A Texas tradition is changing this year. The State Fair of Texas has announced that high school students will no longer receive free admission tickets—a benefit that many families have relied on for decades.
Who Still Gets Free Admission?
The change applies only to students in grades 9 through 12. Younger students will still benefit:
- Pre-K through 8th grade students within 100 miles of Fair Park will continue to receive free tickets.
- Teachers (Pre-K through 12th grade) in the same area will also still receive complimentary admission.
Why the Change Was Made
Fair officials explained that the decision was based on several factors:
- Low Ticket Usage
Each year, the State Fair printed more than 2 million free tickets for students. However, data shows that only about 10% were redeemed. With many school districts eliminating “Fair Day” holidays, fewer high school students were able to attend during the week. - Rising Costs
Under a new agreement with the City of Dallas, the State Fair is now responsible for covering the full cost of Dallas Police Department services during the event. This expense exceeds $8 million each year. Officials say the change in ticket distribution helps offset these increased costs. - Safety Concerns
Fair leaders also pointed to safety issues related to large, unpredictable crowds of high school students. In recent years, there have been increased incidents involving high-school-aged attendees. Officials emphasized that managing safety is a priority, especially with growing attendance numbers.
Karissa Condoianis, Senior Vice President of Public Relations for the fair, said the decision was not made lightly. She emphasized that the fair remains committed to youth programming through scholarships, student competitions, and educational exhibits, ensuring young Texans continue to benefit from the fair experience.
Discounted Tickets for High School Students
Although free admission is ending, the fair has introduced a discounted option for high school students:
- Tickets will cost $12 each (regular admission is $25–$30).
- The discount is valid Monday through Thursday only.
- Each student may purchase up to two tickets.
- Tickets must be purchased online using promo code 2025EDU.
Community Response
The decision has sparked strong reactions online. Many former students expressed nostalgia, recalling the excitement of receiving fair tickets from school. On local forums, some parents voiced concern that the policy will make the fair less accessible for families with older children. Others acknowledged the rising costs and safety challenges that the fair faces.
One commenter noted, “I loved getting those free tickets from school as a kid. That’s a damn shame.” Another added, “It also gave families an excuse to go together. What a sad day.”
Looking Ahead
The 2025 State Fair of Texas will run from Friday, September 26 through Sunday, October 19 at Fair Park in Dallas. While high schoolers will need to pay for admission this year, the fair continues to highlight its commitment to students by investing millions annually in scholarships and education-based initiatives.
Summary of Admission Policy (2025):
|
Group |
Admission Policy |
|
Pre-K through 8th grade |
Free (within 100 miles of Fair Park) |
|
Teachers (Pre-K through 12th) |
Free (within 100 miles of Fair Park) |
|
High school students (9–12) |
$12 discounted ticket, Mon–Thu, max 2 tickets |
For more details on ticket policies and fair events, visit bigtex.com.
