The Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton is a traditional fair with carnival rides and games; award-winning quilts and pigs; and booths offering treats like funnel cakes and deep-fried pickles.
In 2023, the Alameda County Fair runs from Wednesday to Sunday from June 16 through July 9. Hours are 11 to 11 on Wednesday to Sunday (Repeat: Weekdays that are NOT Monday or Tuesday except July 3 and July 4 which are open).
Family-friendly highlights of the Alameda County Fair:
- Carnival games run the entire time. Kids must be at least 36″ tall to ride kiddie rides. Slides and rides do get HOT.
- Pig races are scheduled throughout the day and super entertaining for kids and parents alike.
- Nightly, a different kid-friendly movie is scheduled at 6 pm on the concert lawn. It won’t be dark yet, but there are plenty of chairs and space to watch the film. Check the schedule here >
- Step into a large petting zoo to meet goats, pigs, sheep, and other farm animals, plus an alpaca and kangaroo.
- Go to the Grandstand for a lively jousting performance every day, or horse racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus July 4.
- Each night a different concert is scheduled for 8 pm (except July 4, no concert). Concert tickets include fair admission, but not necessarily vice versa. It’s a lot of throwback shows.
- Find a calm space in the AgVenture Park’s Wizard Challenge Zone for bubbles, building blocks, puzzles and other activities under multiple tents.
- At 9:30 pm, once the kids are good and exhausted, there’s a nighttime drone light show over the grandstand.
Plan your visit to the 2023 Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton
Admission and Ride Fees
While pre-purchase isn’t required, it will simplify your day. Purchase admission tickets separately or add on wristband access (rides) or concert tickets at the same time. Pre-buy your tickets to sorta save $2/$3 at the gate. By and large, much of the fair runs on a credit card only basis.
Admission prices get you through the gate, but you’ll need tickets or wristbands to get on the rides. Double-check prices here and pre-book if you can.
If your family would prefer to skip the rides, it’s easy to enjoy the free entertainment included in fair admission. Many options are in the AgVenture Park and Red Zone; see the free offerings. Pro Tip: Enter in the Red Gate to bypass the carnival. View a map >
Alameda County Fair Discounts & Deals
Going to the Fair is not cheap for a family! Single-day tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children, however, if you will go more than three times, consider a season pass: $45 to go every day that the Fair is open.
- Every day, CHILDREN 5 & UNDER ARE FREE to enter, but will still need to pay for rides.
- June 21, Food Drive. Free admission when you bring needed food donations.
- June 28, Pet Food Drive. Free admission when you bring needed pet food.
- July 4, First Responder Day. First responders enter free before 3 pm.
- Elementary Schools in the county have also given out discount codes (I don’t have any for you, but ask your principal)
- See all the specifics on these deals, especially the approved donations list.
Getting to the Alameda County Fair
Location: 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton
To BART: Take BART to the Dublin/Pleasanton Station then catch the WHEELS Fair Shuttle (Route 52) to the Fairgrounds — all day, every day of the Fair, until closing.
Parking fees: General Parking starting at $15 (credit card only).
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3 thoughts on “Ticket Alert: Alameda County Fair June 16-July 9”
What kind of food on June 21st for free admission
What is recommended?
Why did you advertise that Father’s Day was free for fathers as in the past! But had to pay full about!
Frank, I’m sure that was my mistake. I’m so sorry that happened to you because of what we wrote here. We have been trying to keep up with the fair’s current discounts and promotions but they have scaled back so many. I’ll go double check the rest of the “deals” we have listed.