAR’S CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR COMMERCIAL WINE COMPETITION, ONE OF THE MOST HISTORIC WINE COMPETITIONS IN THE COUNTRY, SHOWCASING THE BEST OF CALIFORNIA’S WINE INDUSTRY. IT’S A GREAT HONOR. I DON’T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THE CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR IS THE OLDEST WINE COMPETITION IN THE US, DATES BACK TO 1854, AND IT’S ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS. SO IT’S A REAL HONOR TO BE AWARDED BEST MICRO WINERY. MORE THAN 1500 WINE BRANDS ENTERED THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION, AND SOME OF THE TOP HONORS STAYED RIGHT HERE IN OUR REGION WITH WINNERS IN SACRAMENTO, SAN JOAQUIN AND YOLO COUNTIES. EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT’S THE FIRST ONE THAT THE WINERY HAS EVER HAD. SO IT’S HARD TO GET 100.1 A WELCOME REASON TO RAISE A GLASS. AS CALIFORNIA’S WINE INDUSTRY CONTINUES NAVIGATING CHALLENGING YEARS, FROM SOFTER SALES TO RISING COSTS, OUR WINE SALES ARE ONLY INCREASING VERY SLIGHTLY, BUT WE’RE ABLE TO INCREASE THE BUSINESS BY HAVING THESE ADDITIONAL PARTIES. THE COST OF OUR POURING STAFF, THEIR SALARIES HAVE GONE UP, SO WE HAVE TO KEEP WORKING, STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME. BUT WINEMAKERS SAY MOMENTS LIKE THIS ARE ALSO A CHANCE TO PUT LOCAL GRAPES AND LOCAL REGIONS IN THE SPOTLIGHT. PEOPLE YOU KNOW ARE MORE FAMILIAR WITH NAPA AND SONOMA, AND SO ANYTIME WE CAN BRING PEOPLE TO LODI EVEN MORE, IT JUST HELPS THE TIDE RISES TOGETHER. SO IT HELPS NOT ONLY US, BUT LODI AS A WHOLE. AS THE INDUSTRY LOOKS AHEAD, EVERY AWARD, EVERY VISITOR AND EVERY POUR OFFERS A LITTLE MORE MOMENTUM. EVERY TIME WE GET SOME AWARD OR SOME PROMOTION, WE GET MORE PEOPLE COMING. AND IT ALL JUST HELPS TO SUPPORT OUR MOUTH. THAT REALLY HELPS. MARICELA DE LA CRUZ KCRA THREE NEWS. AND THERE’S THIS WINE COMPANY IN CLARKSBURG, ONE GOLDEN STATE WINERY OF THE YEAR, CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR COMMERCIAL WINE COMPETITION IS ONE OF T

2026 California State Fair guide: What to know about tickets, concerts, food and rides

The California State Fair returns this year on July 17 through August 2. Here’s what you need to know.

