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. It runs in 2019 from June 14th to July 7th, but not on Mondays or Tuesdays.
How to save money at the Alameda County Fair
Last year, I took my children on $1 Day – dollar admission, dollar rides – which was the smartest move I could have made because admission for all three of us was three dollars. Normally adults are $12 and children 6-12 are $8, while children under 6 are free for pre-sale tickets. Add $3/adults, $2/child if you buy at the gate.
Discounted tickets at Living Social >>
Sponsor
Go on Opening Day June 14th, to pay NO ADMISSION FEE BEFORE 3 PM.
There are reptile shows, a younger kids area, and a sophisticated model train set-up. My 6-year old and I enjoyed browsing a room full of bunnies and learning their breeds.
Other Deal Days:
Kids FREE Thursdays until 5 pm – June 20, 27
Kids 12 and under receive FREE admission until 5 pm & $2 small bites of the fair
Sponsor
FREE ADMISSION with kids clothing & $1 Rides – until 5pm – July 3
Bring one item of clothing FREE Fair admission benefiting the Foster Kids Clothing Drive & $1 Rides
FREE ADMISSION WITH CANS – Feed The Need Food Drive until 5 pm – June 26
Bring 4 non-perishable food items and receive FREE Fair admission benefiting the Alameda County Community Food Bank
There are even more discount days that you might qualify for (military, seniors, fathers, etc.) so go ahead and see what works best for your family! You can also see if this Living Social deal is a good one >>
What to expect: The Fair is sensory overload, but arriving when it opens at 11 am will allow you the best chance for short ride lines and wide-open walkways.
Parking is $10 and there's no getting around that. Bring a stroller for your little one, but if it turns out your preschooler can't walk another step, there are strollers and wagons for big kids to rent.
Carnival lovers might want to see our round-up of more summer fairs and festivals for Bay Area families!
Wendy says
When we went a few years ago there was a Facebook deal where you could sign up for a free admission. My husband and each registered to dramatically cut our family’s entrance price. Probably worth a look in case they offer it again.
Karen says
Your info said nothing about the fair being closed on Mondays and Tuesdays!!! We drove over an hour today to go to the fair for my husband’s birthday and were out of luck. Very disappointing.
Whitney Moss says
Hi Karen,
I’m so sorry you had that experience. This happened to our co-founder Heather a few years ago, which is why the second sentence in this post reads “It runs in 2019 from June 14th to July 7th, but not on Mondays or Tuesdays.”
Lacy says
My daughter and I found out the hard way too.SheandI decided to walk around town and it was nice.It is way too expensive for us but we found a nice pizza and pasta place and some ice cream .Wewill always check the fair site in the future.