CA State Fair - Can't-Miss Family Fun for Opening Weekend

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - The 2025 California State Fair opens its gates this Friday, July 11, at 10 a.m., launching a milestone 171st season filled with Golden State pride. For three festive days, Cal Expo will buzz with first-look exhibits, headline concerts, and the return of classic fair favorites, proving there’s no better moment to make memories than “Times Like These”.

“Opening weekend sets the stage for 17 incredible days of innovation, agriculture, and pure summer fun,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of California Exposition & State Fair. “The fun and amazement begins the moment guests walk through the gates with the Fountains on Palm Avenue, to new immersive experiences to the legendary tastes and sounds our guests love. This year’s Fair captures California’s spirit better than ever before.”

Can’t-Miss Moments!

Friday, July 11

SMUD Giving Friday, bring 5 non-perishable, non-expired food items and get in free before 2 p.m.
New - Mocktail Classes at the Taste of California Classroom. The class is $5.
CA State Fair Inaugural Film Festival at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand Clubhouse.
The Budweiser Clydesdales will be here the entire weekend in front of the Michelob Ultra Racetrack Grandstand from 4 to 6 p.m. At 5 p.m., the Anheuser-Busch company will present a $10,000 check to Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disable service members and first responders.
DJ Diesel will rock Heart Health Park at 5:30 p.m. Shaq’s BASS All-Stars is an 18 and older event. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. (This event requires a separate ticket. Admission to the Fair is included)
Listen to Classical Indian music with Abhiskek and Chiradip on the ICanGoToCollege.com Promenade Stage at 6:30 p.m.
Toyota Concert Series kicks off with multi-platinum hip-hop icon Ludacris at the Sky River Casino Stage at 8 p.m..
Fireworks Spectacular above the Michelob Ultra Grandstand

Saturday, July 12

BBQ Grill Masters Competition at the Farm Presented by Save Mart. Fair guest can participate in the voting in the People’s Choice. For $15, get five ribs and cast your vote.
Trading Card Games in Turf Club at the Michelob Ultra Racetrack Grandstand.
Best of California Brewfest will highlight the top craft beers from the CA State Fair Commercial Craft Beer Competition. Brewfest is at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand.
Sac Republic FC takes on El Paso Locomotiv at Heart Health Park.
Bret Michaels takes the stage as part of the Toyota Concert Series on the Sky River Casino Stage.
Fireworks Spectacular above the Michelob Ultra Grandstand.

Sunday, July 13

Junior Livestock Awards Ceremony in the Tractor Supply Company Big Barn.
Monster Trucks sponsored by RAM - feel the rumble and hear the roar at the Michelob Ultra Grandstand.!
Postal Service Cooking Challenge in the Save Mart California’s Kitchen SMUD Energy Efficient Cooking Theatre.
The Toyota Concert Series welcomes Air Supply on the Sky River Casino Stage.

Must See!

Check out the new exhibits in the Expo Buildings

Expo Building 1 – Super Secret Silent Disco
Expo Building 3 – POPnology Exhibit
Explore how science fiction became science fact. POPnology is a hands-on exhibit with cool tech like 3D printing, robots, and virtual reality.
Expo Building 4 – “It’s a Wild, Wild World Adventure” Animal Exhibit Meet amazing rescued animals from five continents! This live animal exhibit shares fun facts and real stories about wildlife and conservation.
Meet amazing rescued animals from five continents! This live animal exhibit shares fun facts and real stories about wildlife and conservation.
Expo Building 5 – “CaLOWfornia Love” The Lowrider Culture Exhibit sponsored by Xfinity.
CaLOWfornia Love” The Lowrider Culture Exhibit sponsored by Xfinity. This vibrant display celebrates culture, community, and the creative spirit of lowriding in California.
And the popular Candy Maze Selfie Experience is back with all of the candy you can dream of.

Free Family Fun!

The RAM Truck Test Track at the Arena
Captain Jack Spare Ribs in Building D
Weird Science in Building D
CA State Fair Farm presented by Save Mart
Incredible Me Building A
Life’s Big Ag-Venture Building A
California Fresh Exhibit

The California State Fair runs from July 11 to July 27 at the Cal Expo fairgrounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 10 a.m. Friday through Sunday. For general information about tickets, hours, and policies, please go to Castatefair.com.