Introduction to Fall Fun in Dallas TX
Fall in Dallas, Texas means cooler evenings (finally!), pumpkin spice, and some of the city’s most beloved traditions. From the world-famous State Fair of Texas to cozy pumpkin patches and cultural festivals, there’s something for everyone. Bookmark this guide and check back each year for updated dates and information.
Whether you’re craving food festivals, carnival rides, or simply a stroll through vibrant fall foliage, Dallas has plenty to offer. The city’s parks and green spaces, like the Dallas Arboretum, are especially beautiful this time of year.
With so many activities to choose from, you’re sure to enjoy a fun, memorable, and festive fall experience in Dallas. Think fall fun is only about pricey tickets and packed fairs? Not so — Dallas is full of free (and nearly free) seasonal gems that let you savor the season without overspending. These simple pleasures feel every bit as special. I’ve highlighted those for you using the 💰 icon.
💰 = Budget-friendly / free or low-cost option
💸 = Higher-cost / ticket or pricier event
🐐 = Goats on Dallas Trails – Unexpected Fall Fun
Family Friendly Fall Events in Dallas
The State Fair of Texas
- Location: Fair Park, Dallas
- Typical Dates: Late September – Mid October
- Cost: Ticketed; discounts available on certain days
- Why Go: The ultimate Dallas fall tradition — Big Tex, fried food competitions, corndogs, fried Oreos, carnival rides, concerts, and college football. One of the largest and most popular fall festivals in the state (and with good reason.)
- Heads Up: This event can get crowded and expensive, especially in the kids’ section. Research ahead of time, snag one of the annual discounts, and make a plan with your kids about handling games and tickets.
Autumn at the Arboretum
- Location: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
- Typical Dates: September – November
- Why Go: The Dallas Arboretum’s Pumpkin Village is a must-visit fall festival, featuring thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and fall flowers arranged in whimsical displays. Perfect for family photos. Arboretum members can enjoy after-hours access for Gobblins in the Garden, including access to Pumpkin Village, trick-or-treating and a take-home family photo.
- Heads Up: Crowds can be intense. Consider attending events that require additional tickets or visit at an off time.
Hall’s Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze
- Location: Grapevine
- Typical Dates: October
- Why Go: Hayrides, pumpkins, and a giant corn maze make this a traditional fall experience. Kids 4–11: $5 admission; hayrides discounted to $3 after dark.
- Heads Up: Cash only; plan accordingly.
Blase Family Farm
- Location: Rockwall
- Typical Dates: Pumpkin Patch opens September 20.
- Why Go: This charming farm doubles as a pick-your-own blueberry spot in the summer and a pumpkin patch in the fall. Kids will love meeting the llamas, sheep, donkeys, and pigs! Reservations help keep crowds manageable.
- Heads Up: Reservation required! No outside food or pets allowed.
Plano Balloon Festival
- Location: Plano
- Typical Dates: September 18 – 21
- Why Go: 30+ hot air balloons glow in the evening skies. Central Market Kid’s Fun Zone and Whataburger Kid Zone keep kids entertained. Nightly fireworks.
- Heads Up: The outdoor, uncovered venue has a strict No Refunds policy. Cashless onsite; plan accordingly.
Halloween at the Heard
- Location: Heard Nature Preserve in McKinney
- Dates: Fright at the Museum October 17 or Halloween at the Heard October 18
- Why Go: Halloween at the Heard is an always sold out, family-friendly Halloween event in a beautiful spot.
- Heads Up: Don’t delay! Tickets are available for members only through September 30. Non-member tickets available October 1.
Boo at the Zoo
- Location: Fort Worth Zoo
- Dates: October 24, 25, 26
- Why Go: Enjoy treat stations, live entertainment, animal shows and monstrously more! Free with Zoo admission or membership and packed with not-so-frightening fun for the whole family.
- Heads Up: Arrive early to navigate crowds and parking.
