The State Fair of Texas returns to Fair Park for 24 days of food, music, rides, livestock, exhibits and one of the biggest annual traditions in North Texas. The 2026 theme is “Stars, Stripes, and Howdies,” with special programming tied to America’s 250th anniversary alongside Fair favorites such as the Texas Auto Show, livestock barns, Creative Arts exhibits, the Midway, nightly Starlight Parade, fireworks and the larger-than-life presence of Big Tex. Admission also includes more than 100 daily attractions and nearly 100 live-music performances across multiple stages during the run.
Opening day includes an America 250 ceremony at the Hall of State with a military flyover featuring a B-52, two F-35s and an A-10 after the national anthem. But the Fair runs all the way through October 18, making this one you can keep in the Around Town story for the next several weeks.
When: Friday, September 25 - Sunday, October 18
Where: Fair Park, Dallas
Cost: Cost: General admission ranges from $7-$25 depending on day and discounts; children ages 3-12 are $7-$10; children 2 and younger are free; seniors are $7-$20. Date-specific adult tickets for opening weekend are currently $27 online with fees included.
State Fair Classic: Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State
The State Fair Classic brings one of college football’s great HBCU rivalries to the Cotton Bowl, complete with bands, pageantry and a full Fair Saturday surrounding the game.
Where: Cotton Bowl Stadium, Fair Park, Dallas
When: Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m.
Cost: General Admission is $40
African American Museum Dallas - Mandela: The Official Exhibition
Mandela: 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. Stopping by the AAMD is a great way to get a break from the weather while attending the State Fair of Texas.
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
Accolade Community Theatre stages the classic adventure about Phileas Fogg’s race around the globe, with six performances across the weekend.
Where: Courtyard Theater, 1509 H Ave., Plano
When: Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Se at noon, 3 and 7 p.m.; Sunday at 2 and 6 p.m.
Cost: $12
Billy Bob's Concerts (Thursday: Jayson Arendt / Friday: Whitey Morgan / Saturday: Billy Currington)
When: Thursday at 9 p.m. / Friday at 10 p.m. / Saturday at 10 p.m.
Where: Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth
Cost: $18 - $75
Carrollton celebrates cultures from around the world with an evening of international food, live music and performances, artisan vendors and family activities. This year’s festival moves to the new Trinity Mills Station Esplanade, with performers representing multiple nationalities and vendors selling food, crafts and culturally inspired goods.
Where: Trinity Mills Station Esplanade, 1450 Sunrise Ave., Carrollton
When: Saturday, September 26 from 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
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
Chayanne: Bailemos Otra Vez Tour
Latin pop icon Chayanne brings his high-energy mix of singing and choreography to Fort Worth as part of his U.S. arena tour.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
When: Thursday, September 24 at 8 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.
Cost: $70 and up
Fort Worth’s massive haunted attraction starts ramping up for Halloween season inside a century-old former meat-packing facility. The multi-story experience combines live actors, special effects and maze-like environments.
Where: Cutting Edge Haunted House, 1701 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth
When: Select nights during Halloween season, including this weekend (Friday and Saturday)
Cost: $30 and up; parking is $20 cash
Dallas Arboretum: Autumn at the Arboretum
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. (around $26)
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)
Fountain pens, inks, vintage writing instruments and stationery take over Dallas for four days. The show includes vendors, collectors, workshops and demonstrations geared toward both longtime enthusiasts and curious newcomers.
Where: DoubleTree Dallas Near the Galleria, Dallas
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 24-27; public hours Friday-Sunday
Cost: Saturday or Sunday - $10.50 | Friday - $25.50 | Weekend Pass - $60.50
Dan and Phil: Hard Launch World Tour
YouTube personalities Dan Howell and Phil Lester bring their live comedy show to Fair Park with a mix of sketches, storytelling and audience interaction.
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas
When: Thursday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $68.50 and up
Plano’s elaborate haunted attraction opens its 2026 season with theatrical sets, live performers and large-scale Halloween environments.
Where: Dark Hour Haunted House, 701 Taylor Dr., Plano
When: Friday-Saturday, September 25-26 from 6:30-10 p.m.
Cost: $39-$110
FWSO: Brahms and Haydn, Together
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra fills Bass Performance Hall for three performances of a classical program built around the music of Brahms and Haydn. The concerts run Friday through Sunday, giving classical-music fans three chances to catch the orchestra during the weekend.
Where: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth
When: Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 27 at 2 p.m.
Cost: $30 and up
Model trains take over the Plano Event Center for one of North Texas’ biggest model-railroading gatherings. The two-day show features operating layouts, interactive attractions, educational clinics and more than 60 vendors selling trains, collectibles, scenery, tools and hobby supplies.
