"Hot Dogs & Cool Cats" at the 2025 Sonoma County Fair

In case you missed or just didn't get enough of the Marin County Fair, you'll be happy to know that the 2025 Sonoma County Fair starts Friday, August 1 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, and runs through Sunday, August 10. This year's Sonoma County Fair theme is "Hot Dogs & Cool Cats".

The Sonoma County Fair is worth checking out if you've never been: it's bigger and a lot different than Marin's smaller, more intimate fair, and has more of an agricultural focus, which is natural for a more rural county like Sonoma. The Sonoma County Fair also features the largest themed flower show in the country, which is usually pretty stunning. This year, in keeping with the theme of the fair, the theme is "Petals & Pets."

This year's fair will also host another local tradition, the famous World's Ugliest Dog Contest, which has previously been held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. The contest takes place on Friday, August 8, at 6 pm and includes pre-contest entertainment and information about pet care and adoption.

The fair includes a kids' area with free age-appropriate entertainment, activities, craft projects, games, and more. There’s a kid-sized pirate ship to play on, plenty of lawn and shade as well as a parents rest station with changing tables and chairs for nursing. Clover Sonoma will even be handing out samples of lactose-free Clover chocolate milk (from noon to 3 pm, while supplies last). The Kids Area is open from 11 am to 8 pm, with activities and entertainment from noon to 7 pm.

The fair also holds a daily parade around the grounds at 5 pm that all can participate in — if you want to join in, show up by the Family Fun Stage at 4:45 pm. Of course you'll also find plenty of other things to see and do, including the usual county fair offerings of concerts and live music, farm animal displays, contests, and tons of food, as well as horse racing, rodeos, a demolition derby, and Liberté, an amazing equestrian experience by the former lead trainer of Cavalia and the Ringling Brothers Circus.

The fair also boasts five acres of thrilling classic carnival attractions for all ages. Ride tickets cost $1 each, and each ride requires 3–7 tickets; unlimited wristbands are available for purchase in advance online and at the fair. Carnival hours are noon–10 pm Tuesday–Thursday and noon–11 pm Friday–Sunday.

Entertainment includes a full lineup of local musical acts on two stages as well as the Brews & Blues Lounge, the Honky Tonk Saloon, the Mexican Village, and fiestas in Shade Park. See the lineup here.

If You Go

The 2025 Sonoma County Fair takes place from Friday, August 1–Sunday, August 10; closed Monday, August 4. Fair hours are noon–10 pm, Tuesday–Thursday and noon–11 pm Friday–Sunday; gates close at 9 pm. Weekday admission is $20 for ages 13 and up, $15 for seniors 60+, $13 for children 7–12, and free for children 6 and under. Weekend admission is $22 for adults and seniors. Special family, economy, and season pass packages are also available. Buy tickets online here. Carnival ride tickets cost $1 each (3–7 per ride); all-day carnival Wednesday, August 6 and Friday, August 8. Seniors 60+ pay $5 on August 1, the first day of the fair. Additions special days include Elvis Day, Food Bank Day, Pet Food Day, and Harry Potter at the Fair. Check their special days page for more details.

Some fair attractions, including headliner concerts, rodeos, and horse racing, are subject to additional ticket fees. Parking fees range from $15–$30, depending on the lot and its distance from the fairgrounds.

Outside food and drink are not allowed, but the fair offers a wide variety of food and beverages for sale. Unfortunately there are no water bottle filling stations available and reusable water bottles are not allowed; you can, however, bring in a sealed plastic bottle of water.

The Sonoma County Fairgrounds are located off Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. To get there from Marin, take 101 north to Santa Rosa, then take the Highway 12 exit and head east; exit Highway 12 at the downtown Santa Rosa exit, which will put you on Bennett Valley Road. After the stoplight, you'll see fairgrounds ahead of you to your right.

For more information on the Sonoma County Fair, including a full schedule of events and a list of all attractions, call (707) 545-4200 or visit www.sonomacountyfair.com.