The weather has dropped to below 100 degrees, which means it’s basically fall here in Dallas. And while the 80s and 90s temps might not quite justify sweater weather, there are plenty of autumnal activities around town to celebrate the season. From Oktoberfests to concerts to shopping bazaars, we’ve rounded up over 33 fall-flavored events to get you through to Thanksgiving. We’ll have separate guides to the State Fair and Halloween later on, but grab your PSL and, okay, your sweaters, and enjoy.
Food Events & Festivals
Oktoberfest
Sept. 14-Oct. 7
Multiple cities throughout North Texas will throw Oktoberfest celebrations filled with lederhosen, biers, and schnitzels. Expect wiener dog races, plenty of German fare and music, and polka dancing.
- Addison, Sept. 14-17: The festival kicks off the night of September 14 and runs through the 17th. Tickets start at $10. Addison Circle Park, 4970 Addison Cir., Addison.
- Fort Worth, Sept. 21-23: Live music from dozens of bands will be accompanied by a dachshund race, bratwurst, and skillet potatoes. Tickets start at $15. Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr., Fort Worth.
- McKinney, Sept. 22-24: Historic Downtown McKinney will host three days of Oktoberfest with imported beers and authentic German food. General admission is free, and Blue Box VIP Biergarten* tickets start at $35 a day. Learn more here. Historic Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney.
- Oak Cliff, Sept. 24: A one-day festival will be held at Tyler Station in Oak Cliff. The celebration will kick off with a 1.128-mile fun run and dive right into a Bavarian food and drink festival. Tickets start at $25. Learn more here. 1300 S. Polk St.
- Dallas, Sept. 30: The festival will take place at Flag Pole Hill and kick off at 10 a.m. Tickets start at $20 for presale and $10 for kids. 8015 Doran Cir.
- Plano, Sept. 30: Head to Legacy Hall to feast on brats and brews all afternoon. The event is free to attend, but ticket holders willing to shell out $60 will get access to an exclusive seating area, food, drinks, and a special gift. Learn more here. 5908 Headquarters Dr., Plano.
- Frisco, Oct. 7: A stein-hoisting competition, sausage-eating contests, and live entertainment can be expected. Admission is free. Learn more here. The Star in Frisco, 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco.
Mid-Autumn Festival
Sept. 22-24
The Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the harvest moon, a symbol of gratitude and thanks. (The date of the actual holiday falls on September 29 this year, so this festival is a little early.) One of the best ways to celebrate is with family, friends, and mooncakes. The festival will happen at Asia Times Square, and plenty of food and drink vendors will pop up to serve an abundance of food. Learn more here. Asia Times Square, 2625 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Grand Prairie.
State Fair of Texas
Sept. 29-Oct. 22
The State Fair of Texas is one of the most iconic events of the year. Check out the list of Big Tex Choice Awards winners for this year’s must-try food. You’ll also find classics like Fletcher’s corny dogs, caramel apples, and deep-fried Oreos at stands throughout Fair Park. Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave.
Plano Food and Wine Festival
Oct. 21
A food pass gives you access to 15 restaurants that will battle it out in a competition for the best dish. A wine pass will get you 20 tastings and a souvenir wine cup. Combine them for an all-day food and wine extravaganza. Passes start at $45 for wine tasting only. Learn more here. 5908 Headquarters Dr., Plano
The Greek Food Festival of Dallas
Nov. 3-5
Spend a day walking around the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church grounds sampling gyro, souvlaki, cocktails, and more. Throughout the festival there will also be Greek dancing and a market (AKA, an agora) for shoppers. Tickets are $10 for attendees ages 10 and up. Learn more here. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Rd.
The Great Outdoors
Pumpkin Patches
Fall means pumpkin pie, pumpkin photo ops, and pumpkin spiced lattes. For a look at all the pumpkin patches to attend this year, check out this list.
Kids Putt Around in the PGA District
Thru Sept. 27
Throughout the entire month of September, the Omni PGA Frisco Resort has an ongoing golf series for kid golfers of all ages and skill levels. Every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., head to The Dance Floor, also known as the putting course, for themed rounds consisting of nine holes. Learn more here. The Monument Realty PGA District, 3255 PGA Pkwy., Frisco.
Autumn at the Arboretum
Sept. 16–Nov. 5
Odds are, you won’t find any dogs pretending to be pumpkins this fall, but if you want a chance to live out It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, head to the Dallas Arboretum. The Peanuts gang will come to life during the annual Autumn at the Arboretum, which features the beloved Halloween special as this year’s theme. Learn more here. 8525 Garland Rd.
Dallas Farmers Market Pumpkin Patch Returns
Sept. 16–Nov. 5
Sure, you can shop boba, jams, flowers, and more at the Dallas Farmers Market, but this fall you can also pick out your perfect pumpkin. The market’s annual patch is back this September. And after you carve your jack-o-lantern, you even come back post-Halloween for a Thanksgiving gourd. Learn more here. 920 S. Harwood St.
