State Fair of Texas 2026 Guide: Dates, Tickets, Food, Parking & Concerts
2026 State Fair of Texas at a Glance
📅 Dates: September 25 – October 18, 2026
📍 Location: Fair Park, Dallas
Hours: 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
🎟 Adult dmission: $15 Monday through Thursday; $25 Friday through Sunday
Children ages 3–12: $10 every day
Children 2 and younger: Free
Official parking: $25 per space🍖 Known For: Fair food, Big Tex, live music, rides and exhibits
🎡 Duration: 24 days
Daily tickets are available online now and at the gate beginning September 25. Online daily tickets carry a $2 ticket fee. Before heading out, check the official ticket page for current prices and discounts.
Going Opening Day? Bring Peanut Butter
There’s an easy way to save on Friday, September 25. Bring two jars of peanut butter to donate to the North Texas Food Bank, and you can get into the Fair for $10 at the gate. The Opening Day offer is available at the gate only.
The Fair also has other discounts throughout its run. If you have some flexibility, check the discount calendar before choosing your day.
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What’s New at the State Fair in 2026?
And if a Fletcher’s corny dog is your first stop every year, all Fletcher’s corny dogs are priced under $10 for the 2026 Fair.
Lower Midway Prices
The Fair says prices on most Midway rides and games are dropping by an average of 17% this year. Thrilling Tuesdays are back as well: most Midway rides cost four coupons, with select kiddie rides at three coupons. The Texas Star and Thrillway are excluded from that Tuesday offer.
If rides are a big part of your day, take a look at the Midway before you start spending coupons. You may be able to fit in one more spin than you did last year.
BIG Stage. NEW home.
The is officially moving inside Fair Park Coliseum for the 2026 State Fair of Texas.
Get ready for a new indoor, concert-style experience with 24 days of live music — and every Main Stage performance is still FREE with Fair admission.
The Chevrolet Main Stage is moving inside Fair Park Coliseum for 2026. That gives the Fair’s biggest shows an indoor concert setting, and Main Stage performances remain included with Fair admission.
Clint Black is scheduled for Opening Day, Friday, September 25. Check the Fair’s entertainment schedule for performance times and the lineup on the day you plan to visit.
Big Tex Has New Jeans
Big Tex is getting a custom pair of Levi’s 501 jeans for 2026. The 55-foot cowboy’s new denim took 85 yards of fabric and 51 days to complete. His back pocket alone is nearly five feet tall.
Meet the 2026 Big Tex Choice Award Winners
The votes are in, and four creations have earned top honors in the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards.
Best Taste — Savory: Burger Chop Tater Tacos
Best Taste — Sweet: Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog
Best Taste — Sipper: Tropical Coco Fresca
Most Creative: Berry Me in Matcha
Guns Remain Banned at the 2026 State Fair of Texas
The State Fair prohibits firearms and ammunition on the fairgrounds. Its prohibited-items rules also cover most knives and other weapons, although small pocketknives are an exception under the Fair’s posted policy. Review the official prohibited-items information before packing your bag.
A North Texas Tradition Like No Other
Few events are woven into the fabric of Dallas-Fort Worth quite like the State Fair of Texas.
For generations, families have made annual trips to Fair Park to enjoy classic midway rides, sample outrageous new foods, watch live performances, browse exhibits, and spend a day creating memories together.
The fair has grown into one of the largest and longest-running state fairs in the country, attracting millions of visitors during its annual run. While many attractions have evolved over the decades, the spirit of the event remains the same—celebrating Texas culture, agriculture, entertainment, and community.
No matter how many times you've visited, every year offers something new to discover.
B96 Tip 💡 Go with someone willing to share. Splitting a few dishes is the best way to try more than one food without calling it a day after your first stop.
One of America's Top State Fairs for Food
The State Fair of Texas isn't just famous in North Texas—it's becoming a national destination for fair food.
In a recent Yelp ranking of America's best state fairs for festival food, the State Fair of Texas landed at No. 6, earning recognition for everything from classic corny dogs and turkey legs to over-the-top fried creations that debut each year during the Big Tex Choice Awards. The ranking reflects what many Texans already know: visiting the fair is as much about eating as it is about rides, concerts and attractions.
Whether you're sticking with a Fletcher's Original Corny Dog or making it your mission to try one of the newest award-winning creations, arriving hungry is part of the State Fair tradition. Many visitors even plan multiple trips during the fair just to sample more of the food.
More Than 100 Live Music Performances
Music will be a major part of the Fair again in 2026, with more than 100 live music performances across four stages included with admission.
The Chevrolet Main Stage is also moving inside the historic Fair Park Coliseum this year, giving the Fair's biggest concerts a new indoor home.
Many performances are included with fair admission, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring everything Fair Park has to offer without constantly reaching for your wallet.
From local musicians and tribute bands to cultural performances and family-friendly entertainment, there's almost always something happening nearby.
Before your visit, it's worth checking the official entertainment schedule to see who's performing during your trip.
B96 Tip 💡
Visit on a weekday if you can. You'll usually find shorter lines for rides, food vendors and exhibits than on weekends.
Football Returns to the Cotton Bowl
Sports fans know the State Fair is also synonymous with college football.
The historic Cotton Bowl Stadium once again hosts some of Texas' biggest annual matchups during the fair's run.
The annual Red River Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma remains one of college football's most recognizable traditions, transforming Fair Park into one of the most energetic places in the country on game day.
Even if you're not attending the game, the excitement surrounding Fair Park during football weekends creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Texas.
Getting to Fair Park
Taking DART: The Green Line serves both Fair Park Station and MLK Jr. Station. Check your route and return schedule before you leave home.
Driving: Official Fair parking is $25 per space. Review the Fair’s directions and parking information before you head out, especially if you’re visiting on a busy weekend or football game day.
Wear comfortable shoes, charge your phone and check the daily schedule if there’s a concert or attraction you don’t want to miss.
See You at Fair Park
Whether you’re going for a Fletcher’s corny dog, the new Fair foods, a concert or a full day on the Midway, a little planning goes a long way. Check the daily schedule before you go, pick your must-do stops and leave some time to wander. That’s usually when you find your favorite part of the Fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 State Fair of Texas?
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs from September 25 through October 18, 2026.
Where is the State Fair of Texas?
The fair is held at Fair Park in Dallas, just east of downtown.
Can I bring a gun to the State Fair of Texas?
No. The State Fair of Texas prohibits visitors from bringing firearms onto the fairgrounds, including licensed concealed or open carry. Limited exceptions apply to qualifying active and retired peace officers.
How much are State Fair tickets?
Gate admission ranges from $15 Monday through Thursday to $25 Friday through Sunday for adults. Kids ages 3 through 12 are $10 every day, while children 2 and younger are free. Seniors and other discount programs are also available.
What food is the State Fair of Texas famous for?
The fair is known for Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs, turkey legs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, fresh lemonade, and the annual Big Tex Choice Awards featuring creative new foods.
Is parking available?
Yes. Paid parking is available around Fair Park, and many visitors also choose to ride DART to avoid traffic.
How long does it take to see the State Fair?
Most visitors spend 4–8 hours at the fair, although many stay all day to enjoy the rides, food, concerts, exhibits, and shopping.
What's the best day to visit?
Weekdays usually have smaller crowds and shorter lines than weekends.
Suggested Internal B96 Links
- DFW Concert Calendar
- Things to Do in Dallas/Fort Worth
- Local Music News
- Weekend Events
- Weather Forecast
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