State Fair of Texas visitors will pay less for several major entry costs in 2026, including child admission, adult tickets and official parking. The Dallas event says the changes followed guest feedback from the 2025 season. Here is how the new prices compare and which discounts remain available.
Key Takeaways
- Children ages 3 through 12 will pay $10 every day, including weekends.
- Weekend child admission is down $12 from 2025, a 54% reduction.
- Adult daily admission falls by $2 across both weekday and weekend rates.
- Official State Fair parking drops from $30 to $25 per vehicle.
- The 2026 State Fair of Texas runs Sept. 25 through Oct. 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.
Children ages 3 through 12 will pay a flat $10 admission price every day of the fair. In 2025, child tickets cost $12 Monday through Thursday and $22 Friday through Sunday. That means weekday child admission falls by $2, while the weekend rate drops by $12.
Adult admission will also cost less. Gate tickets will be $15 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday, a $2 reduction from the comparable 2025 rates.
Senior admission for visitors age 60 and older will cost $13 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday. Children age 2 and younger will continue to enter free.
The State Fair announced the new rates on Aug. 17, saying it reviewed the overall cost of attendance after receiving feedback from guests during the 2025 season.
“Our goal is to make it easier for families to plan a State Fair day that works for them,” State Fair of Texas Senior Vice President of Public Relations Karissa Condoianis said in the announcement.
The difference becomes more noticeable when several tickets are purchased together. A weekend group of two adults and two children would pay $70 for admission at the gate in 2026. Adding one official parking space brings the total to $95 before food, rides, games or other purchases.
Based on the State Fair’s published comparison with 2025 prices, the same combination would have cost $128 last year. The difference is $33, with most of the reduction coming from the lower child admission and parking rates.
Lower Parking and Evening Rates Expand the Price Changes
Official State Fair of Texas parking will cost $25 per vehicle each day in 2026, down from $30 in 2025.
Parking is one of the fixed costs visitors may consider before entering Fair Park, along with admission. Food, Midway rides, games and merchandise are separate expenses, and the State Fair notes that concession and ride prices are generally determined by individual operators.
Fair Park also sits within a broader Dallas transportation network that includes rail and other options. The role of Fair Park transportation has received added attention during other large events held in the area.
Visitors arriving later in the day will also have reduced admission options.
After 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, adults and seniors can enter for $10. From Friday through Sunday, the after-5 p.m. rate for visitors age 13 and older will be $20. Children ages 3 through 12 remain at the $10 daily child rate.
The structure gives visitors different price points depending on both the day and arrival time rather than applying one general admission rate throughout the week.
Daily tickets are scheduled to become available online Sept. 1. Gate sales begin on opening day, Sept. 25. The State Fair says online daily-ticket prices include processing fees, so those prices will be higher than the listed gate rates.
Discounts and Season Passes Add More Pricing Options
The lower standard rates will operate alongside several existing State Fair of Texas discount programs.
On opening day, visitors who bring two jars of peanut butter for donation to the North Texas Food Bank can receive $10 admission at the gate.
Every Wednesday, guests can receive $7 admission by bringing five canned food items for the food bank. The State Fair says its Feed the Need partnership with the organization has generated more than 3.4 million pounds of donated food since 2010.
Tuesdays and Thursdays will again feature Dr Pepper Value Days. Big Tex Insiders can purchase $12 admission online with the applicable promotional code. Seniors age 60 and older can receive $7 admission at the gate on Thursdays.
Eligible active-duty military members, retirees and veterans can receive $5 off admission with qualifying identification. Active and retired first responders are also eligible for a $5 reduction.
Participating McDonald’s locations in North Texas will distribute coupons offering adults $5 off admission. Discounts cannot be combined or stacked, according to the fair.
For visitors planning multiple trips, the 2026 Digital Season Pass costs $52 and allows admission once per day throughout the 24-day season. The commemorative hard-card season pass is listed at $60 at the gate or $62 online and includes additional benefits such as a weekday Bring-a-Friend ticket.
A one-day FLEX admission ticket is priced at $27 online and can be used on any one day of the fair. Limited two-ticket and four-ticket FLEX packages also combine admission with Food and Midway Coupons and parking. Those offers are listed as available through Aug. 31 or while supplies last.
Admission provides access to hundreds of activities and attractions, including live entertainment, exhibits, agriculture and livestock programming, and family activities. The agricultural programming is also connected to longstanding Texas ranching traditions that remain part of fairs, rodeos and youth programs across the state.
Additional value programs continue inside the fairgrounds. Most Midway rides will cost four coupons on Tuesdays, with select children’s rides at three coupons. The Thrillway and Texas Star Ferris Wheel are excluded from that offer. Participating food vendors will also offer selected items at reduced prices on Thursdays.
The 2026 State Fair of Texas opens Sept. 25 and runs through Oct. 18 at Fair Park in Dallas. Operating hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
For visitors comparing 2026 options, the most substantial change is clear before opening day. The standard weekend price for a child’s ticket has been reduced from $22 to $10, while adult admission and official parking also carry lower rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are State Fair of Texas tickets in 2026?
State Fair of Texas adult gate admission costs $15 Monday through Thursday and $25 Friday through Sunday. Children ages 3 through 12 pay $10 every day, while children age 2 and younger enter free.
How much is State Fair of Texas parking in 2026?
Official State Fair parking costs $25 per vehicle each day in 2026. That is $5 less than the $30 official parking rate listed for 2025.
When is the 2026 State Fair of Texas?
The 2026 fair runs from Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 18 at Fair Park in Dallas. Daily tickets are scheduled to go on sale online Sept. 1, while admission-gate sales begin on opening day.
Are State Fair tickets cheaper after 5 p.m.?
Yes. Adults and seniors pay $10 after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and $20 after 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Children ages 3 through 12 continue to pay the standard $10 child rate.
Does admission include rides and food?
No. Admission covers entry and access to many included attractions, shows, exhibits and programming. Food, Midway rides, games and other purchases generally require separate coupons or payment.
