San Diego County Fair

The San Diego County Fair opens the summer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 20 miles north of downtown San Diego that has hosted the fair since 1936. Held since 1880, it is billed by the organizer as the largest and longest running event in the county, and each year is built around a theme; 2026 was Once Upon a Fair, a celebration of books and storytelling. Admission covers a long list of free entertainment: nightly tribute acts and touring bands in the Chevrolet Paddock Concert Series, more stages along the Avenue and in Family Funville, arena shows with monster trucks, dog shows and equestrian events, racing pigs, livestock barns, a garden and flower show, and exhibitions of fine art, photography, gems and woodwork. Grandstand concerts and Summer Nights at The Sound are ticketed separately and include same-day fair admission.

The 2027 fair runs Thursday, June 10 to Monday, July 5, closed June 14, 15, 21 and 28, from 11 AM to 11 PM with the gates closing at 10 PM. Tickets are sold by date, and buying at least 24 hours ahead saves on admission and parking. 2027 prices are not out yet; in 2026 adult admission was $17 to $25 by day, seniors and youth paid less, youth 6 to 12 got in free on Fridays and children 5 and under were always free. Admission, parking and rides are cashless, with cash-to-card machines on the grounds, and the organizer caps sales at about 60,000 tickets a day. Same-day re-entry works with a handstamp, and free parking is available at Torrey Pines High School.