State Fair of Texas
The State Fair of Texas is one of the biggest annual celebrations in Texas. For 24 days every fall, Fair Park in Dallas becomes a massive mix of Texas food, live music, carnival rides, sports, agriculture, shopping, culture and entertainment.
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas. The fair opens at 10 a.m. daily, closing at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
And yes, Big Tex will be there.
Most Popular State Fair Events & Attractions
If you’re short on time, these are the experiences I’d put at the top of your list.
| Popular Event or Attraction | What to Expect | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Red River Rivalry | Texas vs. Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl during the Fair | College football fans |
| State Fair Classic | Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M plus HBCU culture and marching bands | Football & culture |
| State Fair Clásico | Dallas Trinity FC international women’s soccer at the Cotton Bowl | Soccer fans |
| Big Tex | The famous 55-foot Texas cowboy and the Fair’s signature photo opportunity | First-time visitors |
| Big Tex Choice Awards | Wild, creative and over-the-top Fair foods | Foodies |
| Chevrolet Main Stage | Free live concerts throughout the Fair | Music fans |
| Midway & Texas Star | Carnival rides, games and one of the Fair’s signature Ferris wheels | Families & thrill seekers |
| Texas Auto Show | New vehicles, trucks and automotive exhibits | Car enthusiasts |
| Livestock & Agriculture | Animals, exhibits and Texas agricultural traditions | Families & agriculture fans |
| Creative Arts | Art, photography, cooking, crafts and other competitions | Art & culture lovers |
The Fair offers more than 100 free daily activities, with live music, entertainment, livestock, exhibits and other attractions included with admission.
State Fair of Texas
Location: Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
Address: 3809 Grand Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
Dates: September 25–October 18, 2026
Duration: 24 days
Sunday–Thursday: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Parking gates: 9:30 a.m. daily
Official State Fair of Texas website
What Is the State Fair of Texas?
The State Fair of Texas is an annual celebration held at historic Fair Park in Dallas.
It’s part state fair, part food festival, part carnival, part concert series and part Texas cultural showcase.
Agriculture remains a major part of the event, but today’s Fair offers something for almost everyone. Visitors can watch livestock events, see live entertainment, ride carnival attractions, explore exhibits, eat unusual foods and attend major sporting events at the Cotton Bowl.
The Fair also has a long history in Dallas and plays a major role in the city’s annual fall calendar.
For TexasJourneys, that’s what makes it so interesting.
You’re not just writing about an event.
You’re writing about a Texas tradition and a Dallas travel experience.
Big Tex: The Star of the State Fair
You can’t talk about the State Fair without talking about Big Tex.
Standing 55 feet tall, the giant cowboy has become one of the most recognizable symbols of the Fair.
He’s also probably the most photographed person in Dallas during Fair season.
Okay, technically he’s not a person.
But you get the idea.
If it’s your first visit, make Big Tex one of your first stops. Get the photo, then use him as a landmark while exploring the rest of Fair Park.
The Red River Rivalry
For college football fans, this is the big one.
On October 10, 2026, the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma will meet at the historic Cotton Bowl as part of the State Fair of Texas. The rivalry has been played at the Cotton Bowl since 1929 and has become one of the defining traditions of Fair season.
The game creates an entirely different atmosphere around Fair Park.
You have Texas fans.
Oklahoma fans.
Tailgates.
Marching bands.
The Cotton Bowl.
The Fair.
And enough people wearing burnt orange and crimson to make the color combination impossible to miss.
More than 100,000 people travel to the Fair for the Red River game, according to the State Fair of Texas.
A Red River Rivalry Day Strategy
If you’re attending the game, don’t treat it as just a football trip.
Make it a full Dallas experience.
Arrive early.
Explore the Fair.
Eat breakfast or an early lunch.
Visit Big Tex.
Walk the Midway.
Check out the Texas Auto Show.
Head toward the Cotton Bowl.
Watch the game.
Then return to the Fair after the game for the nighttime atmosphere.
That’s a Texas bucket-list day.
State Fair Classic
The State Fair Classic brings another major college football tradition to Fair Park.
On September 26, 2026, Grambling State University takes on Prairie View A&M University at the Cotton Bowl. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. and includes pregame entertainment and a postgame concert.
The State Fair Classic is about more than football.
The game features HBCU culture, marching bands, alumni gatherings, concerts and a major community atmosphere.
The official event site describes it as one of the biggest HBCU classic games, with more than 55,000 people attending.
