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.

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.

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.

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!