The California State Fair, a Sacramento summer tradition, celebrates its 170th anniversary in 2024. This year's fair returns to Cal Expo on July 12-28. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. See the guide below with everything you need to know about the fair admissions, its exhibits and attractions, the concert series, food and special events and discounts. Here are some resources to keep handy when you go.See the full list of California State Fair exhibits.See the full map of California State Fair attractions.Plan your day by downloading the State Fair's app.Here's where to find information on animals at the fair and the livestock show scheduleHere is where you can stay cool during hot days at cooling stations. Here are the hours of operation by gate and for attractions inside the fairHow to buy tickets for the California State Fair?The California State Fair offers fair admission and parking tickets for sale online but you'll avoid service fees if you buy the tickets at Cal Expo's box office instead. Daily admission You get a $2 discount if you buy advance tickets through July 11. Advanced tickets for adults if you buy them at the main gate Cal Expo box office are $14, $8 for a child ages 5-12, and $10 for seniors age 62 and older. If you buy tickets online, there is an added $2 fee per ticket. Regular daily admission is $16 for adults, $10 for children, and $12 for seniors at the box office. A state fair season pass good for admission during the entire fair costs $35.99 at the box office. Carnival ridesCarnival tickets are $1 per ride. You could also get an unlimited ride wristband for $39 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays or $44 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. A carnival fast pass costs $10-15. MonorailMonorail tickets are $5, though children ages 4 and younger are free. ParkingParking costs $15, according to the website. You can save money if you buy parking passes for three days at once. Here are box office hours:July 5: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.July 6 – July 7: 6:00 pm – 4:00 pmJuly 8 – July 11: 10 am – 6 pmJuly 12 – July 14: 9:30 am – 10 pm (Opening weekend)July 15 – July 18: 10:30 am – 10 pmJuly 19 – July 21: 9:30 am – 10 pmJuly 22 – July 25: 10:30 am – 10 pmJuly 26 – July 28: 9:30 am – 10 pmJuly 28: 9:30 am – 10 pmWhat's new at the California State Fair this year?Cannabis lounge | For the first time at a state fair, people are able to buy and consume cannabis onsite. This year’s cannabis exhibition for fair attendees ages 21 and older will include a 30,000-square-foot consumption lounge where people can try products from farms and brands across the state. Here's everything you need to know about cannabis consumption at the fair. New animal shows | This year will have both a traveling attraction called the "Sea Lion Splash" and the "All-Alaskan Racing Pigs."New exhibits | The Mind Works exhibit will feature life-sized board games like Chess and Scrabble and other activities involving puzzles. A California High-Speed Rail exhibit will delve into the state's transportation project. A Wild Things exhibit will promote conservation efforts and show off wildlife like capybaras, alligators, otters, exotic birds and reptiles. An Animation Academy exhibit explores careers in animation and storytelling techniques. New competitions and showcases | This year grill masters will compete to determine who is the fair's BBQ champion. There's also an "Art Battle" featuring artists creating "a masterpiece to music." Butcher will showcase their craft, too. A new thrill ride | Butler Amusements' The King XXL swings fairgoers on a claw pendulum until they reach a 90-degree angle. Play celebrates Frida Kahlo | El Bus de Frida is a special theatrical play on the PG&E Center Stage on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 11:30. that pays tribute to the Mexican artist. Learn more. Who is performing at the Toyota Concert Series? The California State Fair offers free nightly concerts on the Golden 1 Stage. Fans can begin lining up for one of 700 free seats starting at 5 p.m. You'll need to reserve a seat for $25 if you want it to be guaranteed. Here's who is performing. Friday, July 12: All-4-One and Vanilla IceSaturday, July 13: Wilson PhillipsSunday, July 14: Cole SwindellMonday, July 15: Queen NationTuesday, July 16: ZappWednesday, July 17: WARThursday, July 18: Chris YoungFriday, July 19: 90s Rewind: Tone Loc, C&C Music Factory, Digital UndergroundSaturday, July 20: Patti LaBelleSunday, July 21: Viva El Mariachi Fueled By ChevronMonday, July 22: Kenny Cetera’s Chicago ExperienceTuesday, July 23: Flo RidaWednesday, July 24: BushThursday, July 25: Lukas NelsonFriday, July 26: The Beach BoysSaturday, July 27: Mickey GuytonSunday, July 28: UB40 Featuring Ali CampbellWhat other returning fair attractions are popular? The Candy Maze Selfie Experience features 14 candy-themed photo stations. Wine slushies are back at the Save Mart Wine Garden.A Youth Mariachi competition is back. Ten bands will compete for a chance to perform with Mariachi Los Comperos on the Golden 1 Stage on July 