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LA County Fair just kicked off May 7 and isn’t stopping until May 31 in Pomona. The 2026 fair promises 70 thrilling rides, 8 nights of concerts, and outrageous carnival food you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s exactly how to play your way through Southern California’s ultimate spring celebration.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Dates and Hours: May 7 through May 31, Thursday to Sunday plus Memorial Day, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
- Location: Pomona Fairplex, featuring Ray Cammack Shows with 40+ attractions and 20 games
- Opening Day Deal: Just $12 admission on May 7, the cheapest ticket price of the entire fair
- Concert Lineup: Eight nights of live music headlined by WAR, Brad Paisley, Common Kings, and more
Carnival Rides and Thrills That Define Your Fair Day
Ray Cammack Shows is celebrating 40 years of bringing wild rides to the LA County Fair. Over 70 rides await, from classic Ferris wheels and spinning attractions to adrenaline-pumping games. The fair stretches across the entire Pomona Fairplex, so budget time to explore every corner. Petting farms featuring 300 animals offer family-friendly fun, while the famous Skate-R-Cade roller rink makes its final appearance this year, so don’t miss this last chance.
Arrive early on weekends to beat the crowds. The fair operates Thursday through Sunday plus Memorial Day Monday. Bring comfortable shoes because the fairgrounds are sprawling and packed with attractions worth exploring.
LA County Fair runs through May 31 in Pomona with concerts, rides, and carnival food
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Eight Nights of Concerts Featuring Legendary Artists
The 2026 Concert Series delivers eight unforgettable nights of live music starting at 7:30 p.m. daily. The lineup opens Saturday, May 9 with WAR, the legendary funk-soul pioneers. Following nights feature Banda El Recodo and Los Recoditos, Brad Paisley, The Driver Era, Common Kings, Evelyn Champagne King, Jeff Dunham, and closing night headliner Ramon Ayala on May 31. Remarkably, any concert ticket automatically grants fair admission, so you’re getting two experiences in one. Arrive 3 hours early to ensure timely entry and great seating.
The Concert Box Office operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m. at Gate 1. Single day tickets start around $12 on opening day, making this fair incredibly accessible compared to amusement park prices.
New Foods and Carnival Classics That Steal the Show
Get ready for food creativity gone wild. 2026 new menu items include shawarma wraps, kimchi quesadillas, Dubai chocolate cakes, and the viral Captain Crunch cereal chicken sandwich. Returning fan-favorites feature deep-fried mangonadas, fried pickles, PB and J bacon cheeseburgers, and endless corn dogs. The fair offers fair value menus with discounted meals so you won’t break the bank on your food adventure. All vendors accept card payments, though some traditional food stands may still take cash.
| Fair Feature | Details |
| Dates | May 7 to May 31, 2026 |
| Hours | 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, Memorial Day |
| Opening Day Price | $12 admission on May 7 only |
| Rides Offered | 70+ attractions including Ferris wheel, games, petting zoo |
| Concert Nights | 8 shows, May 9-31, all at 7:30 p.m. |
“The 2026 Fair wants you to Play Your Way as we salute recreation, imagination and the many ways we let loose. From whirling rides and friendly contests to creative triumphs and big bites of deep-fried delight, the Fair is transforming its grounds into the county’s biggest playground.”
— LA County Fair, Official 2026 Theme Statement
Special Days and Money-Saving Deals Worth Planning For
Opening Day Thursday, May 7 offered the lowest fair admission price at just $12. Other discounted admission days include Food Drive Thursdays on May 14, 21, and 28, where bringing five canned food items scores free admission if you arrive by 4 p.m. Called Pomona Day on May 14, residents claimed just $1 admission through a special promotion. Look for more discount days on the official website. The Fair Value Menu keeps casual dining affordable while sampling everything from burgers to Mexican treats and vegan options.
Note that Fairplex operates as a cashless venue, so bring debit or credit cards for parking and admission. Concessionaires inside accept both card and cash, but card payment is encouraged throughout the fairgrounds for efficiency.
Will You Play Your Way Through This Once-a-Year Spectacle?
The 2026 LA County Fair theme invites everyone to discover their own version of fun. Whether you crave carnival thrills, live music nights, outrageous food combinations, or simple family memories on the fairgrounds, this fair delivers. The event runs closing day May 31 with Ramon Ayala performing in the finale. Book your visit now because the fair only happens once yearly. With over three weeks of operation, you have multiple chances to experience everything, but procrastinating too long means missing out on discounted dates and early-show seating. Would you rather experience the opening week energy or wait for closer dates in late May when the heat builds?
Sources
- LA County Fair Official Website – Complete information on dates, concerts, food, attractions, and tickets
- Daily Bulletin – Coverage of the 2026 fair opening with rides, concerts and carnival food highlights
- NBC Los Angeles – Feature coverage of new 2026 fair foods including shawarma cones and Buffalo chicken mac
