SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The 2024 California State Fair began Friday at Cal Expo.
If you're already set on going to the fair and want a beeline to the ticket information page, click HERE.
For everyone else, here's a schedule for what's happening Thursday. Remember, hours are subject to change.
Attendees can enter the fair through three main gates including: the main gate on Exposition Boulevard and Heritage Way, the green gate just west of the Main Gate and the blue gate on Exposition Boulevard and Challenge Way.
Carnival and Skyride Hours
All carnival tickets and fast passes must be purchased at the carnival. Carnival tickets are $1 per ticket. Carnival fast passes are $10-$15.
There are unlimited ride wristbands during the fair, which cost $39 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's $44 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Children measuring under 36″ in height can't ride any carnival rides (except for Wet Boats and Tommy Kangaroo). Children measuring 36-48 inches tall can only ride a few select rides.
Here are the hours for the carnival rides:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Find a list of carnival rides HERE.
Concerts
Chris Young will be performing Thursday, July 18 at 8 p.m.
The Toyota Concert Series has several performers set to take the stage at the state fair with a new main headliner every night. Reserved tickets are available for purchase starting at $25. The reserved seat doesn't include state fair admission and a fair ticket is required to attend.
The concerts are free with admission, but it's first come, first served and the free seating area is limited to the first 700 guests, according to the fair.
Find a list of all the performers HERE.
Deals
Taste of the Fair is on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., during which each vendor will have one item at $4.
Each Friday of the Fair, seniors 62 and older pay only $10 for admission.
Exhibits
Find a list of exhibits HERE.
- Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Fair Food
Food vendors are open daily, click here for the full list.
Hours
Main gate and blue gate hours
- Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Green gate Hours
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Opens at 2 p.m.
- Tuesday: Opens at 11 a.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: Opens at 11 a.m.
Find more information on hours HERE.
Tickets
Tickets are available for purchase HERE. Prices are listed below.
- Children age 4 and younger: Free
- Children 5-12 years old: $10
- Adult/General Admission: $16
- Seniors 62 years and older: $12
Maps
For live traffic updates in the area, view the Waze map below.