Alameda County Fair 2023: Top Attractions

PLEASANTON, CA - It’s finally here: the Alameda County Fair is open for the season. Starting Friday until July 9, the fair is open Wednesdays to Sundays from noon to 11 p.m., except for July 3 and 4, when the fair will be open from noon to 8 p.m.

From fireworks to farm animals to horse racing to carnivals to every type of food imaginable, the fair is entertainment on an epic scale. Here are just a few of the highlights. Click on the links for more information and to purchase tickets.

• Fireworks Spectacular & Nightly Drone Show

Look up to the heavens for a truly spectacular show. On Friday, June 16 and Friday, June 30, enjoy free fireworks and drone shows over the Stella Artois Grandstand. There is a drone show every night except July 4.

• Big O Tires Concert Series:

Enjoy live music every night, ranging from E-40 to Ashanti to Jesse McCartney.

• Carnival rides

From a 70-foot ferris wheel to a straight shoot down a 90-foot tower, from barreling down a water slide to spinning 70 mph 120 feet in the air, or spinning around at 100 feet in the air, or circling around on an upside down roller coaster, the carnival offers scores of carnival rides for all ages and levels of bravery. Visitors can purchase an all day carnival wristband that is valid for all rides for a single day, or a pass just to ride the Sky Ride, a chairlift providing a bird’s eye view of the whole fair.

• Horse racing

Win up to $75,000 in a series of live races at the Stella Artois Grandstand. Races are free with fair admission, and take place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 1:45, plus Tuesday, July 4.

• Festivals

Three days of the fair will be devoted to specialized music and dance festivals: the LGBTQ-themed Out At The Fair on June 18, the Latin-themed Fiesta at the Fair on June 25, and the jazz and blues-themed Blues At The Fair on July 2.

• Animals

Most of the animal kingdom will be available to view or pet, from bunnies to birds to rabbits to reptiles. Livestock are available at the Livestock Pavilion. An auction will take place on July 9.

• Contests

Whether you’re good at growing wine, carving wood, raising animals, or eating ungodly amounts of hot dogs, chances are there’s somewhere you can dominate. Click on the link above to learn more about the many competitions, and enter into one.

• Entertainment

From medieval jousts to BMX sports to racing pigs to disco parties to wine to movies, there’s never any shortage of things to marvel at.

• Tasting Fests

Watch the horses and enjoy unlimited beer on June 24 (2-5 p.m.) or unlimited wine July 1.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit alamedacountyfair.com.