County Fairs in California

California runs one of the largest county fair systems in the country. The state-supported fairs that report to the California Department of Food & Agriculture range from massive multi-week events in Los Angeles and the Central Valley to small agricultural showcases in foothill and mountain communities.

County fairs in California carry a dual identity. In agricultural regions like the Central Valley, Salinas, and the Inland Empire, fairs center on livestock, produce, and 4-H competitions. In coastal and metropolitan areas, they fold in juried fine art, craft vendor halls, and artisan food markets. The result is a statewide circuit that runs from late spring through early fall, with something for every kind of fairgoer.

Top County Fair Events in California

• California State Fair — Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento; 17 days (July 17–August 2 in 2026; September 17–October 3 in 2027); craft and fine art exhibitions alongside livestock and rodeo
• Los Angeles County Fair — Fairplex, Pomona; runs in May; handmade craft vendor halls, fine arts competitions, and agricultural exhibits
• Orange County Fair — OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa; mid-July through mid-August; craft competitions, fine arts exhibits, and artisan vendor areas alongside the carnival midway
• San Diego County Fair — Del Mar Fairgrounds; June through early July (June 10–July 5 in 2026); handmade craft exhibits and vendor booths
• Sonoma County Fair — Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa; August (August 7–16 in 2026); wine country setting with craft exhibits and agricultural traditions

What to Expect

California county fairs typically run between 4 and 17 days, depending on the size of the county and fairground facilities. Larger fairs like the LA County Fair and the California State Fair draw hundreds of thousands of visitors and include dedicated craft exhibition halls, fine arts competitions, vendor markets, and live demonstrations. Smaller fairs in agricultural counties feature 4-H youth craft projects, home arts competitions (quilts, canning, baked goods), and local artisan vendor tents.

Expect general admission fees ranging from free at smaller rural fairs to $15 or more at the larger county fairs. Parking is typically separate. Craft vendor areas are often housed in dedicated buildings or covered pavilions, and many fairs include a juried fine arts competition with ribbon awards.

Popular Cities for County Fairs

• Los Angeles — Fairplex in Pomona hosts the LA County Fair each May
• Sacramento — Home of Cal Expo (opened 1968) and the California State Fair
• San Diego — Del Mar Fairgrounds hosts the San Diego County Fair
• San Francisco — Bay Area county fairs in Marin, Alameda, and San Mateo counties

For a full overview of craft events in the state, visit the California craft shows page.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do county fairs run in California?

California county fairs generally run from late spring through early fall. The season picks up in May with smaller agricultural fairs and peaks in July and August with the California State Fair and larger county fairs. The LA County Fair in Pomona runs in May, and fairs such as the Big Fresno Fair run into October.

Do California county fairs have craft vendors?

Most do. Larger fairs like the California State Fair and the LA County Fair have dedicated craft exhibition halls and vendor markets. Smaller fairs may have a more limited selection, typically featuring local artisans and home arts competitions. Many fairs also host fine arts competitions with ribbon awards.

How many county fairs does California have?

CDFA describes a network of 80 fair organizations: District Agricultural Associations (two deactivated, leaving 52 active), 23 county fairs, 2 citrus fruit fairs, and the California State Fair (Cal Expo) in Sacramento.