Ventura County California Fair Schedule

The Ventura County California Fair Schedule centers on the Ventura County Fair, a long-running agricultural, cultural, and entertainment event held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds along the Ventura coastline. The fair brings together Ventura County’s agricultural heritage, youth livestock programs, competitive exhibits, carnival attractions, concerts, rodeo, food vendors, and community activities in a setting close to the Pacific Ocean.

The 2026 Ventura County Fair was scheduled for July 29 through August 9, 2026, making it a 12-day summer fair. The event was held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard in Ventura, with daily public hours generally running from noon until 11 p.m. The fair opened earlier at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day.

The 2027 fair is expected to follow a similar late-July/early-August 12-day format, but the exact 2027 dates were not officially published in the available fair information. Visitors planning for 2027 should therefore wait for the official annual schedule rather than treating an estimated date as confirmed.

Fair Overview and Fast Facts

The Ventura County Fair is operated by the 31st District Agricultural Association and takes place at the Ventura County Fairgrounds in the city of Ventura. The fairgrounds occupy a distinctive coastal location near Ventura Harbor and Seaside Park, giving the event a setting that differs substantially from inland California county fairs.

The 2026 fair used the theme “FIND YOUR FUN.” Its schedule combined agricultural exhibits with a large entertainment program, making the event relevant to both traditional fair exhibitors and visitors primarily interested in concerts, carnival rides, food, rodeo, and family activities.

The fairgrounds are located at 10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, California 93001. Because the property is close to Highway 101 and the Pacific Ocean, visitors can reach it from both the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara directions without traveling deep into the county’s agricultural interior.

The 2026 fair also introduced a clear-bag policy for general visitors. Parking at the fairgrounds was extremely limited, so the fair expanded shuttle services from several off-site locations.

Ventura County Fair Schedule 2026

The 2026 Ventura County Fair ran from Wednesday, July 29, through Sunday, August 9, 2026.

Regular fair hours were noon to 11 p.m. each day, with Tuesday, August 4 opening at 11 a.m. The schedule included several special admission days designed for different sections of the Ventura County community.

Opening Day offered $5 admission before 5 p.m. Youth Day on Friday, July 31 allowed children 12 and under to enter free with a paid adult. Dia de la Familia took place Sunday, August 2, while Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day occurred Tuesday, August 4.

Community Heroes Day on Thursday, August 6 provided free admission for teachers, nurses, military personnel, police, fire, and EMS personnel under the fair’s stated eligibility requirements.

Food Share Day on Friday, August 7 connected fair attendance with a local food-support effort. Visitors who donated five nonperishable food items by the specified deadline could receive a buy-one-get-one-free admission offer for that date.

The 2026 fair also featured a major concert series, Flying U Rodeo performances, a Junior Livestock Auction, ranch sorting, Mutton Bustin’, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, community displays, and numerous food and entertainment attractions.

Ventura County Fair Schedule 2027

The exact 2027 Ventura County Fair dates have not yet been officially announced in the available schedule information.

Fair planning documents indicate that the 2027 event is expected to maintain a similar 12-day late-July/early-August schedule. That establishes the general seasonal pattern but does not establish a final opening or closing date.

The 2027 concert lineup, rodeo schedule, special admission days, carnival pricing, competitive exhibit deadlines, livestock entry deadlines, and daily entertainment schedule should therefore be treated as pending until the fair publishes the new year’s information.

Visitors interested in exhibiting livestock or entering competitive departments should pay particular attention to the 2027 entry guides because the deadlines are established well before the fair itself.

History and Origins

The Ventura County Fair has roots stretching back to the county’s earliest years. After Ventura County separated from Santa Barbara County in 1874, local residents organized a fall harvest festival that included agricultural and livestock displays along with entertainment and community celebrations.

The early fair developed around Ventura’s coastal community and agricultural economy. By 1891, the county fair had moved to a larger site in Port Hueneme and had been designated by the state as the 31st District Agricultural Association.

The fair eventually returned to Ventura. The current beachfront fairgrounds became possible after Eugene Preston and Orpha Foster donated the property to the county in the early twentieth century. The fair returned to Ventura in 1913.

The fairgrounds have subsequently developed into a major year-round public event facility. The annual fair remains the property’s defining event, but the grounds also host community festivals, livestock activities, cultural gatherings, entertainment, trade events, and other public programs throughout the year.

