Autumn is the optimal time to get out and enjoy all that the metroplex has to offer, so if you’re looking for the best DFW October things to do, we have the bucket list just for you!
From pumpkin patches and festivals to fall hikes and Halloween events, these are the top 9 DFW October things to do:
Check the State Fair of Texas Off Your Bucket List
The State Fair of