Best Outdoor Fall Activities in Dallas
From hikes and hayrides to pumpkin patches and U-Pick farms, Dallas offers plenty of ways to soak up crisp air and fall color without leaving North Texas. Here are some of the best ways to get outside this season:
💰 Embrace nature
- Take a fall hike at Cedar Ridge, Arbor Hills, Trinity River Audubon Center, or White Rock Lake. All are especially lovely this time of year.
- Leaf Walk or Scavenger Hunt – A simple, magical outing for little kids.
- Craft with Nature – gather fallen leaves, pinecones, or acorns and turn them into easy fall crafts.
- Backyard Bonfire Potluck – invite friends or neighbors for a potluck, s’mores or simple sides.
- Picnic from Your Pantry – pack what you already have and enjoy a low-key meal at a nearby park.
- Visit Local Nature Centers – Trinity Audubon Center or the Heard Natural Science Museum are perfect while the weather is pleasant.
- See the Goats on Northaven Trail 🐐– Turn a walk or bike ride into a mini wildlife adventure! Friendly, curious, and surprisingly photogenic, these trail-clearing goats are a fun twist on the usual trail experience. Check this map to see where they’re expected to roam.
You-Pick and Farm Stands
Apple picking is tricky in North Texas — most orchards have closed, and the season is much later here (November–December). But you can still enjoy hands-on harvest fun:
- Demases Farm (Boyd) – Strawberry picking is closed for the season, but the farm stand is full of fall and winter veggies.
- Wow U-Pick Farms (Krum) – Seasonal produce and family-friendly harvest activities.
Seasonal Markets and Shopping
💰 Lakewood Tower Farmers Market
A Low-key, perfect for a simple fall outing.
💰 The Dallas Farmers Market (Downtown)
Family-friendly fall shopping with local vendors, food, and drinks.
💸 Partners Card (Oct 24–Nov 2)
Access 750+ retailers offering 20%, benefiting Family Place. Shop til you drop!
💰 Hong Kong Night Market (Grand Prairie)
Street food, live performances, and vendors create a festive evening experience.
💰 More Farmers Markets
Farmers Markets in Plano, McKinney, and Grapevine all host regular fall events.
Pumpkin Patches Near Dallas
Want the full “farm” experience? Take a day trip to one of these larger-scale pumpkin patches:
Yesterland Farm (Canton)
Sunflowers, pumpkins, and over-the-top Halloween décor make this worth the short drive. Save $12 per person with early-bird tickets online.
Preston Trail Farms (Gunter, just north of Celina )
Home of the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm, with hayrides, a hay maze, and a petting farm.
Team Family Farms (Aubrey)
Pumpkin Patch Festival with Barrel Train rides for kids, feeding farm animals, Human Hamster Wheels and more .
Elves Farm (Denison)
Family-friendly pumpkin fun with a classic farm feel.
Prefer to stay closer to home? Smaller pumpkin patches abound in the DFW Metroplex, including: Lake Highlands, Plano, McKinney, Grapevine.
Budget tip: Affordable pumpkins are easy to find at H-E-B. Want something “bougie” (and beautiful)? Central Market has specialty heirloom pumpkins every fall for a reasonable price.
Best Fall Festivals in Dallas
Looking for the big, festive fall experiences that pack in music, food, and plenty of seasonal flair? These regional festivals are perfect for adults (or families with older kids who love a lively scene) and celebrate everything from thrills to Oktoberfest traditions.
💰 McKinney Oktoberfest (sep 26-28)
Free entry! Downtown festivities celebrating German culture with music, food, and drinks. 2025 has passed—watch for next year!
💸 Six Flags Over Texas Fright Fest
Thrills, roller coasters, spooky décor, and live music make this one of the most exciting fall events around.
Addison Oktoberfest (Sep 18-21)
Offers up a taste of the original Bavarian celebration. Authentic German-inspired fun with food, music, and plenty of Oktoberfest spirit. Going strong 35 years! This year’s event is over, but save the date for next year.