For TexasJourneys, this is a particularly good event to cover because it combines:
Football + music + culture + Dallas + the State Fair.
State Fair Clásico
Soccer fans have another reason to visit.
The 2026 State Fair Clásico takes place October 17 at Cotton Bowl Stadium. The event is an international women’s soccer friendly held during the State Fair.
The matchup is part of the Dallas Trinity FC schedule, with kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m.
It’s a good example of how the State Fair continues to expand beyond its traditional football identity.
For travelers, it’s another opportunity to combine a sporting event with a day at the Fair.
Fair Admission and Sports Tickets
There’s an important detail to understand if you’re planning a football or soccer weekend.
A regular State Fair admission ticket does not get you into Cotton Bowl games.
You need a separate game ticket.
However, the Fair says tickets for the State Fair Classic, Red River Rivalry and State Fair Clásico also provide admission to the State Fair on game day.
That can make a sports weekend especially attractive.
One ticket can effectively turn into a full day of football or soccer plus the State Fair.
The Big Tex Choice Awards
Let’s get to the food.
The Big Tex Choice Awards are one of the Fair’s most famous traditions.
Every year, vendors compete to create unusual, creative and sometimes completely ridiculous Fair foods.
That’s a compliment.
The 2026 winners include:
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
The competition started in 2005 and has become one of the biggest food attractions associated with the Fair.
2026 Foods Worth Trying
If you’re building a food itinerary, look for:
Burger Chop Tater Tacos
A burger combined with onions, jalapeños, cheese, tater tots and other toppings.
Fletcher’s Chocolate Corny Dog
A sweet take on the classic Fletcher’s corny dog using chocolate fudge dipped in corny-dog batter.
Tropical Coco Fresca
Pineapple and watermelon agua fresca with coconut and a chamoy-Tajín element.
Berry Me in Matcha
Cheesecake, white chocolate, matcha cookies and strawberry flavors combined into one Fair dessert.
My strategy?
Don’t order everything yourself.
Go with friends or family and share.
You’ll get to sample more food without needing to be rolled out of Fair Park.
Classic State Fair Foods
You don’t have to chase the newest food competition winner.
Some of the best Fair experiences come from the classics.
Think:
Corny dogs
Turkey legs
Barbecue
Funnel cakes
Fried foods
Texas-style snacks
Ice cream
Lemonade
And plenty of things you probably shouldn’t eat every day.
That’s why you’re at the Fair.
Live Music
The State Fair essentially becomes a giant outdoor music festival during its 24-day run.
The Fair features nearly 100 artists and live performances, with music happening across multiple stages. Best of all, the concerts are included with Fair admission.
The Chevrolet Main Stage is the primary concert venue, but it’s not the only place to hear music.
The Fair also features stages throughout the grounds, including the Bud Light Stage, White Claw Spotlight Stage and the ZiegenBock Stage.
That means you can build a music-heavy Fair day without buying a separate concert ticket.
The Midway
The Midway is where you’ll find the classic carnival experience.
There are rides for young children, families and thrill seekers.
Games are everywhere.
Lights are everywhere.
And yes, someone in your group will probably want to go on the ride that looks like it was designed by a person who hates gravity.
The Midway opens at 11 a.m. Sunday through Friday and at 10 a.m. Saturday during the 2026 Fair.
The Texas Star
The Texas Star Ferris wheel is one of the most recognizable attractions at Fair Park.
It gives riders an elevated view of the Fair and surrounding Dallas skyline.
It’s especially impressive around sunset.
If you’re taking photos for social media, this is one of the better places to capture the scale of the Fair.
Texas Auto Show
Car lovers should make time for the Texas Auto Show.
The automotive exhibition brings new cars, trucks and other vehicles to Fair Park.
It’s a nice change of pace from the food and rides and gives you another major attraction to add to your itinerary.
For TexasJourneys, I’d eventually create a separate article around:
Texas Auto Show at the State Fair of Texas Guide
That gives you another search opportunity within the larger Fair content cluster.
Livestock and Agriculture
The State Fair isn’t just about entertainment.
Agriculture remains central to the event.
Visitors can tour the livestock barns and learn about animals, farming and food production. The Fair describes its livestock programming as an opportunity for guests of all ages to explore Texas’ agricultural heritage.
This is especially good for families.
Kids can see animals up close while learning where some of the food they eat actually comes from.
Creative Arts
The Fair also celebrates Texas creativity.
Visitors can see competitions involving art, photography, cooking, crafts and other creative skills.
