San Diego County Fair Kicks Off Pet-tacular Summer At Del Mar Fairgrounds

DEL MAR, CA — The San Diego County Fair will kick off a pet-tacular summer Wednesday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

This year's fair theme is "Summer Pet-tacular" and celebrates pets and pet ownership. The theme exhibit, Pets Rock: Live on Tour, will take fairgoers on a fun and educational journey through the eyes of pets. The exhibit will also include adoptable animals and educational talks from San Diego Humane Society.

The 20-day fair will feature additional exhibits, games, rides, food stands, comedy shows, live music and other entertainment.

"The fair is our region's biggest annual event — and, for us at the 22nd District Agricultural Association, it's what enables us to provide a community gathering place year-round in times of celebration and in times of need," said Carlene Moore, CEO of the 22nd DAA, which owns and operates the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

"This event — the 20 days we have together this summer — truly matters," Moore added. "The San Diego County Fair provides significant economic opportunity for entrepreneurs and artisans alike. It supports thousands of jobs. It enables our year-round operations. It enables our environmental work. It provides sales tax revenues for critical services across the county and the state.

"And the fair is the most fun way you can spend 12 hours — your summer day and summer night — in San Diego County," she said.

On Wednesday, Moore and 22nd DAA Board President Frederick Schenk will provide remarks at the fair's opening ceremony, which begins around 10:30 a.m. The Marine Corps Marching Band will also perform a variety of songs, plus the National Anthem, prior to the ribbon-cutting just before 11 a.m.

This summer, the fair's largest venue, the Corona Grandstand Stage, will host 20 acts as part of the Toyota Summer Concert Series. The free Paddock Concert Series will also return, featuring local bands, tribute bands and up-and-comers.

The fair this year will also include an additional entertainment series hosted at The Sound, the fairgrounds' year-round concert venue, as part of Summer Nights at The Sound.

Summer Nights at the Sound will debut Wednesday night with Taylor Shines Laser Spectacular. The Toyota Summer Concert Series will kick off with Live and Collective Soul on the Corona Grandstand Stage.

Free entertainment will play every night on the Chevrolet Paddock Stage. Los Angeles-based Ozomatli kicks off the series Wednesday.

Tickets to the Toyota Summer Concert Series and Summer Nights at the Sound include same-day admission to the San Diego County Fair. Paddock shows are included with fair admission.

The fair will also feature six one-day cultural festivals this summer. The lineup includes Asian and Pacific Islander Festival on June 14, Native American Heritage Day on June 21, Out at the Fair on June 21, Gospel Music Day on June 28, K-Pop Festival on July 5, and Bluegrass Music Day on July 5.

There will be dozens of rides including the new 177-foot-tall Thunderbird ride, located in the Kids Zone in Family Funville. Carnival games are just four credits each on Game-On Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday in June. Additionally, children ages 12 and under receive free fair admission on Fridays.

There will be 117 food vendors serving the fair and two new food value deals. About 40 locations will offer a $15 Meal Deal all day, every day of the fair. In addition, the 18 finalists of the third annual Fair-tastic Food Competition will offer items at half-price from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday in June.

Established in 1880, the San Diego County Fair welcomes nearly 1 million fairgoers each summer, making it the county's largest and longest-running annual event.

The 2025 San Diego County Fair will run through July 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds at 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. The fair will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.