When is State Fair of Texas open in 2026?

The 2026 season runs Sep 25 – Oct 18. Daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat until 10 p.m. (last entry 9 p.m.). Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.

When does State Fair of Texas peak in 2026?

Peak color is predicted for November 11–November 15 (best estimate November 13). Color starts around November 4 and is mostly bare by December 7.

How do I get to State Fair of Texas?

State Fair of Texas is in Dallas. The closest city is Dallas, about 2 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Texas's fall lineup.

State Fair of Texas

Fall festival · Dallas · Texas

Big Tex looms over Fair Park for a 24-day run of fried everything, Midway rides, livestock barns and the Cotton Bowl. The 2026 fair opens Sep 25 and closes Oct 18, with gates 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Best for: Families and fried-food pilgrims

Don’t miss

Big Tex and the Midway
Fried food row
Auto show and Cotton Bowl

Plan your visit

2026 season: Sep 25 – Oct 18.

Daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat until 10 p.m. (last entry 9 p.m.)

Get tickets ↗Website ↗

Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.

2026 Forecast

Color nearby peaks: November 11–November 15

Color builds from November 4 · mostly bare by December 7

Sampled at State Fair of Texas’s own coordinates and elevation (147 m) rather than a regional average.

This window comes from 115 weather points across Texas, nudged 1 day earlier to match 2 published peak dates from tpwd.texas.gov and explorefall.com. This year's weather has the peak running 4 days earlier than a normal year. How the forecast works

When to go to State Fair of Texas

The color window runs about 18 days, holding until around November 22. Against Texas overall, that is 3 days earlier.

It is in Dallas, close enough to reach without planning a drive around it.

State Fair of Texas on the map

Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Texas, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.

More things to do in Texas

Leaves & views

Halloween

See all things to do in Texas →

Plan from a city

Dallas · 2 mi · in town

Frequently asked

When is State Fair of Texas open in 2026?: The 2026 season runs Sep 25 – Oct 18. Daily 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat until 10 p.m. (last entry 9 p.m.). Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
When does State Fair of Texas peak in 2026?: Peak color is predicted for November 11–November 15 (best estimate November 13). Color starts around November 4 and is mostly bare by December 7.
How do I get to State Fair of Texas?: State Fair of Texas is in Dallas. The closest city is Dallas, about 2 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Texas's fall lineup.

See it on the map

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