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.
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.
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
40th Annual Aubrey Peanut Festival
Aubrey celebrates the crop that helped shape the community with its biggest Peanut Festival yet. The day includes a 10 a.m. parade, more than 200 vendors, live music, food trucks, a peanut-spitting contest, pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, train rides, face painting and other family activities.
Where: Historic Downtown Aubrey
When: Saturday, October 3 beginning at 8:30 a.m.; parade at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Billy Bob's Concerts (Thursday: Dustin de la Garza / Friday & Saturday: Chris Young)
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 - $100
Boz Scaggs: Rhythm Review 2026
Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and guitarist Boz Scaggs brings his blend of rock, blues, soul and R&B to the Majestic Theatre. Scaggs' career stretches from his early work with the Steve Miller Band through solo hits including “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle” and “Look What You've Done to Me.”
Where: Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm St., Dallas
When: Sunday, October 4 at 7 p.m.; doors at 6 p.m.
Cost: Resale $345 and up for sold out event
Two of Southern hip-hop's most influential labels bring their catalogs together for an arena tour featuring Master P, Birdman, Juvenile, Mannie Fresh, B.G., Silkk the Shocker, Mia X and the Ying Yang Twins.
Where: American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas
When: Sunday, October 4 at 7 p.m.
Cost: $106 and up
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
Downtown Celina goes Bavarian for an afternoon of German-inspired food, music, dancing and competitions. The entertainment includes The Dogensteins, STV Almrausch and The Royal Klobasneks, while contests range from the Dachshund Dash and keg rolling to brat eating and stein hoisting.
Where: Downtown Square, Celina
When: Saturday, October 3 from 3-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
One of North Texas' signature juried art festivals returns with nearly 200 artists working across painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, ceramics, glass, fiber, metal and other media. The weekend also includes live music, food and ArtStop, an interactive children's area.
Where: Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson
When: Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, October 4 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking; some ArtStop activities are $2 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: Runs daily through November 1
Cost: Included with regular garden admission. (around $26)
Dallas Contemporary: Iván Argote — How to Move a Monument on a Tuesday Morning
Dallas Contemporary opens its fall season with a major solo exhibition by Colombian artist Iván Argote. Sculpture, painting and moving images examine monuments, public space, collective memory and the ways societies decide which histories deserve to be preserved.
Where: Dallas Contemporary, 161 Glass St., Dallas
When: Opening celebration Saturday, October 3 from 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Dallas Museum of Art: Free First Sunday
The DMA offers free access to its exhibitions for Free First Sunday, along with family programming including Open Studio and a guided collection tour.
Where: Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., Dallas
When: Sunday, October 4 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Open Studio noon-4 p.m.; collection tour at 2 p.m.
Cost: Free general admission; museum garage parking is $25
Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues
The Stars open the home portion of their NHL schedule against the St. Louis Blues at American Airlines Center. The matchup gives North Texas its first regular-season look at the Stars on home ice in 2026-27.
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Friday, October 2 at 8 p.m.
Cost: Current resale tickets start around $86; prices fluctuate
Plano’s elaborate haunted attraction is open for its 2026 season with theatrical sets, live performers and large-scale Halloween environments.
Where: Dark Hour Haunted House, 701 Taylor Dr., Plano
When: Friday-Sunday, October 2 - October 4 (And select nights through November 13)
Cost: $39-$110
DFW Brick Convention LEGO Fan Event
LEGO fans take over the Irving Convention Center for a weekend filled with massive custom builds, elaborate displays, hands-on building areas, vendors and opportunities to meet professional and nationally recognized LEGO creators.
Where: Irving Convention Center, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving
When: Saturday-Sunday, October 3-4; sessions from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
Cost: Current online admission is $17.46 including listed fees; children younger than 2 are free
DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival
One of Irving's biggest multicultural celebrations fills the Las Colinas Urban Center with dragon-boat racing on Lake Carolyn, cultural performances, kite and lantern activities, children's attractions and food representing cultures from around the world.
Where: Levy Event Plaza, 501 E. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving
When: Sunday, October 4 from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
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)
The Star turns Bavarian for the day with German food and beer, live entertainment and an extensive schedule of Oktoberfest games. Activities include wiener-dog races, stein-hoisting contests, brat-eating competitions, keg rolling and stein relays.
Where: The Star, 9 Cowboys Way, Frisco
When: Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; food and drinks sold separately
Goodguys 33rd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals
Texas Motor Speedway hosts one of the region's biggest automotive weekends as thousands of hot rods, customs, classics, muscle cars, imports and trucks from 1999 and earlier fill the infield. The event also features AutoCross racing, a giant swap meet, Cars 4 Sale Corral, vendors and builder displays.
Where: Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth
When: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Adults $27 online or $30 at the gate; children 7-12 are $10 online or $11 at the gate; children 6 and younger are free; parking is $10.
Saint Maria Goretti's annual fall festival combines an international food fair with carnival games, live music and family entertainment. Attractions include dance demonstrations, martial arts, a petting zoo, axe throwing, a magician, Touch-a-Truck displays and even a helicopter appearance.
