The California State Fair & Food Festival is back.From July 14-30, there are plenty of events and attractions longtime fairgoers can expect to see again, along with some new things to mix it up. Here's what to know if you plan on making the trip to Cal Expo in Sacramento this year. You can also keep these resources handy:Download a map of the California State FairCheck out the daily schedule of things to do at the fairSee the full list of California State Fair programs herePlan your day by downloading the State Fair's appHere's where to find information on animals at the fair and the livestock show schedule Buying tickets for the California State Fair and parkingYou can buy tickets online or at the gate. The fair acknowledges on its website that tickets aren’t exactly cheap. It says that Cal Expo and the fair don’t receive state funding, so the cost of tickets funds their staffing and safety efforts.Adults' daily admission: $16Senior daily admission (62 and older): $12Child daily admission (ages 5-12): $10Children ages 4 and under are freeThere are ways to save money on buying tickets. You can find more info here.For example, kids 12 and under get in free on Tuesdays and everyone pays $2 per carnival ride. (Video Below: How to get into the California State Fair for free on Giving Monday.)Parking for the California State Fair costs $15.California State Fair ridesUnlimited wristbands cost $37 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. They cost $42 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.Carnival tickets are $1 each.A fast pass costs $10 to $15More Like This | California State Fair rides inspected before opening weekendAll of the rides tickets and fast passes are bought at the carnival.California State Fair rules: New security measures and enforced bag policy this yearThere’s a new rule that teenagers and their parents need to be aware of at the 2023 California State Fair.Anyone under the age of 18 will only be allowed into the fair at Cal Expo with a parent or guardian with them who is 21 or older.According to an online code of conduct, anyone entering the fair may be asked to show a valid ID card.Adults are allowed to chaperone five minors at a time.Upon request, young people must provide the telephone number of the attending parent or guardian.More Like This | California State Fair police tout safety measures for 2023 season. What to knowThere are some exceptions to the policy, like for pre-scheduled group visits from groups like schools, churches and other ticketed group outings.The fair's clear bag policy is also returning this year. Fair officials say they will be enforcing the clear bag rule this year, in contrast to last year.There are two exceptions, clutches with a wrist strap no bigger than 5 inches by 8 inches and clutches with a shoulder strap no larger than 5 inches by 8 inches.These are more approved bags:Clear plastic tote smaller than 12 inches, by 12 inches, by 2 inchesOne-gallon plastic freezer bagClear purseClear plastic backpack smaller than 12 inches, by 12 inches, by 2 inchesClear fanny packThese are non-approved bags:PurseFanny packBinocular caseCamera caseBackpackPrinted pattern plastic bagSeat cushionMesh bagOversized tote bagTinted plastic bagFind more of what you can and can't bring here.2023 California State Fair concertsBoyz II Men, LeAnn Rimes, Third Eye Blind, the Gin Blossoms, Ashanti, Kool & The Gang, Ashley McBryde, Trace Adkins and more artists are set to perform at the 2023 California State Fair and Food Festival.Note: the date for Boyz II Men was moved to Monday, July 17.While tickets are free with a general admission ticket, fans can pay to reserve a seat. The reservation costs $25.Video Below | Con Funk Shun performs at the 2023 California State FairHere is the full line-up of 2023 State Fair performers:Fitz and the Tantrums will perform Friday, July 14Con Funk Shun will perform Saturday, July 15Ashley McBryde will perform Sunday, July 16Boyz II Men will perform Monday, July 17Ginuwine will perform Tuesday, July 18LeAnn Rimes will perform Wednesday, July 19Scotty McCreery will perform Thursday, July 20Revisiting Creedence will perform Friday, July 21The Isley Brothers will perform Saturday, July 22Third Eye Blind will perform Sunday, July 23SantanaWays will perform Monday, July 2438 Special will perform Tuesday, July 25Ashanti will perform Wednesday, July 26George Thorogood & The Destroyers will perform Thursday, July 27The Gin Blossoms will perform Friday, July 28Kool & The Gang will perform Saturday, July 29Trace Adkins will perform Sunday, July 30People can already purchase tickets online. Click here to buy an advanced ticket or package.Food options at the State FairWe asked about new food options for 2023 and got a list of first-time vendors.They include Lil Hottie Donuts, who offers a mini donuts dessert with Gunther’s ice cream, whipped cream and syrup.There’s also Mely’s Churros that can be stuffed with flavors that include vanilla, chocolate, caramel, cream cheese, strawberry and cream cheese strawberry.These vendors are also new for 2023.Alicia’s Mexican KitchenBenito’s TacosSlusheeCotton Candy FlowerFlavor Fusion - Boba TeaMore Liife IceMunchingLos RegiosThirsty? Consider the famed Save Mart Wine Garden with slushy machines and a 64-foot wine bar.You can get four food festival tickets for $34 to be redeemed at participating vendors that have items entered into a food festival and competition.The tickets are valued at items that cost $12 or more, giving you a $48 value.Also, every Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is "Taste of the Fair," when each