Updated: 3:10 PM PDT Jul 8, 2026

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2026 marks 172 years of the California State Fair. Year after year, families come from all around to taste the delicious food, play fun games, attend lively concerts and pet live animals. (Video above: Local wineries earn top honors at California State Fair competition.)The fair will keep its thrilling carnival rides and crazy amounts of food that it’s famous for, as well as live music and vendors. This year’s fair opens on July 17 and runs through Aug. 2 at Sacramento’s Cal Expo. Here’s everything that’s changed, along with things that stayed the same from last year. What are the state fair’s hours?Monday-Thursday, the fair will open at 4 p.m. and close at 11 p.m. Friday-Sunday, the fair will open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. Closing day, Aug. 2, the fair will open at 10 a.m. and admission into the park will be no later than 8 p.m. The Box Office opened July 5 and will be open until Aug. 2. The hours are:July 5-16: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. July 17-Aug. 1: Mon-Thurs: 3-10 p.m., Friday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.The Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn, home to the famous state fair animals, is the only internal attraction with different hours. It opens when the park opens and closes at 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. Maps, itineraries, competitions and moreHere’s an interactive map of the fairgrounds. Here’s a list of the food at the fair. Here’s how to get to Cal Expo and what to know about parking. Here’s the list of the competitions. Here’s a list of the state fair exhibits.How do I buy tickets for the California State Fair?You can either buy tickets online or in person at the Cal Expo Box Office. There is no $2 per ticket fee at the Box Office. Advanced ticket prices online are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors (ages 62 and above) and $10 for children (ages 5-12). Children 4 and under are free. Day of Event (Gate) prices online are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors (ages 62 and above) and $12 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are free. A digital state fair season pass online is $54 and is good for the entirety of the state fair season. A “fun pack” online is $54 and is four admission tickets, four carnival ride tickets, and a parking pass. This is only valid for one day and is not a multi-day pass. This is available until Thursday, July 16 at 11:59 p.m. Costco “Wish You Were Here” packs are $32.99. They include two admission tickets, two $5 food scripts and one parking pass. This is also available until Thursday, July 16. Carnival ridesThe carnival ride tickets cost $1 each. Adult rides range from five to eight tickets, and kids’ rides range from four to five tickets. Wristbands ranges from $45 Monday-Thursday and $50 Friday-Sunday. See a full list of rides, ticket cost per ride, and thrill level here. The POP (Pay One Price) wristband does not include Monorail tickets, but it does include Skyline tickets. MonorailMonorail tickets are $5, and children 4 years and younger are free. ParkingParking passes are available for purchase online or at Cal Expo. They cost $17 for a one-day pass online or $33 for a three-day pass. You can also purchase parking at the gate for $15. Concert parking is $20 at the gate. More ways to cut back on costsCalifornia’s Read to Ride Program: For every two books you read, you get two admission tickets and a Monorail ticket. The offer is valid for TK-eighth grade students, and you need to read the book and bring a completed review to the Box Office. You can print out a form for the review here. Family Discount Day: Monday July 20 and 27. Admission is $2 from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday Kids Day: Tuesday July 21 and 28. Kids under 12 get in free and all guests pay $2 per carnival ride. Ride and Save Day: Wednesday July 22 and 29, where you can save $10 on ride passes. Senior Savings: Friday July 17, 24, and 31. Seniors aged 62 and older pay only $10. SMUD Giving Friday: July 17, 24, and 31. You are eligible for a free ticket to the fair if you donate five non-perishable items to any of the Cal Expo gates. You will receive a free same-day ticket, and it must be used by 3 p.m. that day to be valid. Guests are allowed to bring a cooler or iced chest, but it needs to be connected to a wagon. Sealed plastic bottled water is allowed, but not glass, aluminum or metal bottles. Guests are also allowed to bring outside food.Artists performing at the Toyota Concert SeriesThe Toyota Concert Series is a free nightly concert on the Sky River Casino Stage. Fans can start lining up for one of the 700 free seats beginning at 5 p.m., and reserving a seat costs $45.July 17: Babyface July 18: Wyclef Jean July 19: Tower of Power July 20: Struggle Jennings July 21: Midland July 22: Iration July 23: Lee Brice July 24: Ja Rule July 25: KC & The Sunshine Band July 26: Ezequiel