Carnival & Fair News

The 2025 theme for the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa, California, was “Find Your Happy.” And fairgoers certainly did—some 1,162,872 of them. That number marks a notable increase over last year's attendance of 1,137,555. The fair also celebrated eight sold-out admission days this season.

General admission was $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $15 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets for seniors and youths ages 6 to 12 were $7, while parking cost $15. Tickets purchased for shows at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, and the Action Sports Arena included same-day fair admission at no additional charge.

Along with affordable admission prices, fairgoers enjoyed food bargains, new carnival rides, and plenty of live music.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, the popular $5 Taste of the Fair returned, offering sample-sized treats ranging from cream puffs to nachos and slushies. Highlights included Chicken Charlie's meatball and mozzarella on a stick, Mom's Bakeshop's Dubai chocolate brookie, bacon-wrapped burritos and bacon cotton candy from Bacon Nation, and Biggy's Flamin' Hot Cheetos and Cheese Pickles. Among the most visited Taste stands were JP's Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Gino's Pizza, Brander Funnel Cake & Ice Cream, Hot Dog on a Stick, and Cathy's Cookies.



Fairgoers also had plenty to ride and play. With more than 60 rides and numerous games on the main carnival midway, the unlimited ride wristbands were a major draw. Sold onsite for $54, the wristbands included two free games and were available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.



Classic rides such as the Raptor Coaster and Le Grande Wheel remained crowd favorites, while new attractions like Aviator, Sound Storm, and the massive, illuminated Royal Wheel added extra thrills. Kids enjoyed the debut of Frog Hop in the kiddie carnival. All rides and games were provided by Ray Cammack Shows, with top games including Break a Plate, Ring a Bottle, and the water gun racers.

While food and rides often steal the spotlight, OC Fair & Event Center CEO James Canfield noted that contests and attractions were also strong draws this year—along with the exciting motorsports events in the Action Sports Arena and the live music at the Pacific Amphitheatre's Toyota Summer Concert Series. Performances ranged from tribute bands honoring ABBA and the Bee Gees to national touring acts such as George Thorogood and the Destroyers, The Psychedelic Furs, The Church, and Rooney. Ticket prices ranged from $35 to $75.

In The Hangar, guests enjoyed tribute performances by 24K Magic (a Bruno Mars tribute), Jimmy's Buffet (a Jimmy Buffett tribute), and bands celebrating the music of Britney Spears and Green Day, among others.

The Action Sports Arena opened with the Brew Hee Haw craft beer roundup featuring live music, followed by crowd favorites such as the Monster Truck Nitro Tour, demolition derbies, Mowterized Mayhem, and comedy hypnotist Mark Yuzuik.

In total, 19 concerts and shows sold out during the fair's run—six in The Hangar, ten in the Action Sports Arena, and three in the Pacific Amphitheatre. Altogether, there were an impressive 72 shows this season, plus 345 performances by local bands on community stages across the fairgrounds.

Canfield expressed pride in this year's results. Although the fair continues to cap daily attendance—a practice introduced during the pandemic—the policy remains popular with guests. “We're trying to preserve a great guest experience for everyone,” Canfield explained. “We have an accessible event where everyone who wants to come can get in; folks just have to plan ahead.” The system helps manage crowds, enhances visitor comfort, and takes the pressure off the fair to chase attendance records.

Even so, this year's fair surpassed last year's admissions. Still, Canfield emphasized that success is measured by “guest satisfaction and positive guest experience,” not just numbers.

Visitors found plenty of reasons to be happy, from animal exhibits and art displays to photography, food competitions, and free evening swing dancing. The fair also celebrated Chicano Heritage Month with mariachi performances and a zoot suit fashion show. Wine lovers flocked to the Orange County Wine Society Courtyard, where they sampled new wines and attended pairing and education sessions in a relaxing garden setting.

A new exhibit, REWIND: A VHS Revival, offered a nostalgic look at hand-painted movie posters, while the closing day's We Are OC! A Cultural Celebration showcased local talent through poetry readings and music. At Heroes Hall, visitors explored the moving exhibit Echoes of Conflict: Remembering Vietnam. Meanwhile, Megan the Bubbleologist delighted families, and the ever-popular Alaskan Racing Pigs ran daily races to cheering crowds.

The Junior Livestock Auction was another highlight, generating $311,202 in revenue for FFA and 4-H youth clubs. This year's event featured a record number of entries, including goats, rabbits, cavies, miniature donkeys, and piglets—15 of which were born at the fair from two litters.



From scavenger hunts and bracelet-making to Labubu chocolate popcorn at Cowboy Kettlecorn and giant corn dogs on the midway, the 2025 Orange County Fair delivered everything guests could hope for. With fun, flavor, and smiles around every corner, the fair truly lived up to its theme—it was a happy place indeed.