The State Fair of Texas has officially begun. Here's what you can expect
By Dylan Duke, Therese Powell
September 25, 2026 at 10:45 AM CDT
The gates of the State Fair of Texas officially opened Friday morning — kicking off the annual North Texas tradition of indulging in calorie-dense food, dizzying rides and games.
This year's 24-day run will have a patriotic twist with its theme: "Stars, Stripes, and Howdies." It honors the 250th birthday of the United States and the 140th anniversary of the state fair.
The fair is also aiming to be cheaper this year in response to backlash last year over prices.
Admission and parking prices:
Hans Neuhaus, 5, climbs a ladder in a midway game on the first day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas. (7758x5175, AR: 1.4991304347826087)
Live Music
The revamped Fair Park Coliseum will host live music this year. Here's what to expect.
Opening Weekend:
Fri, Sept 25, 7:45 p.m. – Clint Black
Cassandra Jackson eats a funnel cake on the first day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas. (8192x5464, AR: 1.499267935578331)
30 new foods
Here is a sample of some of the new foods that will be featured at the fair this year.
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
This year's 24-day run will have a patriotic twist with its theme: "Stars, Stripes, and Howdies." It honors the 250th birthday of the United States and the 140th anniversary of the state fair.
The fair is also aiming to be cheaper this year in response to backlash last year over prices.
Admission and parking prices:
- Tickets for adults (ages 13-59) will be $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekends.
- Admission for children (ages 3-12) is a flat rate of $10 every day.
- Kids 2 and under are free.
- Admission is $10 for everyone after 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- Parking at the fair will be $20 — $5 cheaper than last year.
Hans Neuhaus, 5, climbs a ladder in a midway game on the first day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas. (7758x5175, AR: 1.4991304347826087)
Live Music
The revamped Fair Park Coliseum will host live music this year. Here's what to expect.
Opening Weekend:
Fri, Sept 25, 7:45 p.m. – Clint Black
- Sat, Sept 26, 3:30 p.m. – Steve Ray Ladson, Pynk Beard, The Boykinz
- Sat, Sept 26, 8:45 p.m. – Jaydon
- Sun, Sept 27, 6:15 p.m. – Geru y Su Legión 7
- Sun, Sept 27, 7:45 p.m. – La Alianza Norteña
- Fri, Oct 2, 7:45 p.m. – Josh Weathers
- Sat, Oct 3, 7:45 p.m. – The Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
- Sun, Oct 4, 7:45 p.m. – Kansas
- Fri, Oct 9, 7:45 p.m. – Two Friends
- Sat, Oct 10, 7:30 p.m. – Paul Wall Fall Ball
- Sun, Oct 11, 4:45 p.m. – Deep Blue Something
- Sun, Oct 11, 6:15 p.m. – Tripping Daisy
- Sun, Oct 11, 7:45 p.m. – Toadies
- Fri, Oct 16, 7:45 p.m. – Muscadine Bloodline
- Sat, Oct 17, 6 p.m. – Gym Class Heroes
- Sat, Oct 17, 7:45 p.m. – 30H!3
- Sun, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. – The Last Bandoleros
Cassandra Jackson eats a funnel cake on the first day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas. (8192x5464, AR: 1.499267935578331)
30 new foods
Here is a sample of some of the new foods that will be featured at the fair this year.
- 3D fruit ice cream
Mango or peach ice cream dipped in a thin chocolate shell shaped like a peach or mango. Located at Yumi Ice Cream throughout the Fairgrounds. - All shook up
A banana pudding ice cream and peanut butter milkshake topped with a peanut butter cookie, bacon, caramel, whipped cream and a cherry. Located at Highland Park Soda Fountain in the Tower Building - Candy watermelon
A giant watermelon slice is wrapped in six feet of Fruit by the Foot, dipped in sour Chamoy, and topped with a heavy sprinkle of Tajín. Located at Chamoy Treats on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Fairgoers walk along the midway on the first day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas. (6283x4191, AR: 1.4991648771176331) - Fried butter chicken
Fried chicken potstickers tossed in butter chicken sauce and served over basmati rice. Located at Naan Better on Grand Ave. - Spicy carbonara ramen Korean corndog
A Korean corn dog wrapped in ramen noodles and finished off with a drizzle of Buldak Ramen Carbonara sauce and cheese powder. Located at Korean Corn Dogs by the Coliseum. - Fried green tomato lobster bruschetta
A unique take on a bruschetta salad. Fried green tomatoes topped with lobster salad, chopped tomato, and balsamic glaze. Located at Lobster Lounge on Grand Ave. - Butter-dipped toffee crunch nutty
Nevins Ice Cream Nutty Bar gets a makeover with toffee pieces and peanuts and is finished off with a caramel drizzle and Ritz crackers. Located at Nevins Nutty Bar on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd and Nevins Ice Cream on Nimitz Drive
Fairgoers walk along the midway on the first day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 25, 2026, in Dallas. (8078x5388, AR: 1.4992576095025985)
KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.