Longtime July tradition prepares for historic return to fall in 2027
The 2026 California State Fair has officially come to a close after welcoming more than 650,000 visitors during its 17-day run at Cal Expo, marking the end of an era as organizers prepare to return the state’s signature fair to the fall beginning next year. The total visitors this year dipped from last year’s record run of 700,000 in a year that saw rare lower temperatures during fair days as well.
Held under the theme “Wish You Were Here,” this year’s fair brought together families and visitors from across California and beyond for 17 days of concerts, cultural exhibits, carnival rides, agriculture, competitions, entertainment and fair food. While attendance remained strong through much of the event, organizers said triple-digit temperatures during the traditionally busy final weekend contributed to a dip in attendance as the fair concluded.
The weather was a key factor behind the decision to move the California State Fair back to the fall beginning in 2027, returning the event closer to its historic roots.
“This year’s fair was especially meaningful, as it marked our final summer California State Fair,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of the California Exposition and State Fair. “We’ve been listening to our fairgoers, and we’re excited to return the fair to its historic roots.”
Martinez noted the first California State Fair was held in October 1854.
“In 2027, we will proudly usher in a new chapter by bringing the fair back to the fall,” Martinez said. “It’s a true homecoming that honors our history while embracing our future.”
Even during the hottest days of the fair, guests took advantage of Kaiser Permanente Cool Zones and the air-conditioned Expo Center buildings, which housed two of this year’s newest attractions: “Tutankhamun: The King Tut Experience” and the California First Peoples’ Art Showcase, celebrating the artistic traditions, cultural heritage and living history of Native American tribes throughout California.
State Fair officials said affordability remained a major priority throughout the 2026 event. Several discount promotions, including Black Friday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day sales, along with a half-price season pass promotion, resulted in record season pass sales before opening day.
The popular Family Four Pack returned, offering four admission tickets, four ride tickets and one parking pass — a $93 value — for $55.
The Costco “Wish You Were Here” Pack also proved popular, with 18,883 packages sold at participating Costco locations throughout the region. Each package included two admission tickets, two $5 food vouchers and one parking pass for $32.99.
Save Mart stores once again served as the exclusive location for discounted admission tickets and ride wristbands throughout the fair’s 17-day run, with officials reporting sales more than doubled over previous years.
Recurring discount days also remained popular, including $2 admission during Family Discount Mondays, free admission for children 12 and younger on Tuesdays along with $2 rides, discounted ride passes on Wednesdays through Butler Amusements and reduced admission for seniors every Friday before 8 p.m.
Opening day also featured SMUD Giving Fridays, allowing guests who donated at least five nonperishable food items to receive admission to the fair. Visitors donated a total of 35,774 pounds of food to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, enough to provide an estimated 29,812 meals for families throughout Sacramento County.
The fair also continued its emphasis on celebrating California’s diverse cultures and communities. Traditional Miwok dances and a land acknowledgment ceremony opened the fair, while the California First Peoples’ Art Showcase debuted as a new exhibit highlighting Native American artists and traditions from across the state. Flags representing federally recognized California tribes were displayed around the lagoon for the second consecutive year.
Returning attractions included the “CaLOWfornia Love” lowrider exhibit featuring vehicles from throughout California, while the Viva el Mariachi Youth Competition brought seven youth mariachi groups from Southern California, the Bay Area and Sonoma County together to compete. Cantares de Mi Tierra from Sonoma County earned first-place honors.
Community stages throughout the fairgrounds also featured cultural dance performances, music and educational programming representing California’s diverse communities.
Entertainment extended throughout the grounds with Broadway cast members from “Hell’s Kitchen,” the musical inspired by Alicia Keys, performing at the fair. Wake skating and wakeboarding also made their California State Fair debut at the lagoon following the success of the X Games at Cal Expo earlier this summer, with five-time Wave Craft World Champion Mark Gomez helping close out lagoon programming during the final weekend.
The Beer Den remained a popular destination, featuring craft beers from six regions of California, while the Daily Sticker Drop social media promotion encouraged guests to search the fairgrounds for collectible stickers. More than 200,000 stickers were distributed during the event.
Fair officials also released several statistics highlighting the scope of this year’s event. The fair generated approximately 121.5 million impressions across social and traditional media, welcomed representation from all 58 California counties, recorded more than one million carnival rides and saw approximately 600,000 balloons popped in midway games.
Food vendors also reported impressive numbers throughout the fair. Competitive eater Molly Schuyler successfully defended her title in Milo’s Corn Dog Eating Contest by eating 40.5 corn dogs in eight minutes after competitors consumed a combined 347.62 corn dogs during qualifying and championship rounds.
One cinnamon roll was reportedly sold every 23 seconds throughout the fair. Bakers used four tons of proprietary flour, 3,200 pounds of cream cheese frosting and 2,500 Biscoff cookies to produce the award-winning Biscoff Roll, which earned another Best of Show ribbon.
Mac Daddy’s used nearly 1,200 pounds of cheese preparing its signature macaroni and cheese, while other popular food items included bacon-wrapped hot dogs from Chillin & Grillin, cotton candy dirty sodas and watermelon-based treats from Sweets by J, which used 360 watermelons, 5,700 pounds of strawberries and 9,500 pounds of sugar to prepare its popular offerings.
Metro Fire Station 26 repeated as HERO Chili Cook-Off champion, earning the Golden Bear award. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office finished second while also winning the People’s Choice Award. In the barbecue competition, 5 Skins BBQ captured the Golden Bear championship while Cowabunga BBQ earned the People’s Choice Award.
As the 2026 California State Fair closes the chapter on its final summer event, organizers are already looking ahead to next year’s historic return to the fall calendar.
“Thank you for celebrating the very best of the Golden State,” Martinez said. “Whether you’ve been coming for generations or discovered us for the first time this year, we invite you to join us next year, Sept. 17 through Oct. 3, 2027, as we gather once again to celebrate California, each other and our Homecoming.”
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