How can I save money on Mid-State Fair tickets? Carnival rides? Here’s a guide
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Pre-sale ticket and wristband purchases offer significant savings before July 16.
- Special discount days provide free or reduced admission for kids, seniors, military.
- Free shuttle service offers cost-effective transport from three Paso Robles locations.
The California Mid-State Fair returns to Paso Robles in July.
While the fried food, lively concerts, and adrenaline-inducing carnival rides all add up to 12 days of summer fun, costs can also rack up quickly.
The Tribune searched through the best discounts and deals to help San Luis Obispo County residents navigate the 2025 event in Paso Robles.
Here’s how to make the most of the fair without overspending.
When is the California Mid-State Fair in 2025? Where?
The California Mid-State Fair kicks off Wednesday, July 16, at the Paso Robles Event Center at 2198 Riverside Ave. in Paso Robles.
The fair runs through Sunday, July 27.
How much do Paso Robles fair tickets cost?
Here’s how much it costs to get into the California Mid-State Fair in 2025:
- Youth (ages 12 and under): $10
Adults: $15
- Seniors: $12
Adults can save $1 when purchasing pre-sale admission tickets online through Tuesday, July 15.
Fair goers can save by purchasing season passes to the California Mid-State Fair.
Here’s how much season passes cost:
- Adult Season Pass: $80
- Youth Season Pass (for kids ages 6 to 12): $40
You can also buy discounted season passes to the fair at local farm supply stores, according to a Mid-State Fair representative.
Can I get discount admission on certain days?
The fair offers discounts for select eventgoers on certain days:
- Seniors Day: On Friday, July 18, seniors age 62 and older get half-off daily admission.
- Kids Day: On Friday, July 25, kids ages 12 and under get in for free.
- Armed Forces Day: On Saturday, July 26, people with valid military identification cards get free admission.
What can I expect to spend on carnival ride wristbands?
You can purchase a carnival ride wristband to go on unlimited rides for a day at the California Mid-State Fair.
A number of local nonprofit organizations are selling discount carnival ride wristbands for $35 each before the fair starts.
Once the fair begins, a wristband costs $55.
When can I go on carnival rides for free?
Everyone who attends the California Mid-State Fair on opening day — Wednesday, July 16 — can go on carnival rides for free, a fair representative told The Tribune in an email.
What are concert tickets prices at Mid-State Fair? Who’s playing?
The California Mid-State Fair will host nearly a dozen concerts at the Chumash Grandstand Arena.
Popular rapper Flo Rida, best known for hip-hop hits including “Low,” “Right Round” and “Whistle,” will perform on the fair’s main stage on Wednesday, July 16.
Other famous musicians playing at the Mid-State Fair include country star Keith Urban, playing Thursday, July 24, and rock ‘n roll legend David Lee Roth of Van Halen fame, who’ll take the stage on Tuesday, July 22.
Fair concerts are not included in the price of admission, so tickets must must be purchased separately at midstatefair.com.
Prices vary for each performance, with tickets ranging from $41 to $610, according to the fair’s website.
What are parking prices at California Mid-State Fair?
The fair provides limited paid parking on a first-come-first-served basis in the lot across from the main entrance on Riverside Avenue.
Parking is $30 per day and visitors must pay with cash.
No overnight parking or re-entry is allowed in the fair lots, according to the event’s website.
How can I ride a no-cost fair shuttle?
A cheaper transportation option is available for fairgoers.
Attendees can choose to park for free outside the fairgrounds and take a no-cost shuttle.
The shuttle starts running at 4 p.m. every day of the California Mid-State Fair.
Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at three locations around Paso Robles:
- The city bus stop at the Albertsons parking lot at 189 Niblick Rd.
- Paso Robles City Hall at the intersection of 10th and Spring streets
- The main parking lot of Lowe’s Hardware on Golden Hill Road
A map of the fairgrounds and parking areas is available on the California Mid-State Fair website.
This story was originally published July 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
