Get Involved with Creative Arts!
Do you want to participate in Creative Arts contests at the State Fair of Texas but don’t know where to start? Start by deciding if you want to show your artistry skills in Arts and Crafts or if you want to show off your culinary abilities. You can even do both if you like!
Who can enter Creative arts contests? Anyone can! Whether you’re a professional, an amateur, or even a fair goer under the age 17 there is a contest category for everyone. Please red through the Creative Arts Guides for Arts & Crafts and Cooking Contests if you have any questions.
Coming Soon!
ENTERING OUR CONTESTS IS EASY
If it’s your first time entering a Creative Arts Contest at the State Fair of Texas or it has been a while, please follow along with our step-by-step instructional guide to participating in a contest. This step-by-step guide is the same process for both Cooking contests and Arts & Crafts contests.
1. Create an account
Create an account at bigtex.com/getcreative. Click on the link or click the button below to be transferred to the Creative Arts portal to register.
Creative Arts Portal
2. Add yourself
Add yourself (or anyone else) as a contestant.
3. Pick your Contests
Select yourself as a contestant and pick what contest(s) you’d like to enter. Add contest(s) to your shopping cart, check out & pay once you’re done.
4. Bring Your entries to the Fair
Bring your entries to the Fair. Please see specific dates on the “Things to know” page for each contest. All entries will be dropped off at the Creative Arts Building at Fair Park.
COOKING CONTESTS
To be a part of a State Fair of Texas tradition – the Cooking Contests. Whether you like to bake or prefer something a bit more savory, we have cooking contests throughout the 24 days of the Fair for amateur home cooks of all ages! We have created a guide to help you navigate the process
View or download the Cooking Contest Guide below to start entering a contest!
Want to just look at Cooking contest information? Click the button below to be taken to the cooking contest page.
Who can Enter a Creative Arts Cooking Contest?
Fair fans of all ages can join!
There is a variety of contests and categories to choose from even if you are a beginner or a professional. All skill levels and walks of life are eligible for Arts & Crafts Contests!
Youth
(Junior – 13 to 17/ Child – 12 & Younger)
The Fair has designated special categories for those ages 17 and under. Many of our contests have both a Junior Division and a Child Division to better match the skill sets of our younger contestants.
Adult Amateur
(18+ years of age)
Anyone age 18 and over, who engages in the contests subject matter as a hobby, is welcome to enter any of the categories designated in the Adult Amateur Divisions.
Teacher and Professionals
The Fair has created special categories for Fair fans whose skill level is beyond that of an amateur. Designated “Teacher & Professional” categories are for individuals who list and sell items (related to the subject matter of the contest) on a personal website, global marketing platform, or social media site
For more information on what age and skill group applies to you, please consult the Creative Arts Handbook.
Contest Schedule 2026
Unsure what contest you may want to enter? Take a look at all of our scheduled Springtime and Fair-time contests below and see what calls out to you! To learn more about each specific contest, please download the Creative Arts Cooking Handbook for full details, rules, and other things to know.
• Saturday, April 25 – Cake Contest
• Sunday, April 26 – Youth Cooking Contests
• Saturday, May 2 – Pies | Tarts Contests
• Sunday, May 3 – Cookie | Bar Contest
• Saturday, September 26 – Bread Contest
• Sunday, September 27 – Texas Chuck Wagon Contest
• Wednesday, September 30 – Honey, The Magic Ingredient Contest | Beekeepers Honey Contest
• Friday, October 2 – Speedy Dishes Contest | Retro Revival Contest
• Saturday, October 3 – Tex Mex Contest
• Sunday, October 4- Chicken or the Egg Contest
• Wednesday, October 7 – Charcuterie Board Contest | Fair Concoctions Contest
• Friday, October 9 – Soup or Salad Contest | Farm to Fork Contest
• Sunday, October 11 – International Contest
• Wednesday, October 14 – Ice Cream Cook Off Contest
• Friday, October 16 – Cooking with Cream Cheese
• Saturday, October 17 – Candy Contest
How do I register?
If it’s your first time wanting to enter a Creative Arts Cooking Competition at the State Fair of Texas, but you are unsure where to begin, no worries! Click the button below to be redirected to the Creative Arts Resources page. There will be a step-by-step guide how to register along with a link to view the Cooking Contest Handbook.
Cooking Contests During the Fair
Once you enter a Cooking Contest during the Fair, you will need to purchase tickets and parking separately to enter the State Fair in order to participate. The Fair offers a variety of ticket packages including season passes, as well as the option to purchase parking online when you purchase a ticket.
Please bring your items when the gates open at 10 a.m. and head directly to the Creative Arts Building. Drop off your items between 10:00 -11:15 a.m. in the contest kitchen on the west side of the Creative Arts building by the theater. Judging will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Three Contest Program
Entering Cooking Contests at the State Fair of Texas could earn you a Season Pass for the Fair.
