If you’re craving a funnel cake, hoping to blow off steam on a carnival ride, or seeking some quality animal time at a petting zoo, consider taking a day trip out to these upcoming Bay Area county fairs and festivals.
Some standout events include the Sonoma County Fair, which has monster truck shows and a destruction derby; and the Santa Cruz County Fair, which has a huge range of cooking and baking contests.
Sacramento County Fair
The Sacramento County Fair is a down-home event with traditional competitions and games, agricultural displays, carnival rides, and delicious food. The performance lineup includes lively concerts, illusionists, and more family-friendly fun.
🌐 Website: SacFair.com
Alameda County Fair
Enjoy the Alameda County Fair just across the Bay, bringing you the ultimate California county experience with carnival rides and games, a stunt show, wine tasting, and their famous pig racing.
🌐 Website: AlamedaCountyFair.com
Marin County Fair
The Marin County Fair’s 2026 theme is “Stars, Stripes, and Stories,” coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence. Attendees can look forward to an epic celebration with live music, community, and art.
🌐 Website: MarinFair.org
California Expo & State Fair
Celebrate the bounty of California at the annual state fair in Sacramento. The event draws tens of thousands of people to enjoy delicious home-grown food, carnival rides, and animal displays.
🌐 Website: CAStateFair.com
Napa Town & Country Fair
Enjoy this fun and family-friendly fair with carnival rides, games, circus performers, livestock barns and competitions, a wine garden, home and garden demos, chef demos, live DJs, karaoke, and art competitions. Don’t miss the art walk courtesy of talented Napa youth.
🌐 Website: NapaFair.org
Sonoma County Fair & Exposition
Here’s your ultimate county fair experience, with events and exhibits including a hall of flowers, horse racing, rodeo, monster truck show, destruction derby, concerts, shopping, livestock shows, and more.
🌐 Website: SonomaCountyFair.com
Nevada County Fair
The Nevada County Fair takes place on what is wildly considered to be the state’s most beautiful fairgrounds. Walk among 90 acres of towering pine trees to enjoy live music, carnival rides, monster trucks, and the popular Draft Horse Classic.
🌐 Website: NevadaCountyFair.com
Santa Clara County Fair
The Santa Clara County Fair celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2024 and will continue its legacy this year with a great lineup of entertainment, amazing food vendors from all types of cuisines, and all of your favorite carnival rides.
🌐 Website: TheFair.org
Monterey County Fair
Check out carnival rides, daily concerts and entertainment, livestock shows, and auctions. The fairgrounds have hosted fairs and events since 1935.
🌐 Website: MontereyCountyFair.org
Gold Country Fair
Take a trip to the Wild Wild West at this rustic county fair 135 years running. Peruse livestock exhibitors, dozens of art exhibits and vendors, and epic live music.
🌐 Website: GoldCountryFair.com
Madera District Fair
The Madera District Fair presents a lively lineup of magic and circus shows for kids, a drone show, food contests, a cosplay contest, and plenty of requisite carnival rides. Get tickets soon to take advantage of the early bird discount.
🌐 Website: MaderaFair.com
Santa Cruz County Fair
The Santa Cruz County Fair will showcase special contests for apple pies, veggie judging, amateur winemaking, photography, art, and more. Not to mention a “Diaper Derby” toddler contest, horse shows, model trains, and plenty of fantastic food.
🌐 Website: SantaCruzCountyFair.com
Lodi Grape Festival
The Lodi Grape Festival has drawn crowds from around San Joaquin Valley for over 80 years as a way to celebrate the local grape harvest. The event has evolved into a four-day affair with great food and wine, talented vendors, and excellent live entertainment.
🌐 Website: GrapeFestival.com
San Benito County Fair
This lively fair brings old-fashioned entertainment including carnival rides and live music. This year is its 102nd rendition taking advantage of the fall harvest.
🌐 Website: GrapeFestival.com
San Joaquin County Fair
You can make a trip to Stockton for the San Joaquin County Fair, which will feature family-friendly performances, carnival games, and delicious food grown in the San Joaquin Valley.
🌐 Website: SanJoaquinFair.com
