FAQs

The 2025 State Fair of Texas will run September 26 – October 19, 2025. Gates will open Friday, September 26, 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 9:30 a.m.

State Fair of Texas Midway
Sundays – Fridays: 11 a.m.
Saturdays: 10 a.m.

Fair Park Museum hours vary.

Ticket prices vary depending on discounts available and day of the week.

General admission: $7-$29
Child (ages 3 to 12): $7-$24
Child two and younger: FREE
Senior (ages 60 and older): $7-$24
Seniors ½ price every Thursday: $7

State Fair Season Pass & Packages
The State Fair Season Pass ranges from $52 to $62 and allows you to attend the State Fair every day of the season.

A commemorative hard card season pass includes admission to all 24 days of the Fair and one bring-a-friend voucher. A digital season pass includes admission to all 24 days of the Fair. A digital season pass does not include a bring-a-friend voucher. For more information visit BigTex.com/Tickets.

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! Visit BigTex.com/Groups to purchase group tickets.

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

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

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

No, coupons are used to purchase food and beverages, ride rides, or play games; however, you will need cash or a credit card to purchase items from our shopping exhibitors. Several ATMs are available throughout the fairgrounds. See their locations on the map.

Unused Food and Midway coupons cannot be exchanged for money, as they are good year after year and never expire.

The State Fair of Texas offers more than 100 FREE daily activities that are included in the price of your admission ticket. Whether it be our weekend rodeos, 90-plus musical acts, or street performers, there’s something for fairgoers of all ages! Read more about our FREE attractions at BigTex.com/Attractions.

Most rides at the State Fair of Texas range from 5-12 coupons. The majority of kiddie rides located on the Kidway, are less than 6 coupons. Games at the State Fair range from 3-20 coupons. The State Fair Midway is made up of a collection of small businesses that set their own prices. And don’t forget that every child wins a prize when they play select games on the State Fair of Texas Midway!

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 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.

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. The 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 visit BigTex.com/Media and fill out the State Fair of Texas Media Credentials Request Form.

In the interest of the overall safety for our guests, bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates, and/or other wheeled forms of transportation are prohibited inside the gates (wagons to transport small children are approved.)

Small children may be pulled in a wagon.

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. Fairgoers may only bring softshell coolers that meet the new bag policy sizing standard. Please note, loose ice is not permitted.  Re-usable ice packs are recommended. Please note: Alcohol, glass containers, and metal knives and forks are prohibited, and your cooler will be searched as you enter the grounds.

• When you join us on the fairgrounds and attend the Fair, all fairgoers are expected to respect and abide by the following rules:
• We expect all fairgoers to be Fair-friendly and respectful of your fellow fairgoers.
• Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, offensive, or illegal is not allowed on the fairgrounds.
• Disruptive running is not allowed on the fairgrounds.
• Improper or illegal use of motorized scooters or similar items will not be allowed. Dangerous behavior or failure to abide by scooter rules will result in loss of privilege to operate a scooter and subject the offender to possible eviction from the fairgrounds.
• After 5 p.m. Minors Policy: Starting at 5:00 p.m. daily, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when they enter the Fair. Parents, guardians, or chaperones may accompany no more than six minors 17 years of age and under.
• 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.
• Entry to the fairgrounds is contingent on a security screening process. All guests will be screened for weapons either by a walk-through or hand-held detection device. Bags, purses, coolers, and similar containers will be searched to determine if any illegal, prohibited, or suspicious items are present that may pose a safety or security concern within the property. For a full list of prohibited items, visit: BigTex.com/FAQ.
• 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 State Fair safe.
• Dress appropriately for a family-oriented and mostly outdoor event. Clothing must adequately cover the body. Visible undergarments are not permitted. Guests may be asked to remove masks, hoods, or other clothing that obscures the entire face of the person. Clothing likely to provoke a disturbance or involve other guests in open conflict is not permitted. Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Not staging any form of public event or protest, soliciting, or distributing information of any kind without the prior written approval of State Fair of Texas management or security personnel.
• Not leaving bags or baggage unattended. Any unattended bags are subject to search and possible seizure.
• Only registered service animals that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements are allowed. No pets are allowed. Dogs and other animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA. The State Fair of Texas reserves the right to deny access or require removal of any service animal that is disruptive or poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others.
• Observing the hours of operation of the State Fair of Texas and its vendors, and promptly leaving at the close of business hours or as otherwise directed by State Fair of Texas management or security personnel.

