5 ways to make the most of LA County Fair

The LA County Fair’s final weekend offers five easy ways to catch the best food, rides, music and exhibits before it closes.

The LA County Fair is in its last weekend for 2026, and there are still enough highlights to fill a full day. The fair runs 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Sunday, May 31, with one last concert and a few crowd-pleasing exhibits worth prioritizing.

Item	Best for	Timing note
Bob Barker Marionette Theater	Families and curiosity seekers	Near the Great Outdoors entrance
Coqui frog art installation	Photo stops and rainforest fans	Best before the weekend crowds peak
Ramon Ayala concert	Live music fans	Sunday night only
Skate-R-Kade	Free roller skating	Final year at the fair
Retro Row and silent disco	Throwback fun and late-night energy	Good end-of-day add-ons

1. Catch the exhibits you may have missed

If you only have one more visit, use it to hit the fair’s oddball and memorable exhibits. The Bob Barker Marionette Theater sits near the entrance to the Great Outdoors, and the giant Coqui frog art installation gives you a quick rainforest-style detour without leaving Pomona.

These stops are useful because they are easy to miss when you are focused on food and rides. They also give the fair a slower pace, which helps if you are visiting with kids, grandparents, or anyone who wants a break from the midway.

• Bob Barker Marionette Theater
• Giant Coqui frog art installation
• Great Outdoors area

2. Save room for one last concert

The fair’s concert series ends Sunday night with Ramon Ayala, so music fans should plan around that performance first. If live music is part of your fair tradition, this is the final chance to make the night feel like more than just a walk through the grounds.

Because the fair closes at 11 p.m. daily, you can still build an entire evening around the show, then finish with dessert or a final stroll. That makes the concert a strong anchor for anyone who wants a simple final-night plan.

• Artist: Ramon Ayala
• When: Sunday night
• Why go: final concert of the 2026 fair

3. Make time for Skate-R-Kade

Skate-R-Kade is one of the fair’s most specific attractions, and this year matters more because it is its final year offering free roller skating at the fair. If you want a low-cost activity that feels different from the usual ride-and-snack loop, this is the one to prioritize.

It also works well as a group stop. Skating gives families and friend groups something active to do together, and it is a nice reset between food booths, games, and the concert schedule.

• Free roller skating
• Final year at the fair
• Good option for mixed-age groups

4. Work in a throwback stop at Retro Row

Retro Row is the fair’s built-in nostalgia fix, with an ’80s and ’90s vibe that plays well for adults and teens alike. If you grew up on old TV, arcade memories, or mall-era pop culture, this section is an easy way to add personality to the day.

The article also points to the silent disco as a good way to end the night, which makes this item a useful two-part plan. Start with the retro exhibit, then move into the dance floor energy once the sun goes down.

• Retro Row exhibit
• ’80s and ’90s theme
• Silent disco nearby for a late-night finish

5. Build the visit around food, rides, and a long fair day

The fair is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., so there is enough time to spread out your visit and avoid the feeling of rushing from one attraction to the next. That schedule makes it easier to fit in fair bites, a ride or two, and a few photo stops without needing a packed itinerary.

If you are going only once before the season ends, think in zones: food first, then exhibits, then one final activity before closing time. That approach works especially well for families who want a full day without overplanning.

• Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Season ends: Sunday, May 31
• Best use: full-day visit with flexible pacing

How to decide

If you want the most memorable final-weekend plan, start with the exhibits and the Ramon Ayala concert. If you want the most value, focus on Skate-R-Kade and a long day of food, rides, and wandering. If you are going with kids or out-of-town guests, Retro Row and the Coqui frog stop give you easy wins without much walking or planning.

No matter which mix you choose, the key is to go before Sunday night. Once May 31 ends, the 2026 fair season is done.