Wild for Wildflower

A by-the-numbers look at the most exclamatory festival in North Texas

Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival in Richardson

Richardson's beloved Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival returns May 20-22.

Courtesy photo

Finally, it’s that time of year when people head outside looking for any outdoor activity they can find to enjoy the cooler temps before the dog days of summer hit (which, in Dallas, is usually, what, next month?). Well, as luck would have it, Richardson’s 24th annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival is coming up May 20-22, and we can’t think of a better way to spend a weekend, given that this event covers pretty much everything on our checklist — good music, yummy food, stuff for the kiddos, and more good music.

Here’s a by-the-numbers look at what this three-day musical bonanza has to offer:

17
The number of bands performing at this year’s event. The lineup includes The Guess Who, Finger Eleven, Peter Frampton, John Waite, Toadies, Survivor, Soul Asylum, Black Joe Lewis, and Jimmie Vaughan, among others. New York-based Unforgettable Fire, the world’s longest-running U2 tribute band, also performs each night. Check the lineup for times.

70,000
The number of people who attended Wildflower last year. This year’s projected attendance is expected to be even higher.

3
The number of locations the festival has had since opening in 1993. First held at a small park in northeast Richardson, Wildflower began as a springtime community event celebrating the wildflowers in the area (hence the name). Headlining bands were added in 1995, and, eventually, the festival moved to its second location, the Greenway Corporate Office Park, where it expanded to a three-day event. Finally, in, 2002, it moved to its current location, Galatyn Park.

50
The average number of kids who try out each year for the festival’s Budding Talent program, a vocal competition for youths that takes place a month before the festival. This year’s auditions (which are closed to the public) will be held April 24, 1-5 pm, at the Senior Citizens Center in Richardson, and winners perform on the last day of the festival. To register for the competition, click here. Registration closes April 18.

200 million
The number of monarch butterflies expected to migrate through North Texas this spring. What does this have to do with Wildflower, you might wonder? Well, the festival happens to offer a Kidz Korner full of activities for the little ones, including the Texas Native Butterfly Tent, which gives an up close and personal look at butterflies. Very educational. Very cool. And very fun.

$40
The cost of a three-day pass, which is available until 5:30 pm on May 20, via Tom Thumb or the Wildflower website. Single-day adult tickets can be purchased for $25 at the gate, as well as through the festival website starting April 18. Kids ages 5 to 12 can get in for $5 each; admission for kids 4 and under is free. For more ticket info, visit the website.

music promoted festivals

Have Fun for Less

State Fair of Texas lowers ticket prices and adds discounts for 2026

Photo by Kevin Brown

The State Fair of Texas runs September 25-October 18, 2026.

It will be cheaper to get into the State Fair of Texas this year. Admission and parking prices are being lowered for 2026, and kids will be able to get in for $10 every day, organizers have announced.

The 2026 fair runs September 25 through October 18 at Fair Park in Dallas.

Adult admission is dropping by $4, from $19 to $15 on weekdays and from $29 to $25 on weekends. Kids ages 3-12 will pay $10 every day, down from $14 on weekdays and $24 on weekends.

Additionally, entry after 5 pm on weekdays will be $10 for all visitors. On weekends, adults will see their ticket price drop from $25 to $20 after 5 pm. Seniors 60 and over will now pay $13 on weekdays, a $1 drop from the previous year.

According to a release, the decision to lower ticket prices came after feedback from fairgoers during the 2025 season and an evaluation of how to balance affordability with the quality of the fair.

Parking in official State Fair parking lots is also dropping by $5, to $25 every day.

“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, State Fair of Texas Senior Vice President of Public Relations, in a statement.

"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. Our goal is to make it easier for families to plan a State Fair day that works for them and get the most from their time at the State Fair.”

