Fair Play

When it launched in 1880, the San Diego County Fair was more of a touring farmer’s market. Today, the family-friendly festival, which has called Del Mar home since 1936 and has occurred annually since 1946, entertains an average of 60,000 visitors per day for four weeks each summer. In 2015, more than 1.5 million merrymakers made their way to where the turf meets the surf, marking the second-highest attendance in the fair’s history; 2012 holds the record with 1,517,508 visitors.

While fried foods, carnival rides and livestock are enough to draw throngs of people to the fairgrounds each year, it’s the nightly live performances by music-biz giants and up-and-comers that really make the crowds go wild. This year’s headliners (listed below) include big-name bands, DJs and comedians performing on multiple stages throughout the immense venue.

Grandstand Performers

6/3: Switchfoot
6/5: Lady Antebellum
6/8: Rachel Platten
6/10: Michael McDonald
6/12: Espinoza Paz
6/15: X Ambassadors
6/16: 3 Doors Down
6/17: Matt Nathanson + Phillip Phillips
6/19: Roberto Tapia
6/22: Kenny Rogers
6/23: Spirit West Coast with Newsboys and more
6/24: The Jacksons
6/25: Gospel Festival with Shirley Caesar
6/26: Los Tigres Del Norte
6/28: Charlie Puth
6/30: Brian Wilson
7/3: Calibre 50
7/4: Sebastian Maniscalco (comedy)

6/3-7/4: San Diego County Fair
Del Mar Fairgrounds
sdfair.com

PacificSD is giving away tickets to concerts at the San Diego County Fair, which returns to Del Mar June 3 through July 4. Like, comment and share on PacificSD‘s Facebook, Instagram and website for your chance to win the gift of music, courtesy of Coors Light, the Fair’s official domestic beer sponosr. (Must be age 21 or older, you know, because of the beer part. Drink and rock responsibly at all times).