Comparing the Tuolumne County California Fair Schedule with the Ventura County California Fair Schedule highlights two distinct California fair traditions shaped by their different landscapes and communities. Tuolumne County’s Mother Lode Fair in Sonora reflects the Sierra foothills and Gold Country through livestock programs, 4-H and FFA activities, rodeo, truck pulls, destruction derby entertainment, carnival rides, and community exhibits, while Ventura County’s fair combines agricultural competitions and youth livestock programs with major concerts, carnival attractions, rodeo, food, and family entertainment at its coastal Ventura fairgrounds. Reviewing both schedules gives families, exhibitors, and fair enthusiasts an opportunity to plan around livestock shows, agricultural exhibits, youth competitions, arena events, carnival activities, and seasonal entertainment while experiencing the contrasting character of California’s mountain and coastal communities.

Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows

Agriculture remains one of the foundations of the Ventura County Fair even though the event is now strongly associated with concerts and carnival entertainment.

Ventura County’s agricultural economy is unusually diverse. Coastal and inland growing regions support commercial agriculture, specialty crops, nurseries, flowers, and other agricultural production, making agricultural exhibits an important way to show visitors what is produced throughout the county.

The 2026 Agriculture Building encouraged exhibits representing Ventura County agriculture and natural resources. Feature exhibit categories included specialty products, family farms and commercial growers, nonprofit organizations, youth organizations, government agencies, packing and processing operations, agricultural services, and grower associations.

Livestock is another major component. Ventura County 4-H, FFA, Grange, and independent exhibitors spend thousands of hours raising and preparing animals for the fair.

The large livestock program includes market animals and breeding projects, with exhibitors participating in judging, showmanship, herdsmanship, and other competitive activities.

The fair’s Junior Livestock Auction is particularly significant. The 2026 auction was scheduled for August 7 at the Clark Pavilion and included chickens, lambs, rabbits, steers, and a Supreme Champion Drive.

The auction gives local agricultural youth an opportunity to present the results of their year-long projects to buyers and community supporters.

Fair Schedule Structure

The Ventura County Fair follows a longer schedule than many California county fairs. Instead of operating for four or five days, the 2026 fair occupied 12 consecutive days from July 29 through August 9.

This extended schedule allows the fair to distribute agricultural activities, concerts, special events, community programs, carnival promotions, and arena entertainment across nearly two weeks.

Mornings and early afternoons can be particularly useful for visitors interested in livestock, agriculture, exhibits, and youth programs. The carnival and major entertainment become increasingly prominent later in the day.

The 2026 schedule also included different promotional days throughout the run. These special days allowed the fair to recognize children, families, seniors, persons with disabilities, community heroes, and supporters of local food programs.

The schedule therefore serves several different audiences rather than functioning solely as an evening entertainment event.

Entertainment, Rides, and Midway

Carnival rides are one of the largest attractions at the Ventura County Fair. The 2026 fair offered unlimited-ride wristbands, including a higher-priced option with a Fast Pass, while carnival games operated separately from ride wristbands.

The 2026 carnival also included a special discounted wristband promotion for children 17 and under on August 3 and a buy-one-get-one promotion on August 5.

Concert entertainment is another defining feature of the Ventura County Fair. The 2026 Grandstand Concert Series included performances by Bush, Marshmello, Iration, Jake Owen, Herencia de Patrones with Banda Maguey and Banda Toro, Ashanti with Bow Wow, Switchfoot with Hoobastank, and Nate Smith.

The fair also used additional stages, including the Pacifico Stage, Seabreeze Stage, and Gardens Stage, allowing entertainment to take place throughout the grounds.

Food is an equally visible part of the Ventura County Fair experience. Concession areas provide traditional fair foods while agricultural programming connects visitors with Ventura County’s locally produced food and agricultural products.

Open Class and Amateur Competitions

Competitive exhibits provide Ventura County residents with an opportunity to participate in the fair even if they are not livestock exhibitors.

The 2026 entry program included categories such as agriculture, amateur art, floriculture, gems and minerals, hobbies and collections, home arts, photography, professional art, small livestock, large livestock, and youth exhibits.

The Agriculture Building specifically encouraged exhibits reflecting Ventura County agriculture and natural resources. This gives local farms, agricultural organizations, youth groups, agencies, museums, and community organizations a place to interpret the county’s economic and environmental identity.

Feature exhibits also allow community organizations to create interactive displays. Youth organizations such as 4-H and FFA can use these displays to explain agricultural projects and connect fair visitors with local education programs.

Competitive entry requirements and deadlines change from year to year, so prospective exhibitors should use the 2027 entry guide once it is published rather than relying on 2026 deadlines.

Rodeo, Arena Events, and Western Entertainment

The Ventura County Fair maintains a strong Western and livestock entertainment component alongside its coastal location and large concert program.

The Flying U Rodeo was scheduled for August 7, 8, and 9 in 2026, with five performances spread across the final three days of the fair. The schedule included evening rodeos Friday and Saturday and afternoon and evening performances on Sunday.