Peña July 27: Queen Nation July 28: Keith Sweat July 29: Trace Adkins July 30: Dark Star Orchestra-Grateful Dead Live Concert Experience July 31: Boyz II Men August 1: WAR August 2: Yacht Rock Venue Sacramento FC MatchesSacramento Republic FC will be in town at Heart Health Park on Saturday, Aug. 1 and match tickets for this game also include same-day fair admission. Purchase Sac FC tickets here. What’s new at the fair this yearNew exhibits: A-M-A-Z-E-D: America 250 Maze and Tutankhamun: King Tut Experience make their state fair debut. Barrel O Fun is set to make their state fair debut. The duo walk around the fairgrounds performing mesmerizing tricks.Disneyland Resort’s “Kids Rule Summer” will celebrate opening weekend by offering games, treats and photo opportunities. It will be in the Expo Center’s Building 8 and run from July 17-19. What’s returning?Corn Dog Eating Contest: July 24 is the qualifying round, July 25 is the final round. Both are on the Promenade stage at 6 p.m. Sign up here.Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus will be returning on July 25 on the Promenade stage at 11:30 a.m.Balloonacy will be back, walking the grounds of the fair and making adorable balloon animals. Sea Lion Splash will be back in Olive Grove every day in the evenings. Fair Food Competition will be back July 20, running from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and is open to state fair vendors. Monster trucks roar back to the state fair Michelob Ultra Grandstands on July 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.Pie Eating Contest returns on July 31 at 2 p.m. on the Promenade stage. Walk up registration takes place at 1 p.m. Cider Day Showcase California Cannabis ExhibitWine Slushies will be back in the Save Mart Wine Garden The California First Peoples Art Showcase will be back in the Expo Center’s Building 8. This will showcase artistic traditions, cultural heritage and the history of California’s tribes. Other returning exhibits at the Expo building include: Candy Maze and Selfie Experience, It’s a Wild Wild World Adventure, CaLOWfornia Love, and Fine Art & Photography.Is there any new food at the fair?A Sweet Tea Stand will be located in Water Row Handel’s Ice Cream will be in the Expo Center Sweet Crunchy Tanghulu will be at the Main Gate Cantina 1984 will be in the Sky River Stage Area Twists will be in the Beer Den: Building D/Arena A Dirty Soda cart will be in the Save Mart Wine Garden See the full list of food vendors and locations here. Will there be fireworks?Yes, there will be fireworks shows that happen every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m. What does security look like and how big of a bag can I bring?According to the Cal Expo code of conduct, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone over the age of 21 to be admitted into the state fair. Any children under the age of 18 without an adult will not be admitted. Any adult may be asked to show a valid CA driver’s license, identification card or other government issued ID. Each adult can chaperone up to 5 minors at a time, and groups larger than 5 minors must be accompanied by another chaperone. Clear bag policy comes into effect, and bags have to be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and smaller than 12”x12”x2”. Approved bags: Clear plastic tote smaller than 12”x12”x2” 1-gallon plastic bag Clear purse Clear fanny pack Clear plastic backpack smaller than 12”x12”x2” Clutch with wrist strap no larger than 5”x8” Clutch with shoulder strap no larger than 5”x8” Non-approved bags: PurseFanny packBinocular caseCamera caseBackpackPrinted pattern plastic bagSeat cushionMesh bagOversized tote bagTinted plastic bagWho to call if you have lost your childCall Cal Expo Police at 916-263-3050. Are wheelchairs and strollers available to rent?You can rent scooters or strollers in advance online or by calling reservations at (262) 677-2696. You can also rent them near the main gate once you get inside the fair. Here are the prices:Stroller: $15Wagon: $20Wheelchair: $30Scooter: $70, after 6 p.m. $45Where are the restrooms?There are 14 total restrooms across the fairgrounds.Main Gate Monorail Pepsi Main Promenade & Food Court California Buildings A & B Expo Center (behind Expo Center 4 and below Center 2) Michelob Ultra Grandstand Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn (North and South) Carnival (North) Kids Park Save Mart Wine Garden Shopping (between Buildings C & D) Do any buildings have air conditioning?Yes. All of the inside vendors and buildings are equipped with air conditioning, giving you a nice break from the summer sun while you get your shoes shined and eat giant candy ropes. California Buildings A, B, C & D Expo Center (Buildings 1-8) The Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn Satellite Wagering Center at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand Guest Services Bonney Cooling Stations 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 | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

