Your October Guide to DFW: Can’t-Miss Fall Events Across North Texas
DFW in Full Fall Mode: Fairs, Music, and Fall Festivals
Fall in DFW is one of the best times of year — cool evenings, colorful festivals, and plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you’re chasin pumpkins, parades, or a perfectly chilled local brew, here’s a lineup of fun events happening all month long.
Boo-vie Nights
📅 Every Wednesday in October, 7:30 PM
📍 Saddlerock Wine + Beer Co, Fort Worth
Kick off spooky season under the stars! Enjoy a cozy setup with bean-bag seating, personal headphones, popcorn, and table service for wine or beer. The movie plays outdoors among twinkling lights, so bring a blanket and your favorite take-out. It’s a laid-back night with great company, cool air, and no jump scares—just good vibes.
October 8: Hocus Pocus
October 15: The Nightmare Before Christmas
October 22: Ghostbusters
October 29: Night Halloweentown
Cool Thursdays Concert Series
📅 Every Thursday until November 6, 6:00 PM
📍 Dallas Arboretum, White Rock Lake
Thursday nights don’t get better than this: live music on the lawn, a picnic under the oaks, and a sunset view over White Rock Lake. Families, couples, and friend groups alike fill the Arboretum for this concert tradition. Arrive early for golden-hour photos and garden strolls before the music starts.
River Legacy Fall Festival
📅 October 11, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
📍 River Legacy Park , Arlington
This annual favorite combines fall fun with a love for the outdoors. Expect bounce houses, pumpkin picking, live music, and a dunk tank for the brave. You’ll also find hands-on nature exhibits and local vendors selling seasonal treats. It’s wholesome, energetic, and supports River Legacy Foundation’s mission of environmental education.
McKinney Día de los Muertos
📅 October 11, 2:00 - 8:00 PM
📍 Dr. Glenn Mitchell Memorial Park, McKinney
Celebrate life and remembrance at McKinney’s colorful Día de los Muertos celebration. The park comes alive with altars, music, crafts, and authentic food from local vendors. Families can enjoy performances, art displays, and interactive experiences that honor loved ones. It’s one of those heartfelt, cultural events that reminds you why community matters.
State Fair of Texas
📅 Daily through October 19, times vary by day
📍 Fair Park, Dallas
There’s still time to see Big Tex before he waves goodbye! Indulge in fried favorites, explore livestock shows, and wander through the Midway’s endless rides. Whether you’re here for concerts, car exhibits, or the legendary corny dog, the Fair is a bucket-list Texas experience. Just plan for a few extra calories—and a lot of fun.
Southlake Oktoberfest
📅 October 17 - October 19, times vary by day
📍 Southlake Town Square, Southlake
Prost to good times at Southlake’s annual Oktoberfest celebration! This three-day event fills the square with live bands, authentic food, local brews, and a huge marketplace. From dachshund races to dance performances, it’s lively, family-friendly, and full of laughter. Come ready to raise a stein—or at least a giant pretzel.
Diwali Mela Dallas – Festival of Lights
📅 October 18, 12:00 - 10:00 PM
📍 Myers Park & Event Center, McKinney
Experience one of DFW’s largest cultural celebrations! Diwali Mela lights up the night with carnival rides, a shopping bazaar, traditional dance, and a dazzling fireworks finale. The aromas of Indian food fill the air while families gather to celebrate light conquering darkness. It’s a beautiful blend of culture, color, and community.
Spooky Sprint Fort Worth (5K / 10K / Half)
📅 October 19, 8:00 - 11:00 AM
📍 Marine Creek Lake, Fort Worth
This Halloween-themed race turns fitness into a full-blown party. Runners and walkers of all ages hit the trail in costume for a morning of music, treats, and photo ops. Enjoy a DJ spinning Halloween hits, trick-or-treat aid stations, and medals for all finishers. It’s festive, friendly, and an easy excuse for an extra donut later.
Boo at the Zoo
📅 October 24 - October 26, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth
A fall favorite for families! The Zoo transforms into a trick-or-treat wonderland with themed stations, live shows, and costumed fun around every corner. Kids can enjoy collecting goodies while seeing their favorite animals in festive style. It’s cheerful, safe, and included with regular Zoo admission.
