Unless you’re a millionaire or prepared to make some kind of deal with the devil, the State Fair of Texas can take a sizable bite out of your wallet. That fried lobster isn’t cheap.
Standard admission tickets are $18 — $14 for seniors and tiny children who can’t clear 48 inches. Factor in all that ticket money for food, drinks, and rides, and your next stop after you get that selfie in front of Big Tex may be an extended stay in debtors’ prison.
But you don’t have to lose an arm and a leg to afford a good time at one of North Texas’ most beloved events. To help enjoy your visit on a budget, here are all the discounts and free things to do this year at the State Fair. Opening day is Sept. 25.
Stick to the free attractions: Once you’re on the grounds, it’s possible to enjoy a full day at the fair without spending a dime. You’ll find live music on four stages scattered around Fair Park, with performances throughout the day. Daily shows–including BMX demonstrations, the starlight parade, and an “illumination sensation” light show–are also performed free of charge. Many (most) of the fair’s exhibitions, museums, and car shows are open to guests. People-watching, truly one of the fair’s great pleasures, is included in price of admission.
Use public transportation: Avoid the hassle of finding and paying for a parking spot. Take the DART rail directly to Fair Park and download the DART GoPass app for a small discount ($16 for adults, $12 for kids and seniors) on general admission tickets any day of the week.
Buy tickets in advance: You’ll save a few bucks here and there–and save a lot of time avoiding lines–if you buy tickets, including food and ride coupons, online.
Ask your kids (or somebody else’s kids) for tickets: Many North Texas school districts will distribute free admission tickets to students. Take the opportunity to treat the kids to Fair Day. Or ground your children for some minor infraction, go to the fair without the kids, and use that money you’ve saved to hire a babysitter (kidding).
Feast on Thrifty Thursdays: If you’ve got a hunger that can only be sated by corn dogs and other fried delicacies, pick a Thursday to go to the fair. A new discount promotion this year offers reduced prices on State Fair staples–hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, you name it–every week. Thursday is a good (meaning cheap) day to go to the fair in general: admission is free for seniors, and a 20 oz. bottle bottle of Coca-Cola reduces admission to $6 for the rest of us.
Take advantage of brand synergy for daily discounts:
- Tuesdays: Bring a Dr Pepper can for $5 admission ticket any Tuesday. This deal is also in effect for admission any day after 5 pm.
- Wednesdays: Donate four cans of food to the North Texas Food Bank for $4 admission.
- Thursdays: Bring a 20 oz. bottle of Coke for $6 admission.
- Fridays: Go to 106.1 KISS-FM’s website and print off a coupon for $5 admission.
Bonus brand synergy discounts: Scavenge “tray liners and bag stuffers” from McDonald’s for coupons — the fast-food behemoth is distributing $5 off general admission discounts and half-price children’s tickets. You can also buy tickets in advance at Kroger for a small discount ($16.50 general admission, $34.95 for a season pass).
Buy a season pass if you’re planning multiple trips: If you know you’ll need more than one outing to eat, drink, play, and gawk at the State Fair, it may behoove you to buy a season pass in advance. That will run you about $40, and comes with a few extra goodies (an extra one-day ticket is nice, and your living room mantel really needs a Big Tex commemorative photo to set it off).
Attend opening day*: A full 20 oz. bottle of Dasani water (it’s going to the North Texas Food Bank, so emphasis on the “full”) will drop admission to half-price. Opening day is Sept. 25.
*Be prepared for large crowds, even by State Fair standards.
