Opening Day at the San Diego County Fair
~ June 10, 2026 ~
The San Diego County Fair, reported to be one of the nation’s largest fairs, opens Wednesday June 10, 2026. The fair has been hosted at the Del Mar Fairgrounds since 1936!
The San Diego County Fair runs through July 5th. Gate hours are 11 am to 10 pm daily Wednesdays through Sundays. Some activities remain open after the gates close for the day. The Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The San Diego County Fair has a theme each year, and in 2026 it’s “Once Upon a Fair!” (“celebrating the stories, books and the magic found between the lines” – quote from their website). Why not get out and enjoy the outdoors and all the fun the San Diego County Fair offers?
The Del Mar Fairgrounds are well known for a wide range of events during the year, including trade expos and concerts. In addition to the County Fair, the fairgrounds may be most famous for Thoroughbred Racing Season. Stay tuned for an update on the 2026 horse racing season.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds are just off the I-5 Freeway (at the Via de la Valle exit), at 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard. Call (858) 755-1161 for more information.
So what can you expect at the 2026 San Diego County Fair?
You can plan on plenty of food and beverage concessions, shopping opportunities, games and rides, competitive exhibits, lots of animals, and so much more. There is no lack of things to do and see each and every day. And of course there will be plenty of people, too, enjoying the sights.
Interested in music? You’ll find a great line-up of performers for the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the grandstand center stage.
And of course there are fireworks on July 4th! Since they can be seen from a distance you don’t even need to be at the fair to enjoy them. (photo below is from Pixabay not the San Diego Fair).
Tickets can be purchased in advance online and vary in price by day. Keep in mind ticket sales are by the day and may sell out, so don’t delay. A limited number of tickets will be available at the gate (no cash) but why not save time and buy in advance. Plus you will save money buying your tickets online beforehand.
Parking at the fairgrounds is limited; general parking is priced at $25 per vehicle, and $60 for preferred parking ($20 and $55 if bought in advance online). There are off-site parking options, too, with shuttles. Learn more about parking and buy parking passes. Parking is free at Torrey Pines High School at 3710 Del Mar Heights Road with free shuttles to the main entrance at the fair.
You can expect to find heavier traffic around the fairgrounds, on nearby side roads, the Coast Road/Route 101, and especially on the I-5 freeway near the Via de la Valle exit during the fair.
2026 San Diego County Fair
2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard
Del Mar, California
“Where the Turf Meets the Surf”
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