State Fair of Texas too expensive? We found ways to spend less on food and games
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The idea of going to the State Fair of Texas is all fun and games until you see your bank statements after the fact.
Prices for the 2025 State Fair of Texas have increased since years past and locals are noticing.
In 2024, admission was $15 to $25 for adults, $10 to $18 for children and $5 to $18 for seniors. This year, adult prices start at $19 and go up to $29. For children or seniors, prices start at $14 and go up to $24.
The State Fair of Texas is a century-old tradition among families. Not just for the carnival games and Ferris wheel, but also because of its unique food offerings. However, food and games are both costs not included in the admission fee.
According to a Reddit post, people are spending an average of $50 to $100 per person (and that’s if they aren’t going crazy on the carnival games).
I went to check it out for myself. I accounted for admission, parking, a corn dog, Fletcher’s fair lemonade and some carnival dilly dallying. Here’s what I spent.
How to make your money go further at State Fair of Texas in 2025
Pro-tip: Visit during the week. Tickets are cheaper during the weekdays and can go up nearly $10 on the weekends.
Crowds are down (whether that be because of prices or because it’s a weekday, we aren’t sure), which means carnival rides and game tenants will give you some deals since it’s less crowded.
During my visit, I got to play a round of basketball for 10 tickets instead of 12. (Tickets cost $1 each). We also got to ride the swan boats for 10 tickets instead of 18 because it was so empty.
Tuesdays and Thursdays at the State Fair offer $10 admission tickets with promo code 24STARTEN.
On Tuesdays, midway rides are only four coupons (normally they’re around 10 tickets).
On Thursdays, or Thrifty Thursdays, food vendors offer one of their signature menu items at a reduced price in either a mini-sized or regular sized version.
Since parking is $30 at State Fair lots, consider using DART. Customers can ride the green line to Fair Park Station at Parry Avenue (the entrance to the fairgrounds) or MLK Jr. Station to the MLK fairground entrance (Gate 6). DART tickets from Fort Worth are approximately $12 a ride.
Prices for the State Fair of Texas 2025
Here’s what I spent at the State Fair of Texas on a Wednesday night:
- $30 parking.
- $19 admission.
- $70 worth of food and carnival tickets – 12-ticket corn dog, six-ticket lemonade, 22 tickets for two rounds of basketball, 20 tickets for Mouse House ride, 10 tickets for swan boats.
My total came out to $119.
If I hadn’t gone so crazy on the midway, I could have gotten away with a $70 trip ($30 parking, $19 admission, $20 worth of food). But for the sake of this story and wanting the full enchilada for my first State Fair of Texas experience, I went all out.
This story was originally published October 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM.
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