The best time of the year has officially arrived!! The State Fair of Texas is back, so we’re giving you the 101 to new fried bites, a major discount on season passes, and everything else you need to know about the “most Texan place on earth”!
Updated September 2024
THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
Everything's bigger in Texas, even the fair! The State Fair of Texas is the longest-running fair in the nation, open this year from September 27th to October 29th. It's home to Big Tex, fun rides, and fried food galore, from fried pho to fried beer and more!
NEW SEASON PASSES
Experience the fair like never before with the new 2024 Season Passes! This year, not only do you get daily admission for all 24 days of the fair, but each $60 pass now includes:
- Free one-time bring-a-friend
- Free ride on Texas Skyway
- Discounted parking
- BOGO offers
- $10 off merch
NEW FAIR FOOD
It wouldn’t be the fair without creative fried concoctions and every year, they feature a new line up of creations that you don’t want to miss! On the savory side, try the Deep Fried Vietnamese Crepes, Fat Bacon Pickle Fires,Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs & so much more. On the sweet side, try the Cookie Butter Nachos, Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick, or the Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignetffle.
The 2024 Big Tex Choice Awards finalists and winners have already been announced! Explore the must-try eats and drinks at the fair this season.
NEW ATTRACTIONS
We are so excited to check out all the new attractions this year like the Cirque du Soleil Songblazers, Bryan Berg the Card Stacker, Billy Kidd Show and an insane live music lineup feat. Jo Dee Messina, Bowling for Soup, Dasha, Jesse & Joy, the Commodores, and more!
P.S. All the classic shows you love will be back again this year, like the Texas Auto Show, State Fair of Texas Rodeo, the Petting Zoo and more!
TIPS & TRICKS
SAVE ON ADMISSION
$5 admission tickets can be purchased at the gate with 5 canned food donations (5 cans= $5) on Wednesdays, or for seniors presenting an ID on Thursdays! Plus, you can sign up for a newsletter online for $10 tickets Tuesdays and Thursdays.
COUPONS DON’T EXPIRE
If you have unused coupons lying around in a random drawer, bring them because they’ll still be valid! Also Big Tex refillable cups can be used from previous years too.
DISCOUNTED FOOD & DRINK
Every Thursday, participating vendors offer discounted menu items, including classics like cotton candy and funnel cake.
CHECK THE MUSIC SCHEDULE
Shakey Graves, Jesse & Joy, Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, Big Daddy Kane, and more will grace the stages of the State Fair, and all shows are included in admission!
LIVESTOCK & RODEO
Bull riding, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, Mexican Rodeo Fiesta, and other shows take place during the Fair - find the full schedule on their website. And beyond the rodeo, there’s also a whole livestock area where you’ll see a myriad of cows, pigs, poultry, and more!
BUTTER SCULPTURE
Every year, a local artist sculpts a thousand pound plus sculpture from butter, based on the State Fair’s theme!
BRING WATER AND SNACKS!
Fun fact: you can bring your own food and drinks into the Fair, and while we advise leaving a lot of room for fried foods, if you have kids who get hungry fast or have your own food allergies or restrictions that make Fair eating hard!
SENSORY MORNINGS
Each Wednesday from 10am to 1:30pm, adjustments are made around the fairground to accommodate those with sensory/related concerns.
