The LA County Fair is the largest county fair in the country by attendance, and it runs for several weeks each spring at the Fairplex in Pomona. After decades in September, the fair moved to a spring (May) slot starting in 2022, which is the first thing to get right before you plan around it. Expect carnival rides, concerts, livestock and agriculture shows, a food court’s worth of fair food, and the Asian American Expo as a marquee cultural event. It is a full-day (or full-weekend) outing, not a quick stop.
When and where
- Location: Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768.
- Timing: Several weeks, typically in May (the spring slot since 2022). Confirm the exact dates on the fair’s official site each year, because the run shifts.
- Getting there: Off the 10 and 71 freeways in Pomona; expect heavy traffic on weekend evenings. The Metrolink Pomona station is nearby in season.
The fairgrounds are also a year-round events campus (NHRA drag racing at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Raceway, trade shows), so the address is useful beyond fair season.
What is there
- Rides and carnival. A midway with coasters, the usual spinners, and a Ferris wheel; height and wristband pricing vary, so check the ride bands before you go.
- Concerts. A nightly lineup at the grandstand; some are free with admission, headliners cost extra. The roster is announced per season.
- Asian American Expo. A large cultural marketplace and food event held at the Fairplex, sometimes alongside fair dates; verify the calendar, as it has its own ticketing in some years.
- Food. Corn dogs, funnel cakes, and fair staples, plus an expanding range of international and “giant” gimmick items. Pace yourself; the value is the novelty, not the quality.
- Agriculture and livestock. The fair keeps its county-fair roots: a livestock show, a flower and garden area, and a wine/beer component from LA County growers.
Tickets, parking, and nearby
- Tickets. Buy online for the discount; single-day and season passes exist. Watch for promotional free-admission days and group rates.
- Parking. On-site lots, paid, with preferred/VIP tiers. Arrive early on weekends.
- Nearby: The Fairplex is inland Pomona, about 30-40 min to Dodger Stadium and roughly an hour to Disneyland; pair the fair with one only if you have the days, not as a same-day sidestep.
Final thoughts
The LA County Fair is a big, loud, classic county fair, best treated as a full day with kids or a group. Get the spring dates from the official site (it is May now, not September), buy tickets online, and go early on a weekday if you want to avoid the worst lines. The concerts and the Asian American Expo are the parts worth checking the schedule for; the rides and food are the standard fair experience. Budget for parking and overpriced snacks, and don’t try to bolt to Disneyland the same day, it is too far.
