Family Fun & Shows

Dinosaurs at the Lagoon

The wonders of the prehistoric era make their way to the State Fair of Texas for this year’s Dinosaurs at the Lagoon. Featuring ten life-sized dinosaurs found in Texas, a kids’ play area, and plenty of seating and dining options, the Dinosaurs at the Lagoon exhibit brings together Fair fun with bilingual educational entertainment for the whole family. Be sure to get your photo with a 57’ tall Alamosaurus!

Creative Arts Cooking Demonstrations with Resident Chef, Pete Nolasco

Step into the culinary spotlight at the Creative Arts Cooking Demonstrations, where our resident chef, Pete, performs live demos daily at the State Fair of Texas. Watch as he crafts mouthwatering dishes, shares insider tips, and invites audience participation for an immersive gourmet experience like no other. From beginners to seasoned cooks, everyone can savor the excitement and take home culinary inspiration! Did we mention FREE SAMPLES? 

¡Fiestas de Marionetas!

A family-friendly experience presented by McDonald’s, “¡Fiestas de Marionetas!” is one of this year’s not-to-miss shows. Surrounded by lights and beautiful landscaping, a small village of more than 85 handmade marionettes come to life to celebrate a fiesta of color, culture, and creativity. Be sure to stick around for the backstage tour and craft activity after the show. Come check it out yourself with daily performances at the McDonald’s Amphitheater on First Avenue. 

Innovations in Agriculture

Showcasing the State Fair’s Big Tex Urban Farms indoor growing facility, the Innovations in Agriculture exhibit displays unique ways to grow high-yield, healthy produce indoors. The exhibit also includes DIY growing systems that can be built in your home and how they are utilized in the Fair’s Big Tex Urban Farms initiative.

Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation

Mattress Firm’s Illumination Sensation returns with all-new songs and attributes for its 25th year on the historic Esplanade! Set along a scenic reflecting pool, Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation combines fireworks and high-energy pop music with engaging performances from dancers and acrobats. This sensational production of synchronized pyrotechnics and special effects begins nightly at 7:45 p.m. 

State Fair of Texas Lotería

While enjoying Creative Arts demonstrations or competing in a cooking competition in the Creative Arts Building, join our emcees as we play State Fair of Texas Lotería! Lotería is a traditional Mexican board game of chance, similar to bingo, but is played with a deck of cards. Every image in the game is inspired by some of the most iconic State Fair and Texas symbols.

All-Star Stunt Dog Show

If you’re ready for some dog-gone fun, you’re in luck! The All-Star Stunt Dog Show returns to Marine Corps Square for this year’s Fair. Offering the world’s first and original “stunt dog show,” audiences of all ages will be captivated by amazing canine tricks you have to see to believe! The All-Star Stunt Dog Show dogs have performed across the country, including appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and Oprah Winfrey Show. All the dogs have been rescued from shelters and trained to showcase their unique talents.  

Big Tex’s Discovery Farm

Old McDonald himself would be impressed by what’s happening over on Big Tex’s Discovery Farm.  The Farmyard provides an educational experience through interactive exhibits as well as live animal displays. This area of the Fair is an excellent way for fairgoers of all ages to learn about agriculture and livestock’s impact on our daily lives.

Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Livestock Birthing Barn

Experience the miracle of life right before your eyes in the Livestock Birthing Barn. This unique educational experience, exhibiting the incubation and birthing process of various livestock animals. With agriculture and education as the Fair’s foundation, the Livestock Birthing Barn highlights the agricultural importance of breeding livestock and its role in our everyday lives. Stop by the Livestock Birthing Barn, located at Nimitz and MLK, to learn more about the birthing process.

I Spy Texas

For fairgoers who want to learn more about agriculture and its significance in our everyday lives, the “I SPY TEXAS” exhibit is a perfect destination. Located near the Birthing Barn, this interactive exhibit takes visitors on a road trip of Texas, allowing them to tour each region of the Lone Star State and learn about the natural resources and wildlife native to each area.

