One of Allen’s longtime fall traditions returns September 10–13, 2026, when the St. Jude Carnival takes over the grounds of St. Jude Catholic Church at 1515 N. Greenville Avenue in Allen.
There are actually two different carnival experiences during the weekend: the Talley Midway runs Thursday through Sunday with carnival rides, games and food, while the St. Jude Courtyard Carnival takes place Saturday, September 12, with activities geared especially toward younger children, plus food, music, face painting, games, a raffle and silent auction.
Admission to the midway is free; rides, games and food are purchased separately. Thursday is especially worth noting because it is the midway’s $35 Unlimited Ride Night.
St. Jude Carnival 2026 at a Glance
Day | Hours | What's Happening |
|---|---|---|
Thurs., Sept. 10 | 6–10 PM | Talley Midway + $35 Unlimited Ride Night |
Fri., Sept. 11 | 6–11 PM | Talley Midway |
Sat., Sept. 12 | 2–7 PM | St. Jude Courtyard Carnival |
Sat., Sept. 12 | 3–11 PM | Talley Midway |
Sun., Sept. 13 | 3–10 PM | Talley Midway |
The Courtyard Carnival’s Knights of Columbus food sales run 1–8 PM Saturday.
What's the Difference Between the Midway and Courtyard Carnival?
This is probably the most useful thing to know before you go.
The Talley Midway is the traditional carnival experience: rides, midway games, carnival food and a Ferris wheel.
The Courtyard Carnival is a separate St. Jude event held only on Saturday. It is particularly suited to younger children, with games and inflatables along with music, face painting, food and other activities.
And there is an important detail families should know:
The two use separate ticket systems.
Courtyard Carnival tickets and wristbands cannot be used on the Talley Midway.
How Much Does the St. Jude Carnival Cost?
Admission to the Talley Midway itself is free.
Individual rides generally require four or more tickets, with tickets priced at $1 each. Talley uses its app and on-site kiosks for purchases, and there is a one-time $3 charge for wristbands and Magic Money cards.
Thursday, September 10 is the standout value for ride-loving kids:
$35 Unlimited Ride Special — Thursday only.
For Saturday’s separate Courtyard Carnival, a day-of wristband is $20. Individual Courtyard tickets are 50 cents each.
Which Day Should You Go?
For lots of rides: Thursday. The $35 unlimited-ride offer makes this the obvious choice.
For younger children: Saturday afternoon. The Courtyard Carnival runs 2–7 PM and is designed with smaller children in mind.
For the full carnival atmosphere: Friday or Saturday evening.
If you're taking younger children Saturday, you can also combine the Courtyard activities with a walk over to the midway—but remember that you'll need separate payment for each.
This Isn't a New Allen Event
The Courtyard Carnival began around 2006 as a children's ministry event. St. Jude partnered with Talley Amusements in 2015, expanding the event beyond the original one-day format; by 2018 the midway had grown into a four-day event.
That history is part of what makes this one worth putting on a local calendar. It isn't a traveling attraction that simply happens to stop in Allen. It grew out of the community itself.
Proceeds from the event support youth activities, infrastructure and community outreach, including assistance for children in need. St. Jude reports that its 2025 carnival cleared approximately $116,000.
Why Events Like This Matter When You're Getting to Know Allen
When people are considering a move, real estate websites tend to reduce a city to home prices, schools and commute times.
Those things matter. But they don't tell you what it actually feels like to live somewhere.
As a Realtor working throughout Allen and Collin County, I think community traditions are one of the better ways to understand a city. The places where people repeatedly gather—the neighborhood events, parks, festivals, restaurants and annual traditions—tell you something a housing statistic can't.
That's also why I recently wrote about how much the southern end of Allen has changed. If you haven't seen it, my guide to Allen's SH 121 corridor and how to spend a weekend there is a good companion to this one.
Before You Go
The carnival is at:
St. Jude Catholic Church
1515 N. Greenville Avenue
Allen, TX 75002
The parish recommends checking its information before attending, particularly because carnival activities are outdoors and policies and schedules can change.
Official 2026 St. Jude Carnival information
FAQs
When is the St. Jude Carnival in Allen in 2026?
Thursday, September 10 through Sunday, September 13.
Is admission free?
Admission to the Talley Midway is free, but rides, games and food cost extra.
Is there an unlimited ride wristband?
Yes. Thursday, September 10 has a $35 unlimited-ride special.
What's best for little kids?
Saturday's Courtyard Carnival, running 2–7 PM, is particularly focused on smaller children's games and inflatables.
Can I use Courtyard Carnival tickets on the midway?
No. They are separate events with separate ticket systems.
