After weeks of fun, football games, live performances and a smorgasbord of delectable food, the final day of the State Fair of Texas is rapidly approaching.
During its 2025 season, the State Fair has wowed visitors with over-the-top performances featuring artists like TLC, confronted low attendance rumors, offered a plethora of Dubai chocolate sweets and treats, and said goodbye to free admission to high school students.
If you’re thinking about stopping by the fairgrounds, here are five things worth enjoying before the fair’s season wraps up on Sunday, Oct. 19.
Fresh pickle pizza
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A worker at the hand-tossed pizza stand in the Tower Building food court at the State Fair of Texas gives a fairgoer two slices of fresh pickle pizza on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.
Timia Cobb / Timia Cobb
From cotton candy bacon to fried butter and cheeseburger deviled egg sliders, the fair has several eccentric food pairings that the average person might be hesitant to try.
But fresh pickle pizza isn’t something to miss out on. While there are a few vendors that offer the pickle pizza, the slices from the hand-tossed stand in the Tower Building food court are worth the 14 coupons.
The combination of cheese, buttery bread and the sourness of the pickles makes it the perfect savory meal.
Each serving comes with two slices, and the stand also offers a fried version of the pickle pizza.
The Log Ride
The Log Ride has been on the Midway since 1986. The water ride with a big splash finish is two minutes of drenching fun. The fan favorite will say goodbye on Sunday after 40 years.
After waiting in line, paying 10 coupons and getting comfy in the makeshift log, fairgoers ride through tunnels before hurling down a cliff and getting splashed with water.
If you visit the Midway this weekend, the Log Ride is a must.
“The Log Ride has been a cherished part of the State Fair experience for decades,” said Rusty Fitzgerald, senior vice president of midway operations. “This season, we encourage everyone to take one last ride and celebrate the memories made along the way.”
Darrell Boisdorf records a video of his two daughters and their friends on the Log Ride on opening day of the State Fair of Texas on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Dallas.
Angela Piazza / Staff Photographer
Freebies at the fair
Not having to spend more money is always a good thing. There are plenty of free activities to do at the fair.
Starting Thursday, the fair will host six performances for the United Professional Rodeo Association before a championship ceremony on Sunday. All the performances are free with admission.
The fair also offers pig races, cooking demonstrations with free samples, magic shows, the chance to explore the African American Museum at Fair Park, the Mundo Latino Día De Los Muertos exhibit, an aquarium and a petting zoo featuring llamas, cows, goats, donkeys and more.
Kemp resident Diana Ramirez, 5, feeds a goat at the State Fair of Texas petting zoo on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Dallas. Ramirez also has a baby goat at home.
Christine Vo / Staff Photographer
Live music
Music lovers can enjoy a new show and artist every night at the State Fair.
Throughout the day, fairgoers can groove to music at the smallest stages or enjoy bigger acts during the night at the Chevrolet Main Stage. Jazz, country, Tejano and hip-hop are just a few of the musical genres you can hear playing throughout the fairgrounds.
You can also grab a drink at the Levi’s Denim Club in the Magnolia Beer Garden, where the venue hosts live performances every night at 8 p.m.
This weekend, artists performing at the fair include Straight Tequila Night, YOLA, Unfaded Brass Band and Los Texmaniacs.
The culture
The first thing that happens when you enter the fair is you’ll be greeted by an admissions worker. When fairgoers need help finding a ride or want to buy coupons, a fair worker is there to assist.
Many of the workers at the fair are from Dallas and look forward to returning to work at the fair every year.
The happy staff, endless food options, the fashionable cowboy hats and boots, and Big Tex’s “Howdy folks” are all a few things that make the State Fair of Texas what it is, and maybe what keeps people coming back.
Conroe resident Brooks McKinley, 9, carries a prize he won during the State Fair of Texas on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Dallas. For the first time, McKinley was able to show his swine named Day Pig at the fair.
Christine Vo / Staff Photographer
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