Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5, 2026.
The Fair is open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. No entry after 10:00 PM, no exceptions.
Marin County Fairgrounds at the Marin Center, 20 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903.
“Stars, Stripes & Stories” (Estrellas, Rayas e Historias), which honors America’s 250th anniversary and pays tribute to the rich tapestry of voices, traditions, and experiences that have shaped our shared history. Special community projects include a celebratory patchwork quilt, a time capsule of Marin County stories, and other themed activations.
The Marin County Fair has been Marin’s annual summer tradition since 1925, making this year its 83rd running (the Fair skipped a few years due to wartime and other circumstances). It was originally held in Novato, then at Marin Art & Garden, before finding its permanent home at the Civic Center Fairgrounds in 1971.
The Fair is produced by the Marin County Department of Cultural Services in partnership with the Marin Cultural Association (MCA), an independent nonprofit established in 2015 that supports arts and culture programming across Marin County.
The Marin County Fair uses a one-price gate. Your admission includes all live entertainment (including headline concerts on the Island Stage), 28 carnival rides, nightly fireworks, and all exhibits and experiences. Pricing depends on when you buy:
Ticket Type | Price | Valid |
5-Day Fun Pass (35% off) | $85 | All 5 days + exclusive tote bag. Available through April 30. |
Any Day Ticket | $30 | Any single day, including July 4. |
Select Day Ticket | $20 | Any single day, except July 4. Available May 1–June 30. Beginning July 1, price will increase to $30. |
On Opening Day, Wednesday, July 1, the following groups receive free admission: children ages 12 and under, adults ages 65 and over with ID, and veterans with ID. Every day of the Fair, children 3 and under and active-duty military receive free admission.
Fair tickets can be purchased online 24/7 at the Marin Center Box Office website. Tickets may also be purchased at the Marin Center Box Office when it is open for other events. There are no ticketing kiosks at the Fair gates, but a QR code to purchase tickets will be posted at all entry points.
All ticket sales are final. Tickets are valid only on the day(s) for which they were issued and cannot be exchanged for an alternate day or refunded.
No. The Fair is a one-price gate. Your admission includes headline concerts, 28 carnival rides, nightly fireworks, exhibits, and all attractions.
Parking is $25. Parking is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis in several lots around the Marin Center. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Yes. Free bicycle parking is available daily at the Main Gate.
Absolutely. Marin Transit Routes 35 and 49 serve the Marin Center, as well as the SMART train. You can also ride Golden Gate Transit to the San Rafael Transit Center and transfer. Visit goldengate.org/bus/schedules-maps for routes and schedules or use 511.org to plan your trip.
Gate admission covers 28 carnival rides, headline concerts on the Island Stage, nightly fireworks over the lagoon, exhibits, a petting zoo, and other Fair attractions and experiences.
Access to the Island Stage begins at 6:00 PM each night, and at 2:00 PM on July 4. All access is first-come, first-served for seating and standing room. If the Island reaches capacity, additional concert viewing is available on the Special Events Lawn adjacent to the Island.
Please visit the Concerts page for the full schedule of performances.
Yes. Spectacular fireworks are presented nightly at 9:30 PM over the lagoon.
The MCA Community Stage features local Bay Area performers daily from 12:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Acts include dancers, musicians, theater groups, and more. The lineup is selected through an application process managed by the Marin Cultural Association.
The Fair features a juried fine arts and photography exhibit, along with Competitive Exhibits in dozens of categories. These include themed arts and crafts, decorated cakes and cookies, beer and wine making, jams, jellies, honey, hobby arts, woodworking, sewing and textile arts, collections and hobbies, and more. The 2026 Fair will also include special “Stars, Stripes & Stories” themed competition categories.
Yes! The Fair actively encourages youth submissions across multiple categories, including arts and crafts (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography), creative writing (poetry, short stories, essays), agricultural projects, woodworking and building projects, sewing and textile arts, baking and food preservation, and collections and hobbies. Registration forms and submission guidelines are available at MarinFair.org/Exhibits. Teachers and educators can contact the Fair directly about group submissions.
Details about competitive exhibits, entry categories, and deadlines are available at MarinFair.org/Exhibits.
Yes. The Fair’s Competitive Exhibits Program accepts sponsorships. Contact the Fair team at 415-473-7094 or fair@marincounty.gov for details.
Application Deadline: March 2, 2026.
Notification of Selection: April 1, 2026.
Performer Confirmation, Contract, and Tech Sheet Due: April 30, 2026.
Late confirmation or contract submission will result in forfeiture of the assigned performance slot.
The Community Stage is open to Bay Area-based performers, with priority given to Marin County acts and community organizations (schools, dance studios, local performance groups). Out-of-state applicants will not be considered.
Each approved act receives a $100 honorarium, one complimentary fair admission ticket per performer (day of performance only), limited parking passes (carpooling required for groups; fairground parking is not guaranteed), and promotion on the Marin County Fair website. Each act will have 30-45 minutes of stage time (exceptions may apply).
The Food Concessionaire, Commercial and Non-Commercial Vendor Applications opened on January 9, 2026, at MarinFair.org. All applicants must complete a new application each year. Vendor selection begins in March/April for returning vendors in good standing and early applicants. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, May 29, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Review the Food Concessionaire Vendor Handbook and/or the Commercial and Non-Commercial Vendor Handbook before starting your application. Both are available as downloadable PDFs.
No. The Marin County Fair does not grant exclusivity for products, services, or exhibits. The vendor application is not a contract or a guarantee for space.
The Marin County Reusable Foodware Ordinance applies to all vendors. Please review the 2026 Marin County Fair Zero Waste Guide for full details and compliance requirements.
The Fair features a wide variety of food vendors serving everything from classic fair favorites to healthier options. Offering diverse choices means more people can enjoy the Fair the way they want to.
The Marin County Fair has been recognized as the Healthiest and Greenest County Fair on Earth since 2008. The Fair’s commitment to sustainability includes zero-waste initiatives, the Marin County Reusable Foodware Ordinance (which applies to all vendors), and ongoing waste diversion efforts.
For disability accommodation, please contact the Department of Cultural Services at 415-473-5062(Voice), CA Relay 711, or email at least five business days in advance of the Fair.