October is here and there are some great things to do around North Texas this weekend. Enjoy!
Big Texas Fair Food Drive-Thru
With the State Fair of Texas cancelled this year, officials pivoted to a drive-thru version of the event! Visitors drive through the grounds, decked out in State Fair style, picking up Fair food favorites as they go. When you reach Big Texas circle, you'll park and exit your car to get a pic with the big man himself...taken by a professional photographer! Then you'll drive a little more to pick up dessert and some fun on the Midway. On the first weekend the drive-thru event took four to five hours to complete. They're trying to work out the kinks and make it a smoother process this weekend.
Where: State Fairgrounds, Parry Ave &, Exposition Ave, Dallas
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October 18
Cost: $25 - $99
More info: https://bigtex.com/big-tex-fair-food-drive-thru/
Billy Bob's Concerts
Concerts are finally back at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth. This weekend there are a full slate of performances. On Friday, Copper Chief takes the stage. And on Saturday, Aaron Watson will play. Billy Bob's reminds you to arrive early, as COVID-19 protocols mean it will take longer than normal to get into the venue.
Where: 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth
When: Friday and Saturday at 10 p.m.
Cost: $16 - $40
More info: https://billybobstexas.com/events
Cutting Edge Haunted House
It's opening weekend at Cutting Edge Haunted House. While some haunted houses have chosen not to operate during COVID-19, Cutting Edge is out there doing what they do best...scaring the tar out of people. Cutting Edge has been voted one of the Best Haunted Houses in America and Winner of Guinness World Record for the World's Longest Walk through Horror House. Located in a 100-year-old abandoned meat packing plant in a section of Fort Worth historically dubbed as "Hell's Half Acre," the Cutting Edge Haunted House is built upon a foundation of fear. The meat packing equipment from the Old West is still in use, but now it is a two-story human processing area. You must grab your timed ticket ahead of time.
Where: 1701 E. Lancaster Ave, Fort Worth
When: Friday Oct 2, Saturday Oct 3 from 8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Cost: $45
More info: https://www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com/
Dallas Arboretum: Autumn at the Arboretum
Autumn at the Arboretum highlights the nationally-acclaimed Pumpkin Village featuring four 20-foot-tall decorated pumpkin houses and creative displays fashioned from more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash. With the theme, "The Art of the Pumpkin," the Dallas Arboretum's popular festival features one of "the Best Fall Festivals to Celebrate the Season" by Country Living Magazine. The event opens on September 19 and runs through November 1. Autumn at the Arboretum features breathtaking colors of fall including 150,000 autumn flowers accented by pumpkins, gourds and squash from Floydada, Texas. The festival features the return of the popular Mommy and Me Mondays and Tiny Tot Tuesdays, a hay bale maze, a pumpkin patch with pumpkins for purchase, music and more.
Where: 8525 Garland Rd., Dallas
When: Daily thru November 1; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and older, $12 for children 2-12, and free for Arboretum members and children under two. Parking is $15 or $10 purchased online.
More info: https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
Fall Pumpkin Days at Mainstay Farm Park in Cleburne
One of the area's best pumpkin patches is now open in Cleburne. They call it the "Biggest Backyard in Texas." With over 40 attractions, plus delicious food and drinks, including, Wine Chillers, Mainstay Farm Wine, and freshly squeezed lemonade. Activities include a new roller coaster, hayride, pumpkin house, standing teeter totters, mazes, a 100' chute slide, a kids train, farm animals, sheep racing, and more.
Where: 1004 W. Bethesda Rd., Cleburne
When: Open Wednesdays through Sundays, now till November 1
Cost: $14.95 - $17.95
More info: https://www.mainstayfarm.com/
Great Pumpkin Adventure at Golden Triangle Mall
It's a family friendly halloween adventure all month at Golden Triangle Mall. Activities include:
Life-size Tic-tac-toe
Decorate a Keepsake PumpkinSensory & Fear Factor LaboratorySpider MazeDecorate Cookies at Grim Reapers BakerySkeleton Bone DigGem DigCarnival Game RoomMovie TheaterSpooky ForestBuild Your Own Halloween Stuffed Animal
Where: Golden Triangle Mall, 2201 S. Interstate 35E, Denton
When: Friday, 4p-7p; Saturday, 12p-7p; Sunday, 12p-6p
Cost: $20 - $40
More info: https://shopgoldentriangle.com/sale/the-great-pumpkin-adventure/
Last Ditch Drive-In Concert Series: Raised Right Men (Thur) & Levi Cobb (Sat)
The pandemic has been extremely tough on the brewery industry. Armadillo Brewing Company is getting creative with their concert series. They're calling it a last ditch effort to stay in business while waiting to get the go ahead that it's safe to reopen. So these concerts with Raised Right Men (on Thursday) and Levi Cobb & the Big Smoke (Saturday) are being held drive-in style. There will be food (from Boca 31) and drinks for purchase. You'll also need to purchase a spot to park your vehicle. No alcoholic beverages are allowed inside of vehicles. But you can sit in your lawn chair and enjoy yourself.
