New pricing and expanded value opportunities give Texans more ways to experience the State Fair this fall
DALLAS — August 17, 2026 — The State Fair of Texas is making it easier for families and fairgoers to experience the State Fair in 2026 with lower admission and parking prices, new $10 admission for children every day, and expanded opportunities to make the most of a State Fair visit.
Following feedback from fairgoers during the 2025 season, the State Fair took a comprehensive look at the total cost of attending. The nonprofit organization listened to guests, evaluated where changes could be made, and worked with vendors and partners to identify opportunities to provide greater value while continuing to invest in the attractions, entertainment, traditions, and guest experience that have made the State Fair of Texas a beloved Texas tradition for 140 years.
“Families have always been at the heart of the State Fair of Texas, and every year we listen closely to what our fairgoers tell us about their experience,” said Karissa Condoianis, State Fair of Texas Senior Vice President of Public Relations. “We take that feedback seriously. This year, we are making meaningful changes to admission and parking while continuing to offer the experiences, traditions, and attractions our guests look forward to every fall. Our goal is to make it easier for families to plan a State Fair day that works for them and get the most from their time at the State Fair.”
New for 2026: Including $10 Admission for Kids Every Day
The State Fair is lowering the price of general admission and official State Fair parking, giving guests more flexibility in choosing when and how they visit.
Changes to daily ticket prices for the 2026 State Fair include:
- $2 price reduction on all Adult Daily Tickets
- $10 Child Tickets every day
- $10 admission for everyone after 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday
Children ages 3 through 12 can attend the State Fair for just $10 every day of the 2026 State Fair. Children ages 2 and younger will continue to receive free admission to the State Fair.
Official State Fair Parking Reduced
Parking in official State Fair parking lots is now just $25 every day, a $5 reduction from 2025. Official parking offers convenient access to State Fair entry gates and is part of the Fair’s comprehensive approach to providing a safe, secure, and welcoming experience for fairgoers from arrival to departure.
“Providing greater value does not mean compromising the State Fair experience,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas President. “We are continuing to invest in the attractions, entertainment, agriculture, and traditions that make the State Fair special, while creating more flexibility for Texans to experience the State Fair. And because the State Fair is a nonprofit organization, every Fair day also helps create opportunities for Texans through scholarships, agriculture education, youth programs, and year-round community investment.”
More Ways to Make the Most of a State Fair Day
Admission to the State Fair includes access to hundreds of attractions and activities, along with live entertainment, agriculture and livestock experiences, cultural programming, exhibits and the traditions that have made the State Fair of Texas a Texas institution for 140 years.
Whether guests plan to spend a full day at the State Fair, stop by after work, or return multiple times throughout the 24-day run, there are several ways to make a State Fair visit fit their plans.
Ways to Save on Daily Admission
Monday Through Thursday
- Adult: $15, a $2 reduction from 2025
- Senior, ages 60 and older: $13
- Child, ages 3 through 12: $10, a $2 reduction
- Children ages 2 and younger: Free
- After 5 p.m.: $10 for adults and children
Friday Through Sunday
- Adult: $25, a $2 reduction from 2025
- Senior, ages 60 and older: $20, a $2 reduction
- Child, ages 3 through 12: $10, a $12 or 54% reduction
- Children ages 2 and younger: Free
- After 5 p.m.: $20 for adults and $10 for children
Admission tickets may be purchased at any State Fair admission gate starting on Opening Day, Friday, September 25, 2026.
Daily tickets can also be purchased online in advance starting September 1, 2026. Online admission prices at BigTex.com are inclusive of online processing fees and are therefore higher than gate prices.
After 5 p.m. Reduced Admission
Fairgoers ages 13 and older looking for an evening State Fair experience can take advantage of reduced admission after 5 p.m. at the admission gates:
- Monday through Thursday: $10 for adults and seniors
- Friday through Sunday: $20 for adults and seniors
Opening Day Peanut Butter Drive
The State Fair kicks off on Friday, September 25, with an opportunity to enjoy Opening Day while helping the North Texas Food Bank. Guests who bring two jars of peanut butter to donate will receive $10 admission at the gate.
Feed the Need Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, fairgoers can receive $7 admission by bringing five canned food items to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.
Since 2010, the State Fair’s “Feed the Need” partnership with North Texas Food Bank has produced more than 3.4 million pounds donated by fairgoers at the gates and distributed to families in need throughout North Texas.
Dr Pepper Value Days
Every Tuesday and Thursday of the State Fair, Big Tex Insiders can purchase online admission for $12 with a promotional code.
Guests can sign up for the Big Tex Insider program at BigTex.com/Insider. Big Tex Insider emails are sent from info@bigtex.com, so make sure to mark the address as a safe sender to ensure you receive all the best State Fair news.
Senior Day
Every Thursday, guests ages 60 and older can receive admission for $7 at the gate.
Military Appreciation Day Presented by Chevrolet
Active-duty military personnel, retired military personnel and veterans can save $5 on admission any day with valid military identification.
First Responder Discounts
The State Fair honors active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency services personnel with $5 off admission any day when valid department or organization identification is presented.
Military and first responder guests purchasing discounted admission online will be prompted to verify their eligibility. Those purchasing tickets at the gate should bring valid documentation.
McDonald’s Discounts
Participating McDonald’s locations throughout North Texas will offer State Fair admission discounts through coupons available on tray liners and inside select meal bags. Adults can save $5 on admission any day with a valid coupon.
Only one discount may be applied per guest. Discounts cannot be combined, stacked or used in conjunction with any other offer.
