Hey there! If you‘re thinking about heading to the Del Mar Fair this year, you‘ll need to get your hands on some tickets. As your resident home improvement expert turned fair ticket guru, I‘ve put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through everything you need to know about scoring tickets for the Del Mar Fair.
An Overview of the Epic Del Mar Fair
Let‘s start with a quick rundown of the fair itself. The Del Mar Fair, otherwise known as the San Diego County Fair, is the largest annual event in San Diego County. It‘s located at the beautiful Del Mar Fairgrounds, just 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego.
This massive fair runs for about a month, from early June to early July. In 2019, the fair brought in 1,611,271 attendees! It‘s one of the top fairs in the entire country.
The Del Mar Fair really has something for everyone. You‘ll find:
- Hundreds of carnival rides and games
- Concerts with major artists and bands
- Quirky exhibits and contests
- Over 60 food vendors with classic fair delicacies
- Shopping at hundreds of local vendor booths
- Animal exhibits with livestock and horse shows
- Fireworks on select nights
- Parades, magic shows, and other entertainment
With so much to see and do, it‘s no wonder why the Del Mar Fair is a must-visit every summer!
Choose From Several Ticket Options
Alright, let‘s dive into the types of tickets available for the Del Mar Fair:
General Admission Tickets
This basic ticket gets you access to the fairgrounds to enjoy everything except the rides. With general admission, you can:
- Check out exhibits and contests
- Watch entertainment and parades
- Shop vendor booths
- Sample all that delicious fair food
Hours: The fair is open from 11am to midnight on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Hours extend on weekends and special event days.
Pricing:
- Adult (13-61): $20 weekdays, $24 weekends
- Senior (62+): $12 weekdays, $16 weekends
- Child (6-12): $12 weekdays, $16 weekends
- Child (5 & under): Free
Where to buy:
- Online at sdfair.com
- By phone at (858) 755-1161
- At the fairgrounds ticket office
- Authorized retailers like Costco, Vons, etc.
I‘d recommend buying early online to get the best price.
Unlimited Ride Wristbands
Want to enjoy all of the rides to your heart‘s content? Then you need a wristband!
This pass includes admission plus unlimited rides every day. Slap that wristband on and hop on and off rides all day long.
Pricing:
- Adults/Child Weekday: $35
- Adults/Child Weekend: $50
- 5-Day Wristband: $135
Where to buy: Available at the same locations as general admission tickets.
Concert Tickets
The Del Mar Fair hosts an impressive lineup of major concerts and entertainment at the Grandstand Stage. To see concerts, you‘ll need a separate concert ticket.
Concert tickets grant you fair admission on the day of the show. You‘ll also get reserved seats at the stage.
Pricing: Ranges widely based on the performer, from $30 to $100+
Where to buy: Purchase concert tickets at sdfair.com, by phone, or at the fair box office. They sell out fast!
Season Pass
For fair superfans, consider investing in a Season Pass. This single pass grants you admission every day the fair is open.
Pricing: $135
Where to buy: On sdfair.com or at the fairgrounds ticket office.
Score Discounted Del Mar Fair Tickets
Looking to save a few bucks on fair tickets? Here are some insider tips:
Buy early – Tickets are cheapest when you purchase online by May 31. Prices go up as the fair gets closer.
Go on a weekday – Admission is reduced on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Look for coupons and promos – Follow the fair on social media for special deals and discounts. Sign up for their eClub too.
Check with retailers – Stores like Costco, Vons and Albertsons may offer discounted tickets. Ask!
Attend near the end – As the fair winds down in July, they‘ll often drop prices.
Avoid concert nights – Concert dates have jacked up admission rates. Steer clear if you just want to stroll around.
Buy a Season Pass – This single $135 pass is the best overall value if you plan to go multiple times.
Military and veterans – Receive free admission with a valid military ID, saving $20-$24 per day. Outstanding value!
So in summary, buying early, targeting weekdays, and using discounts/promo codes are smart ways maximize your savings on Del Mar Fair tickets.
When Do Del Mar Fair Tickets Go On Sale?
It pays to plan ahead when buying discounted tickets. Here‘s when you can score tickets:
Presale – Tickets go on an exclusive presale online starting in early March. This presale has the lowest ticket prices.
Early Bird Deadline – The early bird discounted pricing ends on May 31.
Advance Sale – From June 1 up until the fair opens, tickets can be purchased online, by phone or at authorized retailers. Prices are a bit higher.
Gate Pricing – Once the fair opens in mid-June, tickets can be bought at full price on-site. Usually best to buy in advance.
My advice? Jump on presale tickets in March or early bird tickets before May 31st to get the very best rates. The longer you wait, the more you‘ll pay at the gate.
You Can Bring Food and Drinks to the Fair
This is my favorite money-saving tip! You‘re allowed to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the Del Mar Fair.
This means you can pack a cooler with snacks, sandwiches, fruit, and water instead of having to buy pricey fair food all day long.
Here are the rules on outside food and beverages:
No glass containers allowed. Use plastic bottles and tupperware only.
Outside food is NOT permitted in concert seating areas. Finish eating beforehand.
Consume all food and drinks inside venue. Don‘t try to re-enter with leftovers.
No large quantities. A small cooler for you and your family is fine.
Pack light snacks and sandwiches to save cash on food during your visit. Stop and enjoy the yummy fair treats you really crave!
Top Tips for Attending the Fair
Alright, you‘ve got your tickets in hand and you‘re ready to head to the fair! Here are my best tips for an awesome day:
Arrive early, especially on weekends, to avoid long lines. The earlier you get there, the more you can see and do.
Print out a map ahead of time so you can easily find bathrooms, exhibits, etc. The fairgrounds are massive.
Wear comfortable walking shoes because you‘ll log miles every day.
Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. It gets hot in the summer!
Don‘t forget sunscreen and hats to prevent sunburn.
Check height requirements for rides before getting in line with small children. Some don‘t accommodate younger kids.
Take advantage of weekday discounts to get more bang for your buck.
Have fun and make memories with your family and friends! Fairs don‘t stick around all year.
Well there you have it, a complete guide to scoring tickets for the legendary Del Mar Fair! Let me know if any other ticket questions pop up. Enjoy the concerts, carnival rides, critter exhibits and cookies & cream funnel cake. I‘ll see you there!
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