Where: Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School, 1200 S. Davis Dr., Arlington
When: Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, October 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking; food and games require separate tickets
Hall's Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze
One of Grapevine's longtime fall traditions opens for the season this weekend with pumpkins, farm animals, vintage tractors and a two-acre corn maze that visitors can tackle during the day or after dark with a flashlight.
Where: Hall's Pumpkin Farm, 3420 Hall-Johnson Road, Grapevine
When: Friday, October 2 from 3-9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday from 1-8 p.m. (Runs through Sunday, November 1st.)
Cost: $15 for adults and ages 12 and older; $10 for children 4-11; children 3 and younger free; seniors and veterans free. Corn maze included. Cash only.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Levitt Pavilion
Levitt Pavilion Arlington celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with six hours of free music, dance and cultural entertainment. The lineup includes Mike Gonzalez & Iconiczz, Chikis y Su Gran Sonora, mariachi, Danza Azteca and additional salsa, merengue, cumbia and bachata performances.
Where: Levitt Pavilion Arlington, 100 W. Abram St., Arlington
When: Saturday, October 3 from 4-10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Dozens of life-size animatronic dinosaurs take over the Fort Worth Convention Center for one of the country's largest touring dinosaur experiences. Families can explore dinosaur displays, meet baby dinos, try fossil digs and other hands-on activities and add children's rides and attractions.
Where: Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth
When: Friday, October 2 from 1-8 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: General admission is $26 for adults and children; Kids Ultimate admission is $40 and Kids Dino-Mite admission is $84; children younger than 2 are free.
Kaleidoscope Park Birthday Bash
Kaleidoscope Park celebrates its anniversary with a full day of activities ranging from a petting zoo, face painting, balloon artists and character meet-and-greets to a dog-friendly “Paw-ty” and community birthday celebration. Emerald City Band closes the night with a concert on the Performance Lawn.
Where: Kaleidoscope Park, 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco
When: Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Emerald City Band performs from 7-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Kimbell Art Museum: Photography's First Century
A major new exhibition opens at the Kimbell with works from the Bibliothèque nationale de France tracing photography from its earliest experiments through the first century of the medium. The exhibition includes work by major figures including Eugène Atget and Man Ray.
Where: Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
When: Opens Sunday, October 4; museum hours noon-5 p.m.
Cost: $18 adults; $16 seniors and students; $14 children ages 6-11; children younger than 6 free
The AT&T Performing Arts Center's fifth annual Latinidad Festival celebrates Latin American music, dance, food and art. Mariachi Luna opens the evening before a DJ dance party, Alpha Midway Dance Group and DFW salsa, merengue, cumbia and bachata band Lara Latin, with the Latinidad Mercado operating throughout the festival.
Where: Strauss Square, 2389 Flora St., Dallas
When: Saturday, October 3 from 6-10 p.m.
Cost: Free with RSVP
Mainstay Farm: Pumpkin Fall Days
Mainstay Farm begins its October schedule with pumpkins, flower fields and more than 30 farm attractions spread across its Cleburne property. The family destination includes play areas, seasonal food and drinks and plenty of fall photo opportunities.
Where: Mainstay Farm Park, 1004 W. Bethesda Road, Cleburne
When: Friday, October 2 from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (through November 7th)
Cost: Current one-time fall-admission sale is $19.95; regular gate admission is $39.95, plus tax and fees; children 2 and younger are free
Mansfield Founders' Day Festival
Mansfield celebrates its history around the Man House Museum with traditional crafts, demonstrations and hands-on activities. Visitors can see historic artisans at work and try activities including candle dipping while learning more about the community's early years. Current City of Mansfield and museum calendars both list the event for October 3.
Where: Man House Museum, 604 W. Broad St., Mansfield
When: Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
McKinney Asian Art & Food Festival
The McKinney Asian Art & Food Festival brings two days of Asian cuisine, traditional and contemporary art and cultural performances to the area around McKinney City Hall. This year's theme is the pinwheel, representing harmony, prosperity and favorable winds in traditional Chinese culture.
Where: 401 E. Virginia St., McKinney
When: Friday, October 2 from 5-9 p.m.; Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Free general admission and parking; select workshops are $30.
The 34th annual festival celebrates Greek food, culture and faith with gyros, pastichio, baklava, loukoumades and other traditional dishes along with bouzouki music, Greek dancing, Byzantine church tours, cooking demonstrations and a Greek marketplace.
Where: St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 303 Cullum Dr., Euless
When: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3 from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, October 4 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; free off-site parking or $5 on-site parking. The festival is cashless.
Monster Jam brings its giant trucks back to AT&T Stadium for a night of head-to-head racing, two-wheel skills and freestyle competition featuring massive jumps and stunts across a dirt-covered stadium floor.
Where: AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington
When: Saturday, October 3 at 7 p.m.; doors at 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $30, including listed ticket fees; prices vary by seat
Murphy's annual “CORNival” fills Central Park with midway rides, inflatables, farm games, a classic-car show, vendors and live music before a fireworks finale. Other attractions include a corn pool, games and family activities.