Free Admission for Select Texas Students and Teachers
For generations, the State Fair of Texas has been proud to support students and teachers across North Texas by providing free admission tickets, allowing young Texans to experience the Fair’s rich blend of education, entertainment and tradition. Since 2018, more than 14.2 million free admission tickets have been given to students and teachers throughout North Texas.
Students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade at participating school districts receive free admission tickets. Teachers and school faculty for grades nine through 12 receive free admission through the voucher program. Teachers must visit the admission ticket sales window, provide a teacher voucher, and show their valid school-issued photo identification to receive an admission ticket.
The State Fair of Texas has also partnered with Dallas Park and Recreation on its Teen All Access Pass Program, which provides free admission to the city’s most popular museums, libraries, entertainment venues and leisure facilities to registered Dallas teens ages 13 through 17. More information can be found at DallasParks.org.
Ways to Experience More While Saving More
2026 Digital Season Pass
For guests who want to experience all that the 24-day State Fair has to offer, the 2026 Digital Season Pass is available for $52 and includes admission every day of the State Fair.
Experiencing everything the State Fair has to offer in a single day is nearly impossible. The Season Pass gives guests the flexibility to return throughout the season and discover something new each time.
Digital Season Passes are available exclusively online at BigTex.com/Tickets.
The Digital Season Pass includes admission only, limited to once per day for 24 days. It does not include VIP Guide benefits, a Bring-a-Friend ticket, or other benefits of the Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass.
2026 Annual Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass
Available at the gate for $60 or online for $62 while supplies last, the Annual Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass includes:
- Unlimited visits during the 24-day State Fair season, limited to once per day
- A commemorative card featuring annual State Fair artwork
- One free single-day Bring-a-Friend admission ticket, valid one time Monday through Friday
- Complimentary admission to the Texas Discovery Gardens during the 2026 State Fair, September 25 through October 18
- A parking pre-purchase discount
One-Day FLEX Admission
Guests who want the flexibility to choose their State Fair visit date can purchase a one-day FLEX admission ticket online for $27. FLEX tickets allow guests to select the day they want to attend and are available exclusively online at BigTex.com/Tickets.
Two- and four-pack FLEX ticket combinations with Food and Midway Coupons and one free parking space are also available for a limited time, starting at $104. Offers are available through August 31 or while supplies last.
Group and Corporate Discounts
Groups can purchase discounted admission and Food and Midway Coupons in advance through the State Fair’s group sales program. The State Fair also offers a free Corporate Discount Program for businesses that want to provide discounted admission opportunities to employees and their families.
More Ways to Get the Most From Your State Fair Day
The value of a State Fair visit extends beyond admission. Hundreds of attractions and activities are included with admission, giving guests opportunities to experience live entertainment, agriculture and livestock programming, cultural experiences, exhibits, family activities and the traditions that have made the State Fair of Texas part of the fabric of Texas for 140 years.
Guests can also take advantage of special programs throughout the season that add even more to the State Fair experience. In addition to the values below, more ways to save will be announced by the Fair’s independent ride and game owners and concessionaires as they continue their efforts to make the State Fair of Texas more attainable and accessible for fairgoers.
Thrilling Tuesdays: Discounted Midway Rides
Guests can enjoy savings on Midway rides every Tuesday. Most rides are available for four coupons, with select kiddie rides available for three coupons. The Thrillway and Texas Star Ferris Wheel are excluded.
Thrifty Thursday Discount Fair Food Presented by T-Mobile
Every Thursday, participating food vendors offer select signature menu items at reduced prices, giving guests another opportunity to enjoy some of the State Fair’s most popular food offerings.
Kids Win Every Time Midway Games
Children can play select Midway games where they win a prize every time. Look for “Kids Win Every Time” signs throughout the Midway.
Sensory-Friendly Mornings
Every Wednesday morning, the State Fair offers Sensory-Friendly Mornings, providing a more accessible experience for guests who benefit from a quieter environment and reduced sensory stimulation.
The State Fair Midway opens at 11 a.m., with reduced lights and sounds until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. More information about Sensory-Friendly Mornings will be released closer to Opening Day.
Your Fair Day Helps Texans Every Day
The State Fair of Texas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating Texas, serving Texans and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the 24-day event each fall.
Through the support of fairgoers, vendors and donors, the State Fair helps fund scholarships, agriculture education, youth programs and community initiatives throughout the Lone Star State. Every admission ticket, parking spot in official State Fair parking lots, State Fair coupon and Fair day enjoyed helps support that mission.
Thanks to this support, the State Fair of Texas has invested nearly $8 million in local and statewide initiatives since the launch of its Community Affairs program in 2016.
“A visit to the State Fair is about more than what happens inside the gates. It is about celebrating Texas, creating memories with the people you love, and helping create opportunities for Texans across our state,” Condoianis said. “That is what makes the State Fair so special. When Texans choose to spend a day with us, they are not only experiencing a beloved Texas tradition, but they are helping that tradition create opportunities for Texans year-round.”
The 2026 State Fair of Texas, themed “Stars, Stripes, and Howdies,” runs Friday, September 25 through Sunday, October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.
For complete information about 2026 admission, discounts and Season Pass options, visit BigTex.com/Tickets and BigTex.com/Discounts. For exclusive discounts and year-round State Fair updates, sign up to become a Big Tex Insider at BigTex.com/Insider or text “BIGTEX” to 877-724-4839.
About the State Fair of Texas
Since its inception in 1886, the State Fair of Texas has celebrated all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment.
The State Fair of Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with proceeds helping to preserve and improve its home at Fair Park; underwrite museums, community initiatives and scholarship programs supporting students throughout the Lone Star State pursuing higher education; and improve State Fair operations.
The 2026 exposition runs September 25 through October 18 in Fair Park. Visit BigTex.com for more information.
