FAQs

Food and ride coupons are valued at $1.00. Any coupons from previous Fairs will be valued at the new $1.00 denotation.

Yes. Food and ride coupons do not expire and can be used for future Fairs.

ATMs are located throughout the grounds. Pick up a Visitor’s Guide as you enter the fair or from any of our many information booths. Personal checks cannot be cashed on the fairgrounds.

Small businesses from across the state sell State Fair food like corny dogs, turkey legs, cotton candy, Frito Pies, Sausage-on-a-Stick, and much more! Every year, these loyal food vendors create new Fair foods by putting a spin on gourmet, regional, national and even international dishes. Check out our New Foods page to see this year’s lineup, learn more about each dish, and where you can find them on the fairgrounds. We also sell a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Be sure to purchase your coupons once you get inside the gate or order them online to purchase food and drinks.

Rides
The State Fair Midway features more than 70 rides including the iconic 212 ft. Texas Star® Ferris wheel, the Kidway, the 500 ft. Top o’ Texas Tower and the 1914 Dentzel Carousel. The Kidway area features rides suitable for children 2 years of age and older. State Fair Food & Ride coupons are used to pay for all Midway rides. Coupons can be purchased online in advance or at booths inside the Fair.
Learn more about the Midway.

Games
The State Fair Midway also has a variety of fun games for you to play! In order to play games, you must purchase a Big Tex Game Card. These cards can be purchased at booths and kiosks adjacent to the gaming areas.

The State Fair of Texas is a collection of small businesses. The prices for concessions and rides are determined by the operators and concessionaires without input from the State Fair. Only the prices for parking and admission are set by the Fair.

The Chevrolet Main Stage hosts a variety of musical concerts across all genres during the State Fair of Texas. All concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage are presented FREE to State Fair visitors. It is standing room only, so come early for a chance to be up-front and close to your favorite stars. See the complete schedule for this year’s Fair.

The Chevrolet Main Stage is located at the end of Lone Star Boulevard (Grand Avenue) near the Hans Mueller Tent. Concerts are designed for “standing” only. A designated area for persons with disabilities is located at the left front stage area.

Food, beverages, and rides are paid for using coupons. Coupons can be purchased at the numerous coupon booths around the groups.

Baby Care Centers are available for the convenience of guests. Over the past four years, three brand new Baby Care Centers have been installed – one next to the Children’s Aquarium, one in the new Guest Relations Building on the Midway, and one near the Swine Barn and Backyard Steak-Out & Pizzeria. Please see map for exact location. Changing stations are located in all of the women’s restrooms and in the men’s restrooms located in Cattle Barn #1, both sides of the Coliseum, Embarcadero, the Midway, the Perot Museum, east of the Aquarium, 1st & MLK, and MLK & Coliseum. An area is also available in the Oak Farms Children’s Activity Center. Electrical outlets are available in the Baby Care Centers.

ATMs are located throughout the grounds. Pick up a Visitor’s Guide as you enter the fair or from any of our many information booths. Personal checks cannot be cashed on the fairgrounds.

Bicycle racks are located inside Gates 5, 6, and 11. They are a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Bicycles are not allowed past the pedestrian gates or on the fairgrounds.

The State Fair of Texas offers wheelchairs and electric scooters for rent through Home Town Mobility. Reservations can be made for wheelchairs and scooters at www.htmia.com or by calling 712-938-2029 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends during the State Fair. A valid driver’s license or state ID is required for all rentals.

Reservations need to be made 24 hours in advance and cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund, less a $5 cancellation fee per rental unit. Rental locations are at the Front Gate (Parry Ave.), Grand Ave. (Gate 5), and Pennsylvania Pedestrian Entrance (Gate 11), and Pan Am Gate (North side of the fairgrounds). Fairground Map.

Rental Prices:

• Scooters $65 per day (8am-10pm)
• Wheelchairs $25 per day
• Personal Storage Cubical $5

Sign Interpretation for the hearing impaired is available Friday – Sunday at select shows. Check the online schedule for details.

