Marin County Fair
Marin County Fairgrounds, San Rafael · Family / Fair / Music
Marin County Fair — July 1–5, 2026 at the Fairgrounds in San Rafael
Every summer, Marin County throws the party the whole Bay Area shows up for. The Marin County Fair is the county's biggest warm-weather gathering — five days of carnival rides, competitive exhibits, barnyard animals, fair food, nightly fireworks, and headline concerts on the lagoon, all on the fairgrounds at the Marin Center in San Rafael. In 2026 the fair runs Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5, open 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. It is one of the great Marin traditions: part county fair, part music festival, part community reunion, and entirely worth clearing your calendar for.
A Marin Summer Tradition on the Lagoon
For generations, the fair has anchored the July 4 week in the North Bay — a place where kids ride the Ferris wheel at dusk, teens compete for blue ribbons, families spread blankets near the lagoon, and the whole county seems to converge on San Rafael at once. The setting at the Marin Center fairgrounds, with the lagoon and exhibit halls as a backdrop, gives the fair a scale and polish that feels bigger than a typical county fair without losing the grassroots community energy underneath.
The One-Price Gate — Rides, Concerts & Fireworks Included
What sets this fair apart from almost anywhere else is the one-price gate. Your admission includes carnival rides, exhibits, nightly fireworks, and the headline concerts — no separate ride tickets, no premium concert upsell for the main island stage. That model is rare, and it is a big reason families treat the Marin County Fair as a full-day (or full-week) destination rather than a quick stop. When you walk through the gate, the midway, the barnyard, the concert island, and the nightly fireworks are all part of the same ticket.
2026 Dates, Hours & Opening Day Perks
The 2026 fair runs July 1–5, 2026, with gates open 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM each day. No entry is permitted after 10:00 PM. Wednesday, July 1 is the fair's community opening day: admission is free for ages 12 and under, ages 65 and older, and veterans with ID — no advance ticket required for those groups; staff scan you in at the gate.
Headline Concert Lineup — Free with Admission
World-class concerts are included with every fair ticket on a first-come, first-served basis at the island stage (access typically begins at 6:00 PM nightly, and at 2:00 PM on July 4). The 2026 lineup: Wednesday, July 1 — The Family Stone at 7:30 PM. Thursday, July 2 — Steel Pulse at 7:30 PM. Friday, July 3 (Pride Day) — Linda Perry at 7:30 PM. Sunday, July 5 (Latin Heritage Day) — Lupita Infante at 7:30 PM.
July 4 — Stars & Stripes Music Fest
Independence Day at the fair is its own event within the event. The Stars & Stripes Music Fest on Saturday, July 4 starts at 3:30 PM with an afternoon and evening of tribute acts: Pete Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute) at 3:30 PM, Mustache Harbor (yacht rock) at 5:00 PM, Super Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute) at 6:30 PM, and Fleetwood Macramé (Fleetwood Mac tribute) at 8:00 PM. Island stage access opens at 2:00 PM. Plan to arrive early — July 4 is the busiest day of the fair.
Rides, Exhibits, Barnyard & Fairground Entertainment
Beyond the concerts, the fairgrounds fill up with the classic county-fair mix done at Marin's level. Carnival rides (28 rides included with admission), competitive exhibits and blue-ribbon contests, the barnyard with pig races and sheepdog trials, roaming grounds entertainment, community stage performances, demonstration stations, the return of the Marin County Fair International Film Festival, and food vendors stretching across the lagoon. Competitive exhibit entries are open to the public — the fair is as much about local talent on display as it is about the midway. Fireworks light up the sky over the lagoon every night of the fair — one of the most reliable summer fireworks runs in the Bay Area and a fitting cap to each evening.
Tickets & the One-Price Gate
Tickets are sold online at marinfair.org and through the Marin Center box office. Pricing varies by purchase window: select-day tickets start at $15 (May), $20 (June), and $25 (July 2–6); Any Day tickets are $30 and valid any single day including July 4. July 4 tickets are $30 with no discounts. The Five-Day Fun Pass ($85 through June 30) covers all five days and includes an exclusive fair tote bag. Children 3 and under and active-duty military are free every day. All tickets are final sale. Children 12 and under, seniors 65+, and veterans get in free on July 1 only. Everyone else needs a ticket for that day unless covered by a multi-day pass.
Getting There & What to Know
The fairgrounds are at 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, at the Marin Center. Parking fills up on peak days — especially July 4 weekend — so arrive early, consider public transit or rideshare, and plan for crowds after 5:00 PM when concert-goers and fireworks watchers converge. There are no ticket kiosks at the gates; purchase online in advance or use the QR code posted at entry points.
Marin County Fairgrounds, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael, CA 94903. marinfair.org · Fair Box Office (415) 473-6800. July 1–5, 2026 · Open 11:00 AM–11:00 PM daily · No entry after 10:00 PM · One-price gate includes rides, exhibits, fireworks and headline concerts.
Local tip: Go opening day (July 1) if you qualify for free admission, or buy a Five-Day Fun Pass early if you want to sample the full week. For concerts, get to the island stage when doors open — seating is first come, first served and fills fast. July 4 is the marquee day but also the most crowded; if you want a slightly easier experience with a still-great lineup, Thursday or Friday is a smart bet. Bring layers for evening fog off the lagoon.