The Addams Family Musical
📅 October 24 - October 26, times vary by showing
📍 Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth
Snap those fingers—The Addams Family musical is coming to Bass Hall! Watch everyone’s favorite creepy-but-lovable family host a dinner gone hilariously wrong. Expect catchy tunes, laugh-out-loud moments, and Broadway-level performances. Perfect for fans who like their humor dark and their nights memorable.
Dallas Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival
📅 October 25, 4:00 - 11:00 PM (Parade at 7:00 PM)
📍 Dallas City Hall, Dallas
Downtown Dallas bursts with color, music, and meaning at this massive celebration. The parade features hundreds of performers in vibrant costumes honoring life and remembrance. Live music, art, food vendors, and family activities fill the plaza all evening. It’s one of the most moving and visually stunning events of the season.
Southlake DiwaliFest
📅 October 25, 12:00 - 10:00 PM
📍 Southlake Town Square, Southlake
Southlake lights up once again—this time with the joy and color of Diwali. Enjoy cultural performances, delicious cuisine, and traditional decor throughout the square. The evening wraps with a fireworks show that lights the night sky. It’s a community celebration that radiates warmth and togetherness.
Dallas Brew Festival
📅 October 25, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
📍 Old City Park, Dallas
Beer lovers, this one’s for you. Sample more than 200 craft beers from over 60 breweries while enjoying food trucks, lawn games, and live cover bands. The setting—historic Old City Park—adds charm to the laid-back atmosphere. Bring friends, sip responsibly, and enjoy one of Dallas’s most popular fall events.
Celebración del Día de los Muertos
📅 October 26, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth
Stroll through thousands of marigolds cascading down the Rose Garden steps in this breathtaking cultural celebration. The day includes live mariachi and folklórico performances, catrina encounters, and a community ofrenda. It’s a powerful tribute that blends art, nature, and remembrance beautifully. Don’t forget your camera—the visuals are spectacular.
Witches’ Brew Train
📅 October 31, 7:50 PM
📍 Grapevine Vintage Railroad, Grapevine
All aboard for a Halloween night you’ll never forget! Ride 1920s-era train cars through Grapevine while sipping Texas craft brews and enjoying spooky entertainment. Costumes are encouraged, and every seat comes with eerie charm. It’s the perfect mix of haunted and happy hour.
Greek Food Festival of Dallas
📅 October 31 - November 2, 11:00 AM
📍 The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Dallas
Say “opa!” to three days of incredible food, music, and Greek hospitality. Feast on gyros, loukoumades, feta bites, and more while watching dance shows and cooking demos. The Agora marketplace is full of gifts, jewelry, and groceries from Greece. It’s a joyful, flavor-packed end to the month.
Pumpkin Nights
📅 Nightly through October 31, 6:00 PM
📍 Howell Family Farms, Arlington
Walk through glowing tunnels of hand-carved pumpkins—over 7,500 of them! Explore themed worlds like Pirate’s Cove and Forbidden City, complete with fire shows and seasonal eats. Every corner makes a perfect photo backdrop. This one sells out fast, so plan ahead.
Forest of Shadows
📅 Thursdays through Sundays until November 2, 7:45 – 10:00 PM
📍 Dallas (immersive outdoor trail)
Step into a haunted forest where lights flicker and sounds whisper from the trees. This eerie, story-driven walk combines artful illusions with spine-tingling surprises. It’s more immersive than a haunted house and more atmospheric than a maze. Perfect for thrill-seekers who like their scares smart.
Autumn at the Arboretum: ¡Mundo México!
📅 Daily through November 3, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📍 Dallas Arboretum, Dallas
The Arboretum’s Pumpkin Village takes on a whole new theme this year—¡Mundo México! Wander among 110,000 pumpkins and gourds arranged into artistic tributes to seven regions of Mexico. Every corner bursts with color, culture, and creativity. It’s a photographer’s dream and a fall favorite for locals and visitors alike.
Six Flags Over Texas Fright Fest
📅 Fridays through Sundays until November 2
📍 Arlington
Six Flags transforms after dark with haunted houses, scare zones, and roaming ghouls. By day, the park keeps things kid-friendly with fall decor and lighthearted Halloween fun. It’s the best of both worlds—thrills for the brave and treats for everyone else. Grab your season pass and get your scream on.
DFW comes alive in October—music echoing through gardens, marigolds lining walkways, and laughter spilling out of every festival. Whether you’re exploring your hometown or discovering a new corner of the Metroplex, there’s no shortage of ways to make memories this month. Which event are you most excited to check out? I’d love to hear about it.