The State Fair of Texas offers strollers and wagons for rent through Home Town Mobility. Reservations can be made for wheelchairs and scooters at www.htmia.com or by calling 712-938-2029 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends during the State Fair. A valid driver’s license or state ID is required for all rentals.

Reservations need to be made 24 hours in advance and cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund, less a $5 cancellation fee per rental unit. Rental locations are at the Front Gate (Parry Ave.), Grand Ave. (Gate 5), and Pennsylvania Pedestrian Entrance (Gate 11), and Pan Am Gate (North side of the fairgrounds). Fairground Map.

• Single Strollers $20 per day
• Double Stroller $25 per day
• Wagons $20 per day

On every Wednesday of the Fair, fairgoers can enjoy Sensory-Friendly Mornings, where there will be adjustments made across the fairgrounds to better accommodate those with sensory-related concerns. The Fair created a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears – check back closer to the Fair to see our GUIDED ITINERARY and plan your visit at BigTex.com/Sensory. In addition, fairgoers will be able to enjoy all the fun of the Midway without the usual lights and sounds from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Please note that the usual lights and sounds of the Midway will return at 1 p.m. There are also a few locations around the grounds designated as “Quiet Zones” where families can go throughout their visit should they need to depressurize. These locations will be posted on BigTex.com/Sensory closer to the Fair.

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 great State Fair of Texas on Sensory-Friendly Mornings. See you at the Fair!

P.S. Wednesday is also the best discount day! Each person who brings five canned food items to donate to North Texas Food Bank will receive $5 admission.

There are two college football games scheduled on Saturdays during the 2021 State Fair of Texas. A game ticket includes fair admission game day. Visit the college football page for details about the games or call (214)-565-9931 and press “0” for additional assistance.

Yes, the annual Texas vs. OU football game has been a State Fair of Texas tradition since 1929, and a weekend that people on both sides of the Red River enjoy and look forward to each year. The current agreement between the State Fair of Texas, the City of Dallas, the University of Texas, and the University of Oklahoma runs through 2025.

Yes, the annual State Fair Classic has been a State Fair of Texas tradition since 1925, and a weekend that people enjoy and look forward to each year. The current agreement between the State Fair of Texas, the City of Dallas, Grambling State University, and the Prairie View A&M University runs through 2025.

During the 2018 and 2019 State Fair’s, the State Fair Showdown will be played in the historic Cotton Bowl. The matchup will be between Texas Southern University and Southern University.

• All Bags, including backpacks
• Purses that exceed 10” x 10”
• Medical Bags will be inspected upon entry
• All weapons of any sort
• Alcoholic beverages of any kind
• Artificial Noisemakers (bells, horns, kazoos, whistles, etc.)
• Banners, flags, flag poles, signs, umbrellas, etc.
• Cameras with detachable lenses greater than 10”. Video cameras and tripods
• Coolers
• Any explosive or flammable items
• Food & Beverages
• Any items deemed a safety hazard or annoyance (balls, balloons, firearms, fireworks, Frisbees, glass, hard plastic or metal water bottles, laser pointers, etc.)
• Pets (service dogs permitted)
• Strollers
• Tobacco products of any kind, including e-­cigarettes
• Any type of seat cushions or chair backs
• Baby seats

The 2022 State Fair of Texas will run September 30 – October 23, 2022. Gates will open Friday, September 30, at 10 a.m.

Hours of Operation
Sundays – Thursdays: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Fridays – Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Last entry time is 9 p.m.

Parking Gates & Ticket Booths
Open daily at 9 a.m.

State Fair of Texas Midway and Fair Park Museum hours vary.

To get to the Fair easily, navigate to the State Fair of Texas parking lot located at Gate 2 at 925 S. Haskell
Dallas, Texas 75223. Insert that address into your map app or follow one of the directions below.

