State Fair of Texas: Ways to Save on Admission and more

Updated: 09/18/2019

The State Fair of Texas is a fun place to venture around with your friends and family. Doors are open from September 27th til October 20th. The only problem is, if you’re not careful you can break the bank. Ticket prices rise each year and frankly, it’s a waste of money to full price when you can save.  We’ve gathered ways for you to save at the fair from going on certain days of the week to wearing certain clothes. Take advantage of these deals and spread the word. Don’t pay full retail for your ticket.

Ticket prices at the gate for the 2019 State Fair of Texas have stayed the same as last year. Priced at $18 general admission to the Fair includes hundreds of daily shows, concerts, activities and exhibits, all at no extra cost. The Fair offers $14 admission for children under 48 inches in height and seniors age 60 and older, with free admission for children age two and under. If you are not taking advantage of the State Fair discounts below, purchase your tickets online for a small discount!

State Fair of Texas Season Passes are available for purchase online this summer for only $39, which include 24-day admission as well as a variety of special pass holder benefits. They are only available online but are worth every penny. 

2019 State Fair of Texas Discounts and Deals

Opening Day Savings:  On Opening Day of the Fair – Friday, September 27, 2019 – all active military, retired military, and veterans receive FREE admission when they present valid documentation of military service at the gate. Spouses of service men and women with a valid Military Spouse ID and accompanying children under the age of 18 also receive FREE admission. Take advantage of this MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY! 

On Friday, September 27, fairgoers can bring a full 20 oz. bottle of Dasani water, or any 20 oz. Coca-Cola product, for donation to the North Texas Food Bank and get in for only $9.

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Advanced Ticket Sales Online: Why wait in line or wait til the last minute to purchase your ticket? Buy your ticket in advance online and save a few bucks. You will save $1.50 per ticket when you buy online. (You can even buy Food & Ride Coupons early!) Also, if you plan on visiting the State Fair more than once this year, look into buying a season pass for only $45. You can purchase season tickets either at the State Fair and Kroger Food Stores. 

Try the new digital ticket option and save $1.50 off any ticket you buy. The best part is that the ticket is delivered straight to your phone! Buy discounted tickets to the State Fair of Texas right from your DART GoPass app. Show your purchased fair ticket on GoPass at the gates to get in. To make the deal even sweeter, you’ll save two dollars on every fair ticket by using GoPass!  You can also buy a DART pass to the Fair. Both your DART pass and your Fair tickets will be right there on your phone and scanned at the gates. Day Passes are valid for unlimited rides on the date of purchase only through 3 a.m. the following day.

Kroger – Discounted General Admission / Season Passes: A Season Pass is $45. They may be purchased at the check-out counter or at the service desk. A State Fair season pass includes a one-day companion ticket (good Monday-Friday). 

School Tickets: Every year, school districts in the area send children home with FREE admission tickets. Be sure to use and take advantage of them. If you know someone who won’t be using theirs, you can always ask for it. These tickets are for children admission so be sure to read any small print. 

McDonald’s Deals: McDonald’s offers a discount on children’s general admission with their State Fair coupons (you can find these on tray liner or bag stuffers) any day of the fair. Bring your coupon to the gate and SAVE $5 off a general admission ticket or HALF OFF a children’s tickets (with purchase of general admission). One coupon per person. Discount may not be combined with any other offers. 

Ride the Dart: Parking at the State Fair costs $15 and sometimes even more if you end up parking on somebody’s property! Don’t waste your money on parking, just think of all the food you can buy with that $15!  State Fair visitors can ride the DART Rail Green Line  to two stations – Fair Park Station, located on Parry Avenue at the entrance to the fairgrounds, and MLK, Jr. Station, located south of R.B. Cullum Blvd. and convenient to the MLK fairground entrance (Gate 6.)

Dart GoPass – Any Day Discount: Starting September 10, visitors can receive discounted tickets by downloading the free DART GoPass app on their mobile devices. When purchased through the app, tickets are $16 for general admission and $12 for children and seniors. The GoPass app allows users to purchase tickets and download them right to their phones, which will then be scanned at the gate. To make a trip to the Fair even more convenient, users can purchase a DART pass on the app and take the DART to one of two stations, both located right next to fairground entrances.

First Responders Day – Friday, October 11th: As a special tribute to their public service and dedication, the Fair will host a special day recognizing the various organizations of first responders and their contribution to the community. The State Fair of Texas would like to honor all active and retired public law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency services agencies on First Responders Day – Friday, October 11, 2019. First Responders Day includes free admission to the 2019 State Fair of Texas for all first responders when they present a valid badge or ID card from their department or organization, plus up to three admission tickets for their family members. Valid documentation must be presented at the gate. Offer and ticket valid only Friday, October 11, 2019.

Senior Citizen Discount: Grab your granny and take her to the State Fair on Thursday! Senior Citizens (anyone 60 and over) get in for FREE on every Thursday (Oct. 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2019) that the fair is open. 

Dr. Pepper reduced admission after 5pm: Any day after 5 p.m. Bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for half off. This is a great way to enjoy the cooler weather and take in all the amazing sights of the State Fair of Texas at night! It’s a whole different experience between night and day at the fair. 

Dr. Pepper Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for half off making your ticket only $9. Most rides on those Tuesdays (excluding the Thrillway, Texas Star, and selected other attractions) are half off!

North Texas Food Bank Wednesdays: Bring 4 cans of food for donation to State Fair gates any Wednesday of the Fair and receive a coupon for a $4 admission ticket. Enjoy the Fair for just $4 and help stock the North Texas Food Bank. One (4 can) donation per person. Discount may not be combined with any other offers. (Fun Fact:  Last year, more than 214,000 pounds of food were donated through this program, making it North Texas Food Bank’s largest canned food drive of the year.. This is such a great way to give back to the community!) If you’re looking for the cheapest way to get into the fair, this is the day!

Coca Cola Thursdays: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $9 admission on Thursdays (Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2019). One bottle per person. Discount may not be combined with any other offers. Guests can save while snacking during Thrifty Thursdays, where participating food vendors offer one of their signature menu items at a reduced price, ranging from mini versions to regular-size items.

Do you attend the Fair with a group of friends? Then take advantage of the State Fair’s group ticket discount program.  Save up to 33% on general admission tickets when you have parties of 20 or more. You can also buy pre-loaded Midway game cards and food and ride coupons in advance for your group.

If you plan on attending the fair more than a couple times, look into getting a State Fair of Texas season pass. The pass only costs $45 and you’ll receive all of the following:

• • 24-day admission to the 2019 State Fair of Texas for only $45.
  • One FREE single-day bring-a-friend ticket (valid Monday-Friday only).
  • FREE State Fair reusable bag (available to the first 8,000 season pass holders to redeem).
  • One FREE Midway race game (water, derby, balloon, or roll-a-ball).
  • One 10% OFF coupon on State Fair gear at official merchandise stores located on the fairgrounds.
  • $5 discount on the State Fair of Texas Cookbook.

The State Fair of Texas has added lots of great value packs that you can find on their ticket page. One that I personally love is the 2019 Season Pass Two Pack that is only $79! These tickets are only available online and can not be purchased at the gate.

Did we miss a deal? Leave a comment so we can add it! Now, let’s eat some FRIED FOOD!