The county fair — there’s nothing quite like it. From the screams of riders and rodeo-goers to the music pounding from the stage and the aroma of festival fare wafting through the fairgrounds, every aspect of the county expo delights and amuses the senses. Whether you go for the nostalgic favorites or the new attractions, you’ll want to check out this roundup of 2024 Northern California county fairs that lie ahead.
Sacramento County Fair: Through May 27, Sacramento County Fairgrounds, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento. The annual Sacramento County Fair features thrilling competitions, agriculture displays, hands-on family activities, carnival rides, specialty food and a full slate of festival-style entertainment. $0 to $12 admission, $35 carnival wristbands. sacfair.com/
San Joaquin County Fair: May 31 to June 1, San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton. The San Joaquin County festivities offer fun for everyone with main stage entertainment, concerts, carnival rides, agriculture, livestock, food, live entertainment and unique exhibits. $0 to $10 admission, $35 carnival wristbands. sanjoaquinfair.com/
Solano County Fair: June 13-16, Solano County Fairgrounds, 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo. The 2024 fair promises festive food, live entertainment and performances, agriculture and livestock exhibits, Midway of Fun carnival rides and local artisans. $0 to $10 admission, $30 carnival wristbands. scfair.org/2024-solano-county-fair/
Gondola riders catch unobstructed sunset views at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif., Friday evening, June 23, 2023. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)
Alameda County Fair: June 14 to July 7, Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fair returns for an all-out bash featuring carnival rides, a concert series, horse racing, animal activities and plenty of food, drink and tasting opportunities. $0 to $18 admission, $34 to $42 carnival wristbands. annual.alamedacountyfair.com/
Sonoma-Marin Fair: June 20-23, Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. Enjoy concerts, carnival rides, fair food, a wine garden, car shows and unique offerings including the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, a Horse Show and Sheep Dog Trials. $13 to $25 admission, rides included with admission. sonoma-marinfair.org/
Marin County Fair: July 3-7, Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. Held annually over the 4th of July holiday, this year’s fair features exhilarating rides, live music concerts, fireworks, food delights, animal exhibits, shopping and unique activities such as a stilt circus and galactic outpost. $0 to $30 admission, rides included with admission. marinfair.org/
Stanislaus County Fair: July 5-14, Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. Enjoy carnival rides, animals, live entertainment, local exhibits and beloved events including the famous Duck Races, Marionette Show and Destruction Derby. $0 to $15 admission, $35 to $40 carnival wristbands. stancofair.com/
California State Fair: July 12-28, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento. Join this showcase of California’s industries, agriculture and diversity. The state fair features blue-ribbon animal displays, culinary delights and competitions, live music, a carnival, fireworks and other family fun. $0 to $16 admission, carnival rides prices separately. calexpostatefair.com/
Amador County Fair: July 25-28, Amador County Fairgrounds, 18621 Sherwood St., Plymouth. Returning this year with an all new theme, “Go for the Gold,” this annual fair celebrates California’s living history and also offers carnival rides, food and entertainment. $0 to $14 admission, $40 to $50 carnival wristbands. amadorcountyfair.com/
Santa Clara County Fair: July 25 to Aug. 4, Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Celebrate 80 years of innovation at the 2024 “Fields to the Future” Santa Clara County Fair, which includes traditional fair entertainment, food and drinks, live music, circus acts, rides on the Midway of Fun and the famous stampede and livestock shows. $0 to $15 admission, rides priced separately. thefair.org/
Fairgoers stroll through the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, Calif., during the Santa Clara County Fair opening day on Wednesday, July 27, 2023. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
Sonoma County Fair: Aug. 1-11, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Enjoy all your fair favorites including carnival rides, live concerts, food and drinks, a rodeo, horse racing, monster trucks, art exhibits and vendors and special contests. $13 to $16 admission, $30 carnival wristbands. sonomacountyfair.com/
Napa Town and Country Fair: Aug. 8-10, Napa Valley Expo, 575 Third St., Napa. At this annual festival, visitors typically enjoy food and drinks, live entertainment, carnival rides, a livestock exhibit, a makers market and unique activities like crafters demos and DJ dance parties. $0 to $15 admission, $35 to $45 carnival wristbands. napafair.org/
Yolo County Fair: Aug. 14-18, Yolo County Fairgrounds, 1250 Gum Ave., Woodland. This annual fair includes familiar fair fun, food, activities and crowd favorites such as the demolition derby and livestock shows. With the 2024 theme “Over the Moon,” the festivities are sure to be out of this world! Free admission, demolition derby priced separately. yolocountyfair.net/
Butte County Fair: Aug. 22-25, Butte County Fairgrounds, 199 E Hazel St., Gridley. The Butte County Fair has been creating feel-good family memories for the last 75 years. Enjoy fair food, live entertainment and community acts, carnival rides, livestock shows, kids activities and unique exhibits. Find updated ticket information at buttecountyfair.org/
Lake County Fair: Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, Lake County Fairgrounds, 401 Martin St., Lakeport. This annual county fair typically features all your favorite fun fair, including carnival rides, food and live entertainment, plus a destruction derby and boat race. Find updated ticket information at lakecountyfair.com/
Monterey County Fair: Aug. 29 to Sept. 2, Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. This year’s fair theme is “Barn to be Wild” and will feature carnival rides, fair food, live entertainment, local exhibits and a rodeo. $0-$12 admission, rodeo and rides priced separately. montereycountyfair.com/monterey-county-fair/
Mariposa County Fair: Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, Mariposa Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa. Agricultural events, horse racing, contests, displays, demonstrations, live entertainment and carnival rides provide old-fashioned fun for the young and young-at-heart at the 2024 Mariposa “Kids, Cows and Plows” County Fair. Tickets are box office only, no online or telephone sales. mariposafair.com/fair
Gold Country Fair: Sept. 5-8, Gold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High St., Auburn. This annual fair features traditional festivities with food and drink stalls, live music, carnival rides and games, livestock barns, plus competitive exhibits and displays. $5 to $12 admission, rides priced separately. goldcountryfair.com/
Always a crowd favorite at the fair, four All-Alaska Racing Pigs trot up the first straightaway during a heated race around the track as the 2018 Santa Cruz County Fair. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz County Fair: Sept. 11-15, Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Fairgoers will enjoy carnival rides, livestock exhibits, food booths, live music, children’s activities and thrilling events including Skye Dreams Drone Shows, Monster Truck and Motocross shows at the 2024 “Pioneer Days to Modern Ways” Santa Cruz County Fair. Find updated ticket information at santacruzcountyfair.com
Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show: Sept. 13-15, Mendocino County Fairgrounds, 14400 Highway 128, Boonville. This annual fair showcases Anderson Valley apples and other local produce, in addition to fun carnival rides and games. $0 to $10 admission, $35 to $45 carnival wristbands. mendocountyfair.com