Directions by car:
From Sherman-Plano-Richardson
Take U.S. 75 (North Central Expressway) South toward downtown Dallas. Take exit 284A to connect to Interstate 30 East (toward Texarkana), then take exit 48A, towards Haskell Avenue. Turn left on Haskell, go straight through the light at Parry Avenue, and enter at Gate 2.

From Austin-Waco
Take Interstate 35E North to downtown Dallas. Take exit 428B to connect to Interstate 30 East (toward Texarkana), then take exit 48A, towards Haskell Avenue. Turn left on Haskell, go straight through the light at Parry Avenue, and enter at Gate 2.

From Fort Worth-Abilene-Weatherford
Take Interstate 30 East to Dallas. Follow signs for Interstate 30 East toward Texarkana. After passing downtown Dallas, take exit 48A, towards Haskell Avenue. Turn left on Haskell, go straight through the light at Parry Avenue, and enter at Gate 2.

From Denton-Lewisville-Gainesville
Take Interstate 35E South to downtown Dallas and exit 427E. Immediately after taking the exit, move to one of the left two lanes and enter Interstate 30, Eastbound. Follow signs for Interstate 30 East toward Texarkana. After passing Downtown Dallas, take exit 48A, towards Haskell Avenue. Turn left on Haskell, go straight through the light at Parry Avenue, and enter at Gate 2.

From Houston-Huntsville-Corsicana
Take Interstate 45 North to exit 284A. Move to the right lane and follow signs for Interstate 30 East. Take exit 48A, towards Haskell Avenue. Turn left on Haskell, go straight through the light at Parry Avenue, and enter at Gate 2.

From Texarkana-Greenville-Rockwall
Take Interstate 30 West toward downtown Dallas. Take exit 48A, towards Haskell Avenue. Turn left on Haskell, go straight through the light at Parry Avenue, and enter at Gate 2.

Directions by train:
Using the DART Rail Green Line, visitors can arrive at the State Fair of Texas from two stations – Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the entrance of the fairgrounds or MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Blvd. and convenient to the MLK fairground entrance (Gate 6).

General admission: $25-$15
Child (ages 3 to 12): $18-$5
Child two and younger: FREE
Senior (ages 60 and older): $18-$10
Seniors ½ price every Thursday: $5

State Fair Season Pass & Packages
The State Fair Season Pass is only $50 and allows you attend the State Fair every day of the season. It also includes FREE State Fair gear, discounts, a bring-a-friend ticket, and much more! We also offer a variety of State Fair Combo packages. For more information check out our tickets page.

Group Discount
If you are attending the Fair with a group of more than 25 people, advance group discount tickets are available. The earlier you buy, the more you save!

For additional discounts offered during the State Fair, visit our discounts page.

While there are several parking options at the State Fair of Texas, the easiest and most convenient parking lot can be reached by entering at Gate 2 which is located at 925 S. Haskell, Dallas, Texas 75223. Click here to find your way to this gate.

State Fair parking is $20 per space at official Fair lots. All State Fair parking is well lit and conveniently located near pedestrian gates. Bicycle racks are located inside Gates 5, 6, and 11, but they are on first come first served basis. Premium parking is available for $40. Enter the Grand Avenue Gate from Cullum Blvd., Parry/Haskell (Sat./Sun.) to use this service.

Parking spaces for the disabled require a designated license plate or hang tag.

Overnight parking is prohibited. The only exception is TX vs. OU weekend only in designated RV parking lots. Space is allocated on a first come, first served basis. Adjacent spaces may not be reserved. Cash or credit card payment is due at the gate upon entry unless you have already pre-paid for your space.

Click here for RV overnight parking information specific to each weekend.

The Dallas-area is filled with places for visitors to stay. Our friends at Visit Dallas have compiled a list here.

