It’s officially summer over here, which means the longest-running and largest community event is back. The 2026 San Diego County Fair officially opens its gates on Wednesday, June 10, and will run through July 5. Whether you’re going for the rides, the live music, or the outrageous food creations, here’s your ultimate guide to what you can expect this year.
$5 admission on Opening Day
If you wanna save big on admission, simply get there early. The fair is offering a $5 Opening Day Deal, provided you get your ticket and pass through the gates before 5 PM.
What to expect: enter ‘Once Upon A Fair’
This year’s theme is Once Upon A Fair, a celebration of books, the power of storytelling, and the joy found between the lines. Here’s what’s on the schedule:
- The theme exhibit: The 20,000-square-foot theme exhibit features a partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Visitors can explore photo ops, read-aloud adventures, a book fair, and even the debut of a never-before-seen book from the late author’s archives.
- Fun with nature: Expect the return of favorites like Farm2U, Fairview Farm, and the livestock barns where students from all over the county will be showing goats, cows, sheep, and poultry.
- Exhibits & endless entertainment: Browse through the Design in Wood showcase, the Flower Show, and the Home Arts and Hobbies exhibits. For music lovers, the Toyota Summer Concert Series and “Summer Nights at The Sound” will bring amazing live performances to the San Diego County Fair.
- Rides & games: Brave the rollercoasters, or take the little ones to the Kids Zone before testing your skills at the classic carnival games.
Who’s playing?
We’re expecting loads of great names at this fair! Here are just some of the shows you can’t miss:
- Chicago on June 10
- Hoobastank on June 11
- Marshmello on June 19
- Good Charlotte on June 20
- Demi Lovato on June 24
- Nelly on June 25
- & many more…
The 2026 food lineup at San Diego County Fair
The event is famous for pushing the boundaries of fair food, and 2026 is no exception. Get ready for brand-new, trendy menu additions, such as:
- Tailgatin’ Taquito Bucket (Paddock Club): A family-sized party bucket of handmade taquitos, resting on layers of house-made guacamole, pico de gallo, shredded lettuce, and cilantro. Sprinkled with Cotija cheese and spicy chicharrones.
- Street Corn Baked Potato (Corn Star & Hot Potato Club): A giant baked potato loaded with butter, sweet corn, smoky chipotle mayo, crispy bacon, and fresh jalapeños.
- Nashville Hot Chicken Fried Mac & Cheese Balls (Magg’s Mac Shack): Gooey mac and cheese mixed with chicken, rolled in panko, deep-fried, and basted in bold Nashville hot sauce.
- Humpty Dumpty Ramen Deviled Eggs (Farmer in the Del): Sweet soy-marinated jammy eggs filled with Kewpie-ginger whipped yolk, topped with crispy ramen noodles, scallions, togarashi, and a ginger rose.
- Ube Funnel Cake (Chicken Charlie’s): A golden-brown funnel cake dusted with ube powdered sugar, topped with creamy ube ice cream, whipped cream, and ube syrup.
- Bacon Wrapped Churros with Dulce de Leche (Bacon Nation): Cinnamon-sugar churros wrapped in smoky maple-glazed bacon, finished with bacon crumbles, and served with a dulce de leche dipping sauce.
- K-Pop Dream Cloud Ice Cream (Dragon Street Eats): A Korean street food-inspired dessert featuring ice cream pressed between chocolate wafers, wrapped in a fluffy marshmallow cloud, and toasted to caramelization.
Grab your ticket, bring your appetite, and get lost in the fairytale at the San Diego County Fair! Just keep in mind that it’s closed Mondays and Tuesdays. See you there.
