Here’s how to buy 2023 California State Fair tickets, save money

This year’s California State Fair and Food Festival kicks off Friday, July 14, and runs through July 30. Here’s what to know about tickets. How much do 2023 California State Fair tickets cost? You can save a couple of dollars if you buy the tickets online before July 14. Otherwise, these are the regular prices for tickets sold online or at the gate. There are no refunds or exchanges. Adults’ daily admission: $16Senior daily admission (62 and older): $12Child daily admission (ages 5-12): $10Children ages 4 and under are freeHow much is California State Fair parking? Parking for the California State Fair costs $15. Here are ways to save some money on California State Fair ticketsThe fair acknowledges on its website that tickets aren’t exactly cheap. It says that Cal Expo and the fair don’t receive state funding, so the cost of tickets funds their staffing and safety efforts. Still, there are some deals out there to save you money for fair tickets. O’Reilly Auto Parts Deal: You can get one regular-priced ticket free with the purchase of another ticket at O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Just visit a location near you and scan a QR code to get the discount.Buy tickets in bulk: A $49.99 “fun pack” gets you four single-day general admission tickets, plus four ride tickets that can be used in the carnival or monorail and one parking pass. You could also spend $35.99 for a season pass. The fair is also selling three-daily parking passes for $30, which saves you $15. Senior Savings Friday: Seniors get in for $10 on Fridays. Tuesday Free Kids Day and $2 Rides: Kids 12 and under get free admission on July 18 and July 25. Rides cost $2 for everyone. Military, Veteran and First Responder Appreciation Day: Free admission on July 27 for all active duty, reserve and veterans from all branches of the military and first responders. SMUD Giving Monday: Free admission on July 17 and July 24 if you bring five non-perishable food items to the fair gates before 3 p.m. Republic FC deal: If you buy a ticket to the Sacramento Republic FC’s match against Memphis 901 FC on Saturday, July 15, your ticket is good for the California State Fair, too. How much are California State Fair concert tickets? The Toyota Concert Series is free with your fair ticket, but you can reserve a seat for $25. How much is the food festival pass? You can get four food festival tickets for $34 to be redeemed at participating vendors that have items entered into a food festival and competition. The tickets are valued at items that cost $12 or more, giving you a $48 value. Here are special events tickets for the fair Big O Tires Monster Truck Mayhem: The monster truck event takes place next to the Rodeo Arena on Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10. Big O Tires Demolition Derby: Tickets for destruction derby day on Saturday, July 22, cost $10.Best of California Brewfest: You can taste award-winning craft brew samples at Cal Expo’s Heart Health Park on Saturday, July 22. General admission tickets are $45 in advance or $50 on the day of the event. Lucha Xtreme: The fusion of Lucha libre and American-style wrestling event takes place Sunday, July 30, but is free.How much are the rides? Unlimited wristbands cost $37 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. They cost $42 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Carnival tickets are $1 each. A fast pass costs $10 to $15All of the rides tickets and fast passes are bought at the carnival. More 2023 California State Fair CoverageHow to stay cool at the 2023 California State Fair with extreme heat forecast for opening weekend2023 California State Fair is enforcing a clear bag policy. Here’s what you can bringHere’s the full list of 2023 California State Fair Toyota Concert Series performersNew 2023 California State Fair rule: Minors not allowed at the fair by themselves