San Mateo County California Fair Schedule

Introduction

The San Mateo County Fair is a long-running Peninsula tradition that brings agriculture, horticulture, creative arts, technology, entertainment, livestock, food, and community activities together at the San Mateo County Event Center. Although San Mateo County is now strongly associated with the urban and technology-driven Bay Area, the fair preserves an important connection to the county’s agricultural and horticultural history.

The 2026 San Mateo County Fair took place from June 5 through June 14, 2026, with the fair closed to the public on June 8 and 9. The 2026 edition used the theme “In Bloom,” recognizing the event’s connection to the original Little Flower Show tradition that began in 1926. The fair combined traditional competitions and livestock programs with concerts, carnival rides, cultural celebrations, interactive exhibits, and modern attractions.

The 2027 San Mateo County Fair is scheduled for June 4–13, 2027. Its announced theme is “Tomorrow Starts Here.” Detailed 2027 admission prices, daily programming, competition deadlines, and entertainment schedules should be confirmed when the new year’s information is released.

Fair Overview and Fast Facts

The San Mateo County Fair is held at the San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403. The venue is centrally positioned on the Peninsula and can be reached by automobile as well as public transportation.

For 2026, the fair opened from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 5, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Saturday, June 6 through Sunday, June 14, except for the June 8–9 closure. General fair admission included entertainment, concerts, exhibits, and many activities, while carnival rides, food, and parking were separate expenses.

The published 2026 admission structure listed adults at $19 for presale, $21 online during the fair, and $23 at the gate. Seniors age 62 and older and youth ages 6–12 had reduced admission, while children age five and under were admitted free. Parking was listed separately at $20, with no parking re-entry privileges.

The fair is particularly distinctive because it serves a densely populated Bay Area county while retaining livestock, agriculture, horticulture, youth programs, and community competitions alongside contemporary entertainment.

History and Origins

The history of the San Mateo County Fair reaches back to 1926, when the Burlingame Garden and Flower Club organized what was known as the Little Flower Show. The early event was held at different schools around San Mateo County and focused heavily on flowers and horticulture.

During a fair revitalization period in the 1930s, the event moved to the Bay Meadows Racetrack area. Over time, its identity expanded beyond flowers to represent the agricultural products, creativity, and community life of the county.

The event has been known by several names during its development, including the San Mateo County Products & Floral Fiesta, before becoming the San Mateo County Fair. Its modern mission continues to combine agriculture and horticulture with arts, science, technology, sustainability, education, and community participation.

The 2026 “In Bloom” theme specifically recognized the fair’s 100-year history from the 1926 Little Flower Show, connecting the modern event with one of San Mateo County’s earliest organized community exhibition traditions.

Readers comparing California’s diverse county fair traditions can look at the San Luis Obispo County California Fair Schedule alongside the San Mateo County California Fair Schedule to see how two very different regions preserve their agricultural and community heritage. San Luis Obispo County’s California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles reflects the Central Coast’s ranching, wine-country agriculture, livestock, horse events, rodeo, tractor pulls, concerts, and summer fair traditions, while the San Mateo County California Fair Schedule highlights the Peninsula’s distinctive blend of horticulture, livestock, youth programs, creative arts, technology, cultural celebrations, concerts, and family entertainment. Together, the two schedules demonstrate how California county fairs adapt traditional agriculture and community celebrations to the unique geography, economy, and character of their respective counties.

Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows

Agriculture may occupy less physical space in modern San Mateo County than in the state’s major Central Valley farming counties, but it remains an important part of the fair’s identity. The county’s agricultural history includes coastal farming, horticulture, flowers, nurseries, vegetable production, and agricultural communities in areas such as Half Moon Bay and the western part of the Peninsula.

The San Mateo County Fair’s Fair Farm program provides space for livestock and agricultural education. Youth and independent exhibitors can participate in livestock competitions, with animal-care requirements and entry procedures established for each fair year.

The livestock program includes animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, and other approved exhibition species. The program includes showmanship and educational components, allowing visitors to see animals and learn about responsible livestock production.

The Junior Livestock Auction is another important part of the fair’s agricultural program. In 2026, the auction was scheduled for Saturday, June 13, bringing youth exhibitors and agricultural supporters together around the culmination of the livestock program.

Fair Schedule Structure

The San Mateo County Fair normally follows a multi-day June schedule, with the event structured around a combination of public fair days, exhibit competitions, livestock activities, entertainment, and special community programs.

The 2026 schedule ran June 5–14, but the fair was closed to the public on Monday and Tuesday, June 8–9. The opening Friday operated from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., while the remaining public days generally opened at 11 a.m. and closed at 10 p.m.

Different days emphasized different parts of the fair. The 2026 program included Family Pride Day, the Day of the Lion celebration, school tours, Senior Day, Kids’ Day, the Junior Livestock Auction, cultural programming, live music, and the final-day Día de la Feria celebration.

