- Categories:
- Fun
- Tags:
- FamilyFestivitiesFun
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every September 1
- Holiday emoji:
- 🎡
National Monterey County Fair Day kicks off a week of vibrant festivities every September 1. Join friends and family at the Monterey County Fair & Event Center for live music, thrilling rides, agricultural exhibits, and delicious food. Plan your visit to experience the best of local culture, entertainment, and community spirit!
Want to sponsor National Monterey County Fair Day? Learn how
Expected National Monterey County Fair Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that local businesses and fair vendors often roll out special deals during National Monterey County Fair Day. Expect discounts on carnival ride tickets, family meal bundles from food stalls, and special offers from local hotels and attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Keep an eye out for promotions from partners such as Dole Food Company and local craft breweries. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 1 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Monterey County Fair Day
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MontereyFair. Film your favorite fair foods, thrilling rides, or live performances and share the excitement with a wide audience.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MontereyCountyFair. Post vibrant photos of the exhibits, carnival lights, and happy fairgoers. Share your best tips for enjoying the fair.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MontereyFairDay. Create an event page for your friends, share fair schedules, and post updates on daily activities.
National Monterey County Fair Day Hero
Fred McCarger
History of National Monterey County Fair Day
We’re making memories together at the National Monterey County Fair and Event Center. Each of us has the power to improve people’s lives by helping them do what they’ve always wanted to do. Around every corner is a new, exciting adventure!
The Monterey County Fair & Event Center was built in 1936, and since then, it has hosted many unique events, including the annual Monterey County Fair. With every event, you will find something that will capture your interest — from agriculture to technology and beyond! There’s something for the entire family.
The Monterey International Pop Festival was held from June 16 to 18, 1967. It was a three-day music festival. The festival was organized by John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas, record producer Lou Adler, Alan Pariser, and publicist Derek Taylor. Monterey and Big Sur had been known as the sites for the long-running Monterey Jazz Festival and Big Sur Folk Festival. The promoters saw the Monterey Pop festival as a way to validate rock music as an art form in which jazz and folk were regarded. They succeeded beyond all expectations. This day was founded by the Monterey County Fair in 2019, and it’s been held every year since then.
National Monterey County Fair Day timeline
The hotel grounds would later become the place where the Monterey fair is held annually.
The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is built and plays host to many amazing events.
The Monterey International Pop Festival holds a three-day music festival.
This day was founded by the Monterey County Fair in 2019, and it has been held every year since then.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Monterey County Fair Day
Local businesses can honor National Monterey County Fair Day by embracing the festive spirit. Restaurants can offer ‘fair-inspired’ menu items like gourmet corn dogs or funnel cake desserts. Retailers might host a ‘county fair themed’ sale, decorating their stores with carnival motifs. Local service providers could sponsor a small booth at the fair itself, offering free samples or engaging activities to connect with the community and showcase their offerings.
National Monterey County Fair Day FAQs
When is National Monterey County Fair Day?
National Monterey County Fair Day 2026 begins on Tuesday, September 1, and runs through Saturday, September 5. It’s the perfect way to kick off the fall season with family-friendly fun.
What types of entertainment can visitors expect at the Monterey County Fair?
The 2026 Monterey County Fair promises a diverse lineup of entertainment, including live music concerts, thrilling carnival rides, competitive livestock shows, and engaging agricultural exhibits. Visitors can also enjoy delicious fair food, unique vendors, and daily shows featuring everything from acrobats to hypnotists.
How many people typically attend the Monterey County Fair?
The Monterey County Fair typically draws tens of thousands of visitors over its five-day run, with attendance often exceeding 70,000 to 80,000 people. This makes it one of the region’s most anticipated annual events, bringing together local residents and tourists to celebrate the community.
What is the history behind the Monterey County Fair?
The Monterey County Fair first opened its gates in 1935, established to celebrate the region’s rich agricultural heritage and foster community spirit. Over the decades, it has evolved from a focus on farming and livestock into a broader cultural event, while still honoring its roots with competitive exhibits.
National Monterey County Fair Day Activities
Go to the fair
The Monterey County Fair is fun to spend a day with friends and family. You will find many rides, food stands, games, and other attractions to keep everyone entertained.
Play the fairground games
There are many different kinds of games available at the fairgrounds. Some games include ring tosses, shooting galleries, carnival rides, and other fun activities that will appeal primarily to children but can also be enjoyed by adults
Allow your kids to have fun
If you are bringing children with you on this trip, make sure they wear clothes they can get dirty in. There are many fun activities like pony rides and petting zoos that kids will want to try out while they're there.
5 Intriguing Facts About Monterey County Fair And Event Center
It has a large size
The Center has over 100,000 sq ft of indoor exhibit space and over 40,000 sq ft of outdoor exhibit space.
It has a permanent stage
The Center has a permanent stage to seat up to 2,000 people for concerts and other events.
One of the most popular venues
The Monterey County Fair & Event Center is one of the most popular venues for trade shows, business conferences, weddings, and other special events in the Monterey Bay area.
Originally for agricultural equipment
It was initially built as an exhibition center for agricultural equipment and vehicles by the Monterey County Farm Bureau Federation.
The design fits all
The facility's design allows it to be used for various events and features an indoor arena and three tiers of seating around its perimeter along with an outdoor area.
Why We Love National Monterey County Fair Day
We love the entertainment
The fair features live music every day and magic shows, and other performances by local actors and dancers. Plus, there are various demonstrations by local businesses, such as how to make crafts using recycled materials.
We love the food
Some of our favorites include deep-fried Oreos, churros, and funnel cakes. We also love that there are plenty of healthy options like fresh fruit and veggie cups and veggie burgers and salads.
We love the connection
It's a good time for people to interact at the fair. Whether they are taking silly photos or getting into arguments with their friends over whose turn on a ride comes first.
National Monterey County Fair Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 1 | Friday |
| 2029 | September 1 | Saturday |
| 2030 | September 1 | Sunday |
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