Orange County Fair 2026: Worth Every Minute!

After about six years away, I finally made it back to the Orange County Fair, and I can honestly say it exceeded every expectation!

We arrived about an hour after the gates opened, thinking we'd spend maybe two or three hours walking around. Before we knew it, nearly nine hours had flown by! There was so much to see, eat, and experience that we never felt rushed or bored.

The Orange County Fair has been a Southern California tradition since 1890 and has grown into one of the largest county fairs in the United States. Held each summer at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, it brings together agriculture, local artists, live entertainment, carnival rides, competitions, and some of the best fair food around.

We only went on one ride all day, the iconic Ferris wheel, but it was the perfect way to take in views of the entire fairgrounds.

One of my favorite parts of the day was exploring the exhibit buildings! I loved seeing the incredible quilts, artwork, photography, baking competition winners, and even a nostalgic VHS throwback display that brought back plenty of childhood memories. The exhibits are a great reminder that the fair is about much more than rides and carnival games.

We also spent time at the petting zoo before catching the famous pig races. It was my very first time watching them, and they completely lived up to the hype! The winning pig in our race was Bob, and naturally, I couldn't leave without buying a little pig bag charm that I named Bob too.

Of course, no fair visit is complete without amazing food. Throughout the day I enjoyed shrimp cocktail, a bacon wrapped suasage with peppers & onions, birria curly fries, a spiral potato skewer, and funnel cake plus the frozen margaritas that were especially refreshing in the summer heat.

Even though it was a warm day, it never became overwhelming. A wide-brim sun hat, plenty of sunscreen, and taking breaks inside the air-conditioned exhibit buildings made the experience comfortable from start to finish.

Whether you're visiting for the rides, the exhibits, the food, or simply to spend time with family and friends, the Orange County Fair offers something for everyone. After six years away, I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

-Gerson

Written by Gerson Seise REALTOR®  Cell: 949.533.7053
GERSON SEISE REALTY - Real Brokerage Technologies