Frequently Asked Questions - OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa, CA (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions


The 2024 OC Fair runs July 19-Aug. 18 – the theme is “Always a Good Time!”

With limited daily capacity, advance ticket purchase is required. Please do not arrive without a ticket – days will sell out.

When is the Fair open?

July 19-Aug. 18, 2024
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – midnight
The OC Fair is closed Monday and Tuesday

How much is admission?

$13 general admission on Wednesday & Thursday
$15 general admission on Friday, Saturday & Sunday
$9 seniors 60+ and kids 6-12 every day
Free for kids 5 and younger

How do I purchase admission tickets?

Tickets go on sale March 1 and can be purchased at ocfair.com/tickets. Please choose dates carefully as there are no refunds or exchanges; Fairgoers must choose a specific date. Buy now – days will sell out. Tickets are available through Etix. Our on-site box office will sell admission tickets only until July 18. Tickets will not be available at entry gates during the Fair. There are no transaction fees for admission tickets. Do not purchase tickets elsewhere as they may not be valid.

When is the box office open?

The box office is generally open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. following an on-sale announcement. Please check the website for hours prior to your visit.

What is the Every Day Passport?

The new Every Day Passport is available for $60 and includes admission to the OC Fair any day or every day with no restrictions. Quantities are limited. Visit, ocfair.com/everydaypass/.

How can I buy entertainment tickets?

Shows in Pacific Amphitheatre, Action Sports Arena and The Hangar are on sale now at ocfair.com/entertainment. Limited general admission seats are available in the Action Sports Arena on a first-come, first-served basis; all other seats must be purchased. Entertainment tickets are available through Etix or our on-site box office. Do not purchase tickets elsewhere as they may not be valid.

Does my entertainment ticket include Fair admission?

Yes, if the performance date is during the OC Fair. Tickets to shows in Pacific Amphitheatre, Action Sports Arena or The Hangar that occur during the 2024 OC Fair, July 19-Aug. 18, include same-day admission. Parking is not included. Limited reserved parking is available only with select Pacific Amphitheatre tickets.

Do I need to buy tickets to performances ahead of time?

It’s recommended you purchase your entertainment tickets via Etix or our on-site box office prior to any show as many of our performances quickly sell out.

Do I need to purchase my child a ticket for shows at the Fair if they’re allowed free admission?

Limited general admission seating for Action Sports Arena shows is available on a first-come, first-served basis with Fair admission; reserved seating is available for purchase. The other entertainment venues, Pacific Amphitheatre and The Hangar, require a show ticket to reserve any seat. These tickets include same-day OC Fair admission during the run of the Fair.

Can I transfer a ticket to another person?

Yes, through Etix. Please contact Etix regarding problems with transfers or other ticketing issues.

Why are you limiting capacity each day of the Fair?

By controlling attendance, the Fair is working to create a better guest experience with shorter lines and less crowding as well as reducing the impact on our neighbors.

Where is information on accessibility?

OC Fair & Event Center strives to offer events that suit the needs of all guests. Please view our Equal Access Guide for more information for guests with disabilities or special needs: ocfair.com/public-information/equal-access-information/

Is there a featured exhibit?

Yes. The Art of Music exhibit will be returning to OC Fair with a new theme and features. This experiential exhibit inspires people of all ages to discover, explore and appreciate the creators behind album cover art. Embark on an immersive journey through a series of themed gallery and vendor environments, flip through bins of vinyl records at a pop-up independent record store, watch live painting of album cover art, rank your favorite album cover and more.

Will there be competitions this year?

Yes. The 2024 competition guides are available and applications are open. Visit, ocfair.com/competitions.

Are there discounts?

Yes. The new Every Day Passport allows Fairgoers to come any day or every day of the Fair for $60 with no restrictions.

Does my OC Fair Fun Run 5K registration include Fair admission?

Admission tickets to the OC Fair must be purchased separately.

How do carnival tickets and ride wristbands work?

Carnival tickets and ride wristband information is coming soon.

Is parking included/how much is parking?

Parking is purchased separately on-site on the day of the event for $15; $30 for buses and limos. Limited reserved parking is only available with select Pacific Amphitheatre show tickets. Ridesharing and public transportation are encouraged.

Is the OC Fair Express bus coming back?

OCTA will not be operating the OC Fair Express bus this year. Standard OCTA bus routes to the Fair include the 178, 55, 47 and 71 lines.

Will there be Experian parking?

Unfortunately, free offsite parking is no longer available.

