SAN DIEGO COUNTY FAIR POSTPONED TO 2021 AMID COVID-19 CONCERNS
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Battle of the Bands

The information below is from a previous Fair.

Got the talent to be the best band?

Do you have the talent to become the best band in Southern California? Impress the judges at the Battle of the Bands contest and you could take home the $5,000 first prize!

2019 Results

Congratulations to the winners and finalists for the 2019 Battle of the Bands contest!

First place: Murder of Five
Second place: Kimba Light
Third place: Pullman Standard

Finalists: Hold Out, Ingenuik, Skyler Lutes, The Guest Room, and Village Park

Fair Postponement Info

Entry Information (HIDDEN)

2020 Battle of the Band applicants will be contacted by our Special Events Department to arrange participation in our 2021 competition.

New performance applications will be accepted beginning January 2021.

Questions? Contact performancecontests@sdfair.com.

Entry deadline: Monday, April 20, 2020.
Final round performance at the Fair
: Sunday, June 7, 2020, on the Coors Light Rock On Stage.
Dates and venue subject to change.

Please note that the Rules and Regulations were updated on January 28, 2020, with the following changes: A new contest time and notification that the winner will have the opportunity to perform for up to an hour once the results are announced.

Rules & Regulations
Enter Now (hidden)

The Fine Print

Got questions? You may find the answer here.

Bands of three or more members. Performers must be 18 or older by June 1, 2020, and reside in the United States. First-place winners of past Battle of the Bands contests are ineligible. See Rules and Regulations for additional eligibility requirements.

Three or more members. At least 75 percent of the performers submitted on the application must perform in the live finals or the band will be disqualified. No “stacking the deck” (switching band members), after entries are received.

Cash, trophies and recognition! First place gets $5,000; second place gets $3,000; and third place gets $2,000.

Submit your entry online by the deadline. A one-time fee of $20 is collected for each application. Bands may enter only once.

After the application deadline, all applications will be reviewed and judged by our Selection Committee. The finalists will be chosen and informed by email.

Yes, you will be sent an initial confirmation of your completed application. If you do not receive this, it could mean there was a problem with your application. Get in touch with us if you haven’t received confirmation two weeks after your submission.

Yes, each band will get 20 minutes on stage. Details about set-up and tear-down will be supplied at a later time.

The performance order will be determined backstage prior to the contest start time. All contestants will need to be present at this time.

Yes! Each band member gets one guest in for free. Remember each guest will need to be at check-in with the performer in order to get in for free; otherwise they will need to buy an admission ticket.

Each band will get a certain number of parking passes for the final round. Keep in mind not all band members will have a parking pass, as we have limited parking. We encourage carpooling.

Among the things that can disqualify your band are:

  • Incomplete application, or an application with non-functional links.
  • Non-family friendly performances.
  • Cursing or vile language.
  • Outfits that are not appropriate.
  • Any misconduct backstage or during the contest at any time.

Get in touch online or call us at (858) 792-4259.

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We’re the San Diego County Fair and we send fun emails.
If you sign up for our email list, we pinky swear that we’ll only send you the good stuff. (must be at least 13 years old)