News Summary
The State Fair of Texas will no longer offer free admission to high school students starting in the 2025 season. This change affects students in grades nine through twelve, while younger students and teachers will still have complimentary access. The decision was made due to rising operational costs, low ticket redemption rates, and safety concerns. High schoolers can still attend on designated school days with an adult and purchase discounted tickets during the week. The fair aims to maintain its traditions and provide a safe environment for families.
Dallas – The State Fair of Texas has announced that it will no longer provide free admission to high school students starting in the 2025 season. This change impacts students in grades nine through twelve, who had previously benefited from receiving one free ticket to the fair through a long-standing admissions program.
While high school students will lose their free admission, the fair will continue to offer complimentary access to younger students, specifically those in pre-K through eighth grade, and also to teachers residing within a 100-mile radius of Fair Park. The fair’s administration has cited several reasons for discontinuing free tickets for high schoolers, including rising operational costs, a significantly low redemption rate of around 10% of tickets printed, and heightened safety concerns.
The decision to end this long-standing benefit for high school students has been a topic of consideration for several years. School districts were made aware of the change in March. Until now, the fair printed and distributed over two million tickets annually for free admissions but noted that the majority of these tickets went unused.
Another contributing factor to the termination of free admissions is a new contract with the city of Dallas, which transfers the financial responsibility for coverage of expenses related to the Dallas Police Department to the fair itself. This shift has necessitated additional expenses for managing high school group attendances, thereby influencing the decision on admission policies.
Despite the elimination of free admission, high school students will still have opportunities to attend the fair on designated school days provided they are accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older, in accordance with a daily curfew that is enforced after 5 p.m. Additionally, discounted tickets priced at $12 will be available from Mondays through Thursdays, although there is a cap of two discounted tickets per student.
The 2025 State Fair of Texas is set to take place from Friday, September 26, to Sunday, October 19. Fair organizers remain committed to providing a safe and family-friendly environment while continuing their investment in local youth through various scholarships and educational initiatives.
This upcoming fair season will maintain its celebrated traditions, which include an array of food, exhilarating rides, and various attractions that have made the event an annual highlight. The fair administration is focused on controlling costs while enhancing safety measures and ensuring visitor enjoyment.
The decision to discontinue free admissions for high school students reflects broader trends in managing public events, where safety, budget constraints, and visitor engagement all play crucial roles. As the fair adjusts its policies, it continues to seek ways to promote youth engagement and development within the community.
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: State Fair Won’t Offer Free Admissions to High School Students This Year
- NBC DFW: State Fair of Texas Deals 2024
- CBS News: Get Ready for the 2024 State Fair of Texas
- WFAA: State Fair of Texas Discounts 2024
- Culture Map: State Fair of Texas Discounts
- Wikipedia: State Fair of Texas
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
