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The State Fair of Texas is the big end-of-summer event that takes place in Dallas each year.

Did we say BIG? Of course it is .. this is TEXAS!

In fact, it's the largest state fair by total attendance in the nation, with an estimated three million or more people attending annually.

The fair usually runs for 24 days, typically starting on the last Friday in September and ending some time in October.

This year, say howdy to the 2023 Texas State Fair when it opens on Friday, September 29 running until Sunday, October 22, 2023.

Tickets are now on sale at the official State Fair of Texas website online at bigtex.com.

Just up ahead, check out all there is to do at the fair including the complete 2023 State Fair of Texas concert lineup at the Chevy Main Stage.

All about the Texas State Fair

The very first Texas state fair was held in 1886. Not long after that, the fair became the first, and still the only, state fair with a full blown auto show which continues to be a huge attraction for fair goers.

The original Big Tex was destroyed in a fire in 2012, but was back bigger and better than ever the following year.

There's also Big Tex, a talking fifty-two foot tall cowboy who just happens to be the biggest meet-and-greet host in the business!

And then there's the giant ferris wheel that was (and still remains) the largest of its kind soaring 212 feet tall when it was introduced in 1985.

Meanwhile, the Texas State Fair also features a wide variety of more traditional state fair attractions including livestock shows, a huge variety of competitions, and always popular carnival rides,

And, wait. There's more! Don't forget the nightly free big name music concerts, and generous helpings of deep fried goodies for visitors who come to the fair each year during its three-week run.

(Hungry for more? Be sure to check out more Texas State Fair fun facts just up ahead.)

2024 Texas State Fair concert lineup

The 2024 Texas Fair concert lineup is free at the Chevy Main State and performances are included when you pay admission at the gate. Enjoy!

Friday, Sept. 27 — Jo Dee Messina at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 28 — DJ at noon; Deitrick Haddon at 4 p.m.; Big Daddy Kane at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 29 — DJ at noon, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Los Pescadores at 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 30 — UNT Four O’Clock Lab Band at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 1 — Bowling for Soup at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 2 — Savannah Rae at 5:30 p.m.; Dasha at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 3 — Straight Tequila Night at 5:30 p.m.; Fliptuirn at 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 4 — Cameron Sacky Band at 5:30 p.m. Shakey Graves at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5 — Joshua Ray Walker at 5:30 p.m.; Grace Potter at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6 — DJ at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Jesse & Joy at 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 7 — DJ at noon; Sazerac Jazz Band at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 — DJ at 4 p.m.; Gabe Barker at 5:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 9 — Jefferson Starship at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 10 — Elton The Early Years at 5:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 11 — Shaylen at 5:45 p.m.; Wyatt Flores at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 12 — Brisco at noon; St. Paul and the Broken Bones at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 13 — DJ at noon; Ian Munsick at 3:30 p.m.; Hannah Dasher at 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 14 — The ultimate Taylor Swift dance party at 3 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 15 — David Adam Byrnes at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 16 — DJ at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Jon Wolfe at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 17 — The O’s at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Fleetwood Mask at 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 18 — Palmer Anthony at 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; Spin Doctors at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19 — DJ at noon; Sabor Puro at 4 p.m.; Foghat at 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 20 — DJ at 12:30 p.m.; The Commodores at 4:30 p.m.

also see ->Christmas in Texas

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo | Houston Aquarium

DID YOU KNOW? Texas State Fair fun facts

• Comfortable shoes are a must for traversing the countless entertainment and attractions at the Texas State Fair, encompassed by a sole-challenging 277 acres.

• Big Tex made his debut in 1952 and quickly became a major fair landmark. Although Tex went down in a spectacular heap of flames in 2012, the new Big Tex rose from the ashes the following year a full 3 feet taller and 19,000 lbs. heftier!

• In 1961, the fair became famous for 'going all Hollywood' when it served as the major backdrop to the movie musical State Fair starring Pat Boone, Ann-Margret, and Bobby Darin.

• The Big Tex Choice Awards began in 2005 to judge vendors' various assortments of fried foods. That year, the winner was a fried peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich.

Some of the more popular treats at the Texas State Fair over the years have included (at left)
deep fried peanut butter-jelly-and-banana sandwiches and (at right) deep fried Frito pies.

• In fact, the Texas State Fair has branded itself as a place to sample a huge variety of deep-fried foods — which began with the original corny dog first introduced at the fair in the 1940's.

• Today, some of the more creative deep fried treats at the Texas State Fair have included deep fried pork ribs, deep fried peanut butter-jelly-and-banana sandwiches, deep fried cheesecake, deep fried peaches & cream, deep fried Jello, and even deep fried Coke!

Have fun!

More about the Texas State Fair around the Web:

2023 State Fair of Texas - Check out the official site with information on admission and ticket prices, concert line up, food concessions, kid-friendly attractions, directions, map, photos.

State Fair of Texas - Here's a Wikipedia overview including photos, historical facts and related resources.

The State Fair of Texas in Dallas - Find photos, highlights, historical overview and fun facts.