This year, however, high school students will no longer receive free tickets. Students in Pre-K through 8th grade will continue to receive free entry, as will teachers in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Why Free Tickets are Changing
The fair gives numerous reasons for the shift. The school ticket program has proven costly to run, with over 2 million tickets generated each year but only approximately 10% being used. At the same time, several school districts have removed “Fair Days” from their schedules, making it more difficult to schedule visits.
Concerns about safety also affected the decision. Officials said instances involving high school kids have escalated, making it difficult to maintain a family-friendly environment.
The fair’s new agreement with the City of Dallas compels it to reimburse all Dallas Police Department expenses for the 24-day event, which total more than $8 million. Large, unpredictable groups of high school kids have exacerbated the challenge of balancing costs and safety.
“We know some families may be disappointed, but this decision helps us continue providing a safe, family-friendly and sustainable fair experience while still investing in youth through free admission for younger students, scholarships and educational programs,” the fair’s spokesperson stated to Local Profile.
Discounted admission for high school students
Although complimentary tickets are no longer available, high school students can still attend at a reduced fee. From Monday to Thursday, one-day entrance tickets are $12 when purchased online using the discount code 2025EDU. Students can use this deal for up to two tickets. Tickets can be purchased through BigTex.com/5HS.
The fair emphasizes that the choice allows it to continue funding educational programs and scholarships while offering free entrance to younger pupils.
