The California State Fair is back for its 172nd year, and if you’re planning to spend any of the next two and a half weeks at Cal Expo in Sacramento, you’re going to want a game plan. Because between the carnival rides, the mountain of fried foods, and a concert lineup that spans everything from Babyface to Dark Star Orchestra reimagining Grateful Dead, there’s a lot to actually pull off.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of it: The fair runs July 17 through August 2, which means you’ve got multiple weekends to hit it up. Head in on a weekday (Monday through Thursday) and you get earlier hours starting at 4 p.m., but if you’re a morning person or want maximum daylight to explore, Friday through Sunday opens at 10 a.m. The one exception? The animal barn—the Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn—closes at 10 p.m. instead of 11, so if you want to pet the goats, don’t wait until the last hour.
Tickets are reasonably priced if you plan ahead: $16 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for kids (ages 5-12) if you buy online in advance. But here’s where the fair really hooks you—there are about a dozen ways to save. Family Discount Day on July 20 and 27 drops admission to just $2 from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday Kids Day (July 21 and 28) makes rides only $2 each for everyone. SMUD Giving Friday (July 17, 24, and 31) gets you a free same-day ticket if you donate five non-perishable items. The Read to Ride Program for TK through 8th graders trades books for admission. So yeah, if you’re flexible with your timing, you can essentially game the system.
The concert lineup is the real draw though. Nightly performances on the Sky River Casino Stage include Babyface on opening night (July 17), plus Wyclef Jean, Tower of Power, Lee Brice, Ja Rule, KC&The Sunshine Band, Keith Sweat, Boyz II Men, and others scattered through August 2. Seats are first-come, first-served (you can line up at 5 p.m. for one of 700 free spots), or you can reserve a seat for $45. It’s a solid mix of’80s and’90s nostalgia with some live jam vibes thrown in—Queen Nation tribute on July 27, Dark Star Orchestra doing a Grateful Dead Live Concert Experience on July 30.
New this year: the Tutankhamun: King Tut Experience and an A-M-A-Z-E-D: America 250 Maze. There’s also Barrel O Fun, a street performance duo doing balloon tricks (because apparently that’s still a thing, and people still love it). Disneyland’s“Kids Rule Summer”activation runs July 17-19 in Building 8 of the Expo Center if you want to catch some Disney magic on the cheap.
Food-wise, expect the usual suspects—corn dogs, fried everything—but there are new vendors this year too. Handel’s Ice Cream, Sweet Crunchy Tanghulu, and Cantina 1984 are joining the roster. The fair’s also got 14 bathrooms scattered across the grounds and air conditioning in most of the main buildings, which matters in July heat. Bring a clear bag (12″x12″x2″max), sealed plastic water bottles, and your own food if you want to cut costs. Kids under 4 get in free, and if you’ve got little ones, stroller rentals run $15.
One heads-up: all children under 18 need an adult (or someone 21-plus) with them. Each adult can chaperone up to five minors, so plan accordingly.
If you want to maximize the experience without breaking the bank, go on a discount day, hit the free concerts early to snag a seat, and bring your own water and snacks in that clear bag. The fireworks happen every Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m., so time your visit around that if you want the full show.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