It is simple: register and bring your entry to THREE different Cooking Contests during this year’s State Fair. Prior to next year’s Fair, you will be notified via email that you have qualified to receive a Season Pass by mail. Contestants must enter three individual contests. (i.e., Bread, Pies, Tex-Mex, etc.).
NOTE: Entering three categories in any contest does NOT qualify toward the three contests. All three contests must take place within the same calendar/Fair year. Entries in the Battle for the Blue Ribbons count toward the Three Contest Program.
Rules and Participation Guidelines
COOKING CONTESTS ARE OPEN TO AMATEURS ONLY. NO PROFESSIONAL COOKS OR CULINARY TEACHERS MAY ENTER. PLEASE SEE DEFINITION OF TERMS SECTION FOR AMATEUR QUALIFICATIONS.
• The Best of Show winner from 2025 is not eligible to enter the same contest in 2026
CONTESTANTS CANNOT ENTER THE SAME RECIPE TWICE IN ANY 2026 CONTEST.
• Mixes or prepared foods may not be used in recipes, unless otherwise specified.
• Read individual contest rules for contest-specific requirements and changes from last year.
• No covers are allowed on containers (i.e., lids, plastic wrap, etc.). The Fair is not responsible for contestants’ containers.
• Decisions of the Director of Creative Arts will be final. No person is allowed to interfere with judges or Fair staff assisting judges during the judging process. Violators may be disqualified and asked to leave the judging area.
ARTS & CRAFTS
To be a part of a State Fair of Texas tradition – The Arts & Crafts Contests. Whether you like to needlepoint or prefer to paint, we have 14 contests with more than 1,100 categories for crafters at every skill level. We have created a guide to help you navigate the entry process.
View or download the Arts & Crafts Guide below to start entering a contest!
Want to just look at Cooking contest information? Click the button below to be taken to the cooking contest page.
Who can Enter an Arts & Crafts Contest?
Fair fans of all ages can join!
There is a variety of contests and categories to choose from even if you are a beginner or a professional. All skill levels and walks of life are eligible for Arts & Crafts Contests!
Youth
(Junior – 13 to 17/ Child – 12 & Younger)
The Fair has designated special categories for those ages 17 and under. Many of our contests have both a Junior Division and a Child Division to better match the skill sets of our younger contestants.
Adult Amateur
(18+ years of age)
Anyone age 18 and over, who engages in the contests subject matter as a hobby, is welcome to enter any of the categories designated in the Adult Amateur Divisions.
Teacher and Professionals
The Fair has created special categories for Fair fans whose skill level is beyond that of an amateur. Designated “Teacher & Professional” categories are for individuals who list and sell items (related to the subject matter of the contest) on a personal website, global marketing platform, or social media site
For more information on what age and skill group applies to you, please consult the Creative Arts Handbook.
Important Arts & Craft Dates
• March 25 – Arts & Crafts Contest Guide Available for download
• May 6 – Online registration opens for ALL contestants
• August 27 – Arts & Crafts winners announced
Entry Drop-off
Contestants may drop off their entry at any of the Creative Arts Building on one of the following days:
• July 31st – 11a.m. to 7 p.m.
• August 1st – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• August 2 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry Pick Up
• August 28 – 29 – Pick up of non-winning Arts & Crafts entries.
• October 23 – 24 (Post-Fair) – Pick up of winning Arts & Crafts entries.
Mail In Deadline
Contestants may also mail in their entries before the entry deadline. Please check the Arts & Crafts Guide for more mail in and mail back information.
• Before July 27th – Arts & Crafts mail in entry deadline
Winning Entries
• Winning Entries will be posted online the last week of August.
• All winning entries, including honorable mentions will be displayed in cases at the Creative Arts building during the run of the Fair. Winning entries can be picked up at the Creative Arts Building on October 23 or October 24.
Judging
• Entries are judged against other entries within the Samne category based on individual merit.
• Best of Show – The Best of Show award recognizes each category’s highest-scoring entry out of all the first-place winners. Some contests, divisions, or categories may not be eligible for Best of Show and will be noted in the contest rules.
• Director’s Award – The Director of the Creative Arts Department will select one entry representing the superior craftsmanship and creativity from all the Arts & Crafts entries.
General Entry Rules
All contests and categories may have their own individual rules and guidelines for entry. Please consult the Arts & Crafts Guide for all in-depth information.
• All entries are for amateurs only, except the “Teachers and Professionals” categories
• You cannot enter one piece in multiple categories. One item per category only.
• No edible items are allowed except for in the canning category.
• Any entry that previously won a ribbon in a State Fair of Texas contest may noy be re-entered.
• Contests must enter the age and skill division that applies to them.
•All entries must be appropriate for family viewing.