Where: Murphy Central Park, 550 N. Murphy Road, Murphy
When: Saturday, October 3 from noon-9:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; rides, games, food and drinks cost extra
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience
Dallas Children's Theater opens its new season with the stage adaptation of Mo Willems' children's book about Wilbur, a naked mole rat who discovers a love of clothing and decides he doesn't have to be exactly like everyone else. The production mixes the story with energetic rock music and is recommended for ages 4 and older.
Where: Baker Theater at Dallas Children's Theater, 5938 Skillman St., Dallas
When: Saturday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m. for the sensory-friendly performance and 4:30 p.m. for the regular performance; Sunday, October 4 at 1:30 p.m. (Also weekends through October 18)
Cost: Regular tickets start at $36; Saturday's sensory-friendly performance is $10 per person.
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
Legacy Hall celebrates Oktoberfest with German-inspired food, Oktoberfest beers, live music and a stein-hoisting competition in the Lexus Box Garden.
Where: Legacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano
When: Saturday, October 3 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free with RSVP; food and drinks sold separately
The Grapevine Vintage Railroad turns Oktoberfest into a moving beer tasting. The 21-and-older excursion includes two Texas craft beers, a souvenir cup and individually portioned German-themed food, with additional beer available for purchase.
Where: Grapevine Vintage Railroad, 705 S. Main St., Grapevine
When: Friday, October 2 at 7:40 p.m.
Cost: $90 per bench for two people — $45 per person
Historic Downtown Wylie becomes a collection of Bavarian-inspired village stops as participating businesses offer food and drink samples, shopping, games and Oktoberfest-themed experiences throughout the district.
Where: Historic Downtown Wylie
When: Saturday, October 3 from noon-7 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; food, drinks and merchandise sold separately
PBR Teams Series: Rattler Days
The Texas Rattlers return home for three days of PBR Teams competition at Dickies Arena. Professional riders compete head-to-head aboard some of the sport's top bucking bulls as the regular season moves toward its closing stretch.
Where: Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
When: Friday, October 2 at 7:45 p.m.; Saturday at 6:45 p.m.; Sunday at 1:45 p.m.
Cost: $24 and up
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
Cost: $20 and up
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra pairs Rachmaninoff's expansive Second Symphony with Grammy- and Emmy-winning string trio Time for Three. The program also includes the Dallas Symphony premiere of Kevin Puts' Contact, a triple concerto written for the trio.
Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St., Dallas
When: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.
Cost: Tickets start at $24 Friday and Sunday and $34 Saturday
SMU Football vs. Boston College
SMU opens the ACC portion of its home schedule with an early Saturday kickoff against Boston College at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas
When: Saturday, October 3 at 11 a.m.
Cost: $28 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
Sunset Live! at the Botanical Gardens
Grapevine's Botanical Gardens become an outdoor concert venue for two nights of free music. Friday features New Ellum and The Alternatives; Saturday brings Hazard County and the Zack King Band, with food, drinks, an artisan market and a complimentary kids zone both nights.
Where: Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, 411 Ball St., Grapevine
When: Friday-Saturday, October 2-3 from 6-9:30 p.m.
Cost: General admission free; VIP experience is $25 for Grapevine residents and $30 for non-residents
TCU welcomes BYU to Amon G. Carter Stadium for a Saturday-night Big 12 matchup in Fort Worth.
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth
When: Saturday, October 3 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $65 and up
Texas Ballet Theater: Casanova
Texas Ballet Theater opens its Bass Hall season with Casanova, Kenneth Tindall's full-length ballet inspired by the life of the legendary 18th-century adventurer. The production combines large-scale theatrical design, an original score and mature storytelling and runs about two hours and five minutes including intermission.
Where: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth
When: Friday, October 2 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 3 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, October 4 at 2 p.m.
Cost: 31.50-157.50.
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
Sixty women artists from across Texas take center stage at the eighth annual Vignette Art Fair. The juried exhibition, curated by Alison de Lima Greene of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, features painting, photography, collage, woodwork, paper art and other media while supporting Vignette's mission of promoting and connecting Texas women in the arts.
Where: On The Levee, 1108 Quaker St., Dallas Design District
When: Friday, October 2 from noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, October 3 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
WTF Whiskey Tango Music Festival
The first Whiskey Tango Music Festival brings a full day of country music to Burleson with The Band Perry and LOCASH leading a lineup that also includes Teague Brothers Band, Ghosts of Hill County, Braden Stewart, In Lamun's Terms, Neon Prophets and Aaron Copeland & Friends. The festival also includes food, drinks, shopping and a veteran-focused fundraiser benefiting One Tribe Foundation.
Where: Hoots Hall, 5220 FM 1187, Burleson
When: Saturday, October 3 beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $45 and up; off-site parking is $10 with free shuttle service.
Texas rock legends ZZ Top share the bill with Cheap Trick for a Sunday-night outdoor show in Irving. Between them, the two bands bring decades of recognizable rock staples ranging from “La Grange” and “Sharp Dressed Man” to “I Want You to Want Me” and “Surrender.”
Where: The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving
When: Sunday, October 4 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $28 and up
