Poster for the 2026 San Diego County Fair themed "Once Upon a Fair," with event dates June 10–July 5 and the website sdfair.com. Colorful background with books and a fairground silhouette.

Lots to see, do and EAT—a Media Sneak Peek at the 2026 San Diego County Fair

June 2, 2026/Jan Wagner/
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A truly incomparable entertainment value, with so much to see, do and EAT, is the annual San Diego County Fair, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

A colorful bus promoting the 2026 San Diego County Fair is parked behind a sign that reads “MEDIA SNEAK PEEK” with an arrow pointing left.
A woman stands smiling next to two lion dance costumes at a festival booth decorated with colorful umbrellas and banners, with people and tents in the background.
A performer in a yellow lion dance costume participates in a cultural event outdoors, with people and festival decorations in the background.
A woman in a green shirt and black apron plays small cymbals outdoors at a public event, smiling as she performs. Other people and tents are visible in the background.
Three people in green attire play traditional Japanese drums outdoors, with an audience seated at tables in the background.
Three people in traditional Native American regalia perform a dance outdoors at a Native American Heritage Festival. A sign and greenery are visible in the background.
Two professional wrestlers stand side by side, smiling and holding championship belts, in front of a "SoCal Pro Wrestling" backdrop.
SOCAL PRO WRESTLING

Its origin can be traced all the way back to 1880, when it was first established as an agricultural fair, to bring farmers together to share ideas, see who had the best citrus fruit, who baked the best pie and who had the fastest horse! Modern-day Fairgoers eagerly await its annual arrival, and we enthusiastically return multiple days, year after year.

Fair themes began in 1980. This year’s immersive, storybook-inspired theme is “Once Upon a Fair.” It celebrates imaginative, inspiring and magical storytelling and books.

Poster for the 2026 San Diego County Fair themed "Once Upon a Fair," with event dates June 10–July 5 and the website sdfair.com. Colorful background with books and a fairground silhouette.
The Fair Theme this year is Once Upon A Fair
A decorative display with a large teacup, the White Rabbit, an "Alice in Wonderland" book, and a wooden signpost in front of a building.
Alice In Wonderland
An open treasure chest filled with gold coins, pearls, jewelry, a metal skull with a red bandana, bottles, and various silver objects.
A painted "Treasure Island" map sign with a cannon in front, surrounded by nautical props and netting, displayed outdoors near a building.
Treasure Island
A display features a small wooden house, a blue wagon, a lantern, and books titled "Little House on the Prairie" by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Little House On The Prairie
Display featuring a large cartoon hobbit, a red dragon, armor, shields, and props with "The Hobbit" and "J.R.R. Tolkien 1937" on an open book, set outdoors.
The Hobbit

Competitive and other exhibits include agricultural displays — including livestock, flowers, fruits, vegetables and gardens — including my favorite, the annual scale-model trains diorama; fine art, photography, crafts, woodworking, quilts, baked goods; gems, minerals and jewelry; craft brews, wine, collections, student showcases and much more.

Table with a yellow dress, Snow White tapestry, small Ferris wheel model, camper diorama, and sign reading "Student Showcase + Home Arts & Hobbies.
A collection of painted rocks with pet names, surrounded by dog statues and cutouts, displayed outdoors near a porch.
A cluster of vibrant red and orange bromeliad flowers surrounded by glossy green leaves, photographed in bright sunlight.
Model train set with miniature houses, a castle on a rocky hill, small trees, and painted mountain backdrop under netted shade.
The annual garden railroad was taking shape nicely.
A detailed miniature model displays a farm scene with cows, sheep, goats, chickens, tractors, farmhouses, and mountains in the background.

Another of my favorite things to see — and photograph — are several days of motorsports, including monster trucks (with the “Glow Show”), Junior Mini Sprints, Junior Outlaws, lawn mower racing and — yes, it is back — the free with Fair admission Fire & Safety Expo, featuring the ever-popular Firefighter Demolition Derby on June 28th. Be there!

A young boy in a racing suit stands next to a small race car numbered 48, with a sign reading "Ryder Edwards Sportsman Mini Dwarf Racer" nearby.

As always, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to shop.

Fair food is a reason all by itself to visit the Fair. Bring an appetite. You’ll need it!

A black plate holds tater tots topped with white cheese sauce, chopped jalapeños, and red seasoning. A label in front reads "Totzilla.
Plates of purple ube funnel cake are displayed on branded paper with a small chalkboard sign reading "UBE Funnel Cake.
A sign reads "Dragon Street Eats & Everybody Eats Gluten Free" with a Fair-Tastic Food Competition logo; in front, a drink with a lemon slice, straw, and heart-shaped sunglasses is held.
A great thirst-quencher
A hand holds a FatBoy Premium Vanilla ice cream sandwich, partially unwrapped and speared with a wooden stick over a metal pot.
A hand uses a small torch to toast a marshmallow on a skewer over a metal bowl, with melted marshmallow dripping down.
A person squeezes chocolate sauce onto a toasted marshmallow square on a stick, placed on a paper plate.
Dessert

At the Media Sneak Peek, I especially liked Chicken Charlie’s Chicken Shawarma wrap — so much that I had two.

