OC Fair & Event Center Review

My favorite venue! Doesn't get too crowded, fresh air, lots of space and great food.

Super father la.feria we loved all the food, games and activities with the animals!

We went in July and it was wonderful Hawaiian dancing that we got to see for entertainment the group was wonderful ku'uipo hula

READ!!!IWANT A REFUND!!! No good dont go !!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY!!! WE WAITED IN LINE FOR 2HRS AND IT WAS NOT WORTH THE MONEY AND TIME!!

We saw Cirque Du Soleil's Luzia in the tent at the Fairgrounds. We've been to 6 or 7 performances over the years but this one really stood out as the best one we've seen.

it was fun lots to look at but prices are getting ridiculous for 1 person prepare to spend $200 easy

Fun for everyone! I love that if you purchased Tix to a concert fair admission is free.

Sand show. No deals here, next year save your time and money, all the vendors show deals were full price, buy on line or shop around for a better price

As long as OC Fair & Event Center continues to host Gun Shows I will continue to boycott this venue. Please join me in my concern for the safety of our community and request they stop .

Some of the events we've visited here could have been better. Vendors at Winterfest made it seem more like a street carnival, trying to get your money, then a family event for the holidays. Still, some of the other things were fun, and overall, we had a good time. Will not return next year though.

Go to killer jerky, amazing! Jewelry by JAM, you have to visit her, love her jewelry and the quality. She will special make it for you and repair.. stringing. She has a beautiful spirit! And don't forget you veggies and fruit, what a deal! Love going to marketplace

Lots of fun. Good food great rides. Tho it s a bit expensive .

We went to a concert at The Pacific Amphitheatre.The fair was already over.

It was OK, food was too expensive, they could of had a better understanding with tickets and games and made it simpler. Maybe it will get better with the right structure so everyone would be happy as well, and making good profits to continue every year.

Our family had the best time ever this year . Husons the bar was our high light of the evening. There live bands and DJ set was ahhhhmazing!!!

A view from the cable lift ride.. It was a little scary at first but the view from above the fair keeps me busy only downside I cannot find much veggies, lots of meat tho

Fist time here. Great hidden, but no so hidden gem. Will always opt for closer seats as the venue is larger than I thought.

I LOVE THE FAIR there was this one sheepy that just LOVED to get pet, I sat there for a good 15 minutes just petting his fluffy head and scratching his cheeks and rubbing his snout (?idk what their nose bridge is called??) But anyways even when the fair isnt going you can visit centennial farm for free I think which makes the fair grounds without any event going on JUST as great. Its also nice that there is a lot of paved ground, and the unpaved ground is relatively even and solid enough for wheelchair usage (though for the fair I rented a power scooter because no thanks to pushing my wheelchair for 10 hours) Also the location of the fair grounds is WONDERFUL because of its proximity to the beach it is much less hot than inland orange county. Despite that, it still is hot and sunny and the sun is very dangerous so make sure to apply sunscreen every 2 hours at LEAST (I tend to go every 90 minutes because I have sensitivities to the sun due to some medications) anyways, well worth visiting the fair, and if you dont want to visit the fair or you dont want to pay, visit the farm on a day the fair isnt there!

Long lines. Good luck with parking. You will spend almost 1 hr trying to get in. Expensive AF also. The food, tickets, everything Sucks!

OC Fair grounds are not that great. From the OC Fair to other events that go on, I feel that they nickel and dime you for everything.
You have to pay to park ($8), and you have to pay to get into the whatever events you are attending just so that when you finally get in, you can pay for all the food or rides!
Personally, I do no think that it is worth the price.
Generally speaking, the food isn't that great and the prices are horrible.
I will say that there are not many alternatives in regards to "fairs" in the area so by just the lack of competition, it reins supreme.

Some side tips, park across the street so you don't have to pay the $8 parking.

Went to see the animals, especially the pigs. They are so cute! I will go to see them every year. The food is great and the parking is plentiful.

Clean, up to date facility. Things change depending on what event(s) is going on. As with any fair grounds, not all parts open all the time. Food is decent, for fast food. Keep in mind they have some permanent food venues, but a lot of temp food stands too. Lots of restrooms. They have their farm area with produce growing and farm animals.

I went there for the OC night market. It was a great experience. The grounds are large enough so that it didn't get suffocated even though there were a lot of people there.

Free fun at ever turn with a day pass, and each day we'd choose and pay for one, extra activity. Today, we skated. Last time we rode the train. Next time, we'll ride the carousel, etc. Check in advance for family packages and Groupons. Season pass holders, prepare to wait in line to fill-out additional paperwork even if you already register online, and then having to go back, again about an hour later to pick-up you lanyards with passes. And if you pay extra for the fast passes or endless ride options, you'll have to line-up to get your wrist bands each day you revisit during the season. (Perhsps next year, they'll have stickers to put on the season pass cards or stamps/wrist bands at the entry ticket booths and have the preordered season passes ready at the entry gate on hour one of each new day.

Now for some great news.

