Family Fun & Shows

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.

Tanna Banana Storytime

A new show at the State Fair of Texas, Tanna Banana brings children’s stories and songs to life! Her antics delight her audiences with a magical and fun show for the young and the young at heart. Located in the Oak Farms Theater in the Creative Arts Building.

Alléz-Oops with Rob and Miss Jane!

Grab your kids and be ready to be amazed at Alléz-Oops with Rob and Miss Jane! It’s a bombastic bonanza of brilliant balancing and bonafide bravado! Married duo Rob and Miss Jane waltz on wine bottles, skip on stilts, and even tame the terrifying tiger baby. Catch this new and silly show on the Fringe Stage. 

Oontz Kids DJ Dance Party

Pumping up the jams, the brand-new attraction Oontz Kids DJ Dance Party is sure to be a party for the kids while bringing R&R for the rest of the family. Join us at Howdy’s near the Children’s Aquarium for this showcase of kid DJs from DFW’s DJ school, OontzKids. While the kiddos dance and play the day away, parents can enjoy rest, food, and drink under the shade of historic oak trees.  

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. 

Mavs Vault

Following an incredible playoff run, the Dallas Mavericks will host an exhibit at the Hall of State this year, titled “Mavs Vault”. Highlighting the remarkable history of our local NBA team, this exhibit will feature interactive experiences, never-before-seen historical artifacts, and more.

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.  

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

¡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. 

World of Birds Show presents: SOAR!

World of Birds presents: SOAR!, an iconic fan favorite, rings the aviary world up-close to the audience with bird releases from the Texas Star Ferris wheel and flyovers just inches from guests’ heads. “SOAR!” is also filled with a wealth of knowledge regarding bird health, habitat information, and conservation efforts worldwide.

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.  

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! 

Produce Carver

Just when you thought we’d carved it all – joining the lineup for the 2021 State Fair is the Produce Carver. Think chainsaw carver meets giant pumpkin carver. Working his magic on fruits and vegetables, he travels around the country, teaching the culinary art of fruit and vegetable carvings and leaving spectators and culinary professionals spellbound. Trust us, you’ll want to see this for yourself. 

Budweiser Clydesdales

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales make their return to the State Fair.  The hitch team will make appearances in the Kroger Starlight Parade that begins nightly at 7:15 P.M. throughout the Fair grounds. The Clydesdales will also be on display daily for guests to visit in Chevy Park Plaza.

Big Tex’s Farmyard

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.

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! 

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

Set along a scenic reflecting pool, Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation wows the crowd with dancing waters, fireworks and high-energy pop music with engaging performances by dancers and acrobats. This sensational production of synchronized pyrotechnics and special effects begins nightly at 8 p.m. Show up early to stake out the best vantage points along the Esplanade! 

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.

Pee Wee Stampede and Rodeo

This fun-filled activity allows the littlest of fairgoers to grab their cowboy gear and ride stick-horses while competing in a variety of mock-rodeo events. From bronco busting to barrel racing, kids are the stars of this rodeo.

Suitable for children ages three through six years old.

"TX Stunt Jam" at the Xtreme Sports Zone

Returning this year, TX Stunt Jam showcases some of the top BMX, skateboard, and scooter talent in the United States – even Olympic athletes!  Enjoy this high-energy stunt show daily at the Xtreme Sports Zone in Chevrolet Park Plaza. 

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.