California State Fair announces later weekday opening hours for 2025
SACRAMENTO – It may still be winter, but Cal Expo is already making plans for the state fair by changing a long-standing tradition.
Since the mid-2000s, the California State Fair has opened its gates at 11 a.m. on weekdays and closed at 10 p.m. Starting summer 2025, the fair will open at 4 p.m. weekdays.
Last year, there were 11 triple-digit heat days during the fair's run — and 10 in 2023.
Organizers say shifting to later hours will better match the peak visitor times and improve comfort.
"This change reflects our commitment to continuously improving the fair for our attendees and vendors alike," said Cal Expo CEO Tom Martinez.
Cal Expo has struggled to stay financially solvent in recent years and has laid off more than 60% of its permanent staff. This move reduces the cost of parking and gate attendants, security and other employees.
"I understand it's a fiscal decision and I understand the situation the California State Fair is in," said Matt Patton, the executive director of the California Future Farmers of America.
Patton said it will also reduce the public's ability to see animal exhibits.
"Those young individuals in 4H and FFA that are showing those livestock, that are exhibiting their projects, those are all going to happen in the morning for safety reasons because of the heat that happens in Sacramento, and as a result, the public is not going to get to see those young individuals exhibiting their projects," he said.
Last year, attendance increased about 10 percent despite that stretch of triple-digit heat during the fair's run.
Cal Expo said the majority of people already visit the fair later in the day. Friday and weekend hours will remain the same, with gates opening at 10 a.m.
"There is a small percentage of our fairgoers that do come in the morning, however, the growing trend has been into the later afternoon and evening hours of our fair," said Alex Alcantar, a spokesperson for Cal Expo.
This year's California State Fair is set to open July 11 and run through July 27.
Officials say more announcements will be coming soon over additional attractions and how they are preparing for this year's fair.
