The State Fair of Texas proudly welcomes folks from all walks of life. Each year, the Fair offers a variety of amenities to make the 24-day annual exposition more accessible to everyone. From sign language interpreting to a new and improved Safe Kids Corral, our organization is constantly looking for ways to be inclusive of fairgoers from all walks of life.
What’s New
Safe Kids Corral
The Safe Kids Corral now serves as a sensory-friendly zone throughout all 24 days of the Fair, not just during Sensory-Friendly Mornings. Guests and families are welcome to use this dedicated space to take a break from the Fair’s sights and sounds, decompress, and enjoy a quieter environment whenever needed. The Safe Kids Corral is located on the Midway, adjacent to the Top o’ Texas Tower and Neon Big Tex and staffed with Tex Team members.
The State Fair of Texas offers the Safe Kids Program, which uses a wristband system to help keep your little cowboys and cowgirls safe if they get separated from you or the rest of your party at the Fair. Upon arrival at the fairgrounds, fill out a free wristband for your child at the Safe Kids Corral, Guest Relations locations, and any of our Hospitality Centers. The wristbands allow fairgoers, Tex Team members, DPD, and our Safety Team to identify a lost child.
Should you be separated from your child or encounter a child looking for their parent or guardian, immediately report the missing child to the nearest police officer, Safety Team member, or Hospitality Center. The Safe Kids Corral is also a place designated for children who have been separated from their caretakers. Often times, children can be reconnected to their loved ones, but should they still need more time to locate the parent, the child will be escorted to this location where Tex Team members look after them until they are reconnected with their family.
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program
As of the 2026 Fair season, the State Fair of Texas is proud to be a new member of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program. The internationally recognized organization strives to create a more inclusive and supportive experience for people with non-visible disabilities by offering sunflower-themed accessories for individuals to wear during visits to events, airports, theme parks, and more. Because some disabilities, conditions, or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program allows guests to pick up free Sunflower accessories to wear as a discreet way to indicate the need for additional assistance, patience, or understanding during their Fair visit.
Sunflower accessories will be available at our Hospitality Centers, Guest Relations locations, and the Safe Kids Corral. Please note that these accessories do not automatically provide priority access, fast-track services, or a place at the front of the queue.
Additional Amenities
ASL Interpretation
Sign interpretation is offered Friday through Sunday at select shows, in addition to shows on Sensory-Friendly Mornings, throughout the Fair. Visit any State Fair Hospitality Center or check the online schedule here for more details.
Weekend/Holiday Show Schedule:
- 11:30 a.m. – Farm and Fork University at the Ranch Arena
- 1:00 p.m. – ¡Fiestas de Marionetas! At the First Ave. Amphitheater
- 2:00 p.m. – All-Star Stunt Dog Show in Marine Corps Square
- 3:30 p.m. – Cooking Demonstrations in the Kitchen with Cutco in the Creative Arts Building
Sensory-Friendly Mornings Show Schedule
- 11:30 a.m. – Farm and Fork University at the Ranch Arena
Baby Care Centers
Baby Care Centers are available throughout the fairgrounds and provide a dedicated space for parents and caregivers. Over the past few years, three brand new, air-conditioned Baby Care Centers have been installed — one across from the Children’s Aquarium, one across from the Coliseum in United Ag & Turf Alley, and one inside the Guest Relations Midway Complex near the Top o’ Texas Tower. Please see our map for exact locations. Electrical outlets are also available inside the Baby Care Centers.
Changing stations are located in all women’s restrooms and in select men’s restrooms throughout the fairgrounds, including Cattle Barn #1, both sides of the Coliseum, Embarcadero, the Midway, the Perot Museum, east of the Children’s Aquarium, 1st and MLK, and MLK & Coliseum. An additional area is available in the Oak Farms Children’s Activity Center.
Chevrolet Main Stage Accessibility
The Chevrolet Main Stage, now located indoors at the Coliseum, features a designated ADA-compliant viewing area for fairgoers needing special assistance.
