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 2023 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 June 30 through July 4, 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 16–19
Contra Costa County Fairgrounds, 1201 West 10th Street, Antioch 94509
The 2024 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
June 1–9
San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo 94403
San Mateo County's annual fair includes a concert series as well as free fair entertainment like a pettting zoo, Balloonacy, Beats of the Island, Roberto the Magnificent, Toytopia, and more. Of course there will be carnival rides, farm animals, and exhibits of all types, too. www.sanmateocountyfair.com
Alameda County Fair
June 14–July 7
Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Avenue, Pleasanton 94566
The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton offers an amazing lineup of concerts featuring headliners like Johnny Gill, Ashley Cooke, Theory of a Deadman, and Exposé. 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 13–16
Solano County Fairgrounds, 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo 94589
The Solano County Fair celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024! Fairgoers will enjoy free concerts, performances, animal exhibits, carnival rides, and more. scfair.com
Sonoma-Marin Fair
June 20–23
Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma 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 3–7
Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael 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 with En Vogue, Ziggy Marley, and other amazing acts, as well as a nightly fireworks show. This year's theme is "Make a Splash". marinfair.org
California State Fair
July 12–28
California Expo, Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Boulevard, Sacramento 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 Beach Boys and UB40, and of course the biggest carnival in Northern California! calexpostatefair.com
Sonoma County Fair
August 1–11
Sonoma Country Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa 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 2024 theme is "The Greatest Fair on Earth". Thursdays are Kids' Days: children 12 and under receive free general admission all day! www.sonomacountyfair.com