Where: Plano Event Center, 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano
When: Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, September 27 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $11; children 12 and younger are free; $1 discount for paying cash
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 24-27; exhibition continues through February 28, 2027
Cost: Included with regular museum admission
FC Dallas continues its late-season push with one of MLS’ strongest draws coming to Frisco. The match against LAFC is also Y2K Night at Toyota Stadium.
Where: Toyota Stadium, Frisco
When: Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $57 and up
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History: Forces at Play
The interactive sports-science exhibition explores how gravity, friction, momentum and engineering affect athletic performance and equipment design.
Where: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
When: Daily; continues through February 28, 2027
Cost: Included with museum admission ($12 - $16)
Trinity Park turns Bavarian for three days with German food, beer, polka, carnival rides, dachshund races, stein-holding contests, sausage-eating competitions and the ceremonial tapping of the kegs.
Where: Trinity Park, Fort Worth
When: Thursday-Saturday, September 24-26
Cost: $10 Thursday; $15 Friday or Saturday; $20 for a three-day pass
Frank Turner: Lost Evenings IX
Frank Turner’s multi-day music festival settles into Dallas for four days of punk, folk and rock, with Turner performing alongside a rotating lineup of guests and collaborators.
Where: South Side Ballroom, Dallas
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 24-27
Cost: Single night from $67 / 4 Day from $198
Arlington celebrates its 150th anniversary with a free heritage festival at Knapp Heritage Park. The day includes historic cabin tours, demonstrations, vendors, live music and family activities.
Where: Knapp Heritage Park, 201 W. Front St., Arlington
When: Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Downtown Plano’s Global Grooves series turns its focus to Spain with live cultural entertainment and music at McCall Plaza.
Where: McCall Plaza, 998 E 15th St, Plano
When: Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Grand Funk Railroad with The Marshall Tucker Band
Two classic-rock mainstays share the bill in Grand Prairie, combining Grand Funk’s arena-rock catalog with The Marshall Tucker Band’s Southern-rock staples.
Where: Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie
When: Thursday, September 24 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $24 and up
Nash Farm hosts a moonlit dinner inspired by historic harvest traditions. The menu draws from historic cuisine with a modern twist, served outside in the pasture as the harvest moon rises.
Where: Nash Farm, 626 Ball St., Grapevine
When: Saturday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $100 per person
Idina Menzel with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Tony Award-winning Broadway and film star Idina Menzel joins the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the DSO’s 2026 Symphony Gala concert. Menzel is best known for originating the role of Elphaba in Wicked, starring in Rent and providing the voice of Elsa in Frozen. Enrico Lopez-Yañez conducts, and concert tickets also include admission to a post-show party in the Meyerson’s West Lobby.
Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
When: Saturday, September 26 at 8:45 p.m.
Cost: $153 and up
Grammy-winning folk-rock duo Indigo Girls brings more than three decades of music to the Majestic Theatre. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers are known for songs including “Closer to Fine” and “Galileo,” and they’ll be joined by special guest Linda Perry, the singer-songwriter and producer known for fronting 4 Non Blondes and writing hits for artists including Pink and Christina Aguilera.
Where: Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., Dallas
When: Sunday, September 27 at 7 p.m.; doors at 6 p.m.
Cost: Resale for $134 and up
British electronic duo Jungle brings its dance-heavy mix of disco, soul, funk, hip-hop and electronic music to Grand Prairie. Childhood friends Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland built Jungle into an internationally successful live act known for pairing its groove-driven music with elaborate visuals and choreography. Rio Kosta opens the show.
Where: Texas Trust CU Theatre, 1001 Performance Place, Grand Prairie
When: Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $66 and up
K-pop group LE SSERAFIM brings its 2026 world tour to Fort Worth for a Sunday-night arena show.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
When: Sunday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m.; doors at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $119 and up
Historic Downtown McKinney becomes a Bavarian village with polka bands, Alpine dancers, strolling accordionists, stein-holding contests, dachshund races, food and a children’s area.
Where: Historic Downtown McKinney Square
When: Friday, September 25 from 5-11 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday from noon-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
McKinney Philharmonic Orchestra: Music of John Williams
The McKinney Philharmonic celebrates one of film music’s most recognizable composers with an evening devoted to the music of John Williams.
Where: McKinney Boyd High School Auditorium, 600 N Lake Forest Dr, McKinney
When: Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Children (10 and under) - $15 / Senior / Student - $25 / Adult - $30
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
Opera Arlington: The Magic Flute
Opera Arlington takes Mozart over the rainbow by reimagining The Magic Flute in the land of Oz. Familiar elements from the classic opera collide with witches, wizards, the Emerald City and a yellow-brick-road adventure. Performances are in German with English dialogue and supertitles.
