Northern California Fairs to Attend This Summer
July 2, 2025

Northern California Fairs to Attend This Summer

One of the great American summer pastimes is attending a fair. There’s something magical about enjoying a warm summer night with family and friends — the food, the music, the rides — not to mention the nostalgic vibe. Luckily, there are plenty of Northern California fairs to attend this summer!

Fairs are held in every corner of California, including right here in the Sacramento region. The highlight is the California State Fair, which will be held July 11-27 at Cal Expo. The State Fair has everything you’d expect in an old-timey fair: circus acts, carnival rides, a midway, farm animals, competitions, exhibitions, and of course, plenty of fair food!

No fair would be complete without a lineup of great musical acts. This year, the California State Fair will be welcoming Ludacris, Bret Michaels, Air Supply, TESLA, Cypress Hill, and En Vogue, among many others. Other highlights of the California State Fair include monster trucks, a brewfest, and a corn dog eating contest. Each night, the fair wraps up with a spectacular fireworks show.

Whether you’re looking for the thrill of a carnival ride, the indulgence of a deep-fried treat, or the excitement of a rodeo, you’ll find it at one of the many county fairs held throughout Northern California. Following is a list of upcoming fairs held in locations just about an hour away from Sacramento.

Live Where the Carnival Never Ends in Yolo County

County Fairs Near the Sacramento Area

Nevada County Fair | Aug. 6–10 | Grass Valley

The theme of this year’s fair in Grass Valley is “Gold Pans and Cattle Brands,” which makes sense considering it’s held in the heart of gold country and there’s a rodeo on opening night. For some non-stop action, you can watch monster trucks or the Rough Truck Challenge. There’ll also be live music, carnival rides, and lots of food.

Yolo County Fair | Aug. 13–18 | Woodland

Photo Courtesy of Yolo County Fair

Yolo County is known for its agricultural heritage, so it’s no surprise that everything ag is on full display during its summer fair in Woodland. There’s a food competition, livestock exhibition, and plenty of beer and wine. Other events include live music, a demolition derby, and a bodybuilding contest. Also scheduled is the annual Tractors and Brew fundraiser, where you can sip local beer while checking out antique tractors.

Butte County Fair | Aug. 21–24 | Gridley

Now in its 77th year, this popular fair in Gridley has all the makings of an old-fashioned, family-friendly event. There are livestock and farm animal exhibits, a dog show, and arts and crafts competitions. Entertainment includes roping, tractor pulls, motocross, and a destruction derby. The kids will have a blast with games and activities in the kids zone, and the whole family can fill up on classic fair foods.

Step Right Up to Sacramento County Living

Gold Country Fair | Sept. 4–7 | Auburn

Head to Auburn this September to enjoy a family-friendly event under the trees. There’s every type of fair food imaginable, from corn dogs to barbecue, as well as local beer and wine and sweet treats for the kiddos. Entertainment includes live music and dancing, carnival rides, and a demolition derby. There’s even a special kids’ world with rides just for the little ones.

Greater Bay Area County Fairs

Marin County Fair & Exposition | July 2–6 | San Rafael

Photo Courtesy of Marin County Fair

Live music, carnival rides, and a film festival are just a few of the things you’ll find at this popular county fair in San Rafael. There’s also a barnyard complete with a petting zoo and racing pigs! Stilt walkers, hula hoopers, and jugglers round out the entertainment. Like any good fair, there will be plenty of great food, ranging from classic bites like corn dogs and funnel cakes to international options like bao and pupusas. Brave eaters can even try high-protein edible insects like chile-lime crickets and mealworm brittle.

Santa Clara County Fair | July 30–Aug. 3

Thrilling carnival rides are the highlight of this lively fair in San Jose. There’ll also be low-key rides for the little ones and a midway so you can try your luck at classic games and win prizes. Other attractions include livestock, a parade, and food vendors selling everything from bacon-wrapped chicken tenders to lobster corn dogs.

Feel the Magic of Fair Season in El Dorado County

Sonoma County Fair | Aug. 1–10 | Santa Rosa

“Hot Dogs and Cool Cats” is the theme of this year’s fair in Santa Rosa, which features all kinds of exciting events: a demolition derby, monster trucks, a rodeo, and a long jump for dogs! There’s also a flower show and sale, a carnival, a parade, and live music throughout. And, of course, you can fill up on fair food like giant turkey legs and deep-fried Twinkies.

County Fairs in the Wine Country

Amador County Fair | July 31–Aug. 3 | Plymouth

Photo Courtesy of Amador County Fair

Held in the wine country town of Plymouth, this county fair has all the makings for summer fun. The fair features exciting events such as a tractor rodeo, mutton bustin’, and hot rod truck pulls. Being that it bills itself as “the happiest place on dirt,” there’ll also be a mud-slinging destruction derby. Thirsty? You can sample local Amador County wines as well.

Napa Town and Country Fair | Aug. 7–10 | Napa

Like any county fair, this one has livestock, food, and a carnival. But because it’s in Napa, it also has a wine lounge, where you can sip local wines! There’s also live music and entertainment, a makers’ market, and even a kids zone with rides and hands-on activities. You can also ride a camel or a pony or watch the pig races.

Find Big Fun and Bigger Yards in Placer County

Have Fun at a Northern California County Fair

From funnel cakes to corn dogs, tractor pulling to motocross, you’ll find it at the many county fairs held in Northern California. These family-friendly events encourage you to browse the exhibit halls, interact with livestock, and enjoy live music. There’s no better way to enjoy a summer day than to immerse yourself in the nostalgia that is a county fair.

Category Local Events, Neighborhood Guides

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With the California Local blog, Windermere Signature Properties strives to deliver the most valuable information to both home buyers and sellers while highlighting our favorite local gems that make Sacramento the best place to live in California.