One of North Texas’ biggest Oktoberfest celebrations returns for four days of Bavarian food, beer, music, dancing, games and family activities. Thursday is the free kickoff, while the weekend includes multiple stages and Sunday’s dog-friendly Hund-Day.
Where: Addison Circle Park, Addison
When: Thursday, September 17 from 5-11 p.m.; Friday from 5-11 p.m.; Saturday from noon-midnight; Sunday from noon-6 p.m.
Cost: Free Thursday; $16.50 for Friday/Saturday. $11.50 for Sunday.
African American Museum Dallas - Mandela: The Official ExhibitionMandela: The Official Exhibition is a major international exhibition produced in collaboration with Round Room Live the Royal House of Mandela and authenticated by the Mandela family. It traces Mandela’s remarkable life through four immersive gallery environments, filled with personal artifacts, multimedia installations, archival photographs, and interactive experiences.
When: Daily through November 1 (Open: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday)
Where: African American Museum Dallas, Fair Park, 3536 Grand Avenue, Dallas
Cost: Free
UTA Libraries celebrates the World Cup with “Atlas of Champions,” an exhibition exploring the countries competing in the tournament through historic maps, photographs and artifacts. The collection includes more than 60 maps spanning six centuries, along with items connected to the 1994 World Cup.
When: Tuesdays through Saturdays through September 26
Where: UT Arlington Central Library, sixth floor, Arlington
Cost: Free
The Dallas Arboretum launches its signature fall festival with more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash. This year’s “Harvest Hues” theme takes inspiration from artists including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Mark Rothko, Piet Mondrian and Jackson Pollock.
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
When: Opens Saturday, September 19; runs daily through November 1
Cost: Included with regular garden admission.
Billy Bob's Concerts (Thursday: Kruse Brothers / Friday & Saturday: Hudson Westbrook)
When: Thursday at 9 p.m. / Friday at 10 p.m. / Saturday at 10 p.m.
Where: Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth
Cost: $15-$28 for Kruse Brothers | Westbrook shows sold out
Billy Idol: It’s A Nice Day To…Tour Again!
Billy Idol brings more than four decades of rock to Dallas, reaching from “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell” to “Dancing with Myself.” Villanelle joins the tour.
Where: Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas
When: Friday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $27.50 and up
Bluey’s Big Play – The Stage Show
Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli move from the television screen to the stage in a live theatrical production featuring puppets created specifically for the show.
Where: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth
When: Saturday, September 19 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; Sunday, September 20 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Cost: $27 and up
¡Celebramos! at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden begins its Hispanic Heritage celebration with a free-admission Saturday featuring a Latin American Flag Parade and daytime cultural programming. The garden shifts into an adults-only evening fiesta with music, food and drinks later that night.
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth
When: Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20; opening-weekend events vary by time
Cost: Garden admission is free Saturday during daytime programming; evening events are separately ticketed
Celia Álvarez Muñoz: El Límite
Fort Worth artist Celia Álvarez Muñoz examines how borders, railroads and languages can connect communities while also dividing them. The site-specific installation combines video, sculpture, sound and other media, drawing from the artist’s experiences along the Texas-Mexico border and incorporating references to Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada.
Where: Amon Carter Museum of American Art, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
When: Exhibition continues through October 18
Cost: Free
R&B singer Chanté Moore brings her catalog of soul and contemporary R&B to Fort Worth, with singer and keyboardist Jarrod Lawson also on the bill.
Where: Will Rogers Auditorium, Fort Worth
When: Sunday, September 20 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $44 and up
Chicago rapper Chief Keef brings his influential drill catalog to Irving for a Sunday night show.
Where: The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving
When: Sunday, September 20 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $43 and up
Dallas Arboretum: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies
Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies turns the Dallas Arboretum into an open-air art exhibition from April 20 through September 30, featuring 28 large-scale installations and more than 100 works by the internationally recognized neo-expressionist artist. Known for his bold color, layered texture, and recurring images from the natural world, Slonem places monumental sculptures of rabbits, birds, and butterflies throughout the garden, with additional pieces displayed inside the Historic Camp House. The exhibition is included with regular garden admission or membership, and select evenings from May 1 through September 27 will also feature Twilight Nights, offering a different view of the artwork as the garden shifts into dusk.
When: April 20 – September 30
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
Cost: Garden admission (around $26)
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
The Cowboys finally come home. Dallas hosts division rival Washington in its 2026 home opener Sunday afternoon at AT&T Stadium, with only limited ticket inventory remaining.
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: Sunday, September 20 at 3:25 p.m.
Cost: Standing room from $26 / Seats for $88 and up
Dallas-Fort Worth St. Jude Walk
Thousands of supporters are expected at Grandscape for the annual family-friendly walk benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The noncompetitive event covers roughly three miles and raises money for childhood cancer research and treatment.
