I think we can all agree that spending a lot of money at the State Fair of Texas is an easy thing to do. My family and I love going to the fair and I usually get a season pass, since I am there so often. I am always looking for ways to save money but still enjoy the fair. Many people are unaware of how many fun and FREE things you can do while you are there to save money. Here is my list of 20 FREE things to do at the State Fair of Texas.
- Get a picture with Big Tex
If you have ever been to the State Fair of Texas, then you probably know about Big Tex. He is an iconic feature of the fair and he even gets new outfits! This is always one of our first stops whether I am with my family or with a group of friends. It’s a spot where you can capture the day by taking a picture with the famous Big Tex. Right by Big Tex, even though its not free, we typically always snag one of our favorite corn dogs from Fletchers while we are there!
- Find Little Big Tex
Little Big Tex is one of my favorite parts of the fair! I love being on the lookout for him and getting a picture when I find him. It’s so fun to have a “life size” version of Big Tex to be able to get a picture with and also play the fairs version of “where’s Waldo” as we try to find him throughout the park.
- Check out all the new and futuristic cars at the car show
The car show at the State fair of Texas is proof that everything is bigger in Texas! They have what seems like every possible car brand and car that you could imagine housed in two separate large buildings as well as a good amount of space dedicated to the show outside the buildings as well. They also have prototypes of designs they are working on for future cars. It is a great place to explore cars that you are interested in, see your dream car, or even just enjoy an activity that is in air conditioning!
- Chevrolet Ride & Drive
Similar to seeing cars at the car show, the Chevrolet Ride and Drive gives you the opportunity to test drive or ride in Chevrolet vehicles. When you test drive one of the cars, a Chevrolet team member will go with you or will drive you if you just want to ride along. During the Ride and Drive, you will drive through an obstacle course that includes rough terrain if you are test driving one of the trucks. It is a fun experience and really allows you to see what the vehicles can do. In past years, if you are the driver you also get a free t-shirt!
- See a concert on one of the stages
There are three main stages to see concerts at the fair. The Chevrolet main stage is the largest and has your bigger name artists that you are more likely to recognize. They have multiple concerts per day so there is always someone to listen to and see here! The bud light stage and Bank of America stage also have many different concerts to see and enjoy so definitely something to check out.
- Get a picture with the Dinosaurs at the Lagoon
There are 10 large dinosaurs to see and explore. This is a great activity to do as you walk from one part of the fair to the other and kids will love it too!
- Sculpture Walk
Not far from the dinosaurs is a fun walkway where you can see sculptures that have been made by varying artists. Honestly, I didn’t even know this was at the fair for a long time, but it was a fun discovery and something I have enjoyed exploring the last few years!
- Midway Barker
The midway barker is a fun and free experience for the whole family. When performing, He looks like a man without the lower part of his body and talks to all the people who stop by to see him or who are walking by! Be sure to grab a picture with him and stop and talk to him for a few minutes!
- Starlight Parade
The starlight parade is one of my favorite traditions. Each night this parade winds throughout the fair grounds and has fun parade floats to see. You might even see Little Big Tex standing on one of the floats!
- Mattress Firm Illumination Sensation/Drone show
The illumination sensation is another yearly tradition that is always fun to see. This show includes a lights show, fireworks, music, and even dancers to see during the show. It is helpful to get there a bit early if you want a good seat to see the dancers. The Illumination Sensation typically starts not long after the Starlight Parade ends. Last year they also incorporated a drone show during select nights that included images of fair items such as the ferris wheel, corny dogs, and even big tex! Hopefully they will bring the drone show back and for more nights this year!
- Rodeo
Several years ago Rodeos became a part of the fair and admission is included with your fair ticket! They have different rodeos happening every weekend and this can be a great way to see one without having to spend a lot of money! You can easily come and go during the event and is another great place to rest and enjoy some air conditioning.
- Birthing Barn
The birthing barn is a fun place to go and to visit multiple times throughout the fair if you go to the fair more than once. You will be able to see animals that have been born in the last few days and sometimes even in the last few hours! The baby animals are so cute and a fun place for the whole family to visit.
- Pig Races & Animal Shows
The pig races have been part of the Texas State Fair for as long as I can remember. The venue has changed several times but they are always fun to see. The fair typically also host other animal shows that you can see for free throughout the fair days. Over the years these have included Llama races, dog shows, and bird shows. Check out your fair guide to see what free animal shows they have this year!
- DAR House
The daughters of the revolution is a quick stop close by the car show. They have a little building with historical information, cheap snacks and drinks, and some years, special activities. One year we saw the Andrew sisters there and each year you can write a card to a veteran who is in the hospital that they deliver to them. My mom and her friend made a quilt for this coming years fair to be auctioned off as a fundraiser for the DAR house.
- See a free show throughout the fair grounds
Every year the State Fair of Texas does a great job of providing free shows to see and attend. There are many different types of shows teach year. Over the years, we have seen basketball players doing trick shots, skateboarders, bikers, marionette shows, puppet shows, and many others. Check out your fair guide to see what free shows they are offering this year!
- Try free samples in the GO Texan Pavilion
I love free samples and I also love supporting local businesses! In the GO Texan pavilion you can learn about Texas Agriculture and also browse many products made by local Texans. Typically during two different parts of the day, the companies that have products in the GO Texan store will sample some of their products. I have found some of my favorite foods like Texas Tea, by sampling the products here.
- See the butter sculpture in the arts and crafts building
Something I always want to see is what is the butter sculpture going to be this year?! There is a large refrigerated glass area at the front of the arts and crafts building where you can see this sculpture. After you check out the butter sculpture, there are all kinds of arts and crafts and homemade foods to check out! It is fun to explore and see all the different things people have created.
- See Hydroponically grown plants in the Big Tex Urban Farms greenhouse
Ever since I found this greenhouse on the midway several years ago, I love to stop in and check out what they are doing each year. This greenhouse is innovative and working on ways to grow plants in new ways. It is intriguing to see what they are working on and talk to the team growing these plants. I also love how they give back to the community by donating the produce to local food banks.
- Check out the vendors while staying cool(and get a massage in the massage chairs!)
There are several different areas where you can shop and look at what different vendors have to offer. To keep this a free activity, you can’t buy anything, but you are able to check out a lot of fun things people have to sell, while staying cool. Mattress firm also has massage chairs that you can test out and they always feel good after a long day of walking around the fair!
- Watch the animal judging and see who comes home with the top ribbon
I never had many animals growing up so this is an interesting part of the fair to me. It showcases how hard people work to take care of their animals and the pride they have in their hard work. I love getting to see people be rewarded for what they have accomplished and it also feels like such an integral part of the fair that many people miss out on.
Well I hope this list gives you some new things to try out for FREE next time you visit the fair. Tell me if you come across anything new that I didn’t mention that would be a great addition to this list.
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