2026 marks 172 years of the California State Fair.

Year after year, families come from all around to taste the delicious food, play fun games, attend lively concerts and pet live animals.

(Video above: Local wineries earn top honors at California State Fair competition.)

The fair will keep its thrilling carnival rides and crazy amounts of food that it’s famous for, as well as live music and vendors.

This year’s fair opens on July 17 and runs through Aug. 2 at Sacramento’s Cal Expo.

Here’s everything that’s changed, along with things that stayed the same from last year.

What are the state fair’s hours?

Monday-Thursday, the fair will open at 4 p.m. and close at 11 p.m.

Friday-Sunday, the fair will open at 10 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.

Closing day, Aug. 2, the fair will open at 10 a.m. and admission into the park will be no later than 8 p.m.

The Box Office opened July 5 and will be open until Aug. 2. The hours are:

July 5-16: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

July 17-Aug. 1: Mon-Thurs: 3-10 p.m., Friday-Sunday: 9:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

The Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn, home to the famous state fair animals, is the only internal attraction with different hours. It opens when the park opens and closes at 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.

Maps, itineraries, competitions and moreHow do I buy tickets for the California State Fair?

You can either buy tickets online or in person at the Cal Expo Box Office. There is no $2 per ticket fee at the Box Office.

Advanced ticket prices online are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors (ages 62 and above) and $10 for children (ages 5-12). Children 4 and under are free. Day of Event (Gate) prices online are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors (ages 62 and above) and $12 for children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are free. A digital state fair season pass online is $54 and is good for the entirety of the state fair season. A “fun pack” online is $54 and is four admission tickets, four carnival ride tickets, and a parking pass. This is only valid for one day and is not a multi-day pass. This is available until Thursday, July 16 at 11:59 p.m. Costco “Wish You Were Here” packs are $32.99. They include two admission tickets, two $5 food scripts and one parking pass. This is also available until Thursday, July 16. Carnival rides

The carnival ride tickets cost $1 each. Adult rides range from five to eight tickets, and kids’ rides range from four to five tickets. Wristbands ranges from $45 Monday-Thursday and $50 Friday-Sunday. See a full list of rides, ticket cost per ride, and thrill level here.

The POP (Pay One Price) wristband does not include Monorail tickets, but it does include Skyline tickets.

Monorail

Monorail tickets are $5, and children 4 years and younger are free.

Parking

Parking passes are available for purchase online or at Cal Expo. They cost $17 for a one-day pass online or $33 for a three-day pass. You can also purchase parking at the gate for $15. Concert parking is $20 at the gate.

More ways to cut back on costsCalifornia’s Read to Ride Program: For every two books you read, you get two admission tickets and a Monorail ticket. The offer is valid for TK-eighth grade students, and you need to read the book and bring a completed review to the Box Office. You can print out a form for the review here. Family Discount Day: Monday July 20 and 27. Admission is $2 from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday Kids Day: Tuesday July 21 and 28. Kids under 12 get in free and all guests pay $2 per carnival ride. Ride and Save Day: Wednesday July 22 and 29, where you can save $10 on ride passes. Senior Savings: Friday July 17, 24, and 31. Seniors aged 62 and older pay only $10. SMUD Giving Friday: July 17, 24, and 31. You are eligible for a free ticket to the fair if you donate five non-perishable items to any of the Cal Expo gates. You will receive a free same-day ticket, and it must be used by 3 p.m. that day to be valid. Guests are allowed to bring a cooler or iced chest, but it needs to be connected to a wagon. Sealed plastic bottled water is allowed, but not glass, aluminum or metal bottles. Guests are also allowed to bring outside food.Artists performing at the Toyota Concert Series

The Toyota Concert Series is a free nightly concert on the Sky River Casino Stage. Fans can start lining up for one of the 700 free seats beginning at 5 p.m., and reserving a seat costs $45.

July 17: Babyface July 18: Wyclef Jean July 19: Tower of Power July 20: Struggle Jennings July 21: Midland July 22: Iration July 23: Lee Brice July 24: Ja Rule July 25: KC & The Sunshine Band July 26: Ezequiel Peña July 27: Queen Nation July 28: Keith Sweat July 29: Trace Adkins July 30: Dark Star Orchestra-Grateful Dead Live Concert Experience July 31: Boyz II Men August 1: WAR August 2: Yacht Rock Venue Sacramento FC Matches

Sacramento Republic FC will be in town at Heart Health Park on Saturday, Aug. 1 and match tickets for this game also include same-day fair admission. Purchase Sac FC tickets here.