Where: The Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd., The Colony
When: Saturday, September 19 from 7-10 a.m.
Cost: Free to participate; fundraising and donations are encouraged
The Denton Black Chamber of Commerce celebrates the 28th year of its free blues festival with live performers, food, vendors and family activities in Quakertown Park.
Where: Quakertown Park, 321 E. McKinney St., Denton
When: Saturday, September 19 from 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Shaquille O’Neal trades the basketball court for the DJ booth as DJ Diesel brings his bass-heavy electronic show to Dallas.
Where: SILO Dallas
When: Sunday, September 20 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $55 and up (18+ event)
Empire of the Sun: Ask That God – Afterlife Tour
Australian electronic-pop act Empire of the Sun brings its elaborate visual production to Dallas. French electronic duo Polo & Pan and Midnight Generation join the bill.
Where: Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas
When: Sunday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $28 and up
The Texas rivalry returns to Frisco as FC Dallas hosts Austin FC. The match is also FC Dallas’ Hispanic Heritage Night, with themed entertainment and activities around Toyota Stadium.
Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco
When: Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $67 and up
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Forces at Play
A sports-science exhibition lets visitors explore what gravity, friction, momentum and engineering have to do with what happens on fields, courts and arenas. Hands-on activities show how athletes and equipment designers use physics to make sports faster, safer and more effective. The exhibition continues through February 28, 2027.
Where: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, 1600 Gendy St., Fort Worth
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 17-20; exhibition continues through February 28, 2027
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
40th Annual GrapeFest – A Texas Wine Experience
Grapevine celebrates four decades of GrapeFest with four days of Texas wine, food, live music, grape stomping, tastings and family activities across Historic Main Street. Organizers describe it as the largest wine festival in the Southwest.
Where: Historic Downtown Grapevine
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 17-20
Cost: Free all day Thursday and until 5 p.m. Friday; paid admission is $12 adults and $6 for seniors and children ages 6-12; children 5 and younger are free. Weekend passes are $25.
Grupo Duelo: GRAVEDAD Tour 2026
Regional Mexican group Duelo brings its latest tour to Dallas for a Saturday night concert at Dos Equis Pavilion.
Where: Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas
When: Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $67 and up
It’s Goin’ Down: Fort Worth Convention Center Arena Farewell
Fort Worth says goodbye to its longtime Convention Center Arena before redevelopment begins. The free farewell features live music spanning five decades, DJs, historical displays and interactive looks at both the arena’s past and the Convention Center’s future.
Where: Fort Worth Convention Center Arena; entrance at 9th and Main streets
When: Sunday, September 20 from noon-4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and free parking in the Houston and Commerce garages
J. Cole spends the entire weekend in Dallas with back-to-back arena concerts supporting “The Fall-Off.”
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Saturday-Sunday, September 19-20 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $74 and up
Texas blues legend Jimmie Vaughan returns to a historic Dallas music venue for a Saturday night performance.
Where: Longhorn Ballroom, Dallas
When: Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $32 and up
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.
Where: NTPA Southlake, 1101 N Carroll Ave, Southlake
When: Thursday, September 17, 7:15 PM, Friday, September 18, 7:15 PM, Saturday, September 19, 2:15 PM & 7:15 PM, Sunday, September 20, 2:15 PM & 6:15 PM
Cost: $17 and up
Mid-Autumn Festival – 19th Annual
Asia Times Square celebrates one of Asia’s major traditional holidays with three days of cultural performances, street food, vendors, children’s activities and evening festivities centered on the harvest moon.
Where: Asia Times Square, 2625 W. Pioneer Parkway, Grand Prairie
When: Friday-Sunday, September 18-20; daily schedules vary
Cost: Free admission and parking
Nasher Sculpture Center: Roy Lichtenstein: Drawing in Process
Take a closer look at one of pop art's biggest names through an exhibition that explores Roy Lichtenstein's creative process. Sketches, studies and finished works reveal how the iconic artist transformed simple ideas into bold, instantly recognizable pieces.
Where: Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas
When: Daily through October 24
Cost: $18 adults; seniors $15; students $10; free for members and children 12 & under
Parker County Literary Fest 2026
Parker County and Texas authors gather in Aledo for a free literary festival covering romance, fantasy, horror, Christian fiction, children’s books, young adult titles and nonfiction. The day also includes refreshments and raffle giveaways.
Where: Aledo Community Center, Aledo
When: Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
More than 35 hot-air balloons fill the skies over Plano during the annual festival, including special-shape balloons. The weekend includes balloon glows Thursday through Saturday and scheduled launches Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.
Where: Oak Point Event Field, Plano
When: Thursday, September 17 from 5-10 p.m.; Friday from 4-10 p.m.; Saturday from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday from 6-11 a.m.