Calloway’s Nursery Pumpkin Fest
Sept. 30
All kinds of plants can be found at Calloway’s Nursery anytime of year, but there’s only one season where pumpkins are the center of attention. The festival will have pumpkins for decorating (while supplies last), photo ops, a chalk garden, gift card giveaways, and more. Learn more here. All Calloway’s Nursery garden centers in Dallas and Fort Worth.
Performing Arts
Concerts
This fall promises several very recognizable visitors to North Texas—Beyoncé (Sept. 21), P!nk (Sept. 29), Luke Bryan (Sept. 29), Depeche Mode (Oct. 1), Janelle Monae (Oct. 9), Shania Twain (Oct. 13), Aerosmith (Nov. 7), and George Strait (Nov. 17-18). More will play stages throughout the area. Keep track of them all in our concert calendar here.
Dracula
Sept. 15-17; Oct 6-8
Right in time for Halloween, Texas Ballet Theater will open its 2023-24 season with Dracula. The ballet has been called gorgeous and thrilling, and it marks a full-circle moment for newly appointed TBT artistic director Tim O’Keefe, who originated the titular role in 1997. Learn more here. September dates: Winspear Opera House, 2403 Flora St.; October dates: Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth.
The Rocky Horror Show
Sept. 23–Oct. 29
Kalita Humphreys Theater will bring this cult classic musical to life just in time for pre-Halloween festivities. Expect the tale of Brad and Janet’s encounters at the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter to come with the audience participation and props, and get ready to take a step to the left, and a jump to the right. Learn more here. Kalita Humphreys Theater, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.
Avant Chamber Ballet Fall Celebration
Oct. 1
Avant Chamber Ballet will visit Klyde Warren Park to showcase classical ballet excerpts from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and new works from choreographer Madelaine Boyce. Pianist Anna Bulkina will accompany the dancers. Learn more here. 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy.
The Nightmare Before Nutcracker
Oct. 25–29
While many are familiar with the holiday ballet staple The Nutcracker, the Nightmare Before Nutcracker tells the story of a young ballerina overcoming injury, fear, and an antagonistic choreographer as she makes her way back to the stage. Set to the music of Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Wagner, modern rock, and pop hits, the performance uses ballet, modern dance, and electronic media to tell the story. Learn more here. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson.
Little Shop of Horrors at the Majestic Theatre
Oct. 26–30
The Lyric Stage will bring Little Shop of Horrors to the Majestic Theatre in late October. If sci-fi horror about a man-eating plant and the floral shop assistant who cares for it, with a small side of sadistic dentistry, is your idea of a perfect Halloween (and really, it should be), settle in for a story told through 1960s pop-rock. Learn more here. Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St.
Inaugural Deep Ellum Music Festival
Nov. 18
Deep Ellum has influenced virtually every form of music in Dallas, from blues to punk to rock, and the community will celebrate that as part of its ongoing celebration of its 150th anniversary. The one-day festival will feature up-and-coming artists and more, including headliners Rev. Run and Doug E. Fresh. Learn more here. Deep Ellum, Dallas.
Family Friendly
Plano Balloon Festival
Sept. 21–24
While the main attraction is the gorgeous hot air balloons, the Plano Balloon Festival boasts quite a few activities on the ground, too, including live music, a fun zone for kids, and the Ninja Nation Mobile Obstacle Course. Learn more here. Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano.
Mumentous
Sept. 23-Oct. 14
The city of Grapevine will celebrate all things football mum with a new Texas heritage exhibit: “Mumentous: Football, Glue Guns, Moms, and a Super-Sized High School Tradition Born Deep in the Heart of Texas.” The display will be available for viewing at the Grapevine Tower Gallery, and features the work of author and photographer Amy J. Schultz, who will be available to sell copies of the accompanying book October 4, 7, and 14. Learn more here. Grapevine Tower Gallery, 636 S. Main St., Grapevine.
Dallas Zoo Sensory Friendly Day
Sept. 24
The Dallas Zoo will open early for a sensory-friendly day that will allow families to visit without all the stimulation that accompanies a crowded typical day at the zoo. The zoo partnered with organizations to design a sensory- and autistic-friendly slate of activities for guests that includes hands-on experiences, animal exhibits, and more. KultureCity sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a “feeling” card, and KultureCity ID lanyard will be available for guests to use during their visit, too. Learn more here. Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R. L. Thornton Fwy.
