Fair officials are proud to announce an initial list of confirmed headliners slated to appear in this year’s free concert series during the annual State Fair of Texas (September 27-October 20).

On Friday, October 4, fairgoers will be treated to An Evening with Molly Ringwald. An actress of stage and screen, her jazz performances receive acclaim from audiences worldwide.

Native Texan and country artist Cory Morrow will entertain audiences in an afternoon concert on Saturday, October 12, followed by an 8:30 p.m. concert by The Turnpike Troubadours – a band lauded for its unique ability to carry audiences along on a musical ride through America’s Heartland.

Singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves will appear Friday, October 18 in an 8:30 evening concert. Fans of contemporary Christian and Christian rock band Casting Crowns should mark their calendars for Saturday, October 19, at 8:30 p.m. Additions to the concert series will be announced in coming weeks.

The All-New Silverado Main Stage is an outdoor venue with a huge, festival-type stage surrounded by a vast blacktop. Most viewers stand, although seating is available on nearby grassy areas, low walls and steps. An ADA-compliant area is provided for guests needing special assistance.

Glenn Smith Presents Incorporated has produced the Fair’s concert series for 25 consecutive seasons.

CONCERTS ARE FREE WITH STATE FAIR ADMISSION – NO EXTRA TICKET REQUIRED.

The State Fair of Texas® has selected The One & Only as the theme for the upcoming season (Sept. 27 – Oct. 20). All eyes will be on Big Tex Circle when the Fair’s 52-ft host returns to his place of honor on opening day. Big Tex is the inspiration behind this year’s theme. For sixty years, the one & only stood watch over the fairgrounds during the annual State Fair of Texas. On October 19, 2012, a fire engulfed the beloved cowboy. Without divulging specifics, Fair organizers are planning a celebration befitting the gentle giant’s return. The Top o’ Texas ride will offer fairgoers a 360-degree panorama view of Dallas while traversing a 500-ft tower. The ride will debut during Summer Adventures in Fair Park™ – a new entertainment offering presented by State Fair of Texas and opening in May, 2013. The State Fair Fall Garden Exhibition has grown into one of the Fair’s most popular attractions. “Since the program’s inception, we’ve used the backdrop of the Fair as a stage to educate and entertain our audience through garden displays, a garden railroad, and a lecture series,” according to Fair president Errol McKoy. “My goal was to transform Fair Park into a showcase of green and floral during our 24-day event and serve as a place to bring gardeners and gardening experts together.” The Chevrolet Main Stage will feature top entertainers every weekend plus live bands throughout the week. All concerts are free for fairgoers. A complete lineup will be announced in the coming months. This year’s State Fair Musical is the Tony® Award –winning Broadway sensation The Lion King. The unforgettable score, breathtaking sets, and talented cast will thrill audiences during its three week run in the historic Music Hall at Fair Park. Performances will be offered daily (except Mondays), Oct. 2 – 20. Following on the heels of the second-most successful event in the Fair’s history, organizers are predicting this year’s lineup of food and fun will produce another record-breaking year.

JOIN US SEPTEMBER 27, 2013 - OCTOBER 20, 2013

General admission: $17
Child (under 48" in height) $13
Child under age 3 admitted FREE
Seniors (ages 60 and over) $13
Seniors FREE every Thursday (October 3, 10, & 17)

Buy advance discounted tickets at Kroger beginning in September or online at bigtex.com beginning August 1.

Parking is $15 on official State Fair lots.

GROUP TICKETS :

Round up your friends and save on groups of 20 or more! Click here for more information about group ticket prices and rentals.

CONSIGNMENT TICKETS :

If your company has 100 employees or more, you may be eligible for this discounted ticket program. Click here for more information.

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The State Fair takes place in Fair Park. It is a 277-acre city park just two miles east of downtown Dallas (Maps & Directions).

Dates & Hours

September 27, 2013 - October 20, 2013
Gates open on Friday, September 27, 2013, at 10 a.m. Midway hours and Museum hours vary.
Exhibit buildings open at 10 a.m. daily and close at 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursdays. Buildings remain open until 10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday.

Admission
General admission: $17
Child (under 48" in height) $13
Child under age 3 admitted FREE
Seniors (ages 60 and over) $13
Seniors FREE every Thursday (October 3, 10, & 17)

Buy advance discounted tickets at Kroger beginning in September or online at bigtex.com beginning August 1.

Places to stay

Click here for lodging information from our partners.

Transportation

The State Fair of Texas is easily accessed by public transportation. Take the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) light rail Green Line to either of Fair Park's two stations. Visitors to Dallas have access to more than 15 airports from award winning international and national airports (DFW and Love Field) to regional and private jet facilities. Love Field is located 13 miles from the Fair while DFW is located 24 miles away (midway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth). Click here for details regarding the two airports.

Parking
Parking is available on official Fair lots at $15 per space used. Parking spaces for the disabled require a designated license plate or hangtag. Bicycle racks are located inside Gates 5, 6 and 11. First come, first serve basis while supplies last.  Throughout the year, DART offers bike racks at each of the two stations servicing Fair Park (Fair Park at Parry Ave. and Martin Luther King Station).

Overnight RV parking is only available during the weekend of the Red River Rivalry. Click here for details.

Accessibility

Wheelchairs, electric carts and baby strollers can be rented from an independent concessionaire at two locations in Fair Park - the Pennsylvania pedestrian gate and the Grand gate..  All of the rentals are on a first-come basis, and no advance reservations are accepted. Merritt Interpreting Services, LLC. provides interpretation for selected shows on Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday.

Checkroom

Check and store your items in the Checkroom located in the front of Grand Place. All items must be picked up no later than 8:45 p.m. Cost per item applies.

Need more answers?

Items allowed

Click here for a convenient list of "bring 'em on" and "must stay home" answers to frequently asked questions.

State Fair coupons

Food, rides, and drinks are purchased with coupons, which are sold for 50 cents each at coupon booths located throughout the grounds. American Express, Visa, Discover, and MasterCard are accepted.

Automated Teller Machines

ATMs are located throughout the grounds. Pick up a Visitor Guide as you enter the Fair or from any of our six Information Booths. Personal checks cannot be cashed on the fairgrounds.

Concerts at the Chevrolet Main Stage
All concerts on the Chevrolet Main Stage are presented free to State Fair patrons. It is standing room only, so come early for a chance to be up-front and close to your favorite stars. The Chevrolet Main Stage is located at the end of International Boulevard (Grand Avenue) near the Hans Mueller Tent. The concerts are designed for "standing" only. A designated area for persons with disabilities is located at the left front stage area.

Concealed Handgun Policy
A person holding a valid Texas Concealed Handgun License (or valid CHL from a reciprocating state) is permitted to enter onto State Fair property with his/her concealed handgun; provided, however, that CHL holders will not be permitted to carry their concealed handgun inside the Cotton Bowl Stadium, a facility defined under Texas Penal Code 46.035 as "the premises where a high school, collegiate or professional sporting event or interscholastic event is taking place." Note that the Fair does not provide lockers for the storage or checking of weapons for CHL holders, so if you plan to attend a game or event in the Cotton Bowl, please secure your weapon at home or in your vehicle prior to entering the fairgrounds. We want the Fair to be a fun and safe experience.

Still need help? Call 214.565.9931 for even more information