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California State Fair announces closing night concert for 2025. Who’s playing?

The California State Fair just announced its closing night act: a platinum-selling vocal group known for its “groundbreaking sound” and “fearless fashion.”

En Vogue will perform on the final night of the fair — Sunday, July 27 — as part of the Toyota Concert Series, fair organizers said in a Wednesday news release.

The 17-day event will also feature food, carnival rides and agriculture competitions.

Known for hit songs include “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It),” “Free Your Mind” and “Don’t Let Go (Love),” En Vogue blends “R&B, soul and pop with empowering messages on love, identity and resilience,” fair officials said in the release.

“It’s a privilege to bring such an iconic group to the fair,” Tom Martinez, CEO of California Expo and the California State Fair, said in the release. “Their harmonies, style and influence have really stood the test of time, and it’s going to be an unforgettable night!”

Tom Nguyen and Maricar Rogen rock matching Ice Ice Baby T-shirts for the Vanilla Ice concert on the Golden 1 Stage during the California State Fair at Cal Expo on Friday, July 12, 2024, in Sacramento.
Tom Nguyen and Maricar Rogen rock matching Ice Ice Baby T-shirts for the Vanilla Ice concert on the Golden 1 Stage during the California State Fair at Cal Expo on Friday, July 12, 2024, in Sacramento. Irene Adeline Milanez imilanez@sacbee.com

When is California State Fair in 2025? Where is it?

The California State Fair begins Friday, July 11, and runs through Sunday, July 27, with a different headliner performing each night.

The fair is at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento.

En Vogue will perform at Cal Expo in Sacramento on Sunday, July 27, as part of the California State Fair’s Toyota Concert Series,
En Vogue will perform at Cal Expo in Sacramento on Sunday, July 27, as part of the California State Fair’s Toyota Concert Series, Courtesy of California State Fair

Who is playing at Sacramento fair in 2025?

En Vogue is the latest group to join a jam-packed Toyota Concert Series lineup at the 2025 California State Fair.

Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Ludacris will kick off the fair on opening day, Friday, July 11, with a performance on the main stage.

Poison frontman and reality show star Bret Michaels will perform on the fair’s main stage on Saturday, July 12.

Soft rock band Air Supply will perform on the fair’s main stage on Sunday, July 13.

Blank Space, which bills itself as “the ultimate Taylor Swift tribute experience,” takes the fair’s main stage on Monday, July 14.

Pop-rockers The Turtles will play the main stage on Tuesday, July 15, as part of the “Happy Together Tour,” which includes performances by Jay and the Americans; Little Anthony; Gary Puckett & The Union Gap; The Vogues and The Cowsills.

Brian Thomas Wheat, bass guitar, and Frank Anthony Hannon, guitar, of the Tesla perform at the Memorial Auditorium in 2009. The Sacramento band will headline the State Fair’s Toyota Concert Series this summer.
Brian Thomas Wheat, bass guitar, and Frank Anthony Hannon, guitar, of the Tesla perform at the Memorial Auditorium in 2009. The Sacramento band will headline the State Fair’s Toyota Concert Series this summer. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com

Performing on the fair’s main stage on Wednesday, July 16, is reggae rock band Dirty Heads.

Country singer-songwriter Dustin Lynch is set to perform on the main stage on Thursday, July 17.

Tesla, a hard rock band with Sacramento roots, will take the fair’s main stage on Friday, July 18.

Queen tribute band Queen Nation performs on the fair’s main stage on Saturday, July 19.

Performing on the main stage on Monday, July 21, is Journey tribute band Journey Revisited.

Cypress Hill performs at Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival 2024 in Milwaukee last summer. The legendary hip-hop group will close out the Toyota Concert Series at this year’s State Fair at Cal Expo.
Cypress Hill performs at Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival 2024 in Milwaukee last summer. The legendary hip-hop group will close out the Toyota Concert Series at this year’s State Fair at Cal Expo. Jovanny Hernandez Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Hip-hop group Cypress Hill will perform on the main stage on Tuesday, July 22.

Country star Joe Nichols will play the main stage on Wednesday, July 23.

R&B band Tower of Power will take the fair’s main stage on Thursday, July 24.

Rock band O.A.R. will perform on the main stage on Friday, July 25.

Country music duo Brothers Osborne will play the main stage at the fair on Saturday, July 26.

California State Fair spokesperson Darla Givens previously told The Sacramento Bee that fairgoers can expect a variety of genres, from country music to “old school soul and R&B.”

Givens said State Fair organizers will announce additional fair performers leading up to the start of the fair.

To stay updated, check out the fair’s newsletter.

Julianna Kentra, 6, waves to her parents as she rides the carousel at the Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, Calif., Friday, July 7, 2023.
Julianna Kentra, 6, waves to her parents as she rides the carousel at the Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, Calif., Friday, July 7, 2023. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com

What are fair ticket prices? Carnival wristband costs?

California State Fair concerts are free with fair admission and can be purchased online or at participating Save Mart locations.

However, fairgoers can reserve seats for the Toyota Concert Series at $45 a seat.

Fair tickets cost $16, or $12 for seniors ages 62 and up and $10 for youth ages 5 to 12.

Children ages 4 and under get in free.

Parking is $15.

Carnival tickets cost $1 apiece, or $10 to $15 for a fast pass.

Unlimited ride wristbands, which must be purchased in the carnival area, cost $39 to $44, depending on the day.

This story was originally published April 30, 2025 at 8:24 AM.

Sarah Linn
The Tribune
Sarah Linn is an editor and reporter on the West Service Journalism Team, working with journalists in Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Merced and San Luis Obispo in California and Bellingham, Olympia and Tri-Cities in Washington, as well as Boise, Idaho. She previously served as the Local/Entertainment Editor of The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, working there for nearly two decades. A graduate of Oregon State University, she has earned multiple California journalism awards.
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