The State Fair of Texas is officially open — and it just gave everyone the best excuse to show up hungry. The Fair, running September 25 through October 18, 2026, at Fair Park in Dallas, has unveiled its full lineup of new foods for 2026, packed with dozens of brand-new dishes, drinks, vendors, and concepts that showcase the imagination of its concessionaires.
Among the stars of this year’s lineup are the finalists and semi-finalists of the 2026 Big Tex Choice Awards, the annual competition where Fair concessionaires dream up their most inventive creations. Fairgoers can sample them all and decide whether they agree with the judges’ picks for Best Taste – Savory, Best Taste – Sweet, Best Taste – Sipper, and Most Creative.
The new creations range from playful to downright wild: 3D Fruit Ice Cream, creamy mango or peach ice cream dipped in a thin chocolate shell shaped like real fruit — an everyday value item; Candy Watermelon, a giant ice-cold watermelon slice wrapped in Fruit by the Foot, drenched in chamoy and topped with Tajín; Buffalo Breaded Cheese Curds; the Butter-Dipped Toffee Crunch Nutty Bar, a Fair classic reinvented; and the All Shook Up milkshake, blending banana pudding ice cream, peanut butter sauce, and even crispy bacon.
Behind many of these bites are small business owners and family-run operations who pour their talent into creating something Fairgoers will remember — so every new favorite you discover also supports a local small business. The new foods program is sponsored by Scooter’s Coffee. Full list and locations at BigTex.com/NewFoods.
Photo: State Fair of Texas
