RivCo County Fair & National Date Festival Expected To Draw 250,000

INDIO, CA — The Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival is returning to the fairgrounds in Indio this week, kicking off three weeks of carnival rides, food, live music, activities and more.

Each year, the festival draws some 250,000 people, organizers said.

Hosted by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the fest will open for its first day on Feb. 13 at 3 p.m. at the county festival grounds, 46-350 Arabia St. in Indio.

The festival will celebrate the annual date harvest and present guests with at least 40 different treats made with the fruit, which comes from a date palm tree.

This year's festival will feature 10 different live bands, including several tribute acts like Def Leppard Revisited, Twist on Taylor, 512: The Selena Experience and Before He Cheats.

What's more, monster trucks will be the main entertainment on the first weekend (Feb. 14, 15) — just in time for Valentine's Day. Tickets for this event start at $10.

Admission for adult presale to the festival is $12, kids presale is $10, a season pass is $35 and senior presale is $11. Carnival wristbands for unlimited rides are $32. Parking is $10. Check out more pricing here.

See opening hours and dates below:

• Thursday, Feb. 13: 3 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 14: 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 15: 10 a.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 16: 10 a.m.
• Monday, Feb. 17: 10 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 20: 3 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 21: 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 22: 10 a.m.
• Sunday, Feb. 23: 10 a.m.
• Thursday, Feb. 27: 3 p.m.
• Friday, Feb. 28: 3 p.m.
• Saturday, March 1: 10 a.m.
• Sunday, March 2: 10 a.m.

Gates close at 9 p.m. and shows end at 10 p.m., according to the event website.