During the 2025 State Fair of Texas, starting at 5 p.m. daily, all minors, age 17 and under, must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or chaperone (21+) when entering the Fair. Parents, guardians, or chaperones may accompany no more than six minors 17 years of age and under.  

• Purchasers must show a Driver’s License or Government Issued ID. No temporary IDs accepted.
• Purchaser name and residential address on Driver’s License or Government Issued ID must match the billing address on your order. If your billing address and residential address on your ID are not the same location, please do not order Food/Midway coupons for on-site pick-up.
• Must present the credit card used for purchase. Physical credit cards or Google Wallet/Apple Wallet cards are allowed. No photocopies or pictures of the card will be accepted. No temporary credit cards, digital virtual cards, or gift cards allowed.
• Coupon purchase QR codes must be presented by the original purchaser only.
• Coupon purchase QR codes CANNOT be transferred or gifted to another individual i.e. cannot be purchased for pick-up by a friend, child, employee, or client.

When entering the fairgrounds during the annual State Fair of Texas, you hereby grant permission to SFT, its affiliates, and licensees, without compensation, to capture, film, video, photograph, publish, transmit, stream, display, reproduce, and otherwise use your image or likeness captured while attending the Fair or on the fairgrounds with or without your knowledge.

• The State Fair is working diligently with its security partners to plan for the implementation of this policy.
• Security team members will receive ample training to enforce this new policy. In addition, the State Fair has made significant financial investments in the security technology OPENGATE ® – a Weapons Detection System designed for screening people as well as their bags. OPENGATE is one piece of the overall security screening process at every entry gate.

• Every year, the State Fair of Texas has an ongoing safety and security assessment, adding and adjusting security measures to ensure a safe environment for all fairgoers, employees, and vendors. For us to continue offering a safe event for all, we feel this is an important measure to implement.
• Other events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and Rodeo Austin follow similar weapons policies as well.

No. 

Yes. Whether on or off duty, peace officers from any jurisdiction must provide the appropriate credentials to the Dallas Police Officer posted at the entry gate for verification.

Other prohibited items include firearms and/or ammunition; air guns, BB guns, pellet guns, paintball guns, slingshots; firearm replicas, including non-firing imitations, toys, and their components. Other weapons of any kind. Any items deemed inappropriate or hazardous by the State Fair of Texas.

• Clear bags and soft-shell coolers that are 9 inches x 10 inches x 12 inches (9” x 10” x 12”) or smaller are allowed.
• Small clutch bags or purses do not have to be clear, but cannot exceed 4.5 inches x 6.5 inches (4.5” x 6.5”)
• Medical bags and parenting/childcare bags are allowed.
• These medical and parenting/childcare bags do not have to be clear or 9” x 10” x 12” or smaller, but will be searched at all entry gates.
• Medical bags containing medically necessary items, including but not limited to insulin, medication, portable oxygen, small soft pack coolers, and breast pumps.
• Soft-shell coolers that are 9 inches x 10 inches x 12 inches or smaller are allowed.
• Coolers must use ice packs or clear bagged ice. Loose ice is not permitted, to aid in more efficient search of coolers by security.
• All permitted bags are subject to search.
• There are no lockers or bag checks at the State Fair. Guests with a prohibited bag or item must return it to their vehicle or discard it properly. Prohibited items can NOT be held by security, staff, or volunteers.

• All bags and soft-shelled coolers larger than 9” x 10” x 12”.
• Non-clear bags larger than 4.5” x 6.5”.
• Hardshell coolers (Unless medically necessary.)
• Medical bags are subject to search.

Yes. Medical bags may be brought into the Fair and do not have to be under 9” x 10” x 12” but will be searched at all entry gates. 

What is considered an approved “medical bag?”
Medical bags contain medically necessary items, including but not limited to insulin, medication, portable oxygen, small soft pack coolers, and breast pumps. 

How does a fairgoer ensure they can bring their medical bag in?
Upon entry, fairgoers should inform the security member who checks their bags that they or someone in their party has a bag containing medically necessary items. 

No. There are no lockers or bag checks at the State Fair. Guests with a prohibited bag or item must return it to their vehicle or discard it properly. Prohibited items can NOT be held by security, staff, or volunteers.

