Discounts at The State Fair of Texas 2023
As a native Texan, I’ve been to the State Fair of Texas countless times. It’s basically a rite of passage in the Lone Star State and any other nearby areas for that matter. There was even a time when I considered Big Tex my boyfriend. (Yep, that’s documented on X/Twitter for the initiated folks.) Whether you go for the food, the rides, the vendors, or the exhibits, we can all agree it costs a small fortune to spend a day at Fair Park. That’s why we’ve compiled a handy-dandy list for your next trip.
Daily admission tickets are usually $15 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors on Mon-Thurs. On Fridays, adults are $20 while kids and seniors are $15. Sat-Sun, adults are $25 each, kids and seniors are $18 each.
You can also buy premium tickets which allow you to attend any day of the week for $24 per person. A full breakdown of all entry fees can be found here.
Every day, the Fair offers kiddo prices to all attendees after 5pm. This is usually $10, but refer to the link above for specifics. Keep in mind, this is the first year the new curfew goes into effect so unaccompanied minors are not allowed on fairgrounds after 5pm.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are Dr. Pepper Value Days where you can get admission tickets for $10 each. You need to be a Big Tex Insider to get the promo code, but it’s free to join their mailing list here.
Feed the Need Wednesdays are a great day to save money and help a good cause. Bring five unopened cans of food to donate to North Texas Food Bank, and you’ll get in for $5.
Active and retired military and first responders can save on ticket prices for themselves, their spouses, and their children. Mon-Fri, get $5 off entry. Sat-Sun, get $7 off. Remember to bring your military ID or badge.
Thursdays, seniors aged 60 + over can get in for $5 apiece. There are also discounts available when you buy combo packs of two or four tickets. Use promo code 23WEBPACK to get $15 0r $30 off respectively.
Shopping at Kroger can also benefit your wallet. You can save $3 off general admission tickets when you buy them at the store. If you’re headed to McDonald’s, some locations have coupons to get $5 off Mon-Fri and $7 off Sat-Sun. You can also use promo code MCDSAVE2023 here.
To save time on traffic and parking, you can take the DART rail directly to the fairgrounds. You can even get $5 off Mon-Fri tickets or $7 off Sat-Sun. Use promo code 23DART at checkout.
On Thrifty Thursdays, many of the concessionaires offer discounts on their signature items. Bookmark or print this map of participating vendors.
You can also bring a cooler with your own food if you really want to save money. Alcohol, glassware, metal knives, and forks are not allowed. Your bag will be checked upon arrival.
For those of us who are thrill seekers, midway rides can add up quickly. Fortunately, on Tuesdays, the State Fair offers a lot of 4-coupon rides for adults and 3-coupon rides for kiddos. Thrillway coasters and ferris wheel are not included.
TIP: any coupons you have from previous years are still valid so be sure to bring them with you!
While the State Fair can be pricy, there are plenty of ways to be frugal. Be sure to check their discounts page before you go. The State Fair of Texas runs through October 22, 2023, and you can get tickets here. Enjoy the pig races, car shows, and loaded fries pizza. Say “howdy” to Big Tex for me!