Where: Arlington Museum of Art, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington
When: Friday-Saturday, September 25-26 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $29 adults; $15 students; children 12 and younger are free
Otsukimi Moon-Viewing Festival
Haggard Park hosts an evening celebrating Japanese culture and the autumn moon with taiko drumming, sumo demonstrations, martial arts, traditional dance, anime and pop-culture activities, workshops and Japanese food.
Where: Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St., Plano
When: Saturday, September 26 from 6 p.m.-midnight
Cost: Free
Phil Wickham: Song of the Saints Tour
Christian worship artist Phil Wickham brings his arena tour to Fort Worth with Chandler Moore and Jamie MacDonald.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
When: Saturday, September 26 at 7 p.m.
Cost: Resale tickets start at $66
Prost! Oktoberfest at Dallas Farmers Market
The Dallas Farmers Market gets into the Oktoberfest spirit with two days of live music, German-inspired food and drinks, stein-hoisting and barrel-racing competitions, costume contests and family activities. Saturday includes a ceremonial cask tapping, pet costume contest and barrel races, while Sunday brings music bingo, a costume and beard contest and wiener-dog races.
Where: Pearl Plaza at Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood St., Dallas
When: Saturday, September 26 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, September 27 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Howell Farms lights up after dark with immersive pumpkin-themed lands, elaborate displays and family-friendly Halloween environments. Pumpkin Nights is where Halloween becomes art. The journey follows a half-mile path through nine immersive pumpkin lands, from the fiery Forbidden City to the electric underwater world of Neon Reef, with larger-than-life installations built from over 10,000 hand-carved and custom-designed pumpkins. The experience continues in Pumpkin Village, the heart of the festival — festive food, the live fire show, and games for the whole family.
Where: Howell Farms, Arlington
When: Select nights through October 31 (Thursday through Sunday this weekend)
Cost: $20 and up
Dallas Theater Center reaches the final weekend of Gabe McKinley’s world-premiere Cold War thriller about Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev’s 1986 nuclear summit. The drama focuses on diplomacy, ideology and the human consequences of decisions made at the highest levels of power.
Where: Dee & Charles Wyly Theatre, Dallas
When: Thursday-Sunday, September 24-27; closes September 27
Cost: Tickets start at $36
Rod Wave: Don’t Look Down Tour
Rod Wave plays two nights at American Airlines Center, bringing the emotional rap and R&B blend behind his arena-level rise to Dallas. Fridayy joins as the special guest.
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Saturday-Sunday, September 26-27 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $135 and up
Savannah Bananas vs. Texas Tailgaters
Banana Ball takes over Globe Life Field for the entire weekend as the Savannah Bananas face the Texas Tailgaters in three sold-out shows. The wildly popular baseball spectacle mixes the game with choreographed dances, trick plays, celebrations and its own fast-paced set of rules, turning a night at the ballpark into something closer to a live variety show. All three games are officially sold out.
Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington
When: Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Sold out - but some tickets available on resale sites
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
SMU Football vs. Missouri State
No. 22 SMU returns to Gerald J. Ford Stadium to host Missouri State in a Saturday-night college football matchup. The game is part of SMU’s Family Weekend, and fans are being encouraged to wear blue. The Mustangs enter the weekend 2-1 after opening the season with wins over Florida State and UC Davis before a road loss at Louisville.
Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas
When: Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $45 and up
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
Shakespeare Dallas continues its final Shakespeare in the Park production of the year, transforming one of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedies into the glamorous and violent world of “Club Titus.”
Where: Samuell-Grand Amphitheater, Dallas
When: Thursday-Sunday at 8 p.m.; continues through October 18
Cost: $15-$20
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
UNT Football vs. Houston Christian
The Mean Green return home for Family Weekend against Houston Christian, with family-focused activities around DATCU Stadium.
Where: DATCU Stadium, Denton
When: Saturday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 and up
Old Town Lewisville celebrates its Western roots with two days of country music, food, family activities and the World Tamale Eating Championship. Eli Young Band headlines Friday and Randy Rogers Band headlines Saturday.
Where: Old Town Lewisville
When: Friday, September 25 from 4-11:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 26 from noon-11:30 p.m.
Cost: Free before 6 p.m. both days; $15 after 6 p.m.; children 12 and younger are always free.
“Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder Tour
“Weird Al” brings the supersized version of his live show to Fort Worth, complete with a large video wall, multiple costume changes and an eight-piece band.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
When: Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m.; doors at 7 p.m.
Cost: $63 and up
