Historic shift follows years of planning as officials cite heat concerns and improved visitor experience
SACRAMENTO — A long-standing summer tradition in Sacramento will soon take on a new seasonal look.
The California Exposition & State Fair Board has voted to move the California State Fair to the fall beginning in 2027, shifting the event from its traditional mid-summer schedule to dates running Sept. 17 through Oct. 3. Fair officials say the move is aimed at reducing the impact of extreme heat while improving the overall experience for fairgoers, vendors and partners.
The decision follows several years of internal analysis and conversations with stakeholders as summer temperatures across the region have continued to rise. Officials said the change will allow the fair to maintain its core traditions while offering more comfortable conditions for guests and staff.
“For years, our team has been evaluating the best way to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable Fair for everyone,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of California Exposition & State Fair. “With rising summer temperatures, shifting to the fall season allows us to create a more pleasant environment while maintaining the traditions Californians love.”
Martinez said organizers have worked closely with vendors, community partners and concessionaires throughout the planning process and found broad understanding and support for the shift. He added that the move also brings the California State Fair in line with several other state fairs nationwide that already operate during the fall months.
The 2026 California State Fair will proceed as planned and will be the final year held during mid-summer. That event is scheduled to run July 17 through Aug. 2, 2026.
The announcement comes on the heels of a strong 2025 fair season that showed continued post-pandemic recovery for the event. Fair officials confirmed that more than 700,000 people attended the 17-day fair at Cal Expo this year, marking an 8 percent increase over 2024 and the second consecutive year of rising attendance.
Organizers attributed much of the growth to unusually mild July weather, which provided more comfortable conditions than the extreme heat experienced during the 2024 fair. Attendance peaked on a single Saturday when more than 90,000 visitors passed through the gates, making it the busiest day of the 2025 event.
“This has been an extraordinary year for us,” Martinez said in a statement following the fair’s conclusion. “As we look ahead to 2026, we do so with momentum and gratitude.”
Attendance has steadily increased since 2023, when the fair drew approximately 590,000 visitors. While this year’s total remains below the all-time record of more than one million attendees set in 2001, officials said the upward trend reflects renewed interest and confidence in the event.
In recent years, fair organizers have already begun making operational adjustments to address heat concerns, including later weekday opening times and expanded shaded areas. The shift to a fall schedule represents the most significant change to date.
More information about the California State Fair and future ticket updates is available at calexpostatefair.com.
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