💸 Dallas Food and Wine Festival (Oct 29-Nov2)
Live music, food, and wine create a fun and sophisticated fall experience.
Fort Worth Oktoberfest (Sep 25-27)
Celebrate Bavarian traditions with music, food, and cheer at Trinity Park. 2025 wrapped—plan for 2026!
Grapefest (Grapevine)
Grapefest wrapped up for this year (September 11–14, 2025), but it’s a signature event every September in Grapevine. Expect a lively mix of live music, food, and, of course, Texas wines — worth planning ahead for next year!
💰 Trucktoberfest (Lower Greenville)
Trucktoberfest took place on September 13, 2025 — but don’t worry, it’ll be back next fall! Mark your calendar and plan to join the fun: free entry to the Truck Yard festival grounds, German food and drinks for purchase, plus crowd-favorites like the Chicken Dance, Wiener Dog Race, and Pretzel-Eating Contest.
💰 Free Fall Fun: Cozy, Simple, & Free Ideas
Some of the best fall memories don’t cost a thing. From leaf hunts in the backyard to cozy movie nights and warm, spiced treats, these simple, budget-friendly activities let you soak up the season without leaving home—or breaking the bank. Perfect for families, friends, or even a quiet solo afternoon, these ideas prove that fall magic is everywhere, if you know where to look.
- Bake a seasonal treat – think pumpkin bread, spiced cookies, or a classic apple crisp.
- Host (or join) a community chili cook-off for a little friendly competition.
- Cue up a fall movie night with classics or family favorites.
- Pack a pantry picnic and enjoy it at the nearest park or even your backyard.
- Make leaf raking fun by turning it into a contest (kids especially love this one).
- Simmer cider on the stove – it doubles as a delicious drink and natural fall fragrance.
- Take a neighborhood stroll and enjoy the festive decorations.
- Gather around a backyard firepit for s’mores, hot cocoa, or storytelling.
- Sprinkle in early holiday touches—a wreath, twinkle lights, or garland—so you can savor the season instead of rushing later.
Looking for even more budget-friendly ways to celebrate fall? I’ve rounded up my favorite free and frugal fall picks — from pumpkin patches to cozy at-home fun — in a companion guide: 65 Free & Low-Cost Fall Activities For All Ages | Autumn Fun Awaits.
Dallas Weekend Getaways for Fall Adventures
Ready to stretch your fall fun into a full weekend getaway? These destinations are all within an easy drive of Dallas — and they shine especially bright in autumn. For even more ideas, check out my full guide to [Best Fall Road Trips from Dallas →] for scenic drives, hidden waterfalls, and memorable fall escapes.
Livesay Orchards (Porter, OK)
For transplanted Midwesterners who miss cider, donuts, and apple-picking, this spot scratches the itch. About four hours from Dallas, it offers a true fall-harvest experience that’s hard to find in Texas.
Arbuckle Mountains (OK)
Usher in fall foliage in the rolling hills of the Arbuckle Mountains at Chickasaw National Recreation Area or Turner Falls.
Garner State Park
Famous for scenic river views and hiking, this park delivers some of the state’s most striking fall foliage.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Follow real dinosaur tracks on wide-open trails with fewer crowds in fall than summer.
Gulf Coast Getaway
The Texas Gulf Coast offers beautiful beaches, live music, fresh seafood, and family-friendly fall fun. Early fall can be a beautiful time to go, with great weather and lower crowds.
TSDL Tip: Pack a thermos with one of your favorite [15 Healthy Fall Drinks →] and make any weekend getaway feel extra cozy!
Dallas Holiday Kickoff Events
When you think fall just can’t get any better, cue the holiday kickoff events. These typically take place in late fall — I’m working on a ‘Best Of’ list for the upcoming season and will link it here when it’s ready.
