Dallas, September 20, 2025
News Summary
The State Fair of Texas will take place at Fair Park in Dallas, featuring its 139th annual event with a variety of attractions, performances, and cultural exhibits. Visitors can look forward to new Midway rides, a special international soccer match, and expanded programming. The fair aims to promote Texas agriculture and community engagement while providing sensory-friendly mornings and reduced admission for food donations on Wednesdays, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.
Dallas — The State Fair of Texas will be held at Fair Park in Dallas from September 26 to October 19, 2025, marking the fair’s 139th annual event. Recognized as the longest running in the United States and one of the largest annual events in the country, the fair returns with new attractions, expanded cultural programming and updated safety measures.
What’s happening and when
The 2025 fair runs for three weeks from late September through mid-October at Fair Park. The calendar includes a mix of daily entertainment across three stages, weekend rodeo competitions at the Fair Park Coliseum, and special events scheduled across the run. New additions this year include expanded Midway rides, cultural exhibits in the Hall of State, a new international soccer event at the Cotton Bowl and expanded programming in partnership with local arts organizations.
Major new events and attractions
- State Fair Clásico on October 18: An international women’s soccer match at the Cotton Bowl between Dallas Trinity FC and Club América Femenil. Tickets include admission to the fair.
- New Midway rides: The Thunderbird, the tallest portable swing tower in North America at 177 feet, and The Defender, a fast-moving propeller ride with an LED display.
- New entertainment acts including performances by the USA Breakdancers and Her Majesty’s Secret Circus.
- Hall of State exhibits: Mundo Latino: Día de los Muertos showcasing arts, crafts and cultural activities, and the Dallas International Coffee Art exhibit featuring contributions from 20 countries in the Hall of State Gallery.
- A partnership with The Black Academy of Arts and Letters introduces Jazz at the Fair at the Women’s Museum, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m.
Entertainment, music and exhibitions
Programming features more than 90 musical acts across three stages with headliners that include TLC, Paul Wall, The Band Perry, Hawthorne Heights and Hoobastank. The Bank of Texas Stage will present Deep Fried Comedy stand-up shows on Friday nights. Cultural exhibits and competitions run alongside musical programming to provide a broad slate of activities for attendees of all ages.
Family, youth and agricultural programming
The fair’s nonprofit mission includes promoting Texas agriculture, education and community involvement while preserving Fair Park’s historic grounds. More than 5,000 students will participate in livestock competitions, contributing to the Youth Livestock Auction, which has raised over $24 million for Texas students. Each year the fair distributes 2.1 million free admission tickets to North Texas students and teachers.
Accessibility and special pricing
For the seventh year, the fair will offer Sensory Friendly Mornings on three Wednesdays: October 1, October 8, and October 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special adjustments will be made to lighting and sounds to accommodate visitors with sensory sensitivities. Families bringing five canned food items for donation to the North Texas Food Bank can enjoy a $7 admission on Wednesdays.
Rodeo, community impact and attendance
Weekend rodeo events at the Fair Park Coliseum include a variety of competitions such as the Ranch Rodeo and the Mexican Rodeo Fiesta. Attendance in 2024 was nearly 2.4 million, and the fair is noted as an important economic contributor to North Texas, generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Organizers emphasize community support and reinvestment in local initiatives and scholarship programs.
Logistics, safety and ticketing
Tickets will cost between $19 and $29 for adults and $14 and $24 for children and seniors during weekdays, with higher prices on weekends. New safety measures for this year’s fair include a bag policy, entry time changes a curfew policy for minors and a “No Gun” policy for all attendees. Preparation for the season included raising Big Tex back into place on September 19, 2025. Big Tex has been a part of the fair since 1952 and has undergone significant transformations, including surviving an electrical fire in 2012.
Background and context
The State Fair of Texas is an annual nonprofit event with a long history at Fair Park in Dallas. It positions itself as both an entertainment destination and an institution supporting agricultural education and youth development in Texas. Over its history the fair has expanded to include international cultural programming, large-scale entertainment and significant community outreach. The 2025 edition continues those traditions while introducing modern attractions and updated safety policies to address current concerns for attendee comfort and security.
FAQ
When and where will the State Fair of Texas take place?
The State Fair of Texas will be held at Fair Park in Dallas from September 26 to October 19, 2025.
Which annual edition is the 2025 fair?
This year marks the fair’s 139th annual event.
Is the State Fair of Texas a long-running event?
The fair is recognized as the longest running in the United States and one of the largest annual events in the country.
What is the fair’s nonprofit mission?
The fair’s mission as a nonprofit includes promoting Texas agriculture, education, and community involvement while preserving Fair Park’s historic grounds.
When are Sensory Friendly Mornings and what accommodations are provided?
Sensory Friendly Mornings on three Wednesdays: October 1, October 8, and October 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special adjustments will be made to lighting and sounds to accommodate visitors with sensory sensitivities.
Is there a discounted admission option on Wednesdays?
Families bringing five canned food items for donation to the North Texas Food Bank can enjoy a $7 admission on Wednesdays.
What is the State Fair Clásico?
A new event, the State Fair Clásico, will take place on October 18, featuring an international women’s soccer match at the Cotton Bowl between Dallas Trinity FC and Club América Femenil. Tickets include admission to the fair.
What are the new Midway rides this year?
New rides on the Midway include The Thunderbird, the tallest portable swing tower in North America at 177 feet, and The Defender, a fast-moving propeller ride with an LED display.
What cultural exhibits are featured in the Hall of State?
The Hall of State will host the Mundo Latino: Día de los Muertos exhibit, showcasing arts, crafts, and cultural activities.
Are there any international exhibits?
The Dallas International Coffee Art exhibit will feature contributions from 20 countries in the Hall of State Gallery.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 26 to October 19, 2025 |
| Location | Fair Park in Dallas |
| Edition | 139th annual event |
| Recognition | Longest running in the United States |
| Sensory Friendly Mornings | October 1, October 8, and October 15 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday food-drive admission | $7 admission for families bringing five canned food items for donation to the North Texas Food Bank |
| State Fair Clásico | October 18 — Dallas Trinity FC vs Club América Femenil at the Cotton Bowl |
| New Midway rides | The Thunderbird (177 feet) and The Defender |
| Music acts | More than 90 musical acts across three stages |
| Youth participation | Over 5,000 students in livestock competitions; Youth Livestock Auction raised over $24 million for Texas students |
| Free student/teacher tickets | 2.1 million free admission tickets distributed each year to North Texas students and teachers |
| 2024 attendance | Nearly 2.4 million |
| Ticket prices (weekdays) | $19–$29 for adults; $14–$24 for children and seniors |
| Big Tex | Raised back into place on September 19, 2025; part of the fair since 1952; survived an electrical fire in 2012 |
| Safety measures | Bag policy, entry time changes, curfew policy for minors, “No Gun” policy |
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Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: How to Save Deals & Discounts at the 2025 State Fair of Texas
- Dallas News: Watch Live – Big Tex Rises
- The Shorthorn: Big Tex, Corny Dogs, and Texas Star – The State Fair Returns
- WFAA: Big Tex Installation Marks Start of State Fair Season
- Culture Map: Texas State Fair Foodies Ranking
- Wikipedia: State Fair of Texas
- Google Search: State Fair of Texas
- Google Scholar: State Fair of Texas
- Encyclopedia Britannica: State Fair of Texas
- Google News: 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.
