Big Tex. Fried foods. And a lineup of Texas music artists. All this can only mean one thing : The State Fair of Texas is back.
The first state fair was proposed in 1886, and because local leaders couldn’t decide where the event should take place, there were two fairs. The Dallas State Fair took place on 80 acres in Fair Park , and the Texas State Fair & Exposition opened just north of Dallas. The two sides eventually came together in 1887 and by 1916, the annual event welcomed one million people for the first time.
We’re giving you the rundown of what’s happening this year at Fair Park in Dallas. Ride with us .
Hours, tickets, and parking
- The fair runs 24 days from Friday, Sept. 27 -Sunday, Oct. 20 and the gates will open at 9 a.m.
- Tickets + parking passes are available online . Admission costs $5-$25.
- Parking is available on site — it’s $30 at official fair lots. Check out directions to get to the gates.
- Pro tip: If you arrive after 5 p.m., all guests will pay the price of a child’s ticket.