More ways to save
There are a lot more ways to save during the 2026 State Fair of Texas. Here is a complete list of discounts:

Opening Day Peanut Butter Drive: On Opening day, Friday, September 25, visitors can enjoy the Fair while also helping the North Texas Food Bank by bringing two jars of peanut butter to donate to receive $10 admission at the gate.
Feed the Need Wednesdays: Every Wednesday, fairgoers can receive $7 admission by bringing five canned food items to benefit the North Texas Food Bank.
Dr Pepper Value Days: Every Tuesday and Thursday of the State Fair, Big Tex Insiders can purchase online admission for $12 with a promotional code. Guests can sign up for the Big Tex Insider program at BigTex.com/Insider.
Senior Day: Every Thursday, guests ages 60 and older can receive admission for $7 at the gate.
Military Appreciation Day Presented by Chevrolet: Active-duty military, retired military, and veterans can save $5 off admission any day with valid military identification.
First Responder Discounts: The State Fair honors active and retired law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other emergency services personnel with $5 off admission any day with valid department or organization identification.

Military and first responder guests purchasing discounted admission online will be prompted to verify eligibility through ID.me. Guests purchasing at the gate should bring valid documentation.

McDonald's Discounts: Participating McDonald's locations throughout North Texas will offer State Fair admission discounts through coupons available on tray liners and inside select meal bags. Adults can save $5 on admission any day with a valid coupon. Only one discount may be applied per guest, and discounts cannot be combined, stacked, or used in conjunction with any other offer.
Free Admission for Select Texas Students and Teachers: Students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade at participating school districts receive free admission tickets, and teachers and school faculty for grades 9-12 receive free admission through our voucher program. Teachers must visit the admission ticket sales window, provide a teacher voucher, and show their valid school-issued photo ID to receive an admission ticket to the Fair.

In addition, the State Fair of Texas has partnered with Dallas Park and Recreation on their Teen All Access Pass Program, which provides free admission to the city's most popular museums, libraries, entertainment venues, and leisure facilities to registered Dallas teens ages 13 to 17. More information can be found on DallasParks.org.

If you're a State Fair fanatic, then a Season Pass is your best bet to save money. Both the Digital Season Pass, available for $52, or the Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass, available for $62, pay off in as little as three visits.

Both passes include admission every day of the State Fair, but the Digital Season Pass includes admission only.

The Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass offers extra perks like:

A commemorative card featuring annual State Fair artwork
One free single-day Bring-a-Friend admission ticket, valid one time Monday through Friday
Complimentary admission to the Texas Discovery Gardens during the 2026 State Fair
Parking pre-purchase discount

Both types of passes are available now at BigTex.com/Tickets. For those who want to save a couple bucks, the Commemorative Hard Card Season Pass is also available at the gate for $60.

The Fair also offers a variety of FLEX options for anyone who want the flexibility to choose their State Fair visit date

Guests can purchase a one-day FLEX admission ticket online for $27. Two- and four-pack FLEX ticket combinations that come with food and midway coupons and one free parking space are available for a limited time, ranging from $104-$129.

Offers are available through August 31 or while supplies last.

Savvy visitors know that savings are available in areas besides tickets. Options include:

Thrilling Tuesdays: Guests can enjoy savings on Midway rides every Tuesday, with most rides available for four coupons and select kiddie rides available for three coupons. The Thrillway and Texas Star Ferris Wheel are excluded.
Thrifty Thursday Discount Fair Food Presented by T-Mobile: Every Thursday, participating food vendors offer select signature menu items at reduced prices, giving guests another opportunity to enjoy some of the State Fair's most popular food offerings.
Kids Win Every Time Midway Games: No more spending a lot in the hopes that your kid will win a prize. At select Midway games marked by the “Kids Win Every Time” sign, kids will, well, win a prize every time they play.

Daily tickets can be purchased online in advance starting September 1. Online admission prices at BigTex.com are inclusive of online processing fees and therefore higher than gate prices.

Admission tickets may be purchased at any State Fair Admission Gate starting on Opening Day, Friday, September 25.

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