Mutton Bustin’ also formed part of the Western programming, although 2026 registration had already filled.

Ranch-related events provide another connection between Ventura County’s agricultural communities and the fair. The Ventura County Cattlemen’s Association scheduled a Ranch Sorting event in the Morgan Arena during the 2026 fair.

The fair’s arena program therefore extends beyond conventional concerts, giving livestock families and Western-sports enthusiasts a substantial reason to attend.

4-H and FFA Youth Programs

Youth agriculture is deeply integrated into the Ventura County Fair.

The 4-H and FFA programs allow young people to develop practical skills in livestock care, agriculture, leadership, public presentation, recordkeeping, and competition.

The 2026 large-livestock program specifically included 4-H, Grange, FFA, and independent exhibitors from throughout Ventura County.

The fair also maintains a Junior Fair Board, giving young people an opportunity to participate in fair leadership and event development beyond their individual competitive projects.

One of the most distinctive youth-oriented attractions is Uncle Leo’s Barn, a long-running fair tradition that introduces children and families to farm animals. The exhibit traces its roots to 1956, when Leo and Rita Vanoni and other 4-H leaders created a barnyard-animal display.

Uncle Leo’s Barn gives visitors an opportunity to see farm animals up close while learning about Ventura County agriculture. Activities associated with the barn have included animal demonstrations and a Kids’ Tractor Pull.

The Junior Livestock Auction then provides a major culmination for many youth exhibitors, connecting their agricultural education with buyers and community support.

Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout

The Ventura County Fairgrounds are located at 10 West Harbor Boulevard in Ventura and occupy a prominent coastal position near Seaside Park.

The grounds contain exhibit buildings, livestock facilities, arenas, concert and entertainment spaces, carnival areas, food concessions, and other facilities needed for the annual fair.

The Clark Pavilion is used for the Junior Livestock Auction, while the Morgan Arena hosts agricultural and Western events such as ranch sorting.

The fairgrounds also function as a year-round event center. Swap meets, cultural festivals, entertainment events, agricultural activities, specialty shows, and community gatherings use the property outside the annual fair.

Its location near the ocean gives the Ventura County Fairgrounds a distinctive identity. The fair combines traditional agricultural programming with a coastal Southern California environment.

Getting There: Directions and Logistics

The Ventura County Fairgrounds are located at 10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, California 93001.

Visitors arriving from Los Angeles can use Highway 101 and exit toward Seaward Avenue or California Street before continuing toward Harbor Boulevard.

Visitors coming from Santa Barbara also use Highway 101 and can access Harbor Boulevard from the Seaward Avenue area.

Because fairgrounds parking is extremely limited, the 2026 fair strongly encouraged visitors to use off-site shuttle locations.

Free shuttle parking was available at locations including Pacific View Mall, the Oxnard PAL Teen Center, Ventura High School’s Laraby Stadium area, De Anza Middle School, the Ventura County Government Center, and Ventura Community Park.

Parking at San Buenaventura State Beach was available as a shuttle option but carried a separate parking charge.

The fair also promoted rail travel for the 2026 event, with the Pacific Surfliner providing service close to the fairgrounds.

Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities

The Ventura County Fair depends on exhibitors, agricultural organizations, volunteers, vendors, youth leaders, entertainers, sponsors, and community groups.

Vendor participation gives local businesses and organizations an opportunity to connect with the large audience attending the annual fair.

Agricultural organizations can participate through feature exhibits, while community groups can use competitive exhibit categories to explain their programs and local activities.

Volunteers are particularly important to livestock and youth programs. The fair’s history identifies a large volunteer base supporting agricultural exhibits, livestock, youth displays, arts, home arts, photography, horticulture, and other competitive departments.

People interested in participating in the 2027 fair should monitor the new exhibitor, vendor, and volunteer information because applications and deadlines are established separately for each fair year.

Economic and Community Impact

The Ventura County Fair has a significant economic and community role because its 12-day schedule brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to Ventura.

The fair’s coastal location attracts not only Ventura County residents but also visitors from neighboring Southern California communities.

Spending associated with admission, carnival rides, food, entertainment, parking, transportation, local lodging, and nearby businesses creates economic activity throughout the fair period.

The agricultural side of the event provides a different type of community impact. The fair gives Ventura County growers, ranchers, youth exhibitors, agricultural organizations, and educational groups a public platform to explain the county’s food and agricultural economy.

The Junior Livestock Auction directly connects local youth agriculture with community buyers. Families involved in 4-H, FFA, Grange, and independent livestock projects can use the fair as a culmination of months of work.