What’s new at the fair this yearNew exhibits: A-M-A-Z-E-D: America 250 Maze and Tutankhamun: King Tut Experience make their state fair debut. Barrel O Fun is set to make their state fair debut. The duo walk around the fairgrounds performing mesmerizing tricks.Disneyland Resort’s “Kids Rule Summer” will celebrate opening weekend by offering games, treats and photo opportunities. It will be in the Expo Center’s Building 8 and run from July 17-19. What’s returning?Corn Dog Eating Contest: July 24 is the qualifying round, July 25 is the final round. Both are on the Promenade stage at 6 p.m. Sign up here.Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus will be returning on July 25 on the Promenade stage at 11:30 a.m.Balloonacy will be back, walking the grounds of the fair and making adorable balloon animals. Sea Lion Splash will be back in Olive Grove every day in the evenings. Fair Food Competition will be back July 20, running from 4:30-7:30 p.m. and is open to state fair vendors. Monster trucks roar back to the state fair Michelob Ultra Grandstands on July 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.Pie Eating Contest returns on July 31 at 2 p.m. on the Promenade stage. Walk up registration takes place at 1 p.m. Cider Day Showcase California Cannabis ExhibitWine Slushies will be back in the Save Mart Wine Garden The California First Peoples Art Showcase will be back in the Expo Center’s Building 8. This will showcase artistic traditions, cultural heritage and the history of California’s tribes. Other returning exhibits at the Expo building include: Candy Maze and Selfie Experience, It’s a Wild Wild World Adventure, CaLOWfornia Love, and Fine Art & Photography.Is there any new food at the fair?A Sweet Tea Stand will be located in Water Row Handel’s Ice Cream will be in the Expo Center Sweet Crunchy Tanghulu will be at the Main Gate Cantina 1984 will be in the Sky River Stage Area Twists will be in the Beer Den: Building D/Arena A Dirty Soda cart will be in the Save Mart Wine Garden

See the full list of food vendors and locations here.

Will there be fireworks?

Yes, there will be fireworks shows that happen every Friday and Saturday night at 10 p.m.

What does security look like and how big of a bag can I bring?

According to the Cal Expo code of conduct, all children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or someone over the age of 21 to be admitted into the state fair. Any children under the age of 18 without an adult will not be admitted.

Any adult may be asked to show a valid CA driver’s license, identification card or other government issued ID.

Each adult can chaperone up to 5 minors at a time, and groups larger than 5 minors must be accompanied by another chaperone.

Clear bag policy comes into effect, and bags have to be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and smaller than 12”x12”x2”.

Approved bags:

Clear plastic tote smaller than 12”x12”x2” 1-gallon plastic bag Clear purse Clear fanny pack Clear plastic backpack smaller than 12”x12”x2” Clutch with wrist strap no larger than 5”x8” Clutch with shoulder strap no larger than 5”x8”

Non-approved bags:

PurseFanny packBinocular caseCamera caseBackpackPrinted pattern plastic bagSeat cushionMesh bagOversized tote bagTinted plastic bagWho to call if you have lost your child

Call Cal Expo Police at 916-263-3050.

Are wheelchairs and strollers available to rent?

You can rent scooters or strollers in advance online or by calling reservations at (262) 677-2696. You can also rent them near the main gate once you get inside the fair.

Here are the prices:

Stroller: $15Wagon: $20Wheelchair: $30Scooter: $70, after 6 p.m. $45Where are the restrooms?

There are 14 total restrooms across the fairgrounds.

Main Gate Monorail Pepsi Main Promenade & Food Court California Buildings A & B Expo Center (behind Expo Center 4 and below Center 2) Michelob Ultra Grandstand Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn (North and South) Carnival (North) Kids Park Save Mart Wine Garden Shopping (between Buildings C & D) Do any buildings have air conditioning?

Yes. All of the inside vendors and buildings are equipped with air conditioning, giving you a nice break from the summer sun while you get your shoes shined and eat giant candy ropes.

California Buildings A, B, C & D Expo Center (Buildings 1-8) The Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn Satellite Wagering Center at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand Guest Services Bonney Cooling Stations

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 | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google