State Fair of Texas Attendance Drops by 385,000 in 2025

October 20, 2025 – The 2025 State Fair of Texas saw a notable dip in attendance, drawing about two million visitors over its 24-day run — roughly 385,000 fewer than last year, according to fair officials.

Fair organizers pointed to several factors behind the decline, including ongoing safety concerns and the rising cost of attending. Following several high-profile incidents near Fair Park in recent years, Dallas police maintained an increased security presence, with new entry checkpoints and expanded bag screenings. While officials said the fair remained safe, some families said they opted to skip this year’s event out of caution.

Higher prices also played a role. With food coupons costing more and ticket prices up slightly, many visitors reported spending significantly more for the same fair experience. “We love the fair, but it’s getting harder to afford,” said local resident Maria Lopez, who attended with her family of four.

Still, the fair maintained some of its signature community outreach efforts. Free student admission tickets, distributed through participating schools, continued to help boost weekday attendance, especially among young families and school groups.

Fair officials said they remain optimistic about the event’s future, noting strong turnout for marquee attractions such as Big Tex, the livestock shows, and the Texas Auto Show. “While attendance was down, enthusiasm remained high,” said State Fair spokesperson Karissa Condoianis. “We’ll continue listening to our guests and improving the experience.”

The fair is expected to return to Fair Park in late September 2026.