Kathy Tran
Audio By Carbonatix
The State Fair of Texas is a rite of passage, a deep-fried fever dream, and a logistical nightmare all rolled into one. With crowds that rival Disney but fueled by SEC energy, weather that could fry an egg on the Midway, and a food scene more outrageous than organized, this isn’t just a fair — it’s a full-contact sport. But with a little planning and the right mindset (and footwear), you can eat your weight in corny dogs without crying in line at Fletcher’s.
New visitors often find themselves lost in a sea of cotton candy bacon social posts (RIP), when what they really need is a practical primer. Think of this as our love letter to all those eager to two-step with Big Tex for the first time.
When to Go, Dates to Avoid and How to Get There
The 2025 Texas State Fair runs for more than three weeks, Sept. 26–Oct 19. Gates open at 10 a.m. daily and run until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. on weekends. The Midway starts buzzing at 11 a.m. most days and 10 a.m. on Saturdays.
Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, opening and closing weekends are wall-to-wall madness. Columbus Day (Oct. 13) is another guaranteed zoo, and if the sound of shrieking kids makes your skin crawl, steer clear of Oct. 9–10 when Dallas ISD takes over for fall break.
With the Cotton Bowl smack dab in the middle of Fair Park, Saturdays can feel like a tailgate on steroids. The Red River Showdown between Texas and Oklahoma has been played here since 1929, drawing more than 100,000 fans, and this year’s kickoff is set for Oct. 11 at 2:30 p.m. Crowds will be at peak chaos, so plan accordingly.
The stadium also hosts a nighttime matchup between Grambling State and Prairie View A&M on Sept. 27, plus the first-ever State Fair Clásico on Oct. 18, when Dallas Trinity FC faces international powerhouse Club América Femenil. Game tickets double as fair admission, so it can be a fun two-for-one, but if you’re not going, expect the grounds to be far busier than normal.
There are two official fair parking lots for $30 a pop, but Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is by far the easier and cheaper option. The Green Line has two stops (Fair Park Station and MLK Jr. Station) that drop you off right at the gate.
Money Saving Tips
Ticket prices range from $7 to $29, depending on the day. Kids (ages 3–12) and seniors (60+) are priced at $7–$24, and children under two are free. If you plan on visiting more than once, the $52 digital season pass pays for itself.
Once inside, coupons are currency. Each costs $1, and they’re used for food, games and rides. There’s no minimum purchase and no expiration date, so extras carry over year to year. Most rides run 5–12 coupons, while food hovers around 10–20, with splurges like lobster climbing into the 30+ range. Pro tip: decide what you want to eat first, check the prices, and work backwards instead of loading up like a blind slot machine.
Discounts are plentiful if your schedule is flexible. Midweek is cheaper than weekends, with Tuesdays and Thursdays being the real steals: $12 admission online, reduced rides on Tuesdays, and discounted food on Thrifty Thursdays. Cheap Eats’ stand along the Funway promises all food for under 10 coupons.
Admission is $7 on Wednesdays with a five-can food donation and $10 on opening day with two jars of peanut butter. Everyone pays the kids’ price daily after 5 p.m. Military, first responders, and coupons from local McDonald’s provide additional savings.
Food Mapping 101
Not all the eats are clustered in one area, so finding that Instagram-famous bite can feel like a scavenger hunt between the indoor Tower Food Court and the outdoor fairway. Fletcher’s Corny Dog is a rite of passage, and they have multiple booths throughout, so don’t feel like you have to wait in the line by Big Tex (rookie mistake).
Download the visitor’s guide for Big Tex Award winners, along with detailed food maps for Thrifty Thursdays and new food spots; some of these have coupon prices.
Some of the 2025 savory and sweet standouts include the crab and mozzarella arancini from Texapolitan Pizza, which won the best savory Big Tex award. The brisket and brew-stuffed pretzels from Hans Mueller, wagyu bacon cheeseburger deviled egg sliders from So Eggciting Deviled Eggs (winner of most creative), the giant cinnamon rolls from Shug’s, and the Dubai chocolate cheesecake from Drizzle.
Cheapest Beer
The cheapest beer can be found at the Beer Barn in Cotton Bowl Plaza, not the Midway. The Magnolia Beer Garden and Texas Beer & Wine Garden both provide shaded escapes, while Dickel’s Smokehouse smells as good as it tastes. Trio on the Green is a clever hack for the indecisive, serving flights of both food and drinks in threes.
Get the Most Bang for Your Buck
Your entrance ticket includes a surprising amount of entertainment. This year’s musical lineup features headliners like TLC on September 27, Brian McKnight on Oct. 3, Houston’s Paul Wall on Oct. 11 and Hoobastank on Oct. 18.
Friday nights bring the free “Deep Fried Comedy” series, and every evening closes with a parade and fireworks. Add in stunt dog shows, dinosaurs, cooking demos, auto shows, and farm and rodeo fun, and there’s more than enough to keep your schedule full between stuffing your face and avoiding the pricey rides and games.
Quirky highlights are what give the fair its charm, so keep an eye out for things like the butter sculpture, pig races, the livestock birthing barn, arts and crafts and cooking contests, Mundo Latino’s “Día de los Muertos” exhibit, Mighty Mike the strongman, the World of Magic show and even the USA Breakdancers.
And while food is central to the fair, outside snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed as long as they fit in a soft-sided cooler and are within the bag policy. A refillable water bottle is strongly encouraged, as drink prices can add up fast.
Know Before You Go
Spanning the equivalent of 200 football fields, the fairgrounds is massive. You can’t possibly see everything in your first visit, but you can cover a lot of ground with a mapped-out route and a game plan.
Starting at 5 p.m. daily, minors 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult (21+) with a cap of six kids per chaperone.
Like most large events, there’s a clear or small bag policy, so leave the bulky totes and backpacks at home.
Cowboy boots are cute, but unless you want to pay 14 coupons for a one-way ride across the park on the Skyway gondola, you probably want something more comfortable.
And don’t forget the survival kit: hand sanitizer, sunscreen, hats, and patience. Fall in Texas is only “fall” in name. A/C breaks and hydration are as essential as fried foods.
