DALLAS — The State Fair of Texas said Tuesday it will reduce several admission and parking fees for the 2026 run of the fair after hearing concerns from attendees about the overall expense of visiting the annual event.
Price changes aim to ease cost concerns
The fair's management reviewed the total cost of a fair visit following feedback from guests during the 2025 season and settled on a package of cuts intended to improve affordability for families and other visitors. Officials emphasized the changes will not alter the event’s core attractions, entertainment or agricultural displays.
"Families have always been at the heart of the State Fair of Texas, and every year we listen closely to what our fairgoers tell us about their experience," said Karissa Condoianis, the fair's senior vice president of public relations. "We take that feedback seriously. This year, we are making meaningful changes to admission and parking while continuing to offer the experiences, traditions, and attractions our guests look forward to every fall."
Mitchell Glieber, the fair's president, added that the organization remains committed to investing in the event while providing more options for Texans to attend.
"Providing greater value does not mean compromising the State Fair experience," Glieber said.
What will cost less in 2026
Under the new schedule announced by fair organizers, the following price points will apply:
- Adult daily tickets: $15 Monday–Thursday and $25 Friday–Sunday (a $2 reduction)
- Senior tickets (60+): $13 Monday–Thursday and $20 Friday–Sunday (a $2 reduction on weekends)
- Children (ages 3–12): $10 every day — reduced from as much as $22 on weekends in 2025, a 54% reduction
- Children 2 and younger: continue to receive free admission
- After 5 p.m. admission: $10 for all guests Monday–Thursday
- Official State Fair parking: $25 per day, reduced by $5
Continuing discounts, season passes and limits
The fair will maintain a number of recurring discount programs. Those include reduced admission in exchange for donated food items, specific savings for seniors, military members, first responders and teachers, and free admission for many North Texas students. Officials said discounts remain limited to one per guest and cannot be combined.
Season-pass options will also remain available, with organizers continuing to sell a Digital Season Pass for $52 and a Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass in the $60–$62 range. The fair also plans to offer a one-day FLEX ticket and other multi-day packages aimed at frequent visitors.
Local impact and context
The State Fair of Texas is one of Dallas’ largest annual attractions, drawing visitors from across the state and beyond. By trimming ticket and parking costs, organizers are responding to concerns about household budgets and the cumulative expense of food, rides, and attractions during a single visit.
For many families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, even modest changes in pricing can influence the decision to attend. The fair's move to cut children’s weekend prices substantially may make it easier for parents to bring young children without the higher weekend surcharge that had applied in 2025.
What visitors should know
Attendees should note these practical points when planning a visit:
- Only one discount may be applied per guest; discounts cannot be stacked.
- Season passes and multi-day tickets remain options for frequent fairgoers and can provide additional savings.
- Parking on official fair property will be cheaper than in 2025 but planned rates may differ for off-site lots and private vendors.
| Category | 2026 price | Change noted |
|---|---|---|
| Adult daily | $15 Mon–Thu; $25 Fri–Sun | Down $2 |
| Senior (60+) | $13 Mon–Thu; $20 Fri–Sun | Down $2 on weekends |
| Child (3–12) | $10 daily | Reduced from as much as $22 on weekends (2025) |
| Parking | $25 per day | Down $5 |
Fair officials said the pricing adjustments were made after compiling guest feedback from the 2025 fair and reviewing the broader cost of attending. They described the reductions as part of a broader effort to make the event accessible without cutting the elements that have long defined the State Fair of Texas.
The State Fair runs each fall on the grounds of Fair Park in Dallas. Organizers encourage visitors to check the fair's official website and social channels for updated details on discounts, specific programming and ticketing options leading up to the 2026 season.
