State Fair of Texas ranked as one of the best state fairs in the country
Editor’s note: The above video is from 2023.
It is officially fair season, with the State Fair of Texas starting on Sept. 26 and ending on Oct. 19. This Texas staple has been around for more than a century since starting in 1886 as a way to showcase the state’s agriculture. And USA TODAY’s 10BEST list of the best state fairs recently ranked the State Fair of Texas as the fourth-best in the country.
“Every year, it draws millions of visitors for the car show, chili cook-off, shopping, agricultural expos, and other activities,” the USA TODAY blurb reads. “Foodies can get creative with the deep fryer in the Big Tex Choice Awards, where in years past, fried beer or fried peaches and cream have taken the stage.”
The State Fair of Texas is known for its creative fried food, Ferris wheel and carnival games, and of course, for sports fans, the annual Red River Rivalry football game.
If you live in Texas and have not been, this is your year. Here’s what to know about attending the State Fair of Texas.
How much does the State Fair of Texas cost?
There are many deals on State Fair of Texas tickets, like season passes, single day tickets or group packs.
To buy tickets, visit BigTex.com. Here are the deals:
- Choosing a specific day to attend the state fair will make the ticket cheaper. For a daily admission ticket: adult prices start at $19 to $29. For children or seniors, prices start at $14 to $24.
- To buy a flex ticket where you can attend any day of the state fair, prices start at $29.
- To buy a combo pack of two tickets (for any day attendance), prices start at $107. This includes $50 worth of Food and Midway coupons.
- Prices for a four-ticket combo pack (for any day attendance) begin at $161. This includes $50 worth of Food and Midway coupons.
- A season pass includes unlimited visits for the whole season and one bring-a-friend pass (that only applies Monday to Friday). Season passes are $62.
- A digital season pass includes unlimited visits to the state fair for the whole season. These are $52.
- State Fair parking is $30 at State Fair parking lots.
Military and first responders get discounted tickets.
McDonald’s locations also offer a voucher discount for State Fair tickets starting at $14.
What can you do at the State Fair of Texas?
Besides all the fried food, the State Fair of Texas also has live music, rodeos, carnival games, a mega Ferris wheel, livestock and shopping.
Rodeo, livestock exhibits and live music are included in State Fair admission.
Carnival games are available for purchase with midway tickets. Midway has more than 70 carnival rides and games. Tickets can be purchased on fair grounds at coupon booths.
Visit BigTex.com to see the state fair’s full schedule of activities and events.
The State Fair of Texas is open to the public Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entrance is located at Gate 2 of the fair grounds at 925 S. Haskell Ave. in Dallas.