vendor will have a food item for $4. You can also bring your own food to the fair, but remember the clear bag rule and water has to be in sealed plastic bottles. What to know about California State Fair fireworksThe California State Fair's fireworks shows happen Friday and Saturday nights after dark. New and returning events at the State FairThere are several new events and exhibits. These include trivia, wrestling, interactive science displays and animatronics. Find more details here.These are the exhibits making a return. Watch | California State Fair candy maze returns in 2023California Cannabis: The curated showcase of California’s cannabis industry returns for attendees who are ages 21 and older at Expo Center Building 6. There’s a grow chamber with hemp plants, discussions on weekends on a range of cannabis-related subjects and more. Check out the exhibit stage schedule here.Candy Maze: Stock up on your favorite candy at the candy maze experience at Expo Center Building 2. There are 14 photo stations where you can take a selfie in the candy maze.Related | How some people beat the heat on the opening day of the State FairHow to stay cool at the fair You're allowed to bring personal misters and the fair has installed misting stations and cooling tents throughout the Cal Expo fairgrounds. The Expo Center's exhibits are inside seven air-conditioned buildings. You can cool off there while checking out The Lost World of Dragons, the Bear Cup Esports Tournament, the Candy Maze and more. These buildings also have ACCalifornia Buildings A, B, C, & D The Tractor Supply Co. Big BarnSatellite Wagering Center at the Miller Lite Racetrack GrandstandGuest Services"Drink water. You are allowed to bring in unopened plastic water bottles. Before you even step on the fairgrounds when you’re at home make sure your clothing is lightweight and light-colored," said Darla Givens, a Cal Expo spokesperson.Horse racing activities have been temporarily suspended for opening weekend and some other animal events' schedules have changed. Related | How to stay cool at the 2023 California State Fair with extreme heat forecast for opening weekendWhen does the California State Fair open? Here are the hoursMain Gate & Blue Gate HoursMonday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.Main Gate parking (Exposition Boulevard and Heritage Way)Blue Gate (Exposition Boulevard and Challenge Way) Green Gate HoursMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Opens at 2 p.m.Tuesday: Opens at 11 a.m.Saturday & Sunday: Opens at 11 a.m.Green Gate parking (West of the Main Gate and Parking Lot A)Carnival HoursMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 2 p.m. – 11 p.m.Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.Kids Park HoursMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.Exhibit Building HoursMonday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.Friday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.Monorail HoursMonday – Thursday: Opens at 11 a.m.Friday – Sunday: Opens at 10 a.m.Monorail tickets cost $5. Skyride HoursMonday, Wednesday, Thursday: Opens at 2 p.m.Tuesday, Friday – Sunday: Opens at 11 a.m.Box Office HoursJuly 5 – July 7: 11 a.m. 5:00 p.m.July 7 – July 9: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.July 10 – July 13: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.July 14 – July 16: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Opening weekend)July 17 – July 20: 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.July 21 – July 23: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.July 24 – July 27: 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.July 28 – July 30: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.Closing Night HoursSunday, July 30, 2023No Handstamps After 6:30 p.m.No Re-Entry After 7 p.m.Parking Gates Close at 7 p.m.No Automobile Access at Main Gate Loop after 7 p.m.No Admission after 8 p.m.Box Office closes at 8 p.m.Uber and Lyft pick up at Lot BHere are special days at the fair Monster Truck Mayhem - Opening Friday and Saturday (additional ticket required: $10) Out at the Fair - July 15 - (Includes Drag Queen Bingo and the Made in California Fashion show featuring a local designer who appeared on 'Project Runway') Save Mart Employees Cooking Challenge - July 15 Postal Employees Cooking Challenge - July 16 Food Festival Competition - July 18 Professional Chef Challenge Preliminaries - July 21 Professional Chef Challenge Finals - July 22 Destruction Derby Day - July 22 (additional ticket required: $10) Milo’s Corndog Eating Contest - July 22 Corn Hole Competition - July 22 Multicultural Gospel Festival - July 22 Best of California Brewfest July 23 - Award-winning beers from the Commercial Beer Competition (Tickets: $45-$60) Save Our Water Day - July 23 California Floral Association Competition & Classes - July 23 Poppy’s Birthday Party - July 25 California Jr. Chef Challenge - July 25 Military, Veteran & First Responder Appreciation Day - July 27 Dinner 911 Cooking Challenge - July 27 Lucha Extreme Wrestling - July 30 (additional ticket required: $10)Where are the restrooms at the fair?Miller Lite Racetrack GrandstandTractor Supply Big Barn (North and South)California Buildings A & BExpo Center (behind Expo Center 4 and below Expo Center 2)Carnival (North)MonorailMain GateSky River Casino PromenadeKids ParkSaveMart Wine GardenShopping (between Buildings C &D)You can rent a scooter, wheelchair, wagon and stroller near the main gate. Stroller: $12Wagon: $15Wheelchair: $25Scooter: $65 (After 6 p.m.: $45)You can also make a scooter reservation online or call 877-588-4782