21. Among the fair acts performing are Breakshop breakdancers and hypnotist Tina Marie. Drag Queen Bingo returns for Out at The Fair on Saturday, July 20. You can check out food and cooking demonstrations at the Save Mart California Kitchen.Thoroughbred horse racing takes place at 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Michelob Ultra Racetrack Grandstand.You can take wine, beer, olive oil, mushroom and cider tasting classes on Friday through Sunday at the Taste of California classroom. The Save Mart pie eating contest is also a hit. Here are special days and events to keep in mind at the fairOn Mondays, you can get a free ticket before 3 p.m. by bringing five non-perishable or expired food items for SMUD Giving Monday. On Tuesdays, kids ages 12 and under get free fair admission and everyone gets access to $2 carnival rides all day. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, every food vendor will offer a food item for $4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as part of Taste of the Fair. On Fridays, seniors age 62 or older pay $10 for admission until 8 p.m. Here are more events by dates: July 13 - Art Battle (and July 20 and 26)July 13 - Sacramento Republic FC match ticket gets you free fair admission, too. July 16 - Food festival competition judging July 17 - Save Our Water Day July 19 - Bus de Frida July 19 - Best of California Brewfest - Award-winning beers from the commercial beer competition July 20 - Out at the Fair July 21 - California State Floral Association competition and classes July 21 - Youth mariachi competition at the Golden 1 Stage July 23 - Poppy’s birthday party (at the PG&E Center Stage) July 24 - Military, Veteran and First Responder Appreciation Day (free admission for these groups) July 27 - Multicultural Gospel Festival (at the PG&E Center Stage)What new food is at the fair in 2024? Cal Expo says that new food offerings this year include fried potato on a stick. You can also build your own ice cream sundae or your own charcuterie board. A vendor is also debuting a Monte Cristo sandwich featuring a deep-fried block of cheese that is 10.5 by 6.5 inches thick. You can also expect deep-fried peaches, KitKats and Snickers to go along with Oreos and Twinkies. Here is where to find the full list of food vendors.See videos below that show off some of the food at the fair. You're also allowed to bring your own food to the fair. | From the Archives | 'Why not put bacon on it?' This California State Fair cheesecake option left some puzzled in 2013Will there be fireworks at the California State Fair? Yes. The California State Fair's fireworks shows happen Friday and Saturday nights after dark.Here are state fair security measures and the clear bag policy you need to know about. 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.There are some exceptions to the policy, like for pre-scheduled group visits from groups like schools, churches and other ticketed group outings.Clear bag policyThe fair has two exceptions to its clear bag rule, 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 the non-approved bags:PurseFanny packBinocular caseCamera caseBackpackPrinted pattern plastic bagSeat cushionMesh bagOversized tote bagTinted plastic bagCal Expo's police chief said don't bring a pocketknife or pepper spray. Each year thousands of pocketknives are confiscated.What happens if you get separated from your child? California State Fair police chief Craig Walton told KCRA 3's Brandi Cummings that lost kids are brought to guest services or the police department on-site. But most times the lost kids are found near the area where they were separated from their parents. “Don’t run off,” he said. Walton recommended finding a police officer, security guard or state fair employee in the area to help. He added that parents could consider taking a picture of their children that shows what they are wearing in case they get separated. How to stay cool at the fairYou're allowed to bring personal misters, sealed plastic water bottles (no metal water bottles are allowed), and a cooler if it's attached to a wagon. The fair has installed misting stations and cooling tents throughout the Cal Expo fairgrounds.These buildings have air conditioning: California Buildings A, B, C, & DExpo Center (Buildings 1-8)The Tractor Supply Co. Big BarnSatellite Wagering Center at the Michelob Ultra GrandstandWhere are the restrooms? Michelob Ultra GrandstandTractor Supply Co. Big Barn (North and South)California Buildings A & BExpo Center (behind Expo Center 4 and below Expo Center 2)Carnival (North)MonorailMain GatePepsi Main Promenade & FoodcourtKids ParkSave Mart Wine GardenShopping (between Buildings C &D)Where can you rent a wheelchair or scooter? You can rent wheelchairs and scooters near the main gate once inside the fair and reserve them in advance online or by calling 262-677-2696. Here are the prices. Stroller: $12Wagon: $15Wheelchair: $25Scooter: $65After 6 p.m.: $45Check back in the coming days as we add more to this guide. Let us know your fair favorites or tips at web@kcra.com. --KCRA 3's Jonathan Ayestas contributed to this guide.