Summer County Fairs in Marin and the San Francisco Bay Area
Summer is almost here, and so are the San Francisco Bay Area's county fairs, which are back for 2025 and take place almost every week from May through August. In addition to our own fantastic Marin County Fair, which happens in San Rafael from July 2–6, fairs take place in just about every county in the Bay Area. Your family can get its fill of fun all summer long with carnival rides, farm animals, concerts, competitions, games, performances, and much, much more! Each fair has its own unique offerings and fun activities for everyone.
Contra Costa County Fair
May 15–18
Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 West 10th Street, Antioch CA 94509
The 2025 Contra Costa County Fair features the Xtreme Sports Zone, Kids Town America, Ag Venture Land, Midway of Fun Carnival live entertainment, animal shows, and more at contracostafair.com
San Mateo County Fair
May 30–June 8
San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo CA 94403
San Mateo County's annual fair includes a concert series as well as free fair entertainment like a petting zoo, Circus Luminescence, a brand-new Drone Light Show and more. Of course there will be carnival rides, farm animals, and exhibits of all types, too. www.sanmateocountyfair.com
Alameda County Fair
June 13–July 6
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton CA 94566
The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton offers an amazing lineup of concerts featuring headliners like Sawyer Brown, Colbie Caillat, Sugar Ray, Air Supply, Clink Black, and more. There will also be a carnival midway with rides and games, a 4th-of-July Fireworks Spectacular, kids' STEAM Weekends, farm animals, a rodeo, monster trucks, motocross, a demolition derby, and countless entertainers. annual.alamedacountyfair.com
Solano County Fair
June 12–15
Solano County Fairgrounds, 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo CA 94589
Get ready for thrills and chills at the Solano County Fair Carnival! Fairgoers will enjoy free concerts, performances, animal exhibits, carnival rides, and more. scfair.com
Petaluma (Sonoma-Marin) Fair
June 19–22
Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma CA 94952
The Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma is famous for its renowned World's Ugliest Dog Contest, and features carnival rides, fair exhibits, crafts at Clo's Kids' Corner, and an Ag-Venture land where you can milk a cow, saddle a horse, ride a tractor, and more. www.sonoma-marinfair.org
Marin County Fair
July 2–6
Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael CA 94903
Marin's own fantastic fair never fails to thrill and entertain, with free carnival rides, farm animals, exhibits, and even the Imperial Stormtroopers of the 501st Legion. Stick around for free concerts and other amazing acts, as well as a nightly fireworks show. This year's theme is "Bug-Tastic". marinfair.org
California State Fair
July 11–27
California Expo, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento CA 95815
The California State Fair takes place over 17 days this summer, and includes competitions, headliner concerts, animals, exhibits from each of California's 58 counties, a three-acre farm, the Cavalcade of Horses, musical acts like the Air Supply, Bret Michaels, Ludacris, Queen Nation, and of course the biggest carnival in Northern California! calexpostatefair.com
Sonoma County Fair
August 1–10
Sonoma Country Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa CA 95404
The Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa is big, exciting, and a lot of fun! See plenty of farm animals, concerts, a destruction derby, horse racing, fair exhibits, a flower show, and more. Of course there's a carnival with over 50 rides for kids, families, and thrill-seekers. The 2025 theme is "Hot Dogs and Cool Cats." Wednesday, Aug 6th and Friday, Aug 8th children 12 and younger receive free General Admission to the Fair! www.sonomacountyfair.com
