Top Family‑Friendly Fall Activities in Dallas
1. Autumn at the Arboretum - Sept. 21 – Oct. 31
When fall arrives, the Dallas Arboretum turns into a pumpkin‑filled wonderland with its nationally acclaimed Autumn at the Arboretum. The Pumpkin Village features over 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash arranged into houses, art installations, and interactive displays. Families can explore the “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” theme, snap selfies with the Peanuts characters behind the iconic brick wall, get lost in the hay‑bale maze, and visit the gourd‑decorated schoolhouse for a festive carnival. Admission to the Arboretum includes access to this event.
2. 6th Annual Smoked Dallas Festival – Sept. 21
Texas loves BBQ, and the 6th Annual Smoked Dallas Festival delivers that tradition in a family‑friendly setting. Taste finger‑licking offerings from more than 20 of the state’s top pitmasters, with all meats, sides, and desserts included in the ticket price. Kids can enjoy games, armadillo races, and a mechanical bull, while adults relax to live country tunes from artists such as honky‑tonk legend Dale Watson, Straight Tequila Night, and The 40 Acre Mule.
3. State Fair of Texas - Sept. 27 – Oct. 20
The State Fair of Texas remains the pinnacle of fall festivities in Dallas. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Texas Creativity,” brings over 100 free attractions, 70 midway rides, and daily live music. Capture a photo with Big Tex, sample the newest fried treats, and catch college football highlights, including the AT&T Red River Showdown. The fair’s discount schedule offers savings on admission, food, and rides.
4. DiscoTech Silent Disco at Sweet Tooth Hotel – September through December
Kids who love to dance will delight in DiscoTech, a sensory adventure at Sweet Tooth Hotel. The event blends music with digital art, allowing attendees to wear silent‑disco headphones and explore interactive audio‑visual installations. Tickets range from $15–$20 and include a one‑hour entrance to the hotel’s exhibits. Children under two enter free, and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
5. Dia de Los Muertos Festival and Parade – Oct. 26
Celebrate the rich Latin American heritage at the Dia de los Muertos Festival and Parade. The family‑friendly event at the Latino Cultural Center offers hands‑on arts, face painting, and sugar‑skull workshops (supplies limited). Aztec dancers perform, and altars are displayed in the galleries. The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., free to attend. Afterward, join the first Dallas Dia de los Muertos parade downtown from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., beginning and ending at City Hall Plaza.
6. Harambee Festival – Oct. 26
Mark your calendar for the 45th Annual Harambee Festival, Dallas’s oldest and largest African‑American cultural event. The celebration at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center features diverse music, interactive kid activities, free treat bags, and food trucks. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the festival is free for all ages.
7. Diwali Mela – Nov. 2
Experience the vibrant Diwali Mela, the 14th Annual Grand Diwali Mela, at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Fair Park. This Hindu festival of lights showcases Bollywood performances, traditional cuisine, and a fireworks finale. Admission is $12 at the gate or $10 online, with children under ten entering free.