Free activities included and not limited to: snow play; don't forget your snow-proof mittens and warm wooly hats, plus dry pants to change into in case someone sits in a slushy puddle. Bring dry shoes & socks, if you don't have rain, or snow boots. Meeting Jack Frost & the Snow Princess, or the Rainbow Elf and her Penguin Friends, and posing for pictures (if we are feeling brave) or just watching them sing, tell jokes, or merely listen as they tell us about how fun it is for them to meet us (if we are feeling shy). Walking thru the tunnel of lights to the lighted figures. Singing along to the winter themed music that can be heard judt about every where on the main concouse. Tubing down the big icey hill, again, and again. Don't forget the giant rocking horse that the whole family may ride together. And bring your own snacks & drinks, if you want to watch your budget. There are plenty of tables and benches to sit at during the day, and plenty of friendly folks to share tables with when it's more crowded later in the day and at night. The kid's show character acts with meet & greets are family friendly and the kids are invited to participate down front on the carpet in front of the stage. And some of the characters will meet & greet you after the show. They'll even pose for a quick photo, or two before time runs out. There is a snowy village with a running train to oooh & aaah over with the kids while a one or two of you save some seats for the next stage show. We haven't seen a petting zoo which is a favorite of our kids, but we will ask the next time we go, in case we've overlooked one. There are bouncy houses with mazes and mini-climing walls. (Don't forget to wipe'em down before & after to prevent germ transfer.) The live concerts can be heard well outside the hange and there us plenty of room to dance by the light decorated tree's plaza near the opening , if we had teens or had a sitter, we'd enjoy the coverbands up close. We stocked our car with fresh shirts & socks, snacks & water and our favorite tunes for the ride home.

Also went for fried butter and chocolate and couldn't find either.

2019 OC Fair was a hit! Great layout for food and entertainment. The new food stands and lounge areas were a great touch for a successful fair.

Went for a school event. Didn't deal with any employees.

Tons of people. Lots of traffic to get into the parking lot. Long lines to get in. Long lines for everything. It was ok.

IMAGINOLOGY Fair
Science Technology Engineering Arts Math
Learning By DOING !!! So. Much. FUN !!!

Seeing Blondie was awesome..... food weather rides peeps were all excellent

Always a great time at the fair. Tons of food. Carnival rides and games. Concerts and lots of farm animals. Causal dress. Plenty of parking.

I attended the 2017 VegFest at the OC Fair and Event Center - Gate 4. The event was well run and the location is perfect for it. Parking was close to the event and the signage made it easy to find. The place was roomy with outside spaces for food trucks and inside space for presenters as well as merchandise vendors.

I love the OC fair we go every year. Lots of rides. I do wish healthier food as added. Since I do not like fried food.

This is a very big and classic location for events, the OC Marketplace (we used to call it the swap meet when I was growing up), and of course the world famous Orange County Fair which occurs here every summer. I really wish I could make it back every year, but I'm always busy and traveling in the summer. There is a huge parking lot which is across the street from the Orange Coast College campus on one side and the Vanguard campus on another. The parking lot is shared with Pacific Amphitheatre which is a huge venue for touring acts and special performances.

Got a glimpse of the great Donald Trump at his Rally! American history in the making. Lucky the fair and event center can hold a whole lot of people.

Super bad experience last night got my car wheels popped and the security they told me can t do nothing about it ,people PLEASE! watch out for those bad peoples that don t have nothing to do ,things are happening everywhere right now in parking lots !!!!

Family friendly carnival event and for couples to have fun!

Amazing! Bring comfortable shoes for it is a pretty big place.
The events and fairs they host are almost always family friendly

Fun place to spend quality family time. Expensive, but very worth it!!!

Was there for Lunar New Year festival.
Supposed to be the biggest in the country.
Was a lot of fun lots to do, lots of great food.

My son, his girlfriend, and I decided to go to the OC fair. We got our super passes. We viewed the farm animals, played games and won our stuffed animals, went to the pig races and viewed some exhibits. Lots of vendors here.
Will be trying the frog legs, Turkey leg, and much more. Having fun at the OC fair

So much fun Eating all the Fried food, drinking Margarita s at Hussong s and watching bands play some good music while the kids are playing around!
Great family fun every year!

So much fun and so big!!!! To much to see we came late only got to see only a 1/4 if it we were visiting our kids next year definitely going back and starting bright and early till the evening it is so beautiful can't believe it's open for 5 weeks

Amazing day to be at the fair, not to hot and great food.

Love the fair eats,turkey leg,large sausage sandwich. This year the garlic fries lete down.

I had a blast, the people and shops were great and the entertaintment, rides, and cant forget the food was the best

Freakin every ride is 10 tickets per person or 12 tickets person the total cost to buy 100 tickets is 50$ I do not recommend coming here it s a waste of money and time

In a convinient place in Costa Mesa. Love walking there with my friends to the OC Fair, best thing in town

Pacific Amphitheater, nice venue. Traffic could be better controlled.

In its heyday this was a great outdoor marketplace. The last 10 years have taken its told, vendor choice is about 50% less, shopping is not as great as it was.
You can still find some good deals and unique vendors but nothing you can't find on Amazon or your local target.

Admission price is almost not worth the shopping experience.
Free for veterans and military.
Not dog friendly

Been mismanaged for to long, and was almost closed. I hope it will survive and be resurrect before its to late.

An icon every summer & wouldn't want it any other way !

What can I say, it is the O.C. Fair. Always fun, crazy food combos. Good exibits.

Great place to people watch. And shop for that special item you just dont need.haha

Always great events scheduled here. The Saturday flea market is one of the best. We attended a bicycle show that featured e-bikes. Easy parking (fee)

Farm area with live animals, vegetable garden, next to the swap meet

Excellent place to spend the day with your family. I've been to both to the LA and OC county fairs, and I prefer this one. It's closer to the beach and there's a nice breeze that makes the high Summer temperatures bearable. They have a good system to park your vehicle in a structure and then a shuttle to take you to the fair. If you go on the weekends when they first open adults pay 1/2 price. Some of the rides are on the pricier side, but towards the end of the fair there are plenty of rides for kids for 6-8 tickets.

I went to the Night Market. Lots of people. Worth aloe of cool stuff to buy. Especially the interesting food. But to pay to get in then pay jacked up prices is too much.

Had fun & great fair food. OC fair is my yearly go to. The rodeo was pretty entertaining as well.