Farm and Fork University

Come see Cowboy Trey share his knowledge about the animals in the barns, along with how our food production system works. This daily talk show-style presentation is an educational and enjoyable presentation to show how food in our supermarkets appears, more information on raising livestock, and your role in it all!

Midway Barker

He ain’t got no body! Don’t miss this hoot of a performance! The Barker entertains Midway crowds with his antics and jabs – all in good fun. A funny-bone tickler!

Suitable for all ages.

Milking Parlor

Get a glimpse of life on the farm by attending one of the Milking Parlor Demonstrations.  Cows from nearby farms are brought to the Fair for an entertaining and educational exhibit of modern milking procedures. Be sure to stop by for this unique demonstration!

Milking Parlor Demo times:

Everyday – 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.

Mundo Latino

Mundo Latino brings their awe-inspiring exhibit, “Día de Los Muertos,” celebrating the rich history and significance of the Day of the Dead. This experience will entertain fairgoers and explore the cultural significance of the holiday by featuring art installations and live painting. Now in a NEW location at the Hall of State!

Majesty of the Horse

Combining agricultural education with real-world demonstrations, the Majesty of the Horse is back with even more examples to showcase equine beauty. Join renowned horseman Jerry Diaz and his family for an intimate presentation displaying the majesty and beauty of the horse. The exhibition includes multiple breeds of horses and showcases their unique color, size, and purpose.  

Mighty Mike Show

Join us over at the Fringe Stage with strongman Mighty Mike. A bender of horseshoes, juggler of bowling balls and sledgehammers, and all-around charmer, Mighty Mike’s funny performance showcases strongman strength techniques dating back to the 1920s and, dare we say, questionable dance routines. Audience members will laugh the entire show but also leave motivated and inspired by the culture of the old-time strongman. 

Oncor Petting Zoo

The Oncor Petting Zoo allows fairgoers to mosey about and get up close and personal with a variety of farm friends, from emus and zebras to pigs and goats. While you’re there, make sure to visit the nursery where sows, ewes, nanny goats, and their young are on display. Fun for the whole family, this petting zoo allows fairgoers to interact with all their furry friends, and even get the chance to feed them! 

Here they come, snout-to-snout, down the stretch, back by popular demand!  Chevy Park Plaza is the new, outdoor home to the most-talked-about track in town, the Pig Races. Dressed in fetching racing silks, the wiggly piglets run the course four times a day. Don’t miss this fan favorite! 

RAM TRX THRILL RIDE

The Ram Truck Brand returns to the State Fair of Texas with the Ram 1500 TRX Thrill Ride in-vehicle experience. Ride in the Ram TRX as it accelerates over a series of rolling hills testing performance capabilities of the TRX, races around a banked corner, stretches the suspension over rolling hills, rides high over a banked turn to experience the incredible agility and traction of the TRX as it builds speed turn after turn. Find the Ram TRX Thrill Ride near Gate 5.

Showstoppers!

The lives of the party returns with new characters you might recognize – Showstoppers will take over the NEW Midway Stage. Giant inflatable characters, now including Little Big Tex and Champ, entertain guests of all ages with their wild antics. Saddle up for a front row, and you might get roped into being a part of the show. 

Saddle up and watch some of the best rodeo the Lone Star State has to offer! Home of the 1959 National Finals Rodeo, the Fair Park Coliseum will host a variety of rodeos throughout the run of the Fair, including a celebration of Mexican-style rodeo, a youth rodeo, Cowboys of Color, and the United Professional Rodeo Association’s Finals. Check BigTex.com/Rodeo for showtimes. 

World of Magic

Featuring award-winning illusionists and futuristic elements that captivate people of all ages, “World of Magic” showcases a display of neon lighting, lasers, and even a floating robot! That’s right, a floating robot.