OK2BX Fest
Sept. 30
In its second year, the family-friendly OK2BX Fest celebrates kindness, acceptance, and diversity—all qualities displayed by the late Eleanor Bolding, the inspiration for the OK2BX Foundation. The event, held at Deep Ellum Art Co., will feature musicians like Ryan Sneed, S-Ankh Rasa and the African Village Drummers, and Ballet Folkorico group Ollimpaxqui. There will also be an artisan gallery, hands-on activities, a photo booth, and food vendors. Additionally, attendees will be invited to create a quilt square for a remembrance quilt. Learn more here. Deep Ellum Art Co., 3200 Commerce St.
Day Out With Thomas
Oct. 13-15 & 20-22
Thomas the Tank Engine fans have long made the trek to Grapevine to meet everyone’s favorite No. 1 engine and his friends, including Sir Topham Hatt. This year, Day Out With Thomas: The Color Tour will include an interactive train ride in a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine, a full day of activities, live entertainment, lawn games, and more. Learn more here. Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Downtown Grapevine
Harry Potter – The Forbidden Forest Experience
Oct. 28
Wizards, witches, and muggles converge in Little Elm this fall to celebrate all things Harry Potter. A portion of Little Elm Park will be transformed into a woodland trail experience filled with magical creatures and experiences from the storied book series, along with the Fantastic Beasts films, including a hippogriff and possibly some nifflers. Learn more here. Little Elm Park, 701 W. Eldorado Pkwy., Little Elm.
Diwali at the Cotton Bowl
Nov. 4
Dallas will host what organizers say is the “biggest ever” diwali mela festival in November at the Cotton Bowl. Expect a laser show, ram leela by prominent artists, a Bollywood-style concert, community performances, kids activities, and plenty of food vendors. Learn more here. Cotton Bowl, Fair Park.
The Cedars Open Studio Day
Nov. 18
A 21-year tradition of artists opening their doors to the public for one day only continues in November for artists in the Cedars. The free event draws thousands to the neighborhood to visit artists’ studios, participate in and see live demos, and meet many of the creators who call the the Cedars home. Learn more here. The Cedars neighborhood, Dallas
Shopping
Thrift Studio
Thru Oct. 7
Every fall, Dwell With Dignity sells luxury home furnishings and art at heavily discounted prices during its annual Thrift Studio shop. The pop-up shop kicked off in late August and runs through the first week of October. Money raised at the event goes back to Dwell With Dignity, which provides interior-designed spaces to people in need. Learn more here. 1833 E. Levee St.
The Boho Market
Multiple dates
The Boho Market is hosting a number of artisan markets throughout the fall in Dallas, including a BIPOC makers event at Klyde Warren Park on October 20; night markets at CityLine DFW on October 13 and November 10, holiday shopping on November 19, and more. Learn more here. Multiple locations.
Klyde Warren Park Moon Festival
Sept. 29
The Boho Market is taking over Klyde Warren Park all evening to host its first-annual Moon Festival, an autumn holiday celebrated throughout China and other parts of Asia. The free, family-friendly party will include treats, music, shopping, and more. Learn more here. 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy.
Huffhines Harvest Fest
Oct. 21–22
The city of Richardson’s annual autumn fest is the perfect spot for a fall photo shoot, whether you’re pumpkin painting, enjoying a hayride, or partaking in “Pawtoberfest” with your furrier family members. It’s also a great time to shop its vendor marketplace. Learn more here. 1500 Apollo Rd., Richardson.
Spooky Vendor Market
Oct. 28
Who doesn’t love a Halloweeny sip and shop event? Make your way to ArtPark Trinity Groves for a spooky-themed maker’s market all afternoon long. There will be crafts, cocktails, lawn games, permanent jewelry, and more. Learn more here. 331 Singleton Blvd.
Turtle Creek Fine Arts Festival
Nov. 11–12
Head to Reverchon Park to shop fine art all weekend long. The annual event will feature booths and works from painters, glass blowers, jewelers, and more artists. There will be live demos, a kid’s play area, snacks, and other activities, too. Learn more here. 3505 Maple Ave.
Chi Omega Christmas Market
Nov. 15–18
Get in the holiday spirit—and snag all your presents early—at the 46th annual Chi Omega Christmas Market. Each year, the bazaar takes over at Fair Park with toys, gadgets, ornaments, dips and soup packets, and more. Check out our guide to the perfect shopping day here, and learn more about this year’s event here.
Jingle Bash
Nov. 18
Every year, Etsy Dallas’ artisans and makers gather to sell their homemade wares in town, and have a little fun, too. At the event, shop handmade decor, jewelry, soaps, and more. You can meet the artists, munch on snacks, and even create your own pieces. Learn more here. Gilley’s Dallas Event Center, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd.
*A previous version of this story incorrectly stated general admission to the McKinney Oktoberfest was ticketed at $35 a day. This has been corrected.
Authors
Catherine Wendlandt
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Nataly Keomoungkhoun
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