Can $25 cover a night of fun at Stanislaus County Fair? What we got on a budget
Every summer, the Stanislaus County Fair returns with its familiar mix of carnival rides, live music, deep-fried treats and family entertainment.
This year’s fair runs through Sunday, July 19.
As someone who was born and raised in Stanislaus County, I’ve been going to the fair for as long as I can remember.
Between admission, rides, games and food, a night at the fair can add up quickly — especially for families.
However, the Stanislaus County Fair offers several ways to save on admission, rides and more.
As part of The Modesto Bee’s On A Budget series, I stopped by to see just how much fun my family could enjoy with just $25 to spend.
Here’s what my family could afford on a budget at the Stanislaus County Fair:
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we did this story
Let’s face it, living in Modesto and going out can be expensive. That’s why Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures. Born and raised in the Central Valley, Angela wants to help her fellow residents navigate life in the region (and have fun) without breaking the bank.
When is Stanislaus County Fair in 2026? Where is it?
The Stanislaus County Fair runs through Sunday, July 19, at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 North Broadway in Turlock.
The fairgrounds and exhibit buildings open at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon on Saturdays and Sundays.
Buildings close each night at 11 p.m., while the carnival and fairgrounds remain open until midnight.
How I saved on parking at the Stanislaus County Fair
Parking at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds costs $10 per vehicle.
Instead of paying to park, my family took advantage of the Free Fares July program, which offers free rides on Turlock Transit through July 31.
That includes the Fair Shuttle, which runs between the Turlock Transit Center, 1418 North Golden State Blvd. in Turlock, and the Arch Gate at the fairgrounds.
The fair shuttle operates from 3:30 to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends, with the last bus leaving the fairgrounds at 11:15 p.m.
I’ll admit I was a little nervous to ride with my two little ones. It had been years since I’d ridden public transit, and I wasn’t sure how crowded the shuttle would be, whether it would be easy to find or if I’d have to pay to park at the transit center.
However, the process couldn’t have been easier.
Large signs directed fairgoers to the shuttle stop. Parking at the transit center was free and employees greeted us with free water bottles and promotional merchandise before we boarded.
Staff even helped my sisters, my two daughters and me load our stroller onto the bus.
After a five-minute drive, we were at the fairgrounds.
How much does admission cost for Stanislaus County Fair?
We arrived about 10 minutes before the gates opened. Weekday admission before 5 p.m. costs just $5.
Here are typical admission costs at the Stanislaus County Fair:
- General admission (ages 13 to 64) — $15
- Child admission (ages 7 to 12) — $7
- Senior admission (age 65 and older) — $7
- Children 6 and under — Free
Anyone can receive free admission on Sunday, July 19, before 3 p.m.
Since my daughters qualified for free admission, I only had to purchase one ticket for myself, leaving $20 in my budget for everything else.
What’s for sale at Stanislaus County Fair in 2026?
We arrived at the Stanislaus County Fair at opening time, so the fairgrounds were still relatively quiet.
This allowed us to wander freely and see what was available before spending any of our budget.
There was no shortage of things to buy. Vendors sold everything from classic fair foods and sweet treats to airbrushed tattoos, henna art, custom jewelry and novelty toys.
My daughters were especially drawn to the colorful squishy toys, including the popular butter squishy, while other booths displayed handmade necklaces, earrings and other accessories.
We even spotted vendors offering psychic readings for $10.
However, the food stands were calling our names.
A pineapple Dole Whip soft serve was selling for $15. Tanghulu — fresh fruit coated in a crunchy sugar shell — cost $10, and a Korean corn dog coated in Hot Cheetos seasoning was priced at around $20.
With only $25 to spend for the entire afternoon, it didn’t take long to realize we’d have to be strategic.
As tempting as everything looked, we decided to keep walking and compare prices before making our first purchase.
How I spent my $25 budget at the Stanislaus County Fair
One of the best ways to save money at the Stanislaus County Fair is to take advantage of the $5 weekday specials offered from 4 to 6 p.m.
During that time, participating vendors sell smaller portions of their most popular menu items for just $5.
This year, more than 10 food vendors participated, offering everything from ice cream cones, cinnamon roll bites and mini slushies to hot dogs, tacos and lemonade.
After comparing our options, I settled on a Fiesta Corn Cup for $5.
The 8-ounce cup of corn was topped with mayonnaise, sour cream, cheese, cilantro and lime. While it wasn’t a large portion, it was surprisingly filling and big enough to share with my two toddlers.
No fair trip feels complete without something fried, so my next stop was Funnel Cake Express, where I picked up a $5 mini funnel cake dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
At about 4 inches wide, the funnel cake was the perfect size to satisfy my sweet tooth without leaving me feeling overly stuffed.
Meanwhile, my sisters treated themselves to a basket of fries for $7, a blended iced coffee for $8 and a pineapple Dole Whip for $15.
Once we were done eating, we made our way to the carnival rides and games.
How much are carnival rides at the Stanislaus County Fair?
My 4-year-old had her heart set on riding the Ferris wheel, but she wasn’t tall enough to board.
Fair employees directed us toward the Kids Zone, where many of the rides were designed for younger children.
At the ticket booth, employees told us most rides require four to eight tickets per rider, while carnival games generally cost about 10 tickets each.
Unlimited ride wristbands are available for $40 Monday through Friday and $45 on weekends. Visitors can also buy ticket bundles ranging from 17 tickets for $20 to 197 tickets for $200.
To stay within budget, my sister and I split the 17-ticket bundle.
Those tickets disappeared faster than we expected.
They covered a try at the High Striker game, two rides on the children’s car carousel and a trip through Atlantis, a kid-friendly play area packed with slides, rope bridges and climbing structures.
What else is there to do at the Stanislaus County Fair?
One thing that surprised me was just how much free entertainment the fair offers.
My daughters’ favorite stop was the petting zoo, where they got up close with rabbits, ducks, goats, pigs and chickens. They also loved walking through the butterfly exhibit in the Kids Zone.
We later watched Swan Bros. Circus and Zany Zoe’s Magic Show. My daughters left with free balloon animals and friendship bracelets.
Other complimentary attractions included arts and crafts for children ages 3 to 13, as well as the Captain Jack Spareribs Show and the Cruzin’ Critters animal show.
Is the Stanislaus County Fair affordable?
Going into the evening, I was a little nervous I was going to have to break the bank for this On a Budget trip.
However, we made the budget work by arriving before 5 p.m. for discounted admission, taking the free fair shuttle instead of paying for parking, opting for $5 food specials and spending time at the fair’s many free attractions.
In the end, my $25 covered $5 admission, $10 worth of fair food and $10 toward rides and games.
More importantly, it gave my daughters an evening filled with animals, rides, magic shows and memories.
While we could have spent a lot more, I don’t feel like we missed out because we stuck to a budget.
Slowing down, skipping expensive extra costs and taking advantage of the fair’s free entertainment made this one of my favorite visits.
The Stanislaus County Fair might not be the cheapest summer outing — but with a little planning, it can be much more affordable than many families expect.
Until next year!
Where should I go next?
Have any ideas for where I should go next in or around Modesto? I’m exploring the area on a $25 budget.
Send your suggestions to arodriguez@modbee.com or fill out the form below.
Can’t see the form? Go to tinyurl.com/3euwab47.
