Fall & Festivals in Dallas: 89 Days of Outdoor Fun, Music, Food & More
Fall brings 89 days of vibrant weather, colorful foliage, and family‑friendly adventures. From live music to food festivals, discover where Dallas will shine this season.
Autumn at the Arboretum | September 17 – November 23, 2016
The Dallas Arboretum was recently named one of the world’s most breathtaking gardens by Architectural Digest. The Pumpkin Village, featuring 75,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash amid 150,000 fall‑blooming flowers, is a must‑see. Explore the Great Pumpkin Search, Hay Bale Maze, Pumpkin Painting, and more. Fodor’s Travel called it one of “America’s Best Pumpkin Festivals.”
State Fair of Texas | September 30 – October 23, 2016
The State Fair of Texas is renowned for its size, history, and iconic Big Tex—probably the tallest cowboy you’ll ever meet. With 24 days of entertainment, the fair hosts a full‑blown car show, livestock exhibits, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, and the return of the Budweiser Clydesdales. Don’t miss the AT&T Red River Showdown on October 8, the highly anticipated Cotton Bowl matchup between the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners.
Oak Cliff Lively Fest | October 1
Oak Cliff Lively Fest brings reggae, live performances, and arts and crafts to Kiest Park, heart of South Dallas and minutes from the Bishop Arts District. Bring the kids for tasty local dishes and engaging art demonstrations.
Tacolandia | October 15
Tacolandia, Dallas City Hall’s second‑year taco showcase, celebrates contemporary and street‑style tacos with live music, cocktails, and craft beers. Local favorites—Salsa Limon, El Come Taco, Taqueria La Ventana—compete for awards like Best Traditional and Most Interesting.
Owl‑O‑Ween | October 15
Owl‑O‑Ween, hosted by the Trinity Audubon Center, offers owl‑themed crafts, games, and a photo session with live owls. Dress as your favorite bird for a chance to win a free membership.
AFRIMMA | October 15
AFRIMMA’s third Annual Muzik Magazine Awards at the Dallas Academy of Arts and Letters honors African music with categories such as Best African Group, Best Gospel, and AFRIMMA Video of the Year. The event is hosted by Africa’s No. 1 comedian Basketmouth and co‑hosted by Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey.
Prelude: A Preview of Aurora 2017 | Oct. 21 – 22
At the Dallas Arts District, Aurora 2017 delivers two nights of immersive art. Ten large installations featuring lights, sound, and video will populate the AT&T Performing Arts Center campus, complemented by live music performances.
Park & Palate | Oct. 21 – 22
Park & Palate showcases Dallas’s top chefs under the city skyline. The weekend features over 60 chefs, wineries, live country music, and a Texas‑sized culinary showcase.
Texas Veggie Fair | October 22
Reverchon Park hosts the annual Texas Veggie Fair, celebrating healthy living with chef demos, children’s cooking classes, and a beer garden offering a 100% vegan menu.
Wings over Dallas | Oct. 28 – 30
The three‑day Wings over Dallas airshow at Dallas Executive Airport celebrates aviation history with reenactments of the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, a WWII fighter round‑up, and a USO performance featuring B‑29 bomber jets. Families enjoy hands‑on experiences and the RISE ABOVE exhibit on the Tuskegee Airmen.
Diwali Mela Festival | November 5
The Diwali Mela Festival lights up Cotton Bowl in Fair Park with a day of South Asian cuisine, Bollywood dance, and fireworks. Attendees can enjoy games, activities, and formal attire in a festive atmosphere.
Elite Rodeo Athletes World Championship | Nov. 11 – 13, 2016
The first‑ever Elite Rodeo Athletes World Championship brings over 60 world‑class rodeo competitors. Highlights include barrel racing, the iconic bull riding event, and other high‑energy spectacles.
Untapped Festival | November 12
Untapped Festival at Fair Park features more than 100 breweries worldwide, offering over 400 beers to sample. Food vendors like Rodeo Goat and Urban Crust accompany the lineup, while American indie rock band TV On the Radio headlines the event.
