Community Corner
CA County Fairs 2023 Guide: Where To Find The Fun In California
Funnel cakes, cotton candy, corn dogs, concerts, critters & carnival rides - all coming to towns near you. See when the good times roll in.
CALIFORNIA — Ready to stop and smell the corn dogs?
California's county fair circuit is announcing 2023 dates and themes, while prepping for the annual extravaganzas that lure hundreds of thousands with fun, food and entertainment.
Whether you fun-it-up with thrill rides, midway games, big-name concerts, livestock expos, prize-winning exhibits or crave-worthy, carnival food, options abound statewide.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
While a handful of fairs occur in winter months, the season primarily kicks off in spring and runs through early fall.
Peruse Patch's annual guide to these county fairs, plus some regional stand-out events. Find ones near you, or plan a road trip to check out others. Grab your calendars, and enjoy!
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIR: June 16 - July 9. Pleasanton. With theme of "Summer Vibes," fair fun is on its way, with a June 30 fireworks display.
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BUTTE COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 24-27. Gridley. "Who’s ready for fair food, carnival rides and live entertainment?"
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CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIR & JUMPING FROG JUBILEE: May 18-21, Angels Camp. " Frog cheers and 130 years ... This piece of Americana will have you Leaping to return year after year."
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CALIFORNIA MID-STATE FAIR: July 19-30. Paso Robles. "Shake, Rattle & Roll" at this one, plus Styx and Parker McCollum are booked entertainers.
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CALIFORNIA MID-WINTER FAIR: March 3-12. Imperial. Ten "Feel the Groove" days of entertainment, livestock, carnival rides & fair food.
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CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR & FOOD FESTIVAL: July 14-30. Sacramento. The Golden State's granddaddy of fairs is a 17-day celebration of the state's industries, agriculture, diversity & mouth-watering food.
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CLOVERDALE CITRUS FAIR: Feb. 17-20. Cloverdale. Celebrating its 130th year with a "What a Wonderful World" 2023 theme.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FAIR: May 18-21, Antioch. Ticket discounts offered for seniors, military & law enforcement, plus "Dollar Days."
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DIXON MAY FAIR: May 11-14. Dixon. Sticking with its springtime tradition, this year's theme is "Spring has Sprung." This one is also a great showcase for livestock and other exhibits.
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EL DORADO COUNTY FAIR: June 15-18. Placerville. A local tradition in its 77th year, with 2023 theme: "Country Nights Carnival Lights."
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FRESNO COUNTY FAIR: Oct. 4-15. Fresno. "The Big Fresno Fair" is set for fall.
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HUMBOLDT COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 17-27. Ferndale. Mark your calendars for a fun send-off to summer.
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KERN COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 20-Oct. 1. Bakersfield. Follow link for latest updates.
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LA COUNTY FAIR: May 5-29. Pomona. "Spring Into Fair: Where Fun Blooms," (that's the 2023 theme), promises a springtime extravaganza with petal-to-STEM events, Cinco de Mayo party, headliner concerts, plus such faves as pig races, barnyard animals, carnival rides & more.
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LAKE COUNTY FAIR: Lakeport. Dates not yet announced for 2023, but typically held in late August or early September.
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MARIN COUNTY FAIR: June 30-July 4. San Rafael. Returning in its full format for the first time since 2019. Fireworks planned nightly, too.
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MENDOCINO COUNTY FAIR & APPLE SHOW: Sept. 22-24, Boonville. The weekend event started in the 1920s as an old-timey, harvest festival and still retains small-town charm.
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MERCED COUNTY FAIR, June 7-11. Merced. Includes a nightly, free concert series.
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MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 31-Sept. 4. Monterey. "Buckaroos and Howdy Do's!" is the 2023 theme.
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NAPA VALLY EXPO TOWN & COUNTRY FAIR: Aug. 10-13. Napa. Dates announced, but no details yet released. Click link for updates.
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ORANGE COUNTY FAIR: July 14-Aug. 13. Costa Mesa. "Happy Together" is the theme. "From piggies to pies to particularly thrilling rides – you won’t want to miss out!"
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PLACER COUNTY FAIR: June 22-25. Roseville. All fair faves return, along with the Annual Placer County Fair Rib Cook-Off.
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PLUMAS SIERRA COUNTY FAIR: July 27-30, Quincy. "The Last Best Little County Fair!"
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RAMONA COUNTRY FAIR: July 28-30. Ramona. Plans underway for three days of fair fun, rides, animals, Western shows & live entertainment.
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RIVERSIDE COUNTY FAIR & NATIONAL DATE FESTIVAL: Feb. 17-23. Indio. "Back and better than ever." Returning for first time since 2020 with a parade, concerts, monster trucks, livestock competitions and a flurry of date dishes & treats.
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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FAIR: May 27-29 & June 2-4. Victorville. "THE destination in the High Desert for fun. Concerts, carnival rides, food, games, animals, exhibits & more!"
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SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR: June 7-July 4. Del Mar. "The countdown is on to the 2023 San Diego County Fair! ... Are you ready to 'Get Out There' with us?"
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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY FAIR: June 2-4. Stockton. "A bigger, better and more interactive fair this coming year!"
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SAN MATEO COUNTY FAIR: June 3-11. San Mateo. Planning is underway for the annual event that drew more than 100,000 fairgoers in 2022.
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SANTA BARBARA COUNTY FAIR: July 12-16, Santa Maria. Five days of carnival rides, animals, fair food & concerts.
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SANTA CLARA COUNTY FAIR: July 26-Aug. 6. San Jose. "Announcing the return of the Santa Clara Country Fair you know and love."
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SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FAIR: Sept. 13-17. Watsonville. Save the dates!
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SHASTA DISTRICT COUNTY FAIR: June 21-24. Anderson. A popular, rural fair with four days of livestock exhibits, arts & crafts, carnival rides & live entertainment.
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SILVER DOLLAR FAIR: May 25-29. Chico. This year's theme: "Red, White and Blue, This Fair Is For You."
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SOLANO COUNTY FAIR: June 15-18. Vallejo. A local tradition marking 74 years!
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SONOMA COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 3-13. Santa Rosa. Fun-filled spree with entertainment, Hall of Flowers, contests, livestock, carnival rides & more.
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SONOMA-MARIN FAIR: June 21-25, Petaluma. This year's theme: "Fairest in the Land."
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STANISLAUS COUNTY FAIR: July 7-16. Turlock. Ten-day run includes two, jam-packed weekends. Plus, award-winning, country artist Parmalee will perform.
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UPLAND LEMON FESTIVAL: June 9-11. Upland. The 26-year tradition includes an expanded carnival, a Lemon Idol singing contest, food competitions and, of course, lots of lemonade.
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VENTURA COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 2-13. Ventura. "A Country Fair with Ocean Air." Expect carnival rides, food booths, concerts, exhibits, agricultural shows & more.
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WATSONVILLE STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL. August. Watsonville. Plans in the works for 2023, but dates are not yet confirmed. Typically held in August. Check link for updates.
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YOLO COUNTY FAIR: Aug. 16-20. Woodland. See "what's buzzing" at this year's fair.
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ALSO SEE: CA Restaurant Weeks 2023: Guide To The Best In California
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