Costa Mesa Local Events

Costa Mesa, the "City of the Arts," is home to the OC Fair every summer, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and a calendar of hometown traditions, from the Lions Club Fish Fry to the Snoopy House holiday display at City Hall. Here are the yearly events that bring the community together, plus where to find dates for this year.

Dates change each year. For exact dates and times, check the City of Costa Mesa calendar and the city's arts and culture events page.

Yearly Events in Costa Mesa

Imaginology (April)

A free family science, technology and arts festival at the OC Fair and Event Center, with hands-on exhibits, farm demonstrations and student competitions.

Costa Mesa Earth Day (April)

A community Earth Day festival listed on the city's sustainability page.

OC Marathon Running Festival (May)

Full and half marathons finish at the OC Fair and Event Center, with 5K races and a finish-line festival for runners and families.

Costa Mesa Fish Fry and Carnival (June)

A Costa Mesa tradition since 1946 at Lions Park, with a carnival, fish dinners, live bands and a beer and wine garden. Admission is free, and proceeds from the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club support local charities.

Concerts in the Park (July)

Free Tuesday evening concerts at Fairview Park, presented by the City of Costa Mesa with the Costa Mesa Foundation.

OC Fair (July and August)

Orange County's annual fair at the OC Fair and Event Center, with rides, fair food, exhibits, livestock and concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

ARTventure and Hispanic Heritage Celebration (September)

Free city arts and culture events at Lions Park, with performances, art and community celebrations.

Scarecrow Festival (October)

A free Halloween-season festival at Lions Park with trick-or-treat stations, a scarecrow contest, a kids' costume parade and live music. Hosted by the City of Costa Mesa.

Snoopy House Holiday Display (December)

A beloved Peanuts holiday display that began at a Costa Mesa family's home in 1966 and now lights up City Hall for the week before Christmas, with photos with Santa, entertainment and train rides. Free.

Year-Round in Costa Mesa

• Costa Mesa Certified Farmers Market: Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive.
• SoCo Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at SOCO and The OC Mix on Hyland Avenue.
• South Coast Plaza: one of Southern California's best-known shopping destinations, with luxury boutiques, department stores and restaurants.
• The LAB and The CAMP: independent shops and eateries on Bristol Street.
• Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory: Broadway tours, symphony, ballet and award-winning theater.
• Fairview Park: a 208-acre open space with trails, bluff views and protected habitat.
• TeWinkle Park: a lake and waterfall, tennis courts, ball fields, a playground and picnic areas.

Living in Costa Mesa

Thinking about buying or selling in Costa Mesa? Visit the Costa Mesa community page or see the Costa Mesa market report for active, pending and sold homes. Nearby cities are covered in our local market reports, and you can find events for other cities on our Local Events page.

Work directly with the broker. Call or text Namneet Dhaliwal at (714) 932-9409, or request a home value review.