CA State Fair announces final concert of 2025. See the full entertainment lineup
Love mariachi music? The California State Fair is showcasing Mexican folk music at two special events in 2025.
Viva El Mariachi headliners Majo Aguilar and Joss Favela will perform on Sunday, July 20, as part of the Toyota Concert Series, fair organizers announced in a Monday news release.
The 17-day event will also feature food, carnival rides and agriculture competitions.
In the release, fair organizers described Viva El Mariachi as “an unforgettable celebration of regional Mexican music and culture.”
Earlier in the day, the fair will host the Youth Mariachi Competition, featuring talented young musicians from across California “demonstrating their passion, skill and dedication to one of Mexico’s most beloved musical traditions,” the release said.
“Viva El Mariachi isn’t just a concert. It’s a cultural celebration,” Tom Martinez, CEO of California Exposition & State Fair, said in the release. “This is what the fair is all about, celebrating talent, heritage and community.”
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.
Who is playing at Sacramento fair in 2025?
Monday marked the “final announcement” for the California State Fair’s 2025 Toyota Concert Series lineup, according to fair spokesperson Darla Givens.
Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Ludacris will kick off the fair on opening day, Friday, July 11, with a performance on the fair’s Sky River Casino 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.
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.
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.
R&B group En Vogue will perform on the main stage on the final night of the fair — Sunday, July 27 — to close out the concert series.
Givens previously told The Sacramento Bee that fairgoers can expect a variety of genres, from country music to “old school soul and R&B.”
To stay updated, check out the fair’s newsletter.
What are fair ticket prices? Carnival wristband costs?
California State Fair concerts are free with fair admission, which 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 May 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
