Fair Hours:
Wednesday September 16, 12 Noon to 11:00 PM
Thursday September 17, 12 Noon to 11:00 PM
Friday September 18, 12 Noon to 11:00 PM
Saturday September 19, 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday September 20, 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
*Exhibit Buildings - Close 1/2 hour before fair closing.
Daily Schedules:
Wednesday 9/16/2026 - Check Back Soon!
Thursday 9/17/2026 - Check Back Soon!
Friday 9/18/2026 - Check Back Soon!
Saturday 9/19/2026 - Check Back Soon!
Sunday 9/20/2026 - Check Back Soon!
Getting Around
- Download & print a fairgrounds map by clicking here
Special Admission Days
Wednesday September 16 - Seniors Day / Veterans Day
In honor of our Country's 250th Birthday
All fair admissions will be $2.50 (cash only) at the Gate
Veteran’s Day (with valid ID) FREE
Thursday September 17 - Kid’s Day / Education Day
Kid’s 12 and Under FREE
Education Day - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Ticketed Event Only) Event SOLD OUT
SPECIAL ADMISSION SAVINGS - from opening to 5 PM at the gate only - $4.00 savings on regular admission prices.
Friday September 18 - TGIF Day!
SPECIAL ADMISSION SAVINGS - from opening to 5 PM at the gate only - $4.00 savings on regular admission prices.
Admission Prices 2026
Senior Adults 62 years old & over | $13.00 |
Adults and Youth 13 to 61 years old | $20.00 |
Youth 6 to 12 years old | $10.00 |
Youth 5 and under | FREE |
Active Military with valid ID | FREE |
Parking | $10.00 |
Carpool Parking (5 or more people in the car) | FREE |
Daily Fair Highlights
Wednesday 9/16
Opening Day - Seniors and Community Day
Fair Hours: Noon - 11:00 PM
Admission Special: $2.50 per person (cash only at gate) in celebration of the Country’s 250th Birthday.
- Veterans/Active-Duty Military: Free Admission with valid ID
Today's Highlights:
- 11:40 AM - Opening Ceremony (Rodgers House Gate)
- 11:50 AM - Quilts of Valor Presentation (Rodgers House Gate)
- 12:00 PM - Fair Opens
- 12:00 PM - Apple Pie Contest Judging (Paddy Smith Park)
- 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau & Watsonville Fire Fighters Opening Day BBQ (Paddy Smith Park) - (Ticketed Event)
- 12:30 - 3:00 PM - South Bay Swing Band
- 1:15 PM - Seniors Contest & Ice Cream Social (Amphitheater & Lawn)
- 1:00 PM - Kiddie Carnival Opens
- 3:00 PM - Main Carnival Opens
- 6:30 PM – Tractor Parade
- 7:15 PM – MONSTER X TOUR - Monster Trucks (Grandstand) - (Ticketed Event)
- 10:30 PM – Exhibit Buildings Close
- 11:00 PM - Fair, Racetrack & Carnival Midway Close
Daily Attractions: Livestock, Horse Shows, Exhibit Halls, Stage Shows, and Roving Grounds Entertainment, and great food.
Thursday 9/17
Education & Kids Day
Fair Hours: Noon - 11:00 PM
Education Day (2nd, 3rd and 4th grade classes): 9:00 AM - Noon (Fully Booked)
Admission Special: Kids Day – 12 & under FREE
Active-Duty Military: Free Admission with valid ID
Today's Highlights:
- 1:00 PM - Kiddie Carnival Opens
- 3:00 PM - Main Carnival Opens
- 6:30 PM – Tractor Parade
- 7:15 PM – MONSTER X TOUR - Monster Trucks (Grandstand) - Ticketed Event
- 10:30 PM – Exhibit Buildings Close
- 11:00 PM - Fair, Racetrack & Carnival Midway Close
Daily Attractions: Livestock, Horse Shows, Exhibit Halls, Stage Shows, and Roving Grounds Entertainment, and great food.
Friday 9/18
IT’S FRIDAY Day at the Fair!
Fair Hours: Noon - 11:00 PM
- Active-Duty Military: Free Admission with valid ID
Today's Highlights:
- 1:00 PM - Kiddie Carnival Opens
- 3:00 PM - Main Carnival Opens
- 6:30 PM – Tractor Parade
- 7:30 PM - KPIG 107.5 FM Night at the Fair – ANDY VARGAS (Lead Vocalist for Santana) - LA VERDAD (Free with Fair Admission)
- 8:50 PM – APPLE PIES AND STARRY SKIES DRONE SHOW
- Sponsored by A-Tool Shed
- 10:30 PM – Exhibit Buildings Close
- 11:00 PM - Fair, Racetrack & Carnival Midway Close
Daily Attractions: Livestock, Horse Shows, Exhibit Halls, Stage Shows, and Roving Grounds Entertainment, and great food.
Saturday 9/19
Junior Livestock Auction Day
Fair Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Active-Duty Military: Free Admission with ID
Today's Highlights:
- 9:00 AM - Junior Livestock Auction Buyer Registration
- 10:00 AM - Junior Livestock Auction
- 10:00 AM - Buildings Open
- 1:00 PM - Diaper Derby/Toddler Contest (Amphitheater Lawn)
- 1:00 PM - Kiddie Carnival Opens
- 1:30 PM – The Watsonville Community Band (Grounds)
- 2:30 PM – Tractor Parade
- 3:00 PM - Main Carnival Opens
- 3:40 PM – The Watsonville Community Band (Grounds)
- 6:30 PM – Tractor Parade
- 7:30 PM - KWAV Night at the Fair - JAMES DURBIN and the LOST BOYS (Free with Fair Admission)
- 8:50 PM – APPLE PIES AND STARRY SKIES DRONE SHOW Sponsored by Bogner HVAC
- 10:30 PM – Exhibit Buildings Close
- 11:00 PM - Fair, Racetrack & Carnival Midway Close
Daily Attractions: Livestock, Horse Shows, Exhibit Halls, Stage Shows, and Roving Grounds Entertainment and great food.
Sunday 9/20
Last Day of the 2025 Fair
Fair Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Active-Duty Military: Free Admission with ID
Today's Highlights:
- 11:00 AM - 12PM Cirque Tumble Cheer performance- Amphitheater Lawn
- 1:00 PM - Kiddie Carnival Opens
- 2:30 PM – Tractor Parade
- 3:00 PM - Main Carnival Opens
- 4:00 PM - Lola Montez and Escaramuza El Centenario Charra Show (Horse Arena One) - Free with Fair Admission
- 4:00 PM - Los Reyes De La Banda (Horse Arena)
- 5:30 PM – Livestock Area Closes till next year
- 7:00 PM – 106.3 La Movida & 103.5 La Buena night at the Fair – LOS MISMOS (Amphitheater) - Free with Fair Admission
- 8:45 PM – APPLE PIES AND STARRY SKIES DRONE SHOW Sponsored by Santa Cruz County Deputy Sheriff’s Association
- 9:30 PM – Exhibit Buildings Close
- 10:00 PM – Fair, Racetrack & Carnival Midway Close
Daily Attractions: Livestock, Horse Shows, Exhibit Halls, Stage Shows, and Roving Grounds Entertainment and great food.