For 2027, the published fair dates are June 4–13, 2027. Visitors should wait for the official 2027 daily calendar before relying on individual event times.

Entertainment, Rides, and Midway

Entertainment at the San Mateo County Fair reflects the county’s diverse population and its location in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Live music, cultural performances, community celebrations, interactive attractions, and concerts are incorporated into the fair rather than treating agriculture as the only attraction.

The carnival provides rides and midway games for children, families, and thrill seekers. Food vendors and shopping areas add another major part of the visitor experience.

The 2026 fair also introduced a drone light show during the opening weekend. Other attractions included interactive educational exhibits, family activities, the Little Hands on the Farm experience, and new themed installations.

The Bayside 101 Music Festival returned as part of the opening weekend, while other performances and cultural programs were distributed throughout the fairgrounds. Because entertainment changes annually, the 2027 lineup should be checked when announced.

Open Class and Amateur Competitions

Competitive exhibits are one of the most important ways the San Mateo County Fair preserves its community-oriented character. Residents can participate in competitions that showcase creativity, craftsmanship, agriculture, horticulture, culinary skills, technology, and other interests.

The fair’s competition program extends well beyond traditional farm products. Creative arts, flowers, food, photography, crafts, educational projects, and other forms of personal achievement can be displayed and judged.

The horticultural tradition is particularly significant because the fair’s history began with the Little Flower Show. Modern floral and garden exhibits therefore represent a direct connection between the original 1926 event and today’s broader county fair.

Entry requirements, deadlines, divisions, and fees differ among departments. Exhibitors preparing for 2027 should use the current competition handbook rather than relying on the 2026 schedule.

Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorsport Events

The San Mateo County Fair is not primarily a demolition derby or tractor-pull fair. Its location within the urbanized Peninsula and its focus on horticulture, livestock, arts, technology, entertainment, and cultural programming give it a different character from fairs in heavily rural agricultural counties.

Motorsport events can occur at fairgrounds and other Bay Area venues, but a specific demolition derby or tractor pull should not be assumed to be part of the 2027 San Mateo County Fair unless officially announced.

Visitors interested in vehicle-related attractions should therefore look at the individual annual schedule instead of treating these events as permanent features of the fair.

4-H and FFA Youth Programs

Youth agricultural education remains an important part of the San Mateo County Fair. San Mateo County 4-H and Half Moon Bay FFA members participate in the livestock program, while other youth exhibitors take part in creative, educational, agricultural, and horticultural competitions.

Livestock participation requires more than simply bringing an animal to the fair. Exhibitors must follow animal-care, entry, documentation, and show requirements established by the fair. The 2026 program also included Youth for the Quality Care of Animals requirements where applicable.

The Junior Livestock Auction gives youth exhibitors an opportunity to present their projects to buyers and members of the community. The fair also supports educational opportunities connected with youth agriculture, including scholarship-related programs for qualifying 4-H and FFA participants.

For younger visitors who may have little direct contact with farming, programs such as Little Hands on the Farm provide a practical introduction to how agriculture works. Children can participate in a simulated farming and farmers-market experience that connects growing food with everyday life.

Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout

The San Mateo County Event Center is a permanent multi-purpose complex that operates throughout the year rather than only during the county fair.

The facility contains multiple event buildings and outdoor areas that can accommodate exhibits, livestock, entertainment, community gatherings, trade events, and educational programs. During the fair, different sections are used for livestock, floral displays, competitive exhibits, food, shopping, carnival activities, and entertainment.

The fairgrounds’ permanent facilities also make it possible to host events outside the annual fair. The event center serves the wider Peninsula community through conventions, consumer events, meetings, performances, community activities, and emergency-preparedness functions.

The 2026 fair also highlighted the Redwood Resiliency Hall and Community Kitchen, reflecting the event center’s broader community role beyond entertainment.

Getting There: Directions and Logistics

The San Mateo County Fair is held at 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, California 94403. The event center is centrally located in San Mateo and is accessible from major Peninsula transportation routes.

Visitors can reach the fair by automobile, BART connections, Caltrain, and SamTrans. The fair’s visitor information specifically provides transportation guidance for people arriving by each of these public-transit systems.

Driving visitors should expect heavier traffic during opening weekend, evenings, weekends, and major entertainment programs. Parking is separate from general admission, so visitors should account for that additional cost when planning a trip.

Because the fair takes place in an urban Bay Area setting, public transportation can be a practical alternative to driving, particularly for visitors who want to avoid event-day parking congestion.

Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities

The San Mateo County Fair relies on businesses, community organizations, exhibitors, agricultural groups, artists, food operators, and other participants to create its diverse program.

Commercial and food vendors provide much of the shopping and dining experience, while community exhibitors help represent the county’s cultural, educational, nonprofit, agricultural, and creative organizations.