Where: Armadillo Ale Works, 221 Bell Ave, Denton
When: Thursday, October 1 and Saturday, October 3. Lot opens at 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $10 - $60
More info: https://www.prekindle.com/events/armadillo-ale-works
New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail in Grapevine
It's Grapevine's 28th Annual New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass, three tastings of wine and one food item at each participating winery tasting room. Special works of art can be viewed at Grapevine's Palace Arts Center (300 S. Main St.) in Historic Downtown Grapevine; the Grand Gallery and Tower Gallery inside the Visitor Information Center (636 S. Main St.), and at art galleries and fine art working studios throughout the city. There is complimentary parking throughout Historic Downtown Grapevine as well as at the winery tasting rooms and art galleries. Saturday, October 3 at the Visitor Information Center at 636 S. Main St.
Where: Main St, Grapevine
When: Saturday, October 3, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $45
More info: https://tickets.grapevineticketline.com/event/newvintagewinetrail20208YsCxUX
Levitt Living Room Series: Giovannie and the Hired Guns & The Ray Johnston Band
The Levitt Living Room Series is a group of concerts at Levitt Pavilion in Arlington. You can participate virtually (by watching on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/levittpavilionarlington/), or go in-person for limited seating in socially-distanced squares on the lawn. Spaces are first come, first served. You can have a maximum of eight people (family members) in your square. Masks are required, except when eating or drinking while in your square. You can bring your own food, beverages, chairs and blankets.
Where: 100 W. Abram St, Arlington
When: Friday, October 2, 8 p.m. and Saturday, October 3, 8 p.m.
Cost: $2 (or free!)
More info: https://levittpavilionarlington.org/event/levitt-living-room-series-giovannie-the-hired-guns/
Live Online Mystery: Dog Show Debacle
Grapevine Escape puts on this unique interactive mystery performance ONLINE! The show's description says it all: "It is a crazy day at the Sittensteigh Dog Show! Just as the winner was to be announced, the power goes out! When lights are restored, beloved Piddles has gone missing. Can you help determine what happened and return Piddles back to the rightful owner?" Local (to DFW) playwrights, actors, actresses and authors put on this show.
Where: Online
When: Friday, October 2 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, October 4 at 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 per login
More info: https://www.liveonlinemystery.com/dog-show-debacle
Look Club at Dallas Heritage Village
Grab a mask, your paints or pencils, and a sketchbook! Launching Saturday (Oct. 3), The Cedars Union, a nonprofit art incubator, will launch Look Club, a new four-part program that invites the public to draw observationally, focusing on a chosen subject each week. The subjects – Still Life, Landscape, Figure Drawing, and Architecture – will be led by a local artist who incorporates those subjects or themes in his or her work. The session begins with an artist talk, followed by two-and-a-half open hours of drawing or painting from life, whether chosen by the participant or constructed by The Cedars Union.
Where: Dallas Heritage Village, 1515 S. Harwood St., Dallas
When: Saturdays from October 3 - October 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m
Cost: Free if you register ($5 at the door)
More info: https://www.cedarsunion.org/organizer/the-cedars-union-2/
Movies in the Park: Wizard of Oz
From blockbusters to animated favorites, from musicals to comedies, you won't want to miss any of these fun, free, family-friendly flicks in the 2020 lineup brought to you by AT&T Discovery District. Grab a space on the lawn, enjoy a food truck picnic and let the cinematic fun begin. All movie screens provided by Ultimate Outdoor Entertainment.
Where: Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas
When: Saturday, October 3 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: https://klydewarrenpark.org/things-to-do/events/2020/thewizardofoz.html
Old Town Lewisville: First Fridays
First Fridays on Main Street in Old Town Lewisville is a celebration of local vendors, held on the first Friday of every month. Visitors have a chance to shop, drink, and eat late into the evening. You'll mingle alongside Old Town Lewisville Entertainment District's independent retailers, cafes, restaurants, and distilleries. Each venue has a unique personality and will be open late. You'll find live music and art, food and drink specials, retail discounts, pop-up shops, a photo booth, a movie in the plaza, yard games, and more.
Where: Main St. and Mill St., Lewisville
When: Friday, October 2
Cost: Free, with food, drink and items to buy if you'd like.
More info: https://www.mainandmillassociation.com/first-fridays
Perot Museum: Reopened to the Public
The wildly popular Perot Museum of Nature and Science finally reopened to the public this month. There are new public-health protocols, ticketing procedures, reduced hours, and 25% occupancy limits. Because of the strict occupancy limits, guests are highly encouraged to purchase their tickets online ahead of time for their timed entry into the Perot.
Where: 2201 N Field St., Dallas
When: Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Cost: $13 (Youth 2-18), $18 (Seniors 65+), $20 (Adults)
More info: https://www.perotmuseum.org/
Pop Up Movie Night: Monsters University
Housing & Dining at Texas Woman's University hosts this showing of Monsters University on the soccer field at TWU. Social distancing and masks are required. For more information, contact Alyssa Burks at 940-898-3787.
Where: TWU Soccer Field, 620 Administration Dr., Denton
When: Friday, October 2, 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/323285872070299/
Six Flags Over Texas: HALLOWFEST
HALLOWFEST is underway, and runs weekends through November 1. Operating hours will be Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with limited capacity admission to prevent overcrowding. Reservations, masks and other COVID protocols are in effect. You can ride over 40 rides, and enjoy unique experiences not available the rest of the year.
Where: 2201 E. Road to Six Flags St., Arlington
When: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through November 1
Cost: Varies
More info: https://www.sixflags.com/overtexas/special-events/hallowfest