The Fair hosts more than 1,100 creative competitions, making this one of the more substantial parts of the event.
If you’re looking for something beyond rides and food, spend some time exploring these exhibits.
Fair Park Is Part of the Experience
One mistake first-time visitors make is thinking the State Fair is completely separate from Fair Park.
It’s not.
Fair Park is a major historic cultural destination in Dallas, covering 277 acres and containing museums, historic buildings, gardens and Art Deco architecture.
Several Fair Park attractions operate during the State Fair, including the Children’s Aquarium Dallas, Texas Discovery Gardens, African American Museum and Hall of State.
That gives you another reason to arrive early.
There’s more to see than the Fair itself.
How Much Does the State Fair of Texas Cost?
The Fair changed its pricing structure for 2026, including lower admission and parking prices.
Current official pricing includes:
General admission: $7–$25 depending on ticket and day
Children ages 3–12: $7–$10
Children 2 and under: Free
Season Pass: $52–$62 depending on package
The Fair also introduced $10 kids admission every day and reduced parking prices for 2026.
For the most current ticket pricing, check the official ticket page before your visit.
Buy State Fair of Texas tickets
Is a Season Pass Worth It?
If you’re local, I’d consider it.
The 2026 season pass provides access to all 24 days of the Fair, and official pricing starts at $52 depending on the package.
If you’re planning multiple visits, the math can make sense quickly.
You can visit once for football.
Another time for food.
Another time with the kids.
And maybe one more time because you suddenly realize you never got that Big Tex souvenir you wanted.
Best Time to Visit
There’s no single best day for everyone.
If you want fewer crowds, weekday mornings are usually the smarter choice.
If you want the biggest atmosphere, Friday and Saturday nights are hard to beat.
If you’re a football fan, plan around the Cotton Bowl schedule.
Best for families
Go earlier in the day during the week.
Best for food
Go hungry and plan several hours.
Best for photography
Late afternoon into sunset gives you the best chance for interesting light.
Best for football
Plan around the Red River Rivalry or State Fair Classic.
Best for nightlife
Friday or Saturday evening.
How to Get to the State Fair
Fair Park is located just east of downtown Dallas.
Driving is one option, but traffic can become difficult during the busiest Fair weekends.
One of the smartest alternatives is DART Rail.
The Green Line provides access to Fair Park Station, which is located near the fairgrounds, and MLK Jr. Station provides another nearby option.
If you’re coming from Fort Worth or another part of North Texas, you can also use the Trinity Railway Express to connect with DART.
For a major event like the Red River Rivalry, I’d seriously consider public transportation.
You don’t want your Texas adventure to end with an hour of searching for a parking spot.
State Fair Parking
Official parking is available around Fair Park.
Parking gates open at 9:30 a.m. during the 2026 Fair.
Rideshare is also available, with the Fair recommending a designated pickup and drop-off area around Haskell and Gurley Avenue for easier traffic flow.
For the biggest weekends, arrive early.
Or take DART.
That’s my pick.
What Should You Bring?
Keep it simple.
Comfortable shoes are essential because you’ll walk a lot.
Sunscreen is smart, especially in late September.
Water is a good idea because Dallas can still be hot early in the Fair.
Portable phone charger can save you when you’re taking hundreds of photos.
Cash or payment card for food, shopping and other purchases.
Small bag that complies with applicable event policies.
If you’re attending a Cotton Bowl game, check the stadium’s separate bag requirements before you leave home.
How Long Do You Need at the State Fair?
For a first visit, I’d plan on at least five or six hours.
That’s enough time to see Big Tex, eat several foods, explore the Midway, catch entertainment and visit a few exhibits.
A full day is better.
If you’re combining the Fair with a football game, you’re looking at a much longer day.
That’s not a bad thing.
Just wear good shoes.
State Fair of Texas With Kids
The Fair works surprisingly well for families.
There are rides, live shows, animals, interactive attractions, food and entertainment throughout the grounds.
The Fair offers more than 100 free daily activities, and many family attractions are included with admission.
For younger children, I’d make a simple plan:
Big Tex → Kid-friendly attractions → lunch → rides → livestock → treats → evening lights
Don’t try to see everything.
You won’t.
State Fair of Texas for Adults
Adults can build a completely different experience.
Try the food competitions.
Explore the beer and beverage options.
See a concert.
Ride the Midway.
Visit the Texas Auto Show.
Watch college football.
Take photos.
Then wander around Fair Park after dark.
