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Set to Open July 17th
July 14th, 2026 by Kevin Gomez
Summer vacation, fireworks, warm sunny days. These are just some of the things we associate with July, along with the iconic OC Fair. Established in 1890, the annual fair kicks off this Friday and runs through August 16th. Tickets are on sale now, and fans are anxiously counting down the minutes until this weekend.
I, for one, look forward to the new concert calendar dropping every year. This year is no exception, continuing to bring amazing and diverse music acts.
The festivities will take place at the Action Sports Arena at the Fair and will begin Friday with Sweet Revenge, a tribute to My Chemical Romance. Saturday will be headlined by The Iron Maidens, “the world’s only female tribute to Iron Maiden.” Sunday will feature The Spazmatics, a popular ‘80s cover band. Tickets will include same-day admission to the fair, and unlimited tastings on over 100 craft beers on tap.
Some concert highlights during the OC Fair at the Pacific Amphitheatre: ‘90s alt rock night featuring Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, and Tonic on July 26th; Cypress Hill with Ozomatli on July 29th; Nelly and Too $hort on August 2nd; John Fogerty on August 5th; and the final evening of the fair finishes off with Steel Pulse and Long Beach Dub All Stars on August 16th. September 5th brings us legends Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and punk icons, X!
When I hear “OC Fair,” the first thing that comes to mind is all the delicious, innovative, and often outrageous foods.
No one is more synonymous with the OC Fair and fried food than Chicken Charlie’s, founded by Charlie Boghosian. The man who gave us the fried Oreo, fried Kool-Aid, and deep-fried avocados is back as always.
This year Chicken Charlie’s will feature a shawarma fry cone and deep‑fried tiramisu exclusive to the fair. Other new creations this year are a peanut butter and jelly bacon cheeseburger from Philly Cheese Steak, Dubai deep‑fried Oreo from Fried Affair, and the croffle, a South Korean croissant pressed in a waffle iron, from Mom’s Bakeshoppe.
If your kids are bored and you don’t want to take out a government loan to take them to a theme park, the Fair has you covered.
From a Ferris wheel, to carousels, to piggies, bumper cars to funhouses, there are literally dozens of rides and carnival games to keep your family busy. Maybe save the deep-fried tiramisu for after the rides.
From art exhibits to four areas of livestock, community dance groups and dozens of vendors, there’s something for the whole family, even your picky Aunt Bertha.
Don’t miss out on everyone’s favorite time of year, but act fast, because much like summer, the OC Fair will be gone before you know it.
TO FOLLOW
SID 260716 | TRACI TURNER | EDITOR
