Beware of overpriced state fair tickets, CalExpo says. Vendors may charge 5x actual price

Brianna Taylor
·2 min read

If you plan to go to the California State Fair this summer for the music, think twice about where you get your tickets.

Social media and ticketing websites make it easy to purchase tickets to events like sporting games, comedy shows and concerts. This convenience allows third-party vendors to hike up the costs.

Once you get to the venue, there’s a possibility California State Fair may not be able to verify your tickets’ authenticity, according to a statement from Cal Expo. That doesn’t mean they’re not real, it’s just a gamble.

How much are tickets to the California State Fair concerts?

CalExpo urges fairgoers to purchase tickets directly from the state fair website to avoid being charged up to “five times” the cost of a regular concert ticket.

Both reserved and general admission seats to the Toyota Concert Series on the Golden 1 Stage at the California State Fair are $25 per person.

All shows are free with state fair general admission tickets, which range from $0 to $16. The fair runs from July 14 through July 30.

Ticket distributor Tickets Center is charging $59 to $119 per ticket to the first show of the concert series with pop band Fitz and the Tantrums. Ticket distributor Event Tickets Center is charging $51 to $98 per ticket to the same show and urging customers to “act now” before tickets sell out.

Official California State Fair concert tickets

Concert tickets are available online directly from the Cal Expo state fair website.

Starting Wednesday, July 5 tickets can be purchased in person at the Cal Expo Box Office at 1600 Exposition Blvd, according to the statement.

Who’s performing at the California State Fair?

The California State Fair is lined up with musical guests, from Grammy R&B artist Ashanti to Grammy-nominated country artist Trace Adkins.

Once the concert series starts on Friday, July 14, an artist or musical group is booked each day through Sunday, July 30. A limited number of seats are available at each concert, according to the statement.

Here’s a list of the artist performing at the Toyota Concert Series on the Golden 1 Stage at the California State Fair:

  • Friday, July 14 - Fitz and the Tantrums

  • Saturday, July 15 - Confunkshun

  • Sunday, July 16 - Ashley McBryde

  • Monday, July 17 - Boyz II Men

  • Tuesday, July 18 - Ginuwine

  • Wednesday, July 19 - LeAnn Rimes

  • Thursday, July 20 - Scotty McCreery

  • Friday, July 21 - Revisiting Creedence

  • Saturday, July 22 - The Isley Brothers

  • Sunday, July 23 - Third Eye Blind

  • Monday, July 24 - SantanaWays

  • Tuesday, July 25 - 38 Special

  • Wednesday, July 26 - Ashanti

  • Thursday, July 27 - George Thorogood & The Destroyers

  • Friday, July 28 - Gin Blossoms

  • Saturday, July 29 - Kool & the Gang

  • Sunday, July 30 - Trace Adkins

The concert at 8 p.m. on Monday, July 24 featuring California hard rock band SantanaWays is free, according to Cal Expo’s website. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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