California Mid-State Fair

July 17-28, 2025

For 12 action-packed days each July, the California Mid-State Fair brings carnival rides, exhibits, concerts, food and family fun to the Paso Robles Event Center. Known as the "Biggest Little Fair Anywhere," the Mid State Fair celebrates all things farm-raised, homegrown and handmade. Watch a tractor parade. Swing by livestock events supporting 4-H and FFA students. Check out flower and craft displays. Sample the work of wine, beer and olive oil producers. You'll experience the best of California's Central Coast at every stop.

Locals look forward to reconnecting during annual Paso Robles fair festivities. With big-name acts on several stages, the fair also draws spectators from near and far. Past headliners include some of music's biggest stars: Destiny's Child, George Strait, Selena Gomez, Tim McGraw, Rod Stewart, Carrie Underwood, the Zac Brown Band, Alicia Keys, and the Doobie Brothers, to name a few. Start planning your California Mid State Fair fun today.

A Rich Tradition in Paso Robles

The California Mid-State Fair’s roots reach to the late 1800s, when the Upper Salinas Valley Fair of the 16th Agricultural District first showcased livestock and domestic projects. The event moved around for a few years, sometimes setting up in Downtown City Park and later alternating between Paso and San Luis Obispo. In 1942, locals started gathering funds for a permanent Paso Robles county fair site. The event moved to its current location in 1946, drawing about 20,000 guests and 330+ exhibitors. Manager George Stephan helped the fair expand with a new grandstand, racetrack, rodeo arena and livestock pens. The floriculture building opened in the 1960s. A signature 1970s rock water feature was later renovated and named for longtime manager Maynard Potter. 

Buck Owens was the first big star to perform at the Paso fair. Merle Haggard, Crystal Gayle and Willie Nelson also played there in the event's early decades. By 1981, the fair was attracting more than half a million attendees a year and adopted the official California Mid-State Fair name. Today, the Paso Robles fair remains a treasured tradition that celebrates local agriculture along with the people and products that make this community special.

Key Attractions at the Mid-State Fair

• Concerts and Entertainment — Many California Mid-State Fair attendees come to watch top-tier musical acts. Garth Brooks, Aerosmith, Fergie, Demi Lovato, Brian Wilson and Maroon 5 are among the country, rock, and pop artists who have taken center stage for grandstand shows. The Frontier Stage, La Cantina and other smaller stages also host free shows by popular local acts and up-and-coming stars – including a young Keith Urban, who played a free fair concert in 2002, before he was famous. 
• Carnival Rides and Games — The Mid State Fair midway promises thrills for guests of all ages. Expect classic Ferris wheels, speedy coasters, bumper cars, carousels and other rides that spin, swing and soar. Kids love the bounce houses and Cub Country attractions. Family-friendly carnival games offer a chance to win great prizes.
• Livestock and Agriculture — Local 4-H and FFA members spend the whole year preparing for this 12-day gathering, and many individual Paso Robles fair dates feature spirited competitions. Students show cattle, hogs, sheep, goats and poultry, while a closing auction supports education projects for the next generation of ag professionals. Fairgoers can also catch dazzling displays of speed and skill during roping contests, barrel racing events, draft horse demonstrations and more.
• Exhibits and Competitions —Makers and artists display their best work throughout the California Mid-State Fair. Competitions highlight flowers, plants and produce grown by local gardeners (and the air-conditioned Flower Building provides a cool break on hot days). Exhibitions showcase photography, fine art, quilts, woodworking projects, welding and rope art. Culinary contests draw baking, brewing and winemaking talent, while educational exhibits and antique tractors introduce new audiences to agriculture. Don’t miss the grand finale of the Mid State Fair Paso Robles, when the Country Rodeo Finals and Monster Truck Madness fill the main grandstand on back-to-back nights.
• Indulge in Fair Food and Local Flavors — Favorites like funnel cakes, cotton candy and corn dogs make the Mid-State Fair one of the year’s tastiest events. Local culinary stars also compete for titles like best apple pie and best salsa. Commercial competitions draw talented olive oil, wine and craft spirit producers. Paso Robles wineries, breweries, restaurants and food trucks serve their best here, too[RB1] . Cocktail competitions, free pancake breakfasts and other tasty events round out the fun.

Plan Your Visit

The California Mid-State Fair schedule offers new attractions and themes each year, plus plenty of cherished annual activities. The fair kicks off with an opening day ceremony, followed by festivities that might include the scholarship pageant, free carnival rides and concerts. Star musicians play the grandstand stage on most nights of the fair, and smaller stages hold free concerts throughout the 12-day gathering. Look for ongoing livestock and horse show events, as well as the 4-H and FFA auction that takes place on one of the Paso Robles fair's final days. 

Each year features discount days for seniors, children, and active-duty or retired military members, along with special events like wristband nights, mixology contests and free culinary fun. Popular rodeo and monster truck events typically conclude the annual lineup. View mid state fair dates and details on the event website.

Tips for Enjoying the Fair

Make the most of your Paso Robles fair experience with these 10 tips. 

1. Purchase tickets on the Mid-State Fair website before you arrive. Children ages 5 and under get in for free. The website also shares current parking rates, shuttle hours and other details.
2. Wear comfortable shoes - there's lots of ground to cover at the fair.
3. Central Coast summer days get hot. Drink plenty of water. Wear sunscreen, a hat and protective clothing. And don't miss the fair’s evening events – summer nights in Paso are some of the year's best.
4. Reusable metal water bottles are not allowed at the fair, but you can bring in empty reusable plastic bottles or sealed plastic water bottles. Look for refill stations at the main quad and near the Paso Robles Pavilion.
5. SLO Safe Ride Shuttle Buses provide free park-and-ride access for fairgoers. Typical pick-up and drop-off locations include Albertsons on Niblick Rd., Lowe's on 46 East, and Paso Robles City Hall on Spring St. 
6. Look for paid lots within walking distance of the Paso Robles Event Center. There is also limited, cash-only paid parking across from the main entrance on Riverside Ave. 
7. Temporary parking for ADA delivery or drop-off is available at the blue curb in front of the main Riverside Ave. entrance. Individuals with disabilities or mobility issues may also find paid parking in the main lot. Those spots fill quickly, so arrive early for best availability. 
8. Paso Robles fair facilities are ADA accessible. Multi-story buildings have elevators, and ramps offer smooth passage in some areas. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are welcome on the grounds. You’ll also find a limited selection of mobility rentals near the main gate entrance. 
9. The rideshare and taxi stop is on the southbound-facing side of Riverside Ave.
10. For the best fair experience, arrive early for concerts, rodeo events and other major headliners.

Where to Stay

The Paso Robles Event Center, home of the California Mid-State Fair, is conveniently close to Highway 101, Highway 46 and downtown Paso Robles. That means fair-going families, couples and groups will find plenty of lodging options – including some within walking distance of the grounds. Properties along 46 East are convenient to the family-friendly Ravine Waterpark, and most area hotels, vacation rentals and B&Bs are a short drive from award-winning Paso wineries. Booking a historic inn or boutique property near Downtown City Park gives you easy pedestrian access to the fair shuttle pick-up spot at City Hall, as well as local restaurants, bars and retail shops.

Savor real California and learn why locals love Paso Robles at the California Mid-State Fair. Visit the fair website for tickets and event updates.

Memories From The Midstate Fair