Thursday, August 31st: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday, September 1st: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday, September 2nd: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 3rd: 12 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Monday, September 4th: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

All admission tickets are available at www.montereycountyfair.com

Pre-Sale tickets are on sale through August 30th at a discount. Prices for admission tickets will increase on August 31st.

During the fair, look for our QR codes posted at the entrance gates for a touch less purchasing experience for daily admission tickets and rodeo tickets.

Carnival ride tickets can be purchased from the carnival (click here) Look for the blue ‘Get Tickets’ button.

The fair is following all county and state guidelines. Vaccinations and masks are not required for entry but are strongly recommended. Upon entry to the Fair, all state health and safety guidelines must be adhered to, or the ticket holder is subject to removal from the Fair.

Staff and volunteers are encouraged to wear gloves when coming in close contact with equipment and fair patrons. Touchless payment options are recommended. Tables and seats will be cleared and sanitized after each use. Sanitizer stations are available in all dining areas.

Restroom surfaces and contact points throughout the Fair will be wiped down and disinfected continually throughout the fair day. Please stay at home if you are experiencing any flu symptoms, have a temperature greater than or equal to 100 degrees and/or you’ve had known close contact with a person who is lab confirmed to have Covid-19.

The Monterey County Fair provides a safe environment for families and all our guests, exhibitors, staff, volunteers and partners. The Fair has a public safety program which includes a Code of Conduct (click here) and Screening Policy (click here). Handheld metal detecting wands will be in use by our security company and Monterey Police Department will be on site daily.

Yes, there is a clear bag policy for the 2023 Monterey County Fair. Please read through the Clear Bag Requirements and FAQs (click here) to ensure smooth access into the event.

a. Guns, knives, mace/pepper spray/stream, or any items that could be considered or used as weapons

b. Alcohol, illegal substances or cannabis products in any form

c. Glass bottles, cans or hard-sided containers

d. Non-factory sealed plastic bottles (permitted if empty)

e. Ice chests or coolers

f. Outside food and beverage (unless for infant/medical reasons)

g. Chairs

h. Pets other than approved service animals

i. Grills, charcoal and flammable liquids

j. Tents, tables and large shade umbrellas

k. Fireworks, firecrackers

l. Unmanned aerial vehicles

m. Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, skates/rollerblades and Segway

n. Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate by MCF personnel

No, strollers and wheelchairs are not available to rent.

Free parking is available on Fairgrounds Road daily.

Monterey Pines Golf Course Parking is $25.00 per vehicle available Thursday – Sunday.  A golf cart shuttle service at this location is offered by Monterey Bay Veterans (click here for map).

Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) parking is $20.00 per vehicle available Saturday –Monday. Shuttle service at MPC is provided by Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) Saturday –Monday, close of fair. Map link to 980 Fremont Street, Monterey, CA (click here for map)

No, unfortunately we do not have lockers.

No, but don’t worry there is plenty of food available from a wide variety of vendors. Food that is medically necessary is allowed.

Yes, empty water bottles will be permitted and can be refilled once inside the fairgrounds.

There is no age restriction, however rides do have height limitations to ensure safety. Monterey County Fair Carnival Rides (click here)

Yes, wristbands are on sale for $35 through August 30th online only. Price increases to $45 on August 31st. Wristbands are valid for any single day during the fair. Some rides have height restrictions to ensure rider safety. Be sure to refer to the ride list and restrictions before making your purchase

Monterey County Fair Carnival Rides (click here).

Carnival ride tickets can be purchased from the carnival (click here) Look for the blue ‘Get Tickets’ button.

No, children 5 years old and under get in free.

Yes! Kids Day is back at the 2023 Monterey County Fair. Friday, September 1st, all children aged 6-12 are admitted free. Youth should be accompanied by an Adult.

Purchase general admission tickets here.

Children can also earn a second free fair admission for Monday, September 5th (Labor Day) by reading books! Learn more about the Read and Ride Program here.

Yes, Thursday, August 31st we are offering free admission for Seniors (persons age 62 or greater), Veterans and Military personnel.

Yes! Check-out our 2023 line-up of special days.

Thursday, Aspire Health Day, Free Admission for Seniors (aged 62 or better), Veterans and Military.

Friday, Ohana Kids’ Day, Free Admission for children aged 12 and younger.

Saturday, Natividad Day

Sunday, Valley Health Plan Day

Monday, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino Day

Valid service animals are permitted, but pets are not.

Exit and re-entry is available with a hand stamp at the main gate 3 or 5.

The Monterey County Fair is a smoke free and vapor free event. Smoking of any kind, including the use of pipes, e-cigarettes, vapors or similar devices of any kind is prohibited. Thank you for your consideration of others!

Yes, most vendors do accept cash however debit/credit cards are preferred.

Yes, ATM machines are located throughout the Fairgrounds.

Yes, Flying U Rodeo will have one performance at 6:30 PM on Friday and Saturday and two performances on Sunday at 3 PM and 6:30 PM. Rodeo admission is $10 per adult, $5 per child (ages 6-12) and children under 5 years of age are free.

Yes, the Monterey County Fair has music on the Payton Stage every day. Plus, local talent and roving entertainment throughout the fairgrounds. We’re delivering lots of smiles for the whole family. Check out this year’s schedule here.