• The sale of goods or services, or the display of goods or services, unless prior written approval has been obtained.
• The distribution or posting of printed or recorded materials of any kind unless prior written approval has been obtained.
•  Engaging with other guests or impeding operations while posing as or portraying any character in costume.
• Engaging in any unsafe act or other act that may impede the operation of the State Fair of Texas or any part thereof.
• Unauthorized access or entry into backstage areas or areas designated only for State Fair of Texas personnel.
• Unauthorized events, speeches, or use of any flag, banner, sign or other material for commercial purposes, or as part of a demonstration.
• Photography, videotaping or recording of any kind, or otherwise engaging in any activity, for unapproved commercial purposes.
• Unauthorized solicitations of any kind, whether commercial, religious, educational or otherwise, or conducting any unauthorized commercial activities, including solicitations of money or other contributions or donations.
• Obstructing sidewalks, entrances, driveways, patios, vestibules, stairways, corridors, halls or landings.

The State Fair of Texas works with DPD, DFR, DART Police, DISD Police, regional, state, and federal partners as well as private security partners to help keep fairgoers, employees, and vendors safe. While each of the entities focuses on ensuring a safe and family-friendly environment at the State Fair of Texas, we also 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 State Fair safe.

The Cotton Bowl has followed a clear-bag policy for several years and will continue to. Please note the Cotton Bowl does not allow childcare/diaper bags, but items normally carried in a diaper bag may be put into a clear plastic bag for venue entry. For specific details prior to attending a game in the Cotton Bowl we encourage fans to visit BigTex.com/Sports.

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. In addition, we have the Kidway area, featuring rides suitable for children 2 years of age and older. The State Fair Midway also has a variety of fun games for you to play! Learn more about the Midway.

Visit one of our ten Hospitality Centers spread throughout the fairgrounds. View the map for your nearest location.

Hay diez centros de información repartidos por todo el parque. Los amables miembros del Equipo Tex están a su disposición para responder a sus preguntas y ayudarle con mapas y direcciones.

The State Fair of Texas has two guest relations locations. Our first location is located on the Midway, near the Top o’ Texas Tower and Neon Big Tex. The second location is on the far end of the Centennial Building, closest to the Hall of State. See the map for the exact locations.

Los visitantes que tengan preguntas o dudas pueden acudir a una de las dos oficinas de Guest Relations (Servicios para visitantes) del recinto ferial. Guest Relations Centennial está situada en el edificio Centennial, cerca de Big Tex, y cierra a las 9 p.m. Guest Relations Midway está situada cerca de la Top o’ Texas Tower en el Midway, y está abierta hasta el cierre del Midway. Guest Relations Midway también alberga los siguientes servicios: Centro de Seguridad Infantil, Centro de Cuidado del Bebé, y Objetos perdidos.

The Safe Kids Program ensures your little cowboys and cowgirls are safe if they ever get separated from you or the rest of your party at the Fair. Upon arrival, fill out your FREE child’s wristband at any Hospitality Center or guest relations location. We use a wristband system that allows fairgoers, Tex Team members, DPD, and our Safety Team to identify a lost child. Once a child is found and authorities are notified, they are taken to our Safe Kids Corral, located in the Guest Relations Midway Complex across from the Top o’ Texas Tower and Neon Big Tex.  

Los niños que se han separados de sus padres son escoltados por agentes de la policía o miembros del Equipo de Seguridad hasta este centro. Safe Kids Corral (Centro de Seguridad Infantil) tiene miembros del Tex Team que cuidan los niños hasta que los padres los reclaman. Las pulseras de identificación Safe Kids están disponibles en las Casetas de Información de la Feria Estatal.

Yes! Both the Children’s Aquarium and Texas Discovery Gardens are open during the State Fair of Texas. Visit the web pages below for more information.

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.

First Aid Stations are located in the Coliseum and on First Avenue, adjacent to the Children’s Aquarium. If in need of assistance, locate a State Fair employee or call the State Fair Command Center 469-461-4646.

Family restrooms can be found outside of the Food and Fiber building (GO TEXAN Pavilion), inside the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, Embarcadero Building, Hall of State, and the Natural History Museum. In addition, larger stalls with accessible features are located in Centennial Hall, Creative Arts Building, Coliseum, Automobile Building, Grand Place, Tower Building, Swine Barn, African American Museum, outside of the Bandshell, and all restrooms on the Midway.

Three Baby Care Centers are available for the convenience of guests. One across from the Children’s Aquarium, one in the Guest Relations Midway Complex near the Top o’ Texas Tower, 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. Please pick up a Visitor’s Guide as you enter the Fair or from one of our many Hospitality Centers, you can also visit: BigTex.com/Map. Personal checks cannot be cashed on the fairgrounds.