The Fair doesn’t have to be a children’s event.
It’s one of those rare Texas experiences that can work for almost any age group.
State Fair of Texas Tips for First-Time Visitors
Arrive early. You’ll have more time and generally face fewer crowds.
Wear comfortable shoes. Seriously.
Don’t eat one huge meal. Share food and try several things.
Check the entertainment schedule before arriving. There’s too much happening to rely on luck.
Take your Big Tex photo early. It’s easier before the crowds build.
Use DART for busy weekends. It can save you the headache of driving and parking.
Plan around the weather. September can still feel like summer in Dallas.
Bring a portable charger. Your phone will get a workout.
If you’re attending a football game, check stadium rules separately.
Leave time for Fair Park itself. There’s more history here than many visitors realize.
Is the State Fair of Texas Worth Visiting?
Yes.
Especially if you’ve never been.
The State Fair isn’t necessarily relaxing. It’s loud, crowded, colorful and sometimes completely over the top.
That’s the point.
It’s a place where you can eat an absurd dessert, watch a college football rivalry, ride a Ferris wheel, hear live music, see livestock, walk through an Art Deco landmark and take a picture with a 55-foot cowboy all in the same day.
That’s pretty Texas.
The Ultimate State Fair Day
If I were planning the perfect first visit, I’d do it this way:
9:30–10:00 a.m.
Arrive at Fair Park.
10:00 a.m.
Enter the Fair and head toward Big Tex.
10:30 a.m.
Take photos and explore the main attractions.
11:00 a.m.
Start sampling food.
Noon
Visit the livestock barns and agriculture exhibits.
1:00 p.m.
Texas Auto Show.
2:00 p.m.
Midway and rides.
3:00 p.m.
Catch live music or another scheduled performance.
4:00 p.m.
More food.
Obviously.
5:00 p.m.
Explore Fair Park and visit additional attractions.
6:00 p.m.
Dinner.
7:00 p.m.
Rides, lights and nighttime entertainment.
8:00 p.m.
One final Big Tex photo.
Then head home before everyone else gets the same idea.
For football weekends, completely rebuild this itinerary around the game.
Make It a Texas Journey
The State Fair of Texas works especially well as part of a larger Dallas trip.
If you’re coming from outside the area, combine your Fair visit with:
Downtown Dallas
Deep Ellum
Dallas museums
Dallas barbecue
Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth food
Texas high school football
North Texas road trips
Historic Texas towns
That’s where TexasJourneys.com can provide more value than a basic event website.
Someone searching for “State Fair of Texas” may actually be planning a weekend trip.
Help them plan the entire weekend.
That’s the opportunity.
State Fair of Texas FAQ
When is the State Fair of Texas in 2026?
The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs from September 25 through October 18, 2026, at Fair Park in Dallas.
Where is the State Fair of Texas?
The Fair takes place at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas, at 3809 Grand Avenue.
How long does the State Fair last?
The 2026 Fair runs for 24 days.
What time does the State Fair open?
The Fair opens at 10 a.m. daily. It closes at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
What is Big Tex?
Big Tex is the famous 55-foot-tall cowboy who serves as the signature icon and greeter of the State Fair of Texas.
When is the Texas vs. Oklahoma game?
The 2026 Red River Rivalry is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl. Kickoff time was listed as TBD by the State Fair.
When is the State Fair Classic?
The 2026 State Fair Classic is scheduled for September 26, 2026, featuring Grambling State and Prairie View A&M at the Cotton Bowl. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. according to the official State Fair Classic site.
When is the State Fair Clásico?
The 2026 State Fair Clásico is scheduled for October 17, 2026, at Cotton Bowl Stadium, with the event listed for 4 p.m.
Are concerts included with admission?
Yes. The State Fair says its live music performances are included with Fair admission.
Is the Texas State Fair good for kids?
Absolutely. The Fair offers family attractions, rides, livestock experiences, shows, exhibits and more than 100 free daily activities.
Can I take DART to the State Fair?
Yes. DART’s Green Line provides access to Fair Park Station and MLK Jr. Station.
What are the most popular things to do at the State Fair?
For a first visit, I’d prioritize Big Tex, the Big Tex Choice Awards foods, the Midway, live music, the Texas Auto Show, livestock exhibits and a Cotton Bowl sporting event if your dates line up.
Is the State Fair of Texas worth visiting?
Yes. If you’re looking for one event that combines Texas food, sports, culture, entertainment, history and family fun, the State Fair is hard to beat.