Cost: $10 adults at the gate; $5 children ages 3-12 and seniors 65 and older; children 36 inches and shorter and active military with ID are free
Rhythms at the River Walk & Duck Derby
Flower Mound sends more than 30,000 rubber ducks racing down the River Walk during this annual community festival. The afternoon includes live music, food trucks, vendors and children’s activities before the big duck race.
Where: The River Walk at Central Park, Flower Mound
When: Saturday, September 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.; duck race at 1 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; ducks can be adopted for $5
Rocket League World Championship
Competitive gaming takes over Dickies Arena as 20 of the world’s best Rocket League teams battle for a $1.2 million prize pool and a world championship.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
When: Friday-Sunday, September 18-20; doors at 10 a.m. and competition begins around 10:40 a.m. daily
Cost: $45.50 and up
The Drunk Shakespeare Society puts an unpredictable spin on Shakespeare’s tragic romance. One member of the five-actor cast takes five shots before the performance begins, leaving the ensemble to navigate the classic story through improvisation, audience interaction and plenty of unexpected detours. The show is for guests 21 and older.
Where: Deep Ellum Art Co., 3200 Commerce St., Dallas
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 17-20; showtimes vary
Cost: $34 and up
The cigar-smoking Texas storyteller best known from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour returns to Grand Prairie for a Friday night stand-up show.
Where: Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie
When: Friday, September 18 at 8 p.m.; doors open at 7 p.m.
Cost: $39 and up
Frisco goes back to its Western roots with living-history demonstrations, blacksmithing, Dutch-oven cooking, folk music, pioneer games and other activities celebrating the Shawnee Trail and North Texas frontier life.
Where: Frisco Heritage Center, 6455 Page St., Frisco
When: Saturday, September 19 beginning at 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Shreya Ghoshal: The UNSTOPPABLE Tour
One of India’s most successful playback singers brings her international tour to Grand Prairie, drawing from a career that spans Hindi cinema and multiple Indian-language music industries.
Where: Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie
When: Saturday, September 19 at 8 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $119 and up
Six Flags Over Texas: Fright Fest
Halloween arrives early in Arlington as Fright Fest begins its 2026 run. Select nights feature haunted attractions, scare zones, creepy live entertainment and nighttime thrills throughout the park. Fright Fest continues through November 1. Six Flags also begins its daytime fall programming this weekend. Oktoberfest brings German-inspired food, beer, music and games to the park, while Tricks and Treats provides the more family-friendly side of Halloween on Saturdays and Sundays through November 1.
Where: Six Flags Over Texas, 2201 E. Road to Six Flags St., Arlington
When: Select nights through November 1
Cost: $45 online; park-and-haunted-maze bundles start at $69
The Perot Museum explores the science, technology and culture behind the world’s most popular sport through a 10,000-square-foot interactive exhibition. Visitors can enter through a stadium-style tunnel, test their skills through hands-on challenges and examine how engineering, physics, equipment design and data influence the modern game.
Where: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field St., Dallas
When: Daily through January 4, 2027
Cost: $39 total for adults and $27 total for children ages 2-12, including museum admission and the exhibition ticket
Broadway Dallas brings a new touring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical to Fair Park. The story of Maria and the von Trapp family includes “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss” and the title song. The Dallas engagement continues through September 20.
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas
When: Thursday-Friday, September 17-18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 19 at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 20 at 1 and 7 p.m.
Cost: Current resale tickets are about $47 and up, depending on performance
TCU Football vs. Arkansas State
The Horned Frogs stay home for a Saturday night matchup with Arkansas State during TCU Family Weekend. The game is officially sold out, with resale inventory available.
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth
When: Saturday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
Cost: Sold out through TCU; resale prices vary
Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays
The Rangers fight for a playoff spot continues with a home series against the Toronto Blue Jays
Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington
When: Friday, September 18 at 7:05 p.m. | Saturday, September 19 at 6:05 p.m. | Sunday, September 20 at 1:35 p.m.
Cost: $15 and up
Thomas Rhett: The Soundtrack to Life Tour
Country star Thomas Rhett brings his latest arena tour to Dallas, adding another major concert to a packed American Airlines Center weekend.
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Friday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
Cost: $30 and up
North Texas’ newest theme park is now open. Designed specifically for families with younger children, the Frisco resort includes seven lands featuring Shrek, SpongeBob SquarePants, the Minions, Trolls, Jurassic World, Puss in Boots and Gabby’s Dollhouse.
When: Open daily
Where: Universal Kids Resort, Frisco
Cost: One day admission - $54.99 and up / Two day - $73.99 and up
West Main Arts Festival – 10th Annual
Downtown Arlington closes West Main Street for an afternoon of live music and visual art. More than 70 artist booths join three stages, interactive art projects and food trucks.
Where: West Main Street between Arlington City Hall and Levitt Pavilion, Arlington
When: Saturday, September 19 from noon-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
