Entertainment

Become a Performer at the California State Fair

Thank you for your interest in performing at the 2025 California State Fair! Community Entertainment is a vital component of the Fair. We are grateful that we can highlight performers from around the state, allowing Fair guests to discover and enjoy California talent.

Entertainment Applications for Bands & Musicians and Dance & Other Performances will be available online beginning January 1, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Each year the screening process starts anew, and regardless of your performance(s) in previous years at the California State Fair, you must complete an online application annually.

Bands of all sizes and solo artists performing in any musical genre.

  • Application Deadline: Saturday, February 15, 2025
  • Application Notification: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Apply Now

Dance of all kinds, gymnastics, martial arts, spoken word, etc.

  • Application Deadline: Saturday, February 15, 2025
  • Application Notification: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Apply Now

The California Exposition & State Fair (Cal Expo) is committed to the safety of all who attend the annual California State Fair. In 1998, Cal Expo implemented a policy requiring that all persons conducting business with, employed by, or volunteering at Cal Expo shall provide the necessary personal information to enable their names to be searched through the Department of Justice’s Megan’s Law files. This file consists of records of individuals convicted of specific sex offenses who are required by Penal Code Section 290 to register as sex offenders.

The Megan’s Law Form is mandatory and the Primary Contact for the performer/group is required to compete and sign the form on behalf of the performer/group. This form must be filled out completely, legibly, and accurately with all information requested, for performers, and crew/administrators 18 years of age or older, or it will not be accepted. All incomplete and/or illegible Megan’s Law Forms will be returned and will delay credential distribution and may result in the cancellation of performance. No exceptions!

Please note, performers who are 17 years old and younger DO NOT need to have their information included in the Megan’s Law Form.

The 2025 Handbook will be available soon.

The Community Entertainer Handbook is designed to provide guidelines for performers and answer most of the questions you may have about performing on the stages at the California State Fair.

California State Fair

Entertainment Department

entertainment@calexpo.com

FAQ

All applications must be submitted ONLINE. Faxes, walk-ins, mailed or emailed applications WILL NOT be accepted.

Once you complete your online application and hit “submit” you will automatically receive confirmation that your application was successfully submitted and will be assigned an application reference number. Print this page for future reference.

No – unfortunately not all applicants can be selected to perform.

Late entertainment applications will automatically be put on a WAIT LIST.

You will receive an invitation to perform via email. Be sure to list an email address on your application that you check regularly.

No – a basic sound system will be provided; including microphones, mic stands, monitors and a professional sound tech and lights.

No – the fair does not provide a backline. Performers must bring their own instruments.

Dance groups and vocalists singing to tracks must bring all music on MP3 technology, i.e. iPod, iPad, mobile phone. If your music is on a flash drive you will need to bring your own laptop. Absolutely NO music on CDs!

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