Ticket Alert: Alameda County Fair June 14-July 7

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 2024, the Alameda County Fair runs from Wednesday to Sunday from June 14 through July 7. Hours are 12 pm to 11 pm on Wednesday through Sunday (Closed Monday and Tuesday).

Family-friendly highlights of the Alameda County Fair daily schedule:

• Carnival games open at 1 pm, one hour after the gates open. run the entire time.
• The carnival rides are for children 36″ and taller. Slides and rides do get HOT.
• Large petting zoo to meet goats, pigs, sheep, and other farm animals, plus an alpaca and kangaroo.
• Pig races are scheduled throughout the day and are 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 >
• Go to the Grandstand for a lively jousting performance every day, or horse racing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus July 4.
• 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, except on July 4. On June 14 and 28th, there are fireworks, too.

Plan your visit to the 2024 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 or $3 at the gate. By and large, much of the fair runs on a credit card-only basis.

Admission
Children 5 and under – Free
Children 6 – 12 – $13/day
Teens & Adults – $16/day
Wristband for rides – $34/day

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 such as a dog stunt show 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. A wristband is $34.
• Wednesday, June 19, Pet Food Drive. Free admission when you bring needed pet food.
• Wednesday, June 26, Feed the Need Food Drive. Free admission when you bring food donations. Also, dollar rides until 5 pm.
• July 4, First Responder Day. First responders enter free before 3 pm.
• 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).

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.

Carnival lovers might want to see our round-up of more summer fairs and festivals for Bay Area families!