More than 15 Northern California County Fairs you can still catch in 2023

Fair season is an exceptionally fun time of the year. From the screams of riders and rodeo-goers, to the music pounding from the stage and the aroma of food wafting through the grounds, every aspect of the fair delights and amuses the senses. If you love the thrill of these festivities, check out this roundup of upcoming 2023 Northern California fairs.

Alameda County Fair: June 16-July 9, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. The Alameda County Fair boasts 19 days of fair favorites, including carnival rides, concerts and cooking demos, plus livestock shows and exhibits. $0-18 admission, rides and concerts priced separately. annual.alamedacountyfair.com/

Marin County Fair: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 30-July 4, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. With the theme “Electrifying,” this year’s fair will celebrate all things electric, solar or charged with excitement. The 2023 fair will include favorites such as the juried fine arts and photography exhibit, headliner concerts, carnival rides, sheepdog trials, the petting zoo and fireworks every night. $15-$25 admission, rides and concerts included with admission. fair.marincounty.org/2023

Stanislaus County Fair: July 7-16, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. Enjoy carnival rides, animals, live entertainment and performers, local exhibits and beloved events such as the Duck Race, Marionette Show and Destruction Derby. $0-$15 admission, carnival wristbands $35-$40. stancofair.com/

California State Fair: July 14-30, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento. Join this showcase of California’s industries, agriculture and diversity. The state fair features blue-ribbon animal displays, culinary delights and competitions, live music concerts, a carnival, fireworks and other family fun. $0-$16 admission, carnival rides priced separately. calexpostatefair.com/

Santa Clara County Fair: July 26-Aug. 6, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. Enjoy the best of traditional fair entertainment, along with the famous Santa Clara County Fair stampede and livestock demonstrations. $0-$15 admission. thefair.org/

Amador County Fair: July 27-30, 18621 Sherwood St., Plymouth. This year’s fair theme is “Zinfandel and Zinnias” and will feature festivities that celebrate California’s living history, plus carnival rides, entertainment and food. $0-12 admission, carnival wristbands $35-45. amadorcountyfair.com/

Sonoma County Fair: Aug. 3-13, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. Enjoy all your fair favorites including carnival rides, live concerts, food and drinks, a rodeo, horse racing, monster trucks, art exhibits and vendors, and special contests. This year’s theme is “Jurassic Jubilee” and will feature life-size animatronic dinosaurs. $0-$20 admission, some events priced separately. sonomacountyfair.com/

Napa Town and Country Fair: Aug. 10-13, 575 Third St., Napa. Enjoy food and drinks, live entertainment, carnival rides, a livestock exhibit, a makers market, crafters demos and a DJ dance party. $0-$15 admission. napafair.org/

Yolo County Fair: Aug.16-20, 1250 Gum Ave., Woodland. This annual fair includes crowd favorite activities such as the demolition derby and livestock shows. Tickets go on sale July 10, check back for prices. yolocountyfair.net/

Butte County Fair: Aug. 24-27,199 E. Hazel St., Gridley. The Butte County Fair has been creating feel-good family memories for the last 75 years. Enjoy fair food, live entertainment and community acts, carnival rides, livestock shows and competitive art and plant exhibits. Prices TBD. buttecountyfair.org/fair-2023

Lake County Fair: Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 401 Martin St., Lakeport. The 2023 edition of “Lighting Up the The Lake County Fair” will feature all your favorite carnival rides, food and live entertainment, plus a destruction derby and boat race. $4-$9 presale admission. lakecountyfair.com/

Monterey County Fair: Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. This year’s fair theme is “Buckaroos and Howdy Do’s!” and will feature carnival rides, fair food, live entertainment, local exhibits and a rodeo. $0-$12 admission, rodeo and rides priced separately. montereycountyfair.com/

Mariposa County Fair: Sept. 1-4, 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa. Agricultural events, displays, demonstrations, entertainment, a carnival, a midway and more provide old-fashioned fun for the young and young-at-heart at the 2023 Mariposa County Fair. $0-10 admission, rodeo and rides priced separately. mariposafair.com/fair

Gold Country Fair: Sept. 7-10, 1273 High St., Auburn. This annual fair features traditional festivities including food and drinks, live music, carnival rides and games and livestock barns, plus competitive exhibits and displays. $5-10 admission, rides priced separately. goldcountryfair.com/

Santa Cruz County Fair: Sept. 13-17. County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. This annual fair hosts a wide variety of carnival rides, livestock exhibits, food booths, live music and children’s activities. Prices TBD. santacruzcountyfair.com

Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show: Sept. 22-24, Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville. This fair showcases Anderson Valley apples and other local produce, in addition to hosting fun carnival rides and games. $0-$10 admission, carnival wristbands $35-$40. mendocountyfair.com