A man in a black shirt smiles and holds a large, red, sauce-covered food item wrapped in paper.
A sign advertises a crispy chicken shawarma wrap with an image of the wrap filled with chicken, onions, and vegetables on a red and yellow background.
A hand holding a partially eaten wrap filled with sliced meat, pink pickled vegetables, potatoes, and other ingredients.
A hand holds a rolled, spicy orange tortilla cone filled with whipped cream, wrapped in Chicken Charlie's branded paper.
A man wearing a "Chicken Charlie's" shirt cooks large rolled tortillas on a flat top grill next to a food truck.
Chicken Charlie’s Chicken Shawarma wrap — filling & tasty!

The Fair offers daily musical entertainment, much of it offered at no extra charge. The purchase of tickets for the 2026 Toyota Summer Concert Series includes same-day Fair admission. The wide variety of these paid concerts include Chicago (June 10th), Los Tucanes De Tijuana (June 14th), Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias (June 18th) and Demi Lovato (June 24th).

Daily concerts at no extra charge, presented by Chevrolet on the Chevrolet Paddock Stage, includes one in particular at 8pm on June 27th that I am extremely looking forward to. “Top of the World” is a tribute to the music of The Carpenters (1965 to 1983) — one of my all-time favorite groups, which sadly came to an end forever with Karen Carpenter’s tragic death on Feb. 4, 1983.  

A seven-member band, including a female singer at the center, poses with instruments such as saxophone, keyboard, bass, and drums in a bright, open studio.
Top Of The World Carpenters Tribute Band

I have the Top Of The World Carpenters Tribute Band’s signature CD. These talented professional musicians, with lead vocalist Debbie Taylor, absolutely nail The Carpenters’ sound. Together, they will take you back in time to “Yesterday Once More” (1973). You will find me there taking photos and enjoying this entire concert.

Seven people pose in front of a weathered wooden building, some sitting on steps and others standing, all dressed in casual attire.
Top Of The World Carpenters Tribute Band
A woman in a sequined dress stands holding a microphone, smiling at the camera, with a blurred background.
Debbie Taylor, lead vocalist

Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with the Marine Band San Diego, followed by a fireworks spectacular on the Fourth of July.

Discounted tickets for the 2026 San Diego County Fair are available in advance at Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions, other retailers and online at the Fair’s website. Discounts are available for members of the military, first responders, teachers, government employees and other groups. In addition, there are Kids Days, Value Meal deals, Foodie Fridays, Pepsi Pay-One-Price Ride Days — enjoy unlimited rides for one single-day price on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am to 8pm (buy online before June 10th to save the most!); BlastPass Early Bird Savings on rides and games (save by purchasing online by June 9th), Game On Fridays, discounted bundles that include Fair admission and Paddock Concert Series admission, Legoland 2-for-1 tickets on Fridays (while supplies last), the valuable Passport to Savings coupon book and more. On Opening Day (June 10th), admission is only $5 before 5PM. Nearby parking is available for a fee, or for free offsite with complimentary transportation from there to the Fair by shuttle buses.

Promotional signs for the 2026 San Diego County Fair display ticket prices and offer details inside a warehouse-style store aisle.

Also, the North County Transit District (NCTD) has partnered with the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) to offer “Fair Tripper” combined ticket and round-trip transportation aboard the COASTER train, with free shuttle buses between the Solana Beach COASTER train station and the Fairgrounds.

Two women stand at an MTS booth with a red canopy, providing information and selling discounted fair admission and transit passes for the FairTripper program.
A woman sits at a booth handing out brochures as two people stand nearby; a display promotes fair tickets and discounts.

After the Media Sneak Peek ended, and after everyone had left, I walked around to watch the Fairgrounds slowly being transformed. It is a tremendous undertaking.

A fairground street with food trucks and equipment being set up, palm trees lining the area, and clear blue sky overhead.
Outdoor exhibition booth for SD Toyota Dealers with red and white signage, set up in front of a large historic building under a blue sky.
A food stand with an Italian décor advertises Alfredo pasta, tiramisu, ravioli, and lasagna, with large signs and images of menu items. A replica of the Colosseum is in the background.
Entrance to a building with a large banner above the doors that reads "Shopping at the O'Brien Hall.
Large indoor exhibition hall with high ceilings, pillars, and various colorful booths being set up along the sides; open space in the center.
Interior of a clean, modern food truck kitchen with stainless steel counters, sinks, and cooking equipment, with supplies and boxes visible throughout.
Large plastic models of fruits and vegetables wrapped in bubble wrap are displayed inside a warehouse decorated with a “Plants & Honey” sign and colorful banners.
Stacks of boxes, pallets, and furniture are arranged in a large indoor hall with quilts displayed on the back wall and a "San Diego" banner above.
A tall amusement park ride with a rotating arm and circular logo stands upright in a parking lot under a clear blue sky.
Two workers in blue helmets install orange seats on a red amusement park ride structure outdoors, with a mural and trucks in the background.

This year’s Fair runs from June 10th through July 5th (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). For more information about the San Diego County Fair, visit: https://www.sdfair.com.

Person wearing a yellow T-shirt with "San Diego County Fair Once Upon a Fair 2026" printed on the back in blue and yellow lettering.

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Copyright © 2026 by Jan Wagner – AutoMatters & More #931r2

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Jan Wagner

3 Comments

  1. David Sperry on June 7, 2026 at 8:20 am

    All the Counties in central PA have Fairs but they aren’t of the magnitude you describe. David

    Reply
  2. David Sperry on June 6, 2026 at 12:40 pm

    Jan, looks like fun but I live too far away! David

    Reply
    • Jan Wagner on June 6, 2026 at 10:25 pm

      David,
      That’s too bad. Do you have and go to a County Fair near where you live?
      Jan

      Reply

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