The State Fair of Texas, which recently announced it is lowering ticket prices for the 2026 event, is going even further to make things more affordable for visitors by reducing the price of games and rides at the Midway, and more.
Through a new program called Every Day Values, the Fair is spotlighting what they call "value-priced options" to help guests make the most of their visit.
According to a release, fairgoers will see, on average, a 17 percent reduction in prices on most rides and games on the State Fair Midway this year. In addition, the fair is bringing back Thrilling Tuesdays, on which most rides are available for four coupons, and select kiddie rides available for three coupons. (The Thrillway and Texas Star Ferris Wheel are excluded, they note.)
The Everyday Values program will provide discounts on a variety of items, including but not limited to the following:
- One-coupon bottled water at select locations
- Six-coupon cotton candy
- Kids’ refillable drinkware for 10 coupons, with five-coupon refills
- A commemorative State Fair refillable cup for 13 coupons, with four-coupon refills
- Free chocolate milk in the GO TEXAN® Pavilion
- An eight-coupon Fletcher’s Original Corny Dog
- Six-coupon rides on the historic Midway Dentzel Carousel
- Select Midway games where every kid is a winner
In addition to the items listed above, the State Fair has over 200 food and beverage items available for $10 or less (including the Big Tex Choice Award-winning Fletcher's Chocolate Corny Dog), along with value combo meals offered throughout the Fairgrounds. The complete list of items can be found at BigTex.com/Value.
“Value means something different to every Fairgoer,” said Mitchell Glieber, State Fair of Texas President, in a statement. “With Every Day Values, we want to make it easier for our guests to find accessible options throughout the Fairgrounds and create a day filled with fun, memories, and value.”
These savings are on top of the various ticket discounts available to the public through multiple options:
- 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.
- 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.
