Mark your calendars and prep your appetite for the most Texan experience imaginable! The State Fair of Texas just unveiled their 2025 entertainment lineup, and it’s packed with enough thrills, laughs, and jaw-dropping moments to fill every single one of your 24 days (September 26 – October 19).
We’re talking more than 100 daily activities included FREE with your admission ticket. Let that sink in – you pay once, play all day, every day.
The Brand New Must-Sees
State Fair Clásico Soccer Match: October 18 at Cotton Bowl Stadium gets international when Dallas Trinity FC takes on Club América Femenil. This isn’t just any friendly match – it’s bridging two soccer cultures in one epic showdown. Your soccer ticket includes State Fair admission too!
Sky-High Thrills: Meet the Thunderbird – the tallest portable swing tower in North America at 177 feet! You’ll get views of the entire fairgrounds from way up there. Plus the new Defender ride will dazzle you with LED light shows and high-speed propeller action.
USA Breakdancers: These aren’t your typical street performers. They’re mixing head-spinning moves with comedy that’ll have you laughing and cheering at the same time.
Her Majesty’s Secret Circus: Agents Honeymoon and Butterfly are saving humanity one fire-juggling, bow-and-plunger-shooting performance at a time. Yes, you read that right.
Music Lovers, This One’s for You
More than 90 acts across three stages playing ALL 24 days! The Chevrolet Main Stage brings headliners like TLC, Paul Wall, The Band Perry, Hawthorne Heights, and Hoobastank.
New this year: Levi’s Saloon in the Magnolia Beer Garden serves up live music every single night at 8 p.m., plus you can customize your own Levi’s gear while you listen.
And jazz fans – The Black Academy of Arts and Letters debuts “Jazz at the Fair” with Friday and Saturday performances at 6:30 p.m.
Rodeo Action Every Weekend
Fair Park Coliseum transforms into rodeo central every Friday through Sunday. From the UPRA Big Tex Rodeo Series Championship (September 26-27) to the Mexican Rodeo Fiesta, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and everything in between. The UPRA Finals wrap things up October 16-19.
The Classics That Never Get Old
Pig Races: Those adorable racing silks are back four times a day at Chevy Park Plaza. Your kids will never let you live it down if you skip this.
Cotton Bowl Football: Two legendary matchups return – the State Fair Classic (Grambling vs. Prairie View A&M on September 27) and the Red River Rivalry (Oklahoma vs. Texas on October 11). Both teams are now SEC, making this showdown even spicier.
¡Fiestas de Marionetas!: 85 handmade marionettes come alive daily at the McDonald’s Amphitheater with brand-new staging.
Culture and Art Everywhere
The Hall of State now houses Mundo Latino’s Day of the Dead celebration, plus the Dallas International Coffee Art exhibit featuring 20 countries. The Women’s Museum gets jazzy with live performances and cultural programming.
Don’t miss the Drive Like a Texan Starlight Parade lighting up the fairgrounds every single night with spectacular floats and life-size puppets.
Your Game Plan
With over 100 daily activities, you’ll need a strategy. Check out the complete lineup at BigTex.com/Attractions and start mapping your must-dos. Season passes and FLEX tickets are available now at https://bigtex.com/buy-tickets-new/.
The 2025 State Fair kicks off Friday, September 26, and doesn’t stop until Sunday, October 19. That’s 24 days of “Texas Shines Bright” at the Most Texan Place on Earth.
Time to dust off those boots and get ready for the ride of your life!