The fair also provides opportunities for residents to participate directly through competitive exhibits and community programs. This is particularly important in a county where many residents may not work in agriculture but still have connections to gardening, food production, crafts, art, technology, sustainability, or community organizations.

Vendor applications, booth fees, insurance requirements, deadlines, and space availability vary by year. Prospective vendors for 2027 should use the new year’s application information instead of assuming that 2026 conditions will remain unchanged.

Economic and Community Impact

The San Mateo County Fair serves a different economic environment from the agricultural fairs of California’s Central Valley. San Mateo County is part of the densely developed San Francisco Bay Area and has strong connections to technology, finance, health care, transportation, professional services, and other urban industries.

Even within this setting, the fair provides a visible connection to agriculture, horticulture, local creativity, youth education, and community organizations. It creates a shared public event where residents from different parts of the county can participate as exhibitors, performers, volunteers, vendors, competitors, or visitors.

The event center itself contributes to the regional economy through year-round conventions, exhibitions, meetings, consumer events, and other activities. The annual fair adds a concentrated period of visitor spending on admission, food, shopping, entertainment, transportation, and related services.

The fair’s educational mission is equally important. Livestock programs, horticultural exhibits, youth competitions, hands-on farming activities, and sustainability-focused displays help maintain public awareness of agriculture in a county that has undergone extensive urban development.

Comparing San Mateo County Fair to Nearby Fairs

The San Mateo County Fair has a particularly urban and Peninsula-oriented character. Its program combines traditional livestock and horticulture with technology, arts, cultural celebrations, live entertainment, and interactive educational exhibits.

The San Francisco County California Fair Schedule provides an especially interesting comparison because San Francisco County does not currently operate a conventional annual county fair. Instead, horticultural and community exhibitions take place through facilities such as the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park.

The Santa Clara County California Fair Schedule offers another useful comparison. Santa Clara County also has a strong agricultural history alongside a highly developed technology economy, making its fair tradition an interesting parallel to San Mateo County.

The San Mateo County Fair stands out by preserving its flower-show origins while adapting the event to the diverse population, technology-oriented economy, and highly urbanized environment of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and hours of the San Mateo County Fair?

The 2026 San Mateo County Fair was held June 5–14, 2026, with the fair closed to the public June 8–9. Friday, June 5 operated from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., while the other public days operated from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The 2027 fair is scheduled for June 4–13, 2027, with detailed daily hours to be confirmed.

Where is the San Mateo County Fair held?

The fair is held at the San Mateo County Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo, CA 94403.

How much does it cost to attend the San Mateo County Fair?

Admission varies by year and ticket type. In 2026, adult admission was $19 presale, $21 online during the fair, and $23 at the gate. Seniors age 62 and older and youth ages 6–12 received reduced admission, while children age five and under were free. 2027 prices should be confirmed when released.

Is there free parking at the San Mateo County Fair?

No general free-parking assumption should be made. In 2026, parking was listed separately at $20, and parking did not include in-and-out privileges.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the San Mateo County Fair?

Visitors should follow the fair’s current rules regarding outside food and beverages. The fair provides numerous food vendors, but policies concerning outside items can change from year to year.

How do I enter an item in competition at the San Mateo County Fair?

Residents can enter through the fair’s competitive-exhibit program. Available departments can include art, photography, horticulture, flowers, culinary entries, crafts, educational projects, and other categories. Exact 2027 deadlines and rules should be checked in the new competition handbook.

Is the San Mateo County Fair appropriate for young children?

Yes. The fair includes children’s attractions, carnival rides, family activities, livestock, agricultural education, interactive exhibits, entertainment, and hands-on programs such as Little Hands on the Farm.

Are pets allowed at the San Mateo County Fair?

Visitors should check the current animal policy before bringing a personal pet. Livestock and exhibition animals are part of the fair, but personal pets are subject to separate rules and restrictions.

Does the San Mateo County Fair have a demolition derby?

A demolition derby is not a defining regular feature of the San Mateo County Fair. Motorsport programming can vary, so visitors should check the official annual schedule if a specific vehicle event is being planned.

Who organizes the San Mateo County Fair?

The fair operates in partnership with the San Mateo County Event Center and its governing fair organization. The event center is the permanent venue responsible for the broader year-round facility operations.

Is camping available at the San Mateo County Fair fairgrounds?

Camping should not be assumed as a standard public fair service. The event center is primarily a multi-purpose event facility, and visitors requiring overnight accommodation should arrange lodging separately unless specific fair camping information is announced.

What happens if the fair is cancelled due to weather?

Weather and safety conditions can affect outdoor activities and fair operations. Visitors should check official announcements for schedule changes, closures, or altered programming before traveling.

What is special about the San Mateo County Fair?

One of the fair’s most distinctive features is its history as the 1926 Little Flower Show. That horticultural beginning has developed into a modern county fair combining flowers and agriculture with livestock, youth programs, arts, technology, cultural celebrations, concerts, carnival attractions, and interactive education.