The Ultimate Guide to the State Fair of Texas

They say everything's bigger in Texas, and our annual State Fair is no exception! With 24 consecutive days of family-friendly fun, the State Fair of Texas is the longest-running fair in the nation. Whether you're a first-timer or a veteran fairgoer, we've got the best tips and tricks to help you make the most of your time at the "most Texan place on Earth." Consider this your State Fair of Texas bucket list!

The State Fair of Texas covers a lot of ground, taking over the 277 acres of Fair Park for the entirety of the fair, including several buildings on fair grounds. There's also Big Tex, the 55-foot-tall cowboy that greets you at the fair gates (yes, he actually talks!), also known as the tallest cowboy in Texas. Fun fact: Before he found his home at the State Fair, Big Tex was "Santa" in a small Texas town east of Corsicana in the 1950s.

Before you head out, it helps to know which ticket fits your plans. A Season Pass gets you in every day of the run and makes the most sense if you're the type to visit more than once. A FLEX ticket works for any single day you choose, with combo options that bundle in food and Midway coupons. Daily tickets go on sale online starting September 1 and at the gate once the fair opens, and buying ahead of time online is almost always cheaper than paying at the gate. Head to bigtex.com to compare pricing and pick what works best for your group.

The fair rewards a little planning. Weekday deals typically include discounted admission for online purchases on select Value Days, a reduced rate for guests 60 and older on Senior Day, and food and ride discounts on Thrifty Thursdays. Feed the Need Wednesdays let you trade a few canned goods for a discounted ticket, benefiting the North Texas Food Bank, and kids get in at their special rate for everyone after 5 p.m. Military members, veterans, and first responders receive a discount every day of the run. Exact pricing and qualifying dates are confirmed closer to opening day, so check bigtex.com before you go.

Weekday mornings are your best bet for shorter lines and a more relaxed pace, especially right after the gates open. Opening weekend and the Saturday of the Red River Showdown, when Texas and Oklahoma face off at the Cotton Bowl, draw the biggest crowds of the run, so budget extra time if your visit lands on one of those dates. Gates open at 10 a.m. every day, and arriving right at open is one of the easiest ways to beat the rush.

Parking at official State Fair lots starts at $25 per car, so plan to arrive a little early and follow the signs once you're close to Fair Park. If you'd rather skip the parking search altogether, hop on the DART Green Line to Fair Park Station or MLK Jr. Station, both put you steps from the gates.

Every fall, the Big Tex Choice Awards puts a fresh lineup of inventive dishes in front of a panel of taste testers, and the 2026 field brings some serious contenders to the table. On the savory side, look for the Burger Chop Tater Tacos, Dickel's Texas Two Step Tacos, Flamin' Crunch Pizza, the Golden Crunch Melt, and Nacho Wings. The sweet category serves up Berry Me in Matcha, Fernie's Frozen Espresso-tini Bar, Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog, Holy Flan! Buñueloco, and the Texas Pecan Praline Cheesecake Cone. And for sippers, the fair is pouring the Corn Flake Shappé, Nevins Soft Serve Peach Bellini Float, Rousso's Bacon Jam Caramel Apple Hard Cider, Sunset Soft Serve Rita, and Tropical Coco Fresca. Winners are announced ahead of opening day, so keep an eye on bigtex.com to see which dish takes home the crown.

Of course, you won't want to miss out on fair classics like the famous Fletcher's Corny Dog and funnel cakes as well.

No matter who's in your group, the fair is full of activities and shows to delight fairgoers of all ages. Family-friendly favorites include the World of Magic show and the Oncor Petting Zoo. If you plan on staying into the evening, don't miss the nightly Starlight Parade featuring a colorful assortment of larger-than-life floats, costumed characters and more.

If cars and college football are more your speed, don't miss the Texas Auto Show or the annual Red River Showdown, pitting bitter rivals University of Texas and University of Oklahoma against each other. Over 100,000 people travel to Texas to watch this game each year, so be prepared for the crowds.

The State Fair of Texas' official schedule makes planning easy, outlining each day's activities.

Every ticket into the fair doubles as a ticket to a free concert at the Chevrolet Main Stage. The 2026 lineup opens with Clint Black on September 25 and keeps the music going all run long, with stops from Bowling for Soup, Lee Brice, the Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular, Kansas, Queensryche, the Red Hot Chili Pipers, RaeLynn, a tribute to ABBA, Muscadine Bloodline, Gym Class Heroes, and 3OH!3, closing out with a tribute to Emilio Navaira from the Last Bandoleros. More acts may be added as the fair gets closer, so it's worth checking bigtex.com before you lock in your plans.

Texas has a rich history when it comes to livestock and agriculture, so no trip to the State Fair of Texas is complete without a stop at the barns for a little agricultural education. Livestock exhibitors from across the state showcase various types of barn animals in competition. Make sure to check out the daily schedule for competition times. You can also experience the Livestock Birthing Barn and learn about the incubation process for different breeds.

Known as the most popular ride at the State Fair, the Texas Star takes you on a 12-minute ride as you enjoy a panoramic view of the State Fair grounds and Downtown Dallas from 20 stories high in the sky. On a clear day, you can see all the way to neighboring cities and may even be able to spot AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, 21 miles away!

If you're a thrill seeker, the State Fair Midway has more than 70 rides to enjoy, including the Thrillway, the Kidway and the 1914 Dentzel Carousel. You'll need to purchase ride coupons before getting in line, which you can stock-up on at booths around the fairgrounds or in advance online.

Games in the Midway can be played by presenting a Big Tex Game Card purchased at booths and kiosks nearby.

Sensory-friendly mornings give guests and families who benefit from a quieter environment a chance to enjoy the Midway with the lights and sounds dialed back, typically on select Wednesdays during the run. Wheelchairs, scooters, strollers, and wagons are available to rent by the day, and accessible parking is available with a valid placard or plate. Baby care centers and first aid stations are located throughout Fair Park, and ASL interpretation is available for select shows. Visit bigtex.com for the full accessibility guide and to reserve equipment in advance.

Outside of the fair, Fair Park offers plenty of cultural activities year-round that are accessible during the fair season. The grounds are a National Historic Landmark and home to the largest collection of art deco architecture in the U.S. The African American Museum, the only one of its kind in the Southwestern region, is open seven days a week during the run of the fair, and the Children's Aquarium is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily all year. Lastly, the Texas Discovery Gardens offer half-price admission during the 24 days of the fair and are an excellent place to see flora and fauna up close.