California State Fair will shift dates to the fall in 2027 to beat the heat
MIKE. RIGHT NOW WE’RE STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE THE MAIN GATES TO THE STATE FAIR. A LOT OF BIG DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT IT’S BEEN FOR THE LAST 17 DAYS. INSTEAD OF GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT DAY, IT’S BEEN A LOT OF CLEANUP WE’VE SEEN THIS MORNING. HERE’S THE BOTTOM LINE TAKE AWAY FROM THIS YEAR’S ATTENDANCE NUMBERS. IF YOU VISITED THE FAIR THIS YEAR, YOU WERE NOT ALONE. ACCORDING TO STATE FAIR OFFICIALS, THE STATE FAIR RECORDED OVER 700,000 VISITORS THIS YEAR. THAT’S AN INCREASE OF 8% OVER LAST YEAR AND A SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR OF INCREASES SINCE 2023, WHEN ONLY 590,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THIS YEAR’S BIGGEST DAY. THAT HAPPENED TO BE JUST SATURDAY, WITH OVER 90,000 PEOPLE. IF YOU WERE HERE, WELL, THEN YOU CAN DECIDE WHETHER THAT WAS CROWDED OR NOT. FOR PERSPECTIVE, 2001 REMAINS THE RECORD HIGH YEAR WHEN MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FAIR. SO WHY THE INCREASE THIS YEAR? WELL, ONE OF THE REASONS, ACCORDING TO STATE FAIR OFFICIALS, THE WEATHER. THE WEATHER USUALLY PLAYS A ROLE IN ATTENDANCE. THEY SAY A COOLER THAN NORMAL JULY WITH THOSE COOL NIGHTS AND EVEN A COOL WEEKEND THIS WEEKEND, ALL KIND OF ENTICING THINGS TO BRING PEOPLE OUT HERE TO THE FAIR. BUT PERHAPS, MAYBE SOME OF THE SWEET TREATS ALSO ENTICE PEOPLE AS THE FAIR ALSO SHARED THAT A CINNAMON ROLL WAS SOLD EVERY 20S HERE AT THE STATE FAIR, AND JUST THE MENTION OF IT MAKES ME HUNGRY FOR A SWEET TREAT AT THE STATE FAIR. MIKE TESELLE KCRA THREE NEWS. THANKS, MIKE
California State Fair will shift dates to the fall in 2027 to beat the heat
Updated: 9:10 AM PST Dec 15, 2025
The California State Fair will change its dates beginning in 2027 to avoid sweltering summer temperatures in Sacramento.A press release on Monday said the new fall fair will run from Sept. 17 through Oct. 3. (Previous coverage in the video above: California State Fair sees higher turnout in 2025.)“For years, our team has been evaluating the best way to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable Fair for everyone,” Tom Martinez, CEO of California Exposition and State Fair said in a statement. “With rising summer temperatures, shifting to the fall season allows us to create a more pleasant environment while maintaining the traditions Californians love.”Martinez said that organizers have spoken to vendors and community partners about the decision, which aligns with other state fairs. Fairgoers will have to contend with possible triple-digit temps for one more year. The 2026 California State Fair will take place from July 17 to Aug. 2. This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.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 will change its dates beginning in 2027 to avoid sweltering summer temperatures in Sacramento.
A press release on Monday said the new fall fair will run from Sept. 17 through Oct. 3.
(Previous coverage in the video above: California State Fair sees higher turnout in 2025.)
“For years, our team has been evaluating the best way to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable Fair for everyone,” Tom Martinez, CEO of California Exposition and State Fair said in a statement. “With rising summer temperatures, shifting to the fall season allows us to create a more pleasant environment while maintaining the traditions Californians love.”
Martinez said that organizers have spoken to vendors and community partners about the decision, which aligns with other state fairs.
Fairgoers will have to contend with possible triple-digit temps for one more year. The 2026 California State Fair will take place from July 17 to Aug. 2.
This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.
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