OC Japan Fair fills the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa from Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18, 2026. Published hours are Friday 4:00–10:00 p.m., Saturday noon–10:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Organizer pages describe food vendors, performances, crafts, and cosplay. Ticket prices climb toward the gate, parking is a flat add-on, and the venue sits in Orange County—not next to a Metro stop in Downtown LA.
Who should cross for this
Japanese and Japanese American communities, families, food travelers, cosplay fans, and visitors planning an Orange County culture weekend.
The fair concentrates Japanese food, performance, crafts, and anime-adjacent programming for a Southern California audience connecting Japan culture to an OC stay.
Suggested trip length: 2–3 nights based in Costa Mesa or nearby OC, covering Friday evening through Sunday
Watch the ticket ladder
Official ticket copy lists $11.44 through August 31, $13.58 through September 30, $15.71 October 1–15, and $17.85 once October 16 begins. Kids 6 and under and guests 65+ enter free. If your dates are firm, buying before the next cutoff beats debating it in the Gate 1 line.
Park once and stay for a full loop
Parking is published at $15 at Gate 1. Friday’s late start suits an after-work arrival; Saturday is the longest window; Sunday closes at 7:00 p.m. Well-behaved leashed dogs are welcomed on current site rules—confirm day-of restrictions before bringing a pet.
Fly SNA when you can
SNA shortens the ground transfer for most Costa Mesa stays. LAX works for long-haul itineraries, but freeway time to Fair Drive can erase a Friday evening. Book an OC hotel if both Saturday and Sunday matter.
Official information
Plan the rest of the trip
Sources
- OC Japan Fair official site ↗
- Official ticket and hours page ↗
- OC Fair & Event Center ↗
- John Wayne Airport (SNA) ↗
Last verified September 20, 2026. Event schedules, venues, and registration details can change; confirm with the organizer before booking travel.