Cotton Bowl Accessibility
Handicap access for the Cotton Bowl is available on both sides of the stadium at gates C and J.
First Aid
Two First Aid Stations are available: one in the Coliseum and one on First Avenue, adjacent to the Children’s Aquarium. In an emergency, please locate and notify the nearest police officer, Safety Team member, or State Fair employee, and a First Aid Unit will be dispatched to any location within the fairgrounds. For further assistance, call the State Fair Command Center at 469-461-4646.
Handicap Parking
The State Fair of Texas has handicap parking available in official State Fair parking lots. Please note that vehicles must have a hang tag or handicap license plate to park in designated spaces and must pay for parking. Parking attendants will direct patrons to parking spaces for the disabled. These spaces can fill up quickly on Senior Citizen Days, Saturdays, and Sundays, so we recommend arriving early.
Enter at Fitzhugh & Lagow, then go on to MLK, Grand, Pennsylvania, or Coliseum. A few spots are available at the Pan Am Gate, Gurley, and on Saturday and Sunday, at the Haskell entrance. From the Haskell lots, visitors can ride the tram to the entrance gate.
Sensory-Friendly Mornings
Every Wednesday at the State Fair of Texas, fairgoers can enjoy Sensory-Friendly Mornings, where adjustments are made across the fairgrounds to accommodate any sensory-related concerns. The Fair created a special guided itinerary with a list of activities and exhibits that are easy on the eyes and ears. Find the itinerary at BigTex.com/Sensory to start planning your visit. Fairgoers can also enjoy all the Midway fun without the usual lights and sounds from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please note that the regular Midway lights and sounds will resume at 1:30 p.m.
In a few locations around the grounds designated as “Quiet Zones,” guests and families can go to these places should they need to decompress during their Fair visit. This includes inside the Safe Kids Corral and the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center Heritage Hall of Honor (upstairs) each Wednesday.
Fair attendance shows that Wednesdays provide a better experience for those with sensory sensitivities. Wednesday is also the best discount day! Each person who brings five canned food items to donate to North Texas Food Bank will receive $7 admission.
The Fair welcomes individuals with autism, their families, and anyone else who may benefit from a sensory-friendly experience to come out, say howdy to Big Tex, and enjoy the Most Texan Place on Earth on Sensory-Friendly Mornings. For more information, visit BigTex.com/Sensory.
Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
A TDD phone is located at Guest Relations on the Midway.
Wagons, Strollers, Wheelchairs, and Mobility Scooters
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. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on weekends during the 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 follow scooter rules will result in loss of the privilege to operate a scooter and subject the offender to possible eviction from the fairgrounds.
Reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance, and cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance to receive a refund, minus a $5 cancellation fee per rental unit. Rental locations are at the Front Gate (Parry Ave.), Grand Ave. (Gate 5), Pennsylvania Pedestrian Entrance (Gate 11), and Pan Am Gate (on the North side of the fairgrounds). Utilize BigTex.com/map for more information.
Rental Prices
- Scooters – $80 per day (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
- Wheelchairs – $30 per day
- Single Strollers – $20 per day
- Double Stroller – $25 per day
- Wagons – $20 per day
- Personal Storage Cubical – $5
Restrooms
Family restrooms and restrooms with accessible features are available throughout the fairgrounds. Fairgoers can find family restrooms outside of the Food and Fiber building, also known as the GO TEXAN Pavilion, and inside the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, Embarcadero Building, Hall of State, and the Natural History Museum. Larger stalls with accessible features are located in Centennial Hall, the Creative Arts Building, Coliseum, Automobile Building, Grand Place, Tower Building, Swine Barn, African American Museum, outside the Bandshell, and all restrooms on the Midway.
The State Fair of Texas continues to add and enhance its accessibility measures, and we welcome feedback from fairgoers. To provide feedback or suggestions on what we can improve for future Fairs, please contact PR Director Taylor Pulfer at tpulfer@bigtex.com.