The State Fair of Texas fun doesn't end when the sun goes down — perhaps it's even better in the evening. Picture this: Midway lights, a tasty funnel cake, live music, and the Texas stars twinkling above it all. What could be better?

Here are just seven of the many things you can enjoy at the Fair at night:

1. Get a birds-eye view
Whether you want to take a spin on the 212-foot-tall Texas Star Ferris wheel or soar straight to the sky in the 500-foot Top O' Texas Tower, both rides are just as relaxing and magnificent as the other. There's nothing quite like seeing all the lights from above, and the view is great for planning out everything you want to do the rest of the night.

2. Wine not?
Why wouldn't you want to visit a wine garden? Located across from the Creative Arts building, the State Fair Wine Garden offers spectacular wines made in the Lone Star State. Wine not your fave? Travel down a little bit further toward the Coliseum to enjoy a new spot called Backyard Steak-Out & Pizzeria. Both are great locations to view the nightly Starlight Parade.

3. Float on
A longtime State Fair tradition, the Starlight Parade hosts a procession of more than 10 Texas-themed floats. The parade includes lively music, historic parade wagons, stilt walkers, animated characters in costume, and more. It begins nightly at 7:15 pm.

4. Light the way
Lighting up the night, the Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation blends high-energy pop music and sophisticated acrobat dancers with art, technology, and pyrotechnics over Fair Park's historic Esplanade. The show begins nightly at 8 pm.

5. Rock out
The State Fair of Texas presents 24 days of free concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage, featuring a variety of musical acts across all genres. The stage showcases national and regional talent of all types, with evening performances from such artists as Aaron Watson, Ludacris, Austin Mahone and many more. Did we mention an Elvis tribute performance?

6. Take the wheel
Stretched across three areas at the Fair, the Texas Auto Show is the highest-attended auto show in the southwest. No surprise, since we're in Texas, right? Catch the Truck Zone before the sun goes down, then head into the Centennial and Automobile buildings to see the latest models from the world's leading manufacturers.

7. Save a buck (or several)
Perhaps the most wallet-friendly reason for hitting up the Fair after hours is that when you bring an empty Dr Pepper can, your admission goes down to only $9 after 5 pm.

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To learn more about the State Fair of Texas and purchase tickets, visit BigTex.com.

Visiting the Fair doesn't always have to be an all-day event.

Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

Visiting the Fair doesn't always have to be an all-day event.