For the eighth year, the State Fair of Texas is offering Sensory-Friendly Mornings at the Fair every Wednesday – September 30, October 7, and 14, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – with a brand-new, free wearable accessory option and 24-day sensory-friendly room, accessible for all Fairgoers.
Providing a family-friendly environment is at the core of the State Fairs’ mission. Therefore, the Fair is excited to bring back Sensory-Friendly Mornings for an eighth year. The Fair collaborated with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and other local organizations to devise ways to make Sensory-Friendly Mornings beneficial and fun for all who choose to attend, with the goal of creating opportunities for people to experience the Fair in a more accessible way.
On Sensory-Friendly Mornings, adjustments are made across the Fairgrounds to accommodate any sensory-related concerns. The Fair has created a special guided itinerary with a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears. You can find the itinerary at BigTex.com/Sensory to start planning your visit. Fairgoers will also be able to enjoy all the Midway fun without the usual lights and sounds from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. In addition, in the areas designated as “Quiet Zones,” families can go to these rooms should they need to depressurize throughout their Fair visit. Among these Quiet Zones is our Safe Kids Corral, which has now been designated as a sensory-friendly room for all 24 days of the Fair, from open to close, for Fairgoers who may need a safe space during their other visits not on Wednesdays.
As of 2026, the State Fair of Texas is a proud new member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, an internationally recognized organization that helps create a more inclusive and supportive experience for people with non-visible disabilities by offering sunflower-themed accessories for individuals to wear during their visits to events, airports, theme parks, and more. Free Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program wristbands will be available at our Hospitality Centers, Guest Relations locations, and the Safe Kids Corral for guests who choose to wear one as a discreet way to indicate that they may need additional assistance, patience, or understanding during their visit. Wristbands do not automatically provide priority access, fast-track services, or a place at the front of a queue.
The State Fair of Texas will be partnering with Joni and Friends Texas for a fourth year during the first Sensory-Friendly Morning of the Fair on Wednesday, September 30. Joni and Friends is a nonprofit organization that supports folks with disabilities around the world. Joni and Friends Texas will be providing registered families with a volunteer buddy to provide additional support during your Fair visit. If your family is interested in attending the first Sensory-Friendly Wednesday at the Fair with a Joni and Friends buddy, please visit Joni and Friends at the State Fair, Texas 2026 | Joni and Friends to register. Check out the video below to see all the fun that was had in 2023, at the Most Texan Place on Earth® in partnership with Joni and Friends Texas.
Trends in attendance show that Wednesdays provide a better experience for those with sensory sensitivities. Wednesdays are also the best discount day! Each person who brings five canned food items to donate to North Texas Food Bank will receive $7 admission.
The Fair welcomes individuals with autism, their families, and anyone else who may benefit from a sensory-friendly experience to come out and enjoy the Most Texan Place on Earth on Sensory Friendly Mornings. For more information, visit BigTex.com/Sensory or contact the Director of Communications, Taylor Pulfer, at tpulfer@bigtex.com.