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🛠ī¸ Americas ¡ USA

Maker Faire Orange County

BUILD & exhibit your own project (robotics, 3D printing, crafts, art, cooking); or visit.

Team entryWatch & buy local
11–12 Sep 2027Next date
None listedNext deadline / key date
SeptemberUsual timing
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, California, USAWhere
01 ¡ How to take part

Your way in

Apply through the Call for Makers (via the MakerAlley platform) to exhibit; volunteer; or visit.

Team entry

Exhibit your project

Apply through the Call for Makers on the MakerAlley platform to show robotics, 3D printing, crafts, art, cooking or anything you made. The 2027 call is not published yet; the 2026 deadline was 3 Aug.

Watch & buy local

Visit the faire

A family-friendly weekend of makers of all ages sharing their projects and hands-on activities.

You build or use
BUILD & exhibit your own project (robotics, 3D printing, crafts, art, cooking); or visit
Participation
Build-exhibit (application)
Entry and deadlines
2027 Call for Makers not published yet (2026 deadline: 3 Aug 2026)
Where
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, California, USA
02 ¡ Dates

Dates and deadlines, Jan 2026 to Dec 2027

Usual timing: September. Dates are only shown where a source publishes them; everything else is marked TBC.

  • 11–12 Sep 2027Maker Faire Orange County 2027Organiser: 11-12 Sep 2027, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa. The 2027 call TBC. ¡ sourceTeam entry

See it on the calendar →

03 ¡ Skills you'll need

Skills you'll need

What to learn and practise before you go. Each resource is marked Official or Community-accepted and names its publisher. Difficulty and prep time are our estimate.

Core skill

Preparing a maker project for public exhibition (working demo, safety, power needs)

Also useful:

  • Writing a clear Call for Makers application with a good project image
  • Running an interactive stand and explaining your project to visitors
Difficulty our estimateSome practice (you need a working project)
Prep time our estimate2-6 weeks to polish a project for exhibition

Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures.

Refresher

  1. Maker Faire Orange County is on 11-12 Sep 2027 at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa (organiser's home page).
  2. In 2026 makers applied through the MakerAlley platform: create a profile, add your projects, then sign up for the faire.
  3. In 2026 tables, chairs and power were provided; outdoor space was available and indoor space was waitlisted.
  4. Write the application around what visitors will see and do: a clear photo, what is new about it, and the space and power you need.
  5. Make the exhibit safe to stand next to: guard moving parts, hot surfaces and batteries; tidy cables; plan for crowds and children.
  6. Make the stand self-explanatory: signs, process photos and something people can touch or try.
  7. Have a 30-second story ready: why you built it, what you learned, what's next.
  8. Plan load-in, set-up and take-down, spares and a repair kit; demos break.

Practise before you go

  • Demo your project to friends or at a local makerspace and note the questions they ask.
  • Write your 30-second pitch and a one-page project sign.
  • Run your project for a full faire day to find failure points.
  • Read the maker manual for load-in times, parking and safety rules.

Safety notes

  • Follow the organiser's safety and electrical rules for exhibits.
  • Keep moving parts, heat and batteries guarded and away from small hands.
  • Confirm the 2027 dates, hours and call before you book travel.

Resources

Officialofficial event site

Maker Faire Orange County

The 2027 dates and venue, and how to take part as a maker or volunteer.

Publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)

Officialofficial application page

Call for Makers

What the faire looks for and how to apply through MakerAlley (2026 details).

Publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)

Officialofficial exhibitor guide

Maker Manual

Load-in, parking, booth tips, safety and electrical guidelines.

Publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)

Officialofficial volunteer page

Volunteer

What volunteers do and how to sign up.

Publisher: Maker Faire Orange County, OCreate LLC (organiser, under licence from Make: Community)

Community-acceptedarticle (Make: magazine)

Tips for Makers: The Basics of Boothing

Practical advice on signage, interaction and staffing an exhibit.

Publisher: Make: Community (Make: magazine)

Why accepted: Make: founded Maker Faire and owns the brand; its boothing tips are the standard advice for Maker Faire exhibitors.

All skills guides

04 ¡ Check before you go

What we could and couldn't confirm

Before you book

  • 2027 dates: 11-12 Sep 2027 at the OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa (organiser's home page).
  • Volunteers help with set-up, hands-on activities, stages and maker support; sign-up is on the organiser's volunteer page.
  • The faire is run by OCreate LLC under licence from Make: Community. The call for makers and maker manual pages still describe 2026.
  • Costs are not listed on Nomad. Check them, and the latest dates, on the official site.
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