Alameda County Fair is back with concerts, FIFA watch parties, drone shows

Corn dogs and drone shows. Racing pigs and soccer parties.

The Alameda County Fair’s annual run began Friday with a mix of traditional favorites and new features. The festivities in Pleasanton will run Wednesdays to Sundays through July 12.

In honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the fair is presenting a special tribute exhibit, “Rising Together: In Remembrance of 9/11," which features a beam from the World Trade Center in New York City. The memorial lists the names of all those lost in the attacks.

Here’s a roundup of entertainment and food highlights:

• Because the fair run coincides with the FIFA World Cup, three venues on the fairgrounds will host watch parties. All of the soccer matches played during fair hours will be shown. There will be a Jumbotron and chairs set up at the Michelob Ultra Concert Lawn, where there's also room for folks to set down blankets for viewing. Fairgoers will find several TVs at The Farmhouse and a large screen at The Crafted Cocktails & Beer Bar.
• More than 15 live concerts will be presented, and a drone show will follow each one. Bleacher seating is free with fair admission, on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserved concert seats require a separate ticket, and fair officials caution music lovers that only tickets purchased from the fair website and its ticket partner, Saffire, will be honored (annual.alamedacountyfair.com). Among the bands scheduled are Lonestar (June 21), Hoobastank (June 24). En Vogue (June 26), the Beach Boys (July 1, limited SRO), Tower of Power (July 2), Flo Rida (July 8, limited seating) and Boyz II Men (July 10, limited seating).
• Fireworks will return to Pleasanton this Fourth of July, with blues and Americana concerts planned throughout the day.
• Traditional fair favorites (corn dogs, funnel cakes) will be supplemented by booths serving such global treats as boba, elote, ceviche and gyros. And crazy creations like the Spam Wonton Taco, the Pickled Corndog and the "Elvis Presley" sandwich featuring peanut butter, sliced bananas and bacon on sourdough bread will compete for Foodies Choice Awards.
• Look for pig racing, canine shows, stunt shows, a petting zoo and demos on blacksmithing and beekeeping throughout the fair run.

Promotions include $11 Throwback Thursdays, Dollar Ride Wednesdays and $3 Fair Food Bites on Thursdays. Check the website for the full array.

Details: Fair hours are noon to 11 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays, with last admission at 9:15 p.m. through July 12. General admission is $19.50, and general parking is $15. Find more information at annual.alamedacountyfair.com.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 8:13 PM.