Pets
Pets are NOT allowed. However, a service animal is permitted for individuals with a disability. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. All service animals must remain on a leash or harness and may not be left unattended. Service animal behavior is the responsibility of the owner and you will be asked to leave the Fair if their behavior becomes a threat to the safety of another guest or employee. We do not have accommodations for pets at the fairgrounds.

For more information about service animals and the ADA, please visit their website.

Bull Horns, Air Horns, Megaphones, or Similar Items
Bull horns, air horns, megaphones, and similar items are NOT allowed. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. Use of these items on the fairgrounds is strictly prohibited and will result in the item being confiscated and could result in you being removed from the Fair.

Large Signs, Large Props, or Similar Items
Large signs or props are NOT allowed. Please leave them at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. Use of these items on the fairgrounds will result in confiscation of related materials and could result in you being removed from the Fair.

Selfie Sticks, Tripods, Monopods, or Other Camera Equipment
Unless credentialed through the State Fair of Texas’ PR office, Selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, and similar items are NOT allowed. We ask that you leave your selfie sticks, tripods, monopods, and/or similar items at home or in your vehicle in the interest of the overall safety of our visitors. Use of these items on the fairgrounds is strictly prohibited and will result in the item being confiscated and could result in you being removed from the Fair. If you are a photographer interested in taking photographs with professional or extensive camera equipment, you must first contact the Fair’s Public Relations department via email at pr@BigTex.com.

Drones/UAVs/UASs
Drones, quad-copters and/or any type of remote controlled craft are NOT allowed on the fairgrounds, with one exception – registered vendors may sell these types of devices on the fairgrounds without their battery packs. The State Fair of Texas prohibits the use of all remote controlled devices of any type, including, but not limited to, aircraft, drones, quad-copters, cars or trucks, on or above property owned, leased or controlled by the Fair. Operation of such remotely controlled aircraft or ground vehicle devices without prior written consent of the State Fair of Texas or proper law enforcement authority will result in the confiscation of all related materials, you being removed from Fair property, and/or prosecution under Texas law.

Bicycle, Skateboard or Roller Skates
In the interest of overall safety for our guests, we ask that you do not bring bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates, and/or other wheeled forms of transportation inside the gates (wagons to transport small children are approved). Bicycle racks are located inside Gates 5, 6, and 11. Bicycles are not allowed through State Fair ticket gates. DART also provides bicycle racks at the two stations servicing Fair Park – Fair Park station on Parry and the Martin Luther King, Jr. station.

No weapons of any kind.
Please help us keep the Fair safe and fun for all! We reserve the right to search all fairgoers and their bags upon entry into the fairgrounds. No weapons of any kind are permitted on the fairgrounds. This includes guns, knives, clubs, tasers, etc. Also, all sharp metal objects, such as pocket knives, scissors, and other sharp implements, are strictly prohibited. Please leave these items at home or in your vehicle. If you usually carry a pocket knife and forget it’s in your pocket when you reach the security checkpoint, you will be asked to return it to your vehicle to secure your knife or be given the option to dispose of it prior to entering the park. If you question whether something is safe to bring in, it probably isn’t – and should be left at home or in the vehicle.

License to Carry a Handgun

The State Fair of Texas is—and always has been—a private entity. The Fair leases the Fair Park property from the City of Dallas but is not part of the City or controlled by a government body.

The State Fair of Texas has long been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of the rights of responsible gun owning Texans. For that reason, the Fair has long allowed Fair attendees with valid handgun licenses to carry their handguns in a concealed manner while attending the Fair (except for locations prohibited by law). The State Fair will not allow unlicensed gun owners to enter the fairgrounds with a firearm.

A person holding a valid Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC), or a valid handgun license from a reciprocating state, is permitted to enter the Fair with his or her concealed handgun, provided that he or she thereafter fully complies with all applicable laws. LTC holders are responsible for knowing and complying with all applicable Texas laws. For example, under Texas Penal Code Chapter 46 an LTC holder is prohibited from carrying a handgun (1) on any other premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place (this may include Cotton Bowl Stadium, as well as the State Fair’s livestock facilities where interscholastic events are presented), (2) on the premises of a business that derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, or (3) while intoxicated.

