The State Fair of Texas is on right now in Dallas, and here is some wonderful news: hundreds of attractions and shows are completely free with your admission ticket. For all 24 days of the Fair, which runs through October 18 at Fair Park, fairgoers can enjoy an incredible lineup of entertainment, concerts, and exhibits without spending an extra dime.
Highlights of this year’s free lineup include awe-inspiring performances on the Fringe Stage, live music across the fairgrounds, and the Esplanade of State’s beloved fountain shows playing every 30 minutes from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Families can wander through educational exhibits infused with Fair fun, explore the latest models at the Texas Auto Show, and catch concerts under the Texas sky.
Culture lovers will find treasures at the Hall of State, now home to “Blazing New Trails: 125 Years of Texas Woman’s University,” celebrating 125 years of vision, courage, and determination in women’s education, and “Unquiet Legacies: Dynamic Dallas Women,” honoring the remarkable women who shaped the city. The African American Museum presents the internationally acclaimed Mandela: The Official Exhibition, making its Texas debut and tracing Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary journey from his rural childhood to becoming South Africa’s first democratically elected president.
From stunt comedy and fountain spectaculars to concerts and world-class exhibitions, the 2026 State Fair of Texas proves that the best things in life really can be free. Gates are open daily through October 18.
Photo: Kevin Brown / State Fair of Texas