The State Fair of Texas offers wagons, strollers, wheelchairs and mobility scooters for rent through HomeTown Mobility. Reservations can be made in advance at www.htmia.com or by calling 1-712-938-2029 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, as well as on weekends during the State Fair. A valid driver’s license or state ID is required for all rentals. Per the State Fair of Texas Guest Code of Conduct, improper or illegal use of motorized scooters or similar items will not be allowed. Dangerous behavior or failure to abide by scooter rules will result in loss of privilege to operate a scooter and subject the offender to possible eviction from the fairgrounds.

Ride sharing, and taxi services are to be staged at Haskell to 4206 Gurley Ave Dallas, TX 75223 – drop off and pick up only. While you can use these services at any gate on the fairgrounds, we recommend using the above address, as we find this is the most efficient area to allow for less traffic.

There are two college football games scheduled on Saturdays during the State Fair of Texas: The State Fair Classic between Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University, and the Allstate Red River Rivalry between University of Oklahoma and University of Texas. New this year, the State Fair is hosting the State Fair Clásico, a brand-new soccer match taking place on the last Saturday of the Fair between Dallas Trinity FC and Club América Femenil. A game ticket includes Fair admission on game day. Visit BigTex.com/Sports for details about the games or call (469) 945-3247 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 2036. 

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 Prairie View A&M University runs through 2025.

The State Fair Showdown was played in the historic Cotton Bowl during the 2018 and 2019 State Fair of Texas. The matchup was between Texas Southern University and Southern University.

• Outside Food and Beverage of any kind
• Baby Seats
• Baby Strollers
• Backpacks (or any large bags)
• Banners, signs
• Beach balls and frisbees
• Streamers
• Bottles, cans or flasks
• Coolers (ice chests) or containers
• Weapons or any type, including but not limited to: guns, firearms, ammunition, brass knuckles, billy clubs, blackjacks, kubatons, knives or blades of any length, and self-defense sprays (mace)
• Stun guns and tasers
• Explosives, fireworks, smoke bombs, fuels, lighter fluids or any flammable item
• Professional Photo or Video Cameras – professional equipment or cameras with long telephoto lenses exceeding 6” – except for credentialed media
• Tripods, Monopods, any telescoping device including selfie sticks
• Drones or other model aircraft
• Flag poles
• Seat cushions or chairs of any kinds
• Hazardous items
• Laser pointers or any other object intended to create an optical distraction
• Noisemakers of any kind (air horns, whistles, vuvuzelas, etc.)
• Pets (except for service animals used by guests who need assistance)
• Tobacco products of any kind, including e-cigarettes
• Umbrellas
• Non-authorized vending or vendors

Yes, food and beverages are available for purchase inside Cotton Bowl Stadium on game days. 

Yes! If you have a game ticket for the State Fair Classic, Allstate Red River Rivalry, or State Fair Clasico, that ticket will also act as your admission to the Fair on game day.

All patrons shall comply with sportsmanship principles outlined in NCAA Constitution, Article 1, C and SEC Bylaw, Article 10.

Guest conduct is expected to be of a respectful level prior to, during, and after each competition.

The following conduct is deemed inappropriate: 

• Using racist, sexist, threatening, or inflammatory language. 

• Displaying clothing, signage, or material with profane or abusive language, obscene graphics, or inflammatory reference. 

• Attempting to enter the competition area. 

• Throwing objects, including but not limited to associated paper or plastic concessions service items within the seating areas or onto the field of play.   

• Illegally possessing alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, or smoking. 

• Taking or posting inappropriate photos of student-athletes, cheerleaders, dance team members, band members, or fellow spectators. 

If ejected from the venue for any reason, the guest will not receive a refund, will not be readmitted, and attendance at future athletics events is subject to review.

Guests in violation of federal, state, or city ordinances will be subject to arrest and prosecution. 

The State Fair Clásico is a brand-new soccer match between Dallas Trinity FC and Club América Femenil at Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair of Texas. This inaugural event will feature a match between our local team and a renowned international team, highlighting the State Fair of Texas’s commitment to both local and international sports events.

Please visit BigTex.com/jobs or contact hr@bigtex.com

Please visit BigTex.com/livestock or contact livestock@bigtex.com.

Please visit BigTex.com/get-involved/commercial-exhibitors/ or contact exhibits@bigtex.com.

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

Please visit BigTex.com/get-involved/corporate-sponsorship or contact Leslie Jefferson at ljefferson@bigtex.com.

Please visit bigtex.com/supporting-texans/volunteer/ for more information.