The State Fair of Texas prohibits Fair attendees (including LTC holders) from openly carrying handguns while at the Fair. If an individual attempts to enter the Fair with an openly carried handgun, the guest will be asked to conceal the handgun (if the guest has a valid LTC), otherwise the guest will be asked to secure the handgun in his or her vehicle or at some offsite location.

We know that this is an important issue for many Texans, and that the Fair’s decision may disappoint potential fairgoers who regularly and responsibly practice open carry. However, the Fair strongly believes that allowing concealed carry and prohibiting open carry is a reasonable compromise that best ensures the safety and comfort of all Fair attendees.

NOTE: The State Fair of Texas does not provide lockers for the storage or checking of weapons, so please plan your visit to the Fair accordingly. For example, if you plan to attend a game or event in the Cotton Bowl Stadium, please secure your weapon at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds.

Wagon
Small children may be pulled in a wagon.

Personal Food and Beverages
Tasting “Fair food” is a big reason why people visit the State Fair of Texas, but if you have any dietary restrictions or other reasons for wanting to bring your own food or beverages, please do. Please note: Alcohol, glass containers, and metal knives and forks are prohibited.

Coolers or Ice Chests
Your cooler will be searched as you enter the grounds; please do not bring metal knives, glass containers, or alcoholic beverages.

The State Fair of Texas is a casual, family-friendly environment. We suggest you dress comfortably, wear walking shoes – or cowboy boots if you prefer – and check the local weather report before you leave for the Fair.

Proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must always be worn. Texas themed shirts and hats are acceptable and encouraged.

The State Fair of Texas reserves the right to deny admission to or remove any person wearing attire that is considered inappropriate or could detract from the experience of other guests.

Ensuring the State Fair is family-friendly is an important part of the Fair experience. In that spirit, we ask you to use your discretion and common sense.

Attire that is not appropriate for the Fair — and which may result in refusal of admittance — includes but is not limited to:

• Clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics
• Clothing which, by nature, exposes excessive portions of the skin that may be viewed as inappropriate for a family environment
• Clothing with multiple layers are subject to search upon entry
• Offensive tattoos
• Costumes or masks (unless they are for medical purposes) may not be worn by guests 12 years of age or older
• Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon
• Masks may not cover the head and face entirely.  Eyes must be visible

Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry and/or removed from the State Fair of Texas, unless attire can be modified to meet the above standards.

The State Fair of Texas is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate all things Texan by promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement through quality entertainment in a family-friendly environment. We want to make sure the Fair is a fun – and safe – place for all of our fairgoers, vendors, and Tex Team members.

When you join us on the fairgrounds, we ask that you respect the following rules:

• We encourage all fairgoers to be Fair-friendly and respectful of their fellow fairgoers.
• Disruptive running is not allowed on the fairgrounds.
• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal is not allowed on the fairgrounds.
• While not required, we encourage that all minors, age 17 and under, be accompanied by an adult when they visit the Fair.
• In addition to our safety measures on the fairgrounds, we also encourage guests to lock their vehicles and ensure they have properly stowed away any personal items or valuables.
• Upon entry to the fairgrounds, all guests must walk through metal detectors and every bag, purse and cooler will be screened.
• We ask that everyone remain “Fair Aware.” If you see something that doesn’t look right on the fairgrounds, please say something to a uniformed police officer or State Fair Safety Team member. Let’s all do our part to keep the Fair safe.

By attending the Fair, you agree to abide by all rules including all health and safety rules established by the Fair. Violation of these rules can be cause for forfeiture of your ticket and removal from the premises. For additional rules and legal disclosure, please refer to the back of your State Fair of Texas ticket.

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Please visit BigTex.com/get-involved/concessions/ or contact concessions@bigtex.com. 

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