Sacramento County Fair returns this month with concerts, carnival games. What to expect

Hanh Truong
·2 min read

The Sacramento County Fair will return this month with concerts, carnival rides and a rodeo.

The fair runs Thursday, May 23, through Monday, May 27 at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd, according to its website.

“Established in 1937, The Sacramento County Fair is dedicated to the education of our community and its youth in agriculture, business and technology,” organizers said on the fair’s website.

This year’s fair theme is “Shake, Cattle and Roll.”

Who’s playing concerts at Sacramento County Fair?

Fairgoers can enjoy a number of concerts for free with fair admission.

Headliners for the 2024 fair include a trio of tribute bands: Matchbox Twenty Too, Fast Times and Sacred Fire Band.

Mezcal de Alicia, which plays pop and Spanish rock, will also perform.

Five-year-old Jayleen Mendez, left, and sister Jaclyn Mendez, 3, of Sacramento, ride the carousel at the Sacramento County Fair on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Cal Expo. Xavier Mascareñas/Sacramento Bee file
Five-year-old Jayleen Mendez, left, and sister Jaclyn Mendez, 3, of Sacramento, ride the carousel at the Sacramento County Fair on Friday, May 26, 2023, at Cal Expo. Xavier Mascareñas/Sacramento Bee file

What else is happening at the fair?

Sacramento County Fair will be hosting several grandstand events, including a 4X4 Truck Pull on May 24 and the Stars and Stripes Rodeo on May 25..

Arriba La Quebradita, featuring regional Mexican music, is May 26 and Mayhem Destruction Derby is on May 27.

There will also be carnival rides and livestock shows featuring pigs, turkeys, sheep, rabbits, dogs and cows.

Anthony Candelaria, of North Highlands, and his daughter, Annalise Candelaria, 2, ride on the teacups at the Sacramento County Fair at Cal Expo on Friday, May 26, 2023. “This is her first time,” he said, adding he wanted to bring his daughter to “take on the tradition of Sacramento, you know, just coming to the same fair.” The fair, which runs through Monday, features daily concerts and a Saturday evening rodeo in addition to amusement rides and fair festivities. Xavier Mascareñas/Sacramento Bee file

How much do tickets cost? Where can I buy them?

Presale tickets for Sacramento County Fair can be purchased online until Wednesday, May 22.

Presale prices for admission are $10 for adults, $8 for kids 12 to 17 years old and free for kids under 12.

At the fair gate, admission prices are $12 for adults and $10 for kids 12 to 17 years old.

You can also get carnival wristbands, which do not include fair admission, online for presale at $30.

At the gate, wristbands cost $35.

Tickets for grandstand events are for sale online for $12 apiece.

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