Ready for the sights, smells, and sounds of the 140th annual State Fair of Texashappening later in September in Dallas? Well, it's just gotten cheaper to get in, as the fair announced lower ticket prices this year, with kids paying only $10 a day.
On Aug. 17, the state fair nonprofit organization said in anews release that it is lowering admission and parking prices and expanding opportunities to make the most of a State Fair visit, following feedback from 2025 fairgoers.
“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."
In doing so, the state fair has made the following changes and announced this year's daily ticket prices and discounts.
Texas State Fair ticket prices
Changes to daily ticket prices for the 2026 state fair include:
- $2 price reduction on all Adult Daily Tickets
- $10 Child Tickets every day (Children ages 3 through 12)
- $10 Admission for everyone after 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday
Children ages 2 and younger will continue to receive free admission to the State Fair.
Daily admission prices have been set for Monday through Thursday:
Daily admission prices have been set for Friday through Saturday:
Tickets can be purchased at any State Fair Admission Gate starting on Opening Day, Sept. 25 or online starting Sept. 1 at BigTex.com.
The fair also offers special tickets:
- 2026 Digital Season Pass — $52 for the full 24 days, online only.
- Annual Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass — $60 at gate / $62 online, with unlimited visits, commemorative card, Bring-a-Friend ticket, Texas Discovery Gardens admission and pre-purchase parking discount.
- One-Day FLEX Admission — $27 online, with 2- and 4-pack combos including food and Midway coupons and one free parking space starting at $104 through Aug. 31.
Texas State Fair discounted ticket prices
The state fair offers additional opportunities to get extra discounts on tickets while also giving back to the community.
Those opportunities include —
- Sept. 25 (Opening Day Peanut Butter Drive) — Guests who bring two jars of peanut butter to donate will receive $10 admission at the gate.
- Every Wednesday (Feed the Need) — fairgoers can receive $7 admission by bringing five canned food items to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.
- Every Tuesday and Thursday (Dr. Pepper Value Days) — Big Tex Insiders can purchase online admission for $12 with a promotional code.
- Every Thursday (Senior Day) — guests aged 60 and older can receive admission for $7 at the gate.
The fair also provides discounts for certain groups:
- First responders discount — 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.
- Free Admission for select Texas students and teachers — Students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at participating school districts receive free admission tickets, and teachers and school faculty for grades 9-12 receive free admission through our voucher program.
- Teachers must visit the admission ticket sales window, provide a teacher voucher and show their valid school-issued photo ID to receive an admission ticket to the Fair.
- Military discount — Active-duty military, retired military and veterans can save $5 off admission any day with valid military identification.
Texas State Fair parking prices
Parking in official state fair parking lots is now just $25 — reduced by $5 from 2025 — every day.
When is the Texas State Fair in 2026?
The fair will run from Sept. 25 to Oct. 18 at the historic Fair Park in Dallas.
In honor of the U.S. celebrating its 250th birthday and the State Fair of Texas celebrating its 140th birthday, this year's theme is “Stars, Stripes. And Howdies.”
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Going to State Fair of Texas just got cheaper for families. Here's why
