15 ways to save money at the Orange County Fair

Yay, it’s almost time for the 2025 Orange County Fair, which runs this year from July 18 to Aug. 17.  As many of you have discovered, the fair can be surprisingly expensive, what with the admission, parking, funnel cakes, carnival rides and fried Twinkies.

But here are our best tips to save money while you’re there:

1. Set a budget: Decide in advance how much you’re willing to spend, and then take a few minutes to plan out your strategy for sticking to it. Make a list of the times and locations of free fun events, go early to take advantage of deals and be strategic about what you’re going to spend. Give everyone cash and warn them that when it’s gone, it’s gone.
2. Bring your own food and drink: This is a big one. If you’re a typical fair-goer, you’re going to spend much more on libations and food than on your entrance tickets, but it’s not necessary. You’re allowed to bring in soft-sided coolers and factory sealed water bottles. I like to bring my meal in a plastic grocery bag with a small bag of ice or a frozen water bottle to keep it cool. That way, I can just discard the whole thing when I’m done, and don’t have to carry it around.  (No one’s saying you can’t have a fried Twinkie. But it doesn’t have to be your main meal, does it?) No cans, glass, outside alcohol or hard-sided coolers allowed.
3. Refill your water bottles: No need to buy expensive beverages to  beat the heat. Bring water bottles that can be refilled at six chilled water stations around the grounds for free.
4. Attend on a weekday: You’ll save $2 on weekdays, plus it will be less crowded. That’s a win-win, my friends.  Prices are $13 Wednesdays-Thursdays, $15 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for adults. Seniors and kids ages 6-12 are $9 every day. Kids 5 and younger are free. Buy in advance, don’t wait until they’re sold out. Sorry, no other deals or discounts this year. I know, it’s sad.  ocfair.com/tickets
5. Get an Every Day Passport: This might save you money, depending on how many times you want to go. This $60 passport gives you unlimited admission every day the fair is open, even if it’s sold out. Sorry, no discounts for kids or seniors. ocfair.com/tickets
6. Buy a show ticket: If you buy a ticket to a Pacific Amphitheatre or Hangar concert or seats to an Action Sports Arena event, your same-day fair admission is free. Now, before you roll your eyes, think about this: There are concerts that look fun and only cost $20. That means for $5 more than admission alone, you get a show and the entire fair. (If your show is after the fair closes, you can still use your ticket to get in on a Wednesday or Thursday during the fair.) Here’s the schedule: ocfair.com/oc-fair/entertainment/
7. Take advantage of the afternoon $5 food deals: This year, you can take advantage of the Taste of the Fair deals every day until 4 p.m. This deal means you can buy a miniature size of fair food for only $5. Your arteries will thank you. And, yes, the Fried Twinkie is one of them. There’s even a 4-ounce glass of wine on the list. There’s a master list online with a map showing all the locations. ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/food/

   

8. Get a wristband for carnival rides: Do you like thrill rides? Another advantage of going mid-week is that you can ride all day, if you buy a carnival wristband. It includes unlimited rides and two free arcade games, but it’s good only on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Buy in advance for $49 until July 17, then onsite for $54. You can ride from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., but you must redeem it by 5 p.m. daily. (Closed toed shoes are required for some rides.)
9. Read & Ride: Speaking of rides, kids ages 5-11 who read three books and sign up for the Read & Ride program can get a QR code valid for two free rides in the Kidland area only. Only one per child. https://form.jotform.com/251238689032157
10. Ride the special bus: This OCTA bus is available only twice a week — on Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. (i.e. after midnight) and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., depending on location. Kids 18 and under ride free. Bus fare is $2 one way or $4 roundtrip, from five locations directly to the fair. You’ll likely save on parking at the fair, which is $15 for passenger cars —plus the bus drops you off right next to the Yellow Gate. No long marches in the heat (at least until you get inside.) OCTA pick up locations are at the Fullerton Transportation Center, Anaheim ARTIC, Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC), Goldenwest Transportation Center (Huntington Beach) and Laguna Hills Transit Center.
11. Map out your free entertainment options in advance: You don’t want to miss the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, do you? There are five, count ’em, five stages with free entertainment, so look and see what interests you before you go. Local music groups, dance companies, culinary demonstrations and fun shows with a magician and a hypnotist. You can also see shows at the Action Sports Arena if you’re willing to stand (you have to pay for seats,  except for Aug 13-17). Shows at the Hangar are free until 5 p.m., after that you have to stand, unless you want to buy a seat.
12. Go dancing: There’s a new OC Fair After Dark dancing venue on weekends at the Plaza Pacifica Stage. Swing dancing with a live band on Fridays from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.; DJ West Coast Dave on Saturdays from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.; Latin dancing to a live band Sundays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

    

13. See the animals: Honestly, this is my favorite thing to do, and it doesn’t cost anything. I always head to the livestock barn to see the many types of animals. And visit the OC Fair’s resident animals at Centennial Farm, including pigs, goats, cattle, chickens, rabbits, peacocks and sheep. Look for the llama show as well. (Sadly, no poultry this year due to avian flu.) Find the schedules for the animal exhibits at ocfair.com/oc-fair/things-to-do/animals
14. View the local exhibits: Who will win? See the competitors for the produce and floral prizes in Centennial Farm. Or visit the Home Arts & Collections gallery or the OC Promenade/Culinary to see other competitions, including woodworking, quilting, baking, table setting, fine arts and more.
15. Do kid stuff: Visit the Orange County Sand and Sea exhibit with an ocean animal touch tank. (Don’t be scared. They don’t bite.) Go see the milking demonstrations at Millennium Barn, at 2:15 & 4:15 p.m. There’s a petting zoo with goats, sheep, pigs and more daily near the Yellow Gate (and check out the baby animals!). And, of course, you have to see the Alaskan racing pigs, which perform 3 or 4 times daily. pigrace.com