Where can I access my ride-sharing or ride-hailing services?

Drop-off and pick-up for ride-sharing or ride-hailing services is located at Gate 1 off of Fair Drive.

Where is the Access Bus drop-off and pick-up?

Drop-off and pick-up for Access Bus users is located at Gate 8 off of Arlington Drive.

Can I bring food?

Soft-sided coolers are allowed and factory-sealed water bottles are permitted as are empty water bottles.

Can I bring pets?

Pets are not allowed on the Fairgrounds. Only service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted.

Can I re-enter the Fair after exiting?

With a handstamp, you are allowed to re-enter the Fairgrounds on the same day. However, if you leave the property in your vehicle, you will be required to pay for parking again.

Can I be a vendor?

Vendor applications are open until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 8. Vendor and Platinum Partner applications are available at ocfair.com/oc-fair/be-a-part-of-the-fair/vendors.

Can I perform at the OC Fair?

The deadline to apply to be a part of the community entertainment program is 5 p.m. (PST) on Friday, April 5, 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions - OC Fair & Event Center - Costa Mesa, CA (2024)

FAQs

What are you allowed to bring to the OC Fair? ›

Outside food and beverages are permitted if stored in factory-sealed receptacles. (No cans, glass, outside alcohol or hard-sided coolers.) Water bottles are permitted if factory-sealed or empty upon entry. Wagons and strollers are permitted.

Do you need to make a reservation for OC Fair? ›

2021 OC Fair is July 16 - Aug 15 | Advance Tickets Required –Buy Now– No Fees!

Can I take my dog to OC Fair? ›

Q: Can I bring pets? A: No. Pets are not allowed on site. Service animals are allowed but in order to ensure the safety of all animals, service animals cannot be taken in or around animal areas at Centennial Farm.

Does OC Fair sell tickets at the door? ›

Tickets will not be available at entry gates during the Fair. There are no transaction fees for admission tickets. Do not purchase tickets elsewhere as they may not be valid.

Can I bring my purse into the California State Fair? ›

I'm worried about people seeing the items in my purse while I'm walking around the Fair. What can I do? You are welcome to enter with a non-clear clutch with a wrist strap no larger than 5″x8″ or a non-clear clutch with a shoulder strap no larger than 5″x8.

Can you bring bottled water into the California State Fair? ›

Can I bring my water bottle or some beverages? Yes, sealed plastic water bottles are fine, but no glass, aluminum cans, Hydro Flasks, Metal Water Bottles, or outside alcohol are allowed.

What is the OC Fair Everyday Passport? ›

Passport Name: EVERY DAY PASSPORT

OC Fair's EVERY DAY PASSPORT provides daily admission with no restrictions or blackout days. Valid July 19 – Aug. 18. No reservations or blackout dates.

Are the OC Fair rides free? ›

For more information visit ocfair.com. Unlimited ride carnival wristbands are back this year for $49. The one-day wristbands can be used Wednesdays and Thursdays, must be purchased or redeemed by 5 p.m. and include unlimited rides and two free games; guests can ride and play from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m.

How many people attend OC Fair daily? ›

Since 2021, attendance is limited to 45,000 people per day.

Can I bring food into the OC Fair? ›

OC Fair Food Rules: What Can I Bring In? If carnival food isn't your thing, you can bring your own food in "factory-sealed receptacles." The fair does however prohibit cans, glass bottles, and outside alcohol. They allow you to bring in sealed water bottles upon entry. The Orange County Fair opens Friday July 14, 2023.

Do you pay for parking at OC Fair? ›

Parking. During the OC Fair, parking rates are $10 for cars, $20 for buses.

Are there bathrooms at the OC Fair? ›

Restroom facilities on the property can accommodate disabled guests and guests in wheelchairs. The most comfortable restrooms are the newly refurbished facilities in the Livestock Area, Park Plaza, The Courtyard and the larger exhibit halls (Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Los Alamitos Buildings).

What happened to the Costa Mesa swap meet? ›

A longtime employee at the Orange County Market Place is bringing a swap meet back to the OC Fair & Event Center on Saturday, May 29. The Market Place has been closed for more than a year, first due to the pandemic and then a contract dispute between the operator and fairgrounds officials.

What time does the OC Fair box office open? ›

Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

How many days is the OC Fair Open? ›

Take a look at all there is to do and see over the 31-day run of the Fair. You'll want to hear music, check out the amazing vendors, marvel at the exhibits, and visit all the competitions to see who takes the blue ribbon home!

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