Summer 2025 is set to dazzle residents and visitors alike with the return of two major Orange County fairs, each bringing its unique flavor and entertainment to the season. The OC Fair in Costa Mesa kicks off on July 18 for a sprawling 23-day celebration, while the historic Orange County Fair in Middletown opens a day earlier, on July 17, for a lively 10-day run. Both fairs promise an exciting lineup of rides, shows, food, and music, offering something for everyone.
Starting with the OC Fair in Costa Mesa, the 2025 edition embraces the theme “Find Your Happy,” inviting fairgoers to indulge in beloved traditions and new attractions alike. With over 1 million visitors expected over the four-week period, this fair is a major summer highlight in Southern California. The fairgrounds at 88 Fair Drive will come alive with live entertainment, carnival rides, art exhibits, fried food, shopping, and animals.
One of the standout features this year is the introduction of four new rides, most notably the Aviator, a towering 180-foot-tall ride that swings passengers for a full 360-degree view of the fair and beyond. Families will also enjoy the Frog Hop, designed especially for children, and the Royal Wheel, a companion to the iconic La Grande XL Ferris Wheel that has long been a fair staple.
Food lovers are in for a treat with new culinary creations pushing the boundaries of fair cuisine. Among the innovative offerings are bacon cotton candy served on a pork belly stick and a refreshing blue raspberry Dole Whip, alongside classic favorites like fried Oreos. The fair’s “$5 Taste of Fair” program allows visitors to sample a variety of foods for just five dollars until 4 p.m. daily, making it easy to explore the diverse flavors on offer.
The arts are also well represented, with a unique exhibit in the Huntington Beach Building themed around VHS tapes and blockbuster films from the 1980s through the early 2000s. This nostalgic display is sure to resonate with visitors of all ages, adding a cultural touch to the festive atmosphere.
Entertainment kicks off on the very first night with a Bruno Mars cover band performing in The Hangar, setting an energetic tone for the weeks ahead. The fair also hosts concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar, and the Action Sports Arena, with tickets to these shows including fair admission on the same day. Popular acts and special events often cause tickets to sell out quickly, so advance online purchase is essential due to the daily admission cap of about 50,000 visitors.
Fair hours offer plenty of flexibility, running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and extending to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission prices remain steady from previous years: $13 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, $15 on Fridays and weekends, and $9 for seniors aged 60 and older and children aged 6 to 12. Children five and under enter free. For enthusiasts who want unlimited access, the Every Day Passport is available for $60, granting unrestricted visits throughout the fair’s duration.
Getting to the fair is made easier with several transportation options. Parking costs $15 for cars and motorcycles, with Gate 1 on Fair Drive serving as the main drop-off and pickup point for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) offers the OC Fair Express bus service on weekends, running from 10 a.m. to midnight with stops at five locations around the county. Tickets for this service are affordable, with kids riding free.
Visitors should note that the fair enforces strict security and safety policies. Soft-sided coolers, sealed food and beverages, and factory-sealed or empty water bottles are allowed. However, no cans, glass containers, outside alcohol, hard-sided coolers, smoking, vaping, selfie sticks, drones, or weapons are permitted. Pets are not allowed except for ADA-defined service animals. Wagons and strollers are welcome and available for rent, ensuring a comfortable experience for families.
Meanwhile, the Orange County Fair in Middletown, marking its 185th edition, opens on July 17 and runs for 10 days at the fairgrounds located at 239 Wisner Avenue. This fair offers a slightly different vibe with a focus on traditional carnival rides, thrilling exhibitions, and a packed entertainment schedule. The fair opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. on weekends, closing nightly at 11 p.m., with fireworks displays lighting up Friday nights during both weeks.
Admission is very affordable here, with tickets priced at $10 for adults and $7 for seniors aged 65 and older and children aged 7 to 12. Children six and under are admitted free, making it a family-friendly option. The entertainment lineup is extensive and varied, featuring the Anastasini Circus, renowned for its world-class performances dating back to 1877. A new addition for 2025 is the “Join the Circus” show, which gives participants the chance to step into the shoes of a high-wire walker, acrobat, lion, tiger, strongman, ballerina, or even be shot out of a cannon. This interactive spectacle also includes a walk-around circus parade, adding to the immersive experience.
Other attractions include motocross demonstrations, a three-day monster truck exhibition, a demolition derby, and a lumberjack competition, all held at the grandstand. For music lovers, the fair offers daily concerts featuring an impressive roster of tribute bands paying homage to legendary acts like Bon Jovi, Peter Frampton, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Led Zeppelin, Stone Temple Pilots, Iron Maiden, Metallica, AC/DC, and the Grateful Dead, which closes out the fair on July 27. Non-tribute bands such as Mariachi Sol Mixteco and glam metal band Trixter also perform, providing a diverse musical palette.
The Middletown fair also includes family favorites such as a petting zoo, where children can get up close and personal with animals, enhancing the educational and entertainment value of the event.
Both fairs, while sharing a name and a commitment to summer fun, offer distinct experiences that highlight the cultural and recreational diversity of Orange County. Whether it’s the sprawling, modern extravaganza in Costa Mesa with its record-breaking rides and nostalgic art exhibits or the historic, action-packed fair in Middletown with its circus thrills and rock tribute concerts, 2025’s Orange County fairs promise memories to last a lifetime.
