What to Do at the OC Fair (And Where to Stock Up On Weed First)
The Orange County Fair is an iconic event that takes place every summer in Costa Mesa. With so many things to do and see, from rides and exhibits to nostalgic fair food, there’s only one thing that could make it better: weed. We’ll highlight what to do at the OC Fair and where to stock up on weed first in this blog.
Those looking for weed near the OC Fairgrounds will be happy to see that our boutique cannabis store is less than a 10-minute drive away. You can stock up at our OC dispensary and then get on Harbor Blvd, CA-55, or Newport Blvd to get to the fairgrounds with ease.
Whether it’s your first time visiting the fair or you’re a yearly regular, we’ll highlight some of our favorite parts of the event to help you plan your visit. While we recommend visiting our dispensary near the fairgrounds, we’d be remiss to not remind you that public cannabis consumption is illegal and you’re not allowed to bring cannabis into the fairgrounds. Use your best judgment and be respectful of other people and families sharing the space.
Entertainment at the OC Fair
The fair is packed full of entertainment daily, drawing in crowds for big events like Cypress Hill, Nelly, the Head and the Heart, and many others.
Here’s what our OC dispensary staff is most excited about:
Concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre
- July 26: Sugar Ray/Smash Mouth/Tonic
- July 29: Cypress Hill/Ozomatli
- Aug 13: Dwight Yoakam/LHM
- Aug 16: Steel Pulse/Long Beach Dub Allstars/Eli-Mac/Common Sense
This list barely scratches the surface of the great live music taking place at this year’s fair. Be sure to check out the full list here.
Action sports at the Action Sports Arena
- Aug 5 & 12: Motorhome Madness Demolition Derby
- Aug 8: Damsels of Destruction Demolition Derby
- Aug 13: Minivan Demolition Derby
Check out the full list of action sport events here.
OC Fair Exhibits
No fair visit is complete without stopping by the exhibits. Exhibit buildings close at 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly.
Our top pick: Orange County Sand and Sea
The Orange County Sand and Sea exhibit is an obvious favorite for us, the dispensary featuring an entire aquarium. We love the sea and make a point of participating in Newport Beach cleanups among other activities, so it’s no surprise that we love this virtual reality exhibit.
Other showcases worth visiting include a VHS tribute and a Zoot Suit Fashion Show & Lowrider exhibit, and a host of different competitions.
What else should I check out at the OC Fair?
Get the full fair experience by making sure you visit the following options:
Carnival rides and games
With kidland carnival and main carnival options, there are endless rides and games to choose from at the OC Fair. Ride a coaster, swing on the huge swing set, ride a ferris wheel, or hit the haunted mansion for some summertime scares.
Fair food
Any visit to the fair requires a stop for some fair food. If you plan to stop by our Costa Mesa dispensary before you go, fair food is non-negotiable. From hot dogs and birria to kettle corn and pizza, your feasting options are unlimited. As for us, we love to pair our favorite dispensary products with a corn dog and lemonade, a pretzel, or a rich funnel cake. Not sure what you’re craving? Use the food finder tool to track down your favorite fair foods.
Animal exhibits
One of the best parts about visiting the OC Fair is seeing all the fun animals. They have llamas, pygmy goats, lambs, rabbits, chickens, horses, and so much more. You can check out the animals on display or watch them compete for the winning title. Don’t forget to watch the All-Alaskan racing pigs race, too.
What to know before you visit the OC Fair
The fair runs from July 17 through August 16, 2026. It’s open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the fair runs from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Admission for Wednesdays and Thursdays is $13 per adult. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, admission is $18.
Be sure to snag your tickets ahead of time as the fair has limited daily admission and often sells out.
Stock up at our Costa Mesa dispensary
We love that our weed store in Costa Mesa is just a short drive away from the OC Fairgrounds. Our team gets to chat with so many customers ahead of their fair visit and hear about their favorite exhibits, rides, and animals while sharing our own favorite activities.
If you’re headed to the OC Fair, be sure to stop by and stock up with us. Just remember that you can’t bring cannabis into the fair, nor are you allowed to consume in public. So long as you have a safe mode of transportation and use your best judgment, you can prepare for your fair visit with a little cannabis.
For those staying at a hotel nearby, you can skip the commute and order weed delivery to your hotel. Check out our menu and shop with High Seas today.