State Fair of Texas Tips and Tricks to Know Before You Go

1. Verbringen Sie nicht zu viel Zeit mit Parken.

DART is a great option to save time getting to the fair. Just hop on a train to Fair Park Station and get dropped off right in front of the main gate. You can even buy your tickets through the DART GoPass app, where a current promo code gets you a discount off Fair admission. Driving instead? Parking runs $30 per space at official Fair lots, so budget a few extra minutes to find a spot on busy weekends. Either way, the time you save on transportation means more time at the Midway or a second (or third) Fletcher's Corny Dog.

2. Versuchen Sie nicht, alles an einem Tag zu erledigen.

The State Fair of Texas is the longest running fair in the country with open gates for 24 consecutive days from Sept. 25 through Oct. 18, 2026, and for good reason. There's so much to experience, so don't feel like you have to cram it all in one day.

3. Zahlen Sie nicht zu viel.

Save on admission by buying a season pass. If you plan to go more than once (and we think you should), a season pass pays for itself fast. The Commemorative Hard Card pass includes unlimited visits, a free Bring-A-Friend admission ticket valid Monday through Friday, complimentary access to Texas Discovery Gardens, and a parking pre-purchase discount, while the lower priced Digital Season Pass skips those extras in exchange for a better price.

The State Fair of Texas also partners with local organizations to offer discounted admission throughout the run, including Feed the Need Wednesdays for anyone who donates canned goods to the North Texas Food Bank, half-price admission for seniors on Thursdays, and a special Opening Day rate for anyone who brings peanut butter to donate. Sign up as a Big Tex Insider for Value Day promo codes and other early access to savings.

4. Don't get caught off guard at the gate.

The State Fair uses a clear bag policy for security, so leave the oversized tote at home. Bags and soft-sided coolers need to be 9 by 10 by 12 inches or smaller, and if they aren't clear, they need to fit into an even smaller 4.5 by 6.5 inch clutch. Diaper bags and medical bags get an exception and will be searched at the gate instead. There's no bag check or lockers on-site, so anything that doesn't meet the policy has to go back to the car. Planning your bag ahead of time saves you a walk back to the parking lot.

Planning to step out for a break and come back later? Grab a hand stamp before you leave. Re-entry requires one, and if you leave the parking lot, you'll pay for parking again.

5. Don't forget it's coupons, not cash.

Food, rides, and games on the Midway all run on State Fair coupons instead of cash or card, so pick some up at a booth or buy them online before you go. Each coupon is worth a dollar, and the good news is they never expire, so any leftovers from a past fair are still good today. ATMs are available throughout the grounds if you need to reload, and you'll only need cash or a card for shopping with the fair's vendors.

6. Don't miss the icons

Big Tex

Big Tex wohnt im Zentrum des Messegeländes am Lone Star Boulevard und an der Grand Avenue und begrüßt jeden Messebesucher mit seiner tiefen Stimme mit texanischem Akzent. Außerdem ist der Hauptstand von Fletcher's Corny Dog nur wenige Schritte entfernt, so dass ein Halt für ein Selfie und einen Corny Dog ideal ist.

Midway

Das Zentrum des Geschehens, der Midway im Fair Park, beherbergt die Fahrgeschäfte, Spiele und einige der leckersten Leckereien der Messe. Planen Sie die Fahrgeschäfte früh am Tag ein, denn niemand in Ihrer Gruppe möchte Ihre Putenkeule ein zweites Mal sehen.

Texas Star Riesenrad

Das Herzstück des Fair Park Midway ist der Texas Star, das berühmte Riesenrad von Dallas. Machen Sie ein Selfie vom Boden aus, bevor Sie sich auf eine 20-stöckige Fahrt in die Lüfte begeben, die einen einzigartigen Blick auf den Fair Park und die Skyline von Dallas bietet.

Fletcher's Corny Dog

Stellen Sie sich vor, Sie kommen nach Hause und müssen feststellen, dass Ihr Plan, "wiederzukommen, wenn die Schlange kürzer ist", nicht aufgeht. Nehmen Sie sich die Zeit, in der Schlange zu stehen, um diese klassische Leckerei zu probieren - glauben Sie uns, das Warten lohnt sich. Sind Sie Vegetarier? Dann stellen Sie sich in die Schlange, denn auch Sie können Ihr berühmtes Verlangen nach einem Corny Dog mit einem vegetarischen Corn Dog stillen.

Cotton Bowl

Home of the famous Red River Rivalry and State Fair Classic, the Cotton Bowl is Fair Park's symbol of victory. This year also brings back the State Fair Clásico, a soccer match between Dallas Trinity FC and a surprise international matchup. Catch one of the exciting games set to take place on this legendary field, tickets and more information here.

Prunksaal

Set in the middle of the fairgrounds, the Hall of State is packed with historical artifacts, photos, and more, all focused on Texas history and culture. Check bigtex.com closer to opening day for this year's special exhibit, and make a visit to the Hall of State part of your time at the fair.