COSTA MESA, Calif., July 18 (Our Newport Beach) — The 2026 Orange County Fair opened Friday at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, beginning a July 17-Aug. 16 run with food, carnival rides, live entertainment, exhibits and shopping.
This year’s theme is “Your Adventure Awaits!,” according to the fair’s official announcement. Fair officials said admission tickets and Every Day Passports are on sale online.
Advance ticket purchase is required because of limited daily capacity, the fair said, and admission tickets are not sold at the entry gates during the run. Officials also warned that some days will sell out.
General admission is $13 on Wednesday and Thursday and $18 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Seniors 65 and older pay $10, children ages 6 to 12 pay $9 and children 5 and younger are free.
The fair is closed Monday and Tuesday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
An Every Day Passport costs $60 and allows admission on any day of the fair with no blackout dates or restrictions, though quantities are limited, the fair said. Parking is $15 for cars and motorcycles and $30 for buses and limousines.
Entertainment is scheduled at Pacific Amphitheatre, Action Sports Arena and The Hangar, and carnival ride and game tickets can be bought through the RCS Fun Pass app or at RCS ticket booths. The fair said discounted carnival tickets and wristbands are available online in advance through opening day.
