Family Fun & Shows

Biergarten

Suit up in your best lederhosen or dirndl and visit the Texas Discovery Gardens’ paid attraction, a traditional German Biergarten. Inside the air conditioned garten you will find communal tables, rustic decor, and a festive atmosphere that transports you to a vibrant Bavarian beer hall. Indulge in authentic German beers, a selection of mouth-watering German delights, including sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels, tangy German mustards, and soft drinks. State Fair of Texas Season Pass holders and Texas Discovery Gardens members can enjoy this experience free of charge!

Billy Kidd Show

Prepare to be dazzled and delighted as Billy weaves her close-up magic, leaving audiences spellbound with every sleight of hand and mind-bending trick. With her charismatic charm and infectious energy, she’ll have you believing in the impossible and craving more. Don’t miss this captivating performance that will leave you wondering, “How did she do that?”

Bryan Berg the Card Stacker

Step into the Hall of State and witness a jaw-dropping spectacle as Guinness World Record-Holder Bryan Berg demonstrates his incredible card-stacking skills! Watch in awe as he meticulously balances and builds towering Texas icons using only a deck of cards, defying gravity with every delicate placement.

Cirque du Soleil: Songblazers

Delivering the perfect harmony of guitar grooves and breathtaking moves, Songblazers is a one-of-a-kind theatrical production celebrating country music that pays homage to its legendary and modern day trailblazers. With its acrobatic and live musical performance showcasing the captivating artistry of Cirque du Soleil and the soul-stirring melodies of beloved country rhythms, this engaging experience celebrates the diverse influences of country music and its heartfelt stories through time.

Songblazers will be presented in partnership with Broadway Dallas and the State Fair of Texas at the Music Hall at Fair Park for 33 performances only from September 25 to October 20, 2024. EACH TICKET TO SONGBLAZERS WILL INCLUDE FREE ADMISSION TO THE FAIR. Visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/songblazers to purchase tickets and for more information.  

Chainsaw Carver

Experience the unique artistry of Chad Kilpatrick as he skillfully carves raw wood into stunning sculptures with his chainsaw and other common power tools. Don’t miss the Chainsaw Carver and his one-of-a-kind demonstration outside the Children’s Aquarium on First Avenue!

Creative Arts Cooking Demonstrations with Resident Chef, Pete Nolasco

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.

Dino Time with Professor T. Rex

Join Professor T. Rex and his dino-wrangler as they bring their favorite dinosaurs through his time machine to meet fairgoers. This show is intended for children under ten years old and will give them an opportunity to meet small dinosaurs.

Pint-Sized Parade

The Pint-Sized Parade is a must-see for families at the State Fair of Texas! Follow the charming Showstoppers characters along the parade route to the Hall of State steps, where they’ll put on a lively performance. This enchanting procession is packed with music, dance, and fun surprises, perfect for kids and parents alike.

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.

Steve Goodtime

Get ready to rock with the newest addition to the Fringe Stage, Steve Goodtime! Performing gnarly guitar solos with wild stunts, this show is guaranteed to thrill every fairgoer. Guitar amp rola bola, dangerous thingy juggling, hotdog magic, and fitting into tiny leopard print pants are just a few of the unbelievable things you’ll see.

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 brand-new 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!

Starlight Parade

Featuring brand-new, over-the-top, spectacular floats, the Kroger Starlight Parade will light up the Fair Park skyline in all-new ways at this year’s Fair. Created by Kern Studios of New Orleans, this nightly parade wanders through the fairgrounds all 24 nights of the Fair, bringing a colorful assortment of floats, life-size puppets, animated characters in ornate costumes, and more. Don’t leave the Fair without witnessing this bold and bright procession! 

Every night at 7:15 p.m.

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 8 p.m. 

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.

Creative Arts Cooking Demonstrations in the Cutco Kitchen

Step into the culinary spotlight at the Creative Arts Cooking Demonstrations in the kitchen with Cutco, where our brand-new State Fair resident chef performs live demos daily at the State Fair of Texas. Watch as they craft mouthwatering dishes, share insider tips, and invite the audience to participate in an immersive gourmet experience like no other. From beginners to seasoned cooks, everyone can savor the excitement and take home culinary inspiration!  

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.  

¡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. 

Big Tex’s Discovery Farm

Old McDonald himself would be impressed by what’s happening over on Big Tex’s Farmyard.  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 new 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.

Country Roundup

Country Round-up, the puppet show created exclusively for the State Fair of Texas, returns for the second year to the Dr. Pepper Midway Stage with new tricks up its sleeve. Hee-haw meets America’s Got Talent in this animatronic and manual puppet show.

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.

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

This year, the Oncor Petting Zoo has moved to the Pan Am Arena, which will allow fairgoers more room 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! 

Pig Races

Here they come, snout-to-snout, down the stretch, back by popular demand!  Marine Corp Square 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.

Sara Twister

World-renowned street performer Sara Twister brings her contortionist and archery skills to the Fringe Stage this year. Featuring mind – and body–bending archery trick shots and plenty of comedy, this show has something for everyone in the family.

Showstoppers!

The lives of the party return with two new characters you might recognize – Showstoppers will take over the Hall of State steps again this year. 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. 

Soap Bubble Circus

The excitement will bubble over with this new attraction! Every day, you can join us at the Oak Farms Theater, where Soap Bubble Circus performs Guinness World Record-breaking feats of bubble-ology. You’ll see a snowman  dancing across a tightrope, an exploding volcano, and more at this show.

State Fair of Texas Rodeo

Dust off your boots and join us in the historic Fair Park Coliseum for the return of the State Fair of Texas Rodeo. Every weekend, Friday through Sunday, witness the best of the best in the ring – whether it’s rounding up cattle as part of the State Fair of Texas Ranch Rodeo or celebrating the variety of culture in rodeo as part of the Mexican Rodeo Fiesta. New this year, the State Fair of Texas is proud to welcome the Year-End Finale of the United Professional Rodeo Association (UPRA) to the Fair Park Coliseum this October as part of the Fair’s rodeo lineup. 

Street Circus

A new addition to the Fringe Stage, this husband and wife-duo bring their acrobatic act to the Fair for the first time this year. Showcasing hand-to-hand acrobatics, hula hoops, handstands, contortion, comedy, and more, you won’t want to miss this show.

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.