The fairgrounds also generate activity throughout the rest of the year by hosting events beyond Fair Week.

Comparing Ventura County Fair to Nearby Fairs

The Ventura County Fair differs from many inland California county fairs because of its coastal location, long 12-day schedule, large concert program, and combination of agriculture with Southern California entertainment.

The nearby Santa Barbara County Fair in Santa Maria shares an agricultural foundation and a coastal-region identity, but its setting is more closely associated with the Santa Maria Valley’s agricultural landscape.

The Los Angeles County Fair operates on a substantially larger metropolitan scale, while Ventura County’s fair maintains a more localized county identity despite attracting a large regional audience.

The Kern County Fair provides another useful comparison because its programming is strongly connected with agriculture and Central Valley communities, whereas Ventura County combines agriculture with the recreational and cultural character of the Southern California coast.

Within Ventura County itself, the annual fair remains distinctive because it brings livestock, 4-H and FFA projects, agricultural exhibits, rodeo, carnival rides, major concerts, community competitions, and coastal Southern California entertainment together at one long-running fairgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and hours of the Ventura County Fair?

The confirmed 2026 Ventura County Fair ran from July 29 through August 9, 2026.

Regular hours were noon to 11 p.m. daily, with an 11 a.m. opening on Tuesday, August 4.

The exact 2027 dates had not been officially published in the available information, although planning documents indicate a similar late-July/early-August schedule.

Where is the Ventura County Fair held?

The fair is held at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Boulevard, Ventura, California 93001.

The fairgrounds are located near the Pacific Ocean and Seaside Park.

How much does it cost?

For the 2026 fair, regular adult admission was $20 when paid in cash or $21 by credit card.

Special promotional days offered reduced or free admission for qualifying visitors. Opening Day offered $5 admission before 5 p.m., while Youth Day, Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day, Community Heroes Day, and Food Share Day provided additional opportunities for discounts or free admission under specific conditions.

Carnival rides were separate from general admission, with the 2026 unlimited ride wristband priced at $60 and an unlimited wristband with Fast Pass priced at $80.

Is there free parking?

Parking directly at the Ventura County Fairgrounds is extremely limited.

The 2026 fair provided free parking at several shuttle locations, allowing visitors to park away from the fairgrounds and ride a shuttle to the event.

San Buenaventura State Beach was a paid shuttle parking location because of the separate state beach parking charge.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Visitors should follow the current fair’s rules regarding outside food, beverages, coolers, and containers. The fair provides numerous food and beverage vendors throughout the grounds.

The 2026 fair also operated under a clear-bag policy, so visitors should check the current bag and security rules before attending.

How do I enter an item?

The Ventura County Fair accepts competitive entries in agriculture, art, photography, floriculture, home arts, hobbies, gems and minerals, livestock, youth exhibits, and other departments.

Entries are handled online, and exhibitors must follow the appropriate annual entry guide and deadlines.

Livestock exhibitors have additional requirements involving registration, animal preparation, move-in schedules, showmanship, and youth-program rules.

Is it appropriate for young children?

Yes. The Ventura County Fair provides numerous activities for children, including carnival rides, youth exhibits, farm-animal education, livestock displays, children’s competitions, and family entertainment.

Uncle Leo’s Barn is particularly focused on connecting children with Ventura County agriculture.

Youth Day also provides a significant admission benefit for families with children.

Are pets allowed?

Visitors should follow the current fair’s animal and service-animal policy. Livestock and approved exhibition animals have separate rules from ordinary pets.

Service animals are subject to applicable accessibility requirements.

Does the Ventura County Fair have a demolition derby?

The Ventura County Fair’s major arena program is centered more strongly on rodeo, ranch activities, livestock, and Western entertainment than on a regular demolition derby.

The 2026 program included the Flying U Rodeo, ranch sorting, and Mutton Bustin’. A demolition derby should not be assumed to be part of the 2027 schedule unless specifically announced.

Who organizes the Ventura County Fair?

The fair is operated by the 31st District Agricultural Association, the state agricultural district associated with the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Is camping available?

Camping arrangements can vary according to fair operations and exhibitor needs. Livestock exhibitors may receive separate information concerning camping and parking during Fair Week.

Visitors seeking overnight accommodations should confirm current fairground policies before making plans.

What happens if the fair is cancelled due to weather?

The Ventura County Fair is held in summer, but individual outdoor activities can potentially be affected by unusual weather, wildfire conditions, public-safety concerns, or other emergencies.

Visitors should check the current fair’s announcements if severe weather, wildfire smoke, high winds, or another emergency threatens scheduled activities.

Individual performances can be modified or cancelled even when the overall fair remains open.