San Diego County Fair, Del Mar California

San Diego County Fair

June 10-July 5, 2026, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Closed Monday & Tuesday

The Del Mar Fairgrounds
2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.
Del Mar, California 92014
$16-25, $14-25; $65 for a season pass, sdfair.com

Free parking:

Torrey Pines High School, 3710 Del Mar Heights Rd. Free shuttles take guests to the Fair's main entrance, O'Brien Gate.
Via de la Valle & El Camino Real, Del Mar, CA

Theme: Once Upon a Fair | Contest: Once Upon a Costume June 20, 2026 brings to life characters from literature, pre-registration required

The San Diego County Fair, the largest and longest-running community event in San Diego County, is the greatest story ever told. It's a tale of food, fun, friends, family, laughter, tradition, music & amazement, and pure, unbridled joy!

Concerts -special ticket required

Concerts include Same-Day Admission to the San Diego County Fair. Ticketed concerts, $35-125 approx., ticketmaster.com

June 10, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Chicago
June 12, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Koe Wetzel
June 13, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Griz With Sippy
June 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Los Tucanes De Tijuana
June 17, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Bret Michaels & Night Ranger
June 18, 2026, 8 p.m. Gabriel Fluffy Iglesias Live
June 19, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Marshmello with 4B
June 20, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Good Charlotte
June 21, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Pancho Barraza & Banda Machos
June 25, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Nelly
June 26, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Maren Morris
June 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m. El Coyote & Chuy Lizarrago Capibaras Tour
July 1, 2026, 7:30 p.m. AJR
July 5, 2026, 7:30 p.m. Conjuntos Primavera

Special events

June 13, 2026, 11 a.m. Asian & Pacific Islander Festival
June 14, 2026, 11:30 a.m. Native American Heritage Day
June 19, 2026, 11 a.m. Juneteenth Festival
June 20, 2026, 11 a.m. Out at the Fair LGBTQ+ Celebration
June 21, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Beer Festival, a Craft Brew Celebration
June 27, 2026, 11 a.m. Gospel Music Day at the Fair - Gospel Festival
June 28, 2026, 11 a.m. K-Pop Festival
July 5, 2026, 11 a.m. Bluegrass Festival Music Day at the Fair
2 p.m. Black & Brown Festival
Not confirmed 2026: July 4, 9 p.m. Fireworks Spectacular at Grandstand Stage - General admission standing room only ticket is free, $20-25 for upgrades with seats

Hollywood's stars all have enjoyed watching thoroughbred horse racing here. But don't overlook the fair. In recent years mini-festivals inside the fairgrounds have added more buzz. They've turned themed music events into festivals that are often free with fair admission.

Then there's the wine or beer festivals, ticketed events as add-ons to the popular fair fare. Each year you just never know what to expect but it's always a hoot.

Daily contests for fairgoers include activities similar to these: Pie Eating Contest, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, family look-alike and more.

Compete in your age group - no hands or forks allowed but bibs will be provided. Contest: Daily; noon on the Plaza Stage Registration Deadline: No pre-registration. Enter at the Fair just before the contest. All ages welcome. Hula hoop contests, potato sack races or many other traditional contests vary from year to year. No pre-registration. Enter at the Fair just before the contest.

San Diego County Fair at Del Mar Fairgrounds is a tradition to many, and an exciting, new adventure to those who have never visited. Unlike the fairs some of us grew up with that were held out in pastures, dirt fields, and in weather that was nearly unbearably hot, Del Mar redefines what a fair is about.

The ocean location, San Diego's coastal mild climate, the DelMar Horse Racing tradition (and Hollywood's long-time passion for it,) and a fairground that is clean, fairly dust-free, and filled with entertainment, makes it easy to spend the day, take the family, and have plenty of food, fun and entertainment without feeling tired and worn out.

Many do not realize that San Diego County is the top producer of nursery and wood ornamentals in the state of California, so it takes a county fair to discover just how much there is to see and explore.

Start your fair experience with the Skyride, which takes you above the entire fair and even above the racetrack! You get a bird's eye view of the event so you can map it out in your mind easier.

Beautiful weather, a history of the Hollywood crowd, and the wealth of talent in the region all make ingredients for a part urban, part country fair that has one of the longest runs of any county fair in the nation. San Diego County Fair is an urban fair primarily. It features the cattle, livestock, pet animal competitions, huge buildings with vendor displays and sales, and competitions. But you rarely feel as if you are going to get your sandals dirty walking around the fairgrounds that are mostly paved or lined with green lawns.

The entertainment runs the gamut from balloon artists and kiddie shows, to musical acts on various stages, and cultural focus. San Diego C0unty Fair is one of the best attended California fairs and features an incredible run of nearly four weeks.

San Diego Fairgrounds in Del Mar host many events throughout the year, with a seasonal favorite, the Holiday of Lights. The Del Mar Thoroughbred Horse Racing and Track is located at the fairgrounds, and the racing season runs from mid-July through early September.