Donate five nonperishable food items on July 17, 24 or 31 and receive complimentary same-day admission while helping the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services.
Visiting the California State Fair doesn’t have to come with the price of admission this summer. In fact, you can get free admission by helping others every Friday thanks to SMUD.
The popular SMUD Giving Fridays program returns for the 2026 California State Fair, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of California’s biggest summer traditions free of charge while helping fight hunger across the Sacramento region.
The annual partnership between SMUD, the California State Fair and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services rewards fairgoers with complimentary same-day admission in exchange for donations of nonperishable food items. The program will be offered on three Fridays during the fair’s run—July 17, July 24 and July 31.
The promotion has become one of the fair’s most popular community initiatives, allowing families to save on admission costs while making a meaningful contribution to neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
Participating is simple. Visitors who bring five or more non-expired, nonperishable food items per person to the California State Fair between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on one of the designated Giving Fridays will receive a complimentary same-day admission ticket courtesy of SMUD. The ticket must be redeemed by 3 p.m. that afternoon.
Food donations will be accepted at the Main Gate, Blue Gate and Green Gate at Cal Expo, making it easy for fairgoers to participate before beginning their day at the fair.
All donated food benefits Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, one of the region’s largest hunger relief organizations. The nonprofit provides food assistance and other essential services to more than 320,000 people each month throughout Sacramento County and surrounding communities.
Organizers say protein-rich foods are among the most urgently needed donations because they provide valuable nutrition for families and seniors facing food insecurity. Among the items most needed are peanut butter, canned tuna, canned chicken and other canned meats, canned beans, soups, stews, canned fruit and canned vegetables. All donated food should be unopened, non-expired and shelf stable.
The annual food drive reflects SMUD’s ongoing commitment to supporting the communities it serves while partnering with one of the region’s signature summer events. The utility has sponsored the program for years, helping thousands of fairgoers enjoy the California State Fair while collecting tons of food that directly benefits local families.
The need remains significant. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services assists more than 320,000 people every month through food distribution programs and a wide range of support services, making community food drives such as SMUD Giving Fridays an important source of donations during the busy summer months.
For visitors, the promotion also represents a substantial savings. Regular adult admission to the California State Fair costs up to $18 when purchased at the gate, meaning a family can save considerably simply by bringing food donations that will directly benefit those in need.
The California State Fair opens Friday, July 17, and continues through Aug. 2 at Cal Expo. The 172nd annual fair features 17 days of nationally recognized concerts, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, family entertainment, shopping, fireworks, competitions and one of the state’s largest collections of fair food vendors.
In addition to SMUD Giving Fridays, fairgoers can also take advantage of several other value days throughout the event, including Family Discount Days, Kids Days, Ride and Save Wednesdays and Senior Savings Fridays, offering multiple opportunities to reduce the cost of admission and attractions during the fair’s run.
Those planning to participate in SMUD Giving Fridays should arrive between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, July 17, Friday, July 24 or Friday, July 31 with five or more qualifying food donations per person. Complimentary admission tickets must be redeemed by 3 p.m. on the same day they are issued.
For more information about SMUD Giving Fridays, admission policies and the complete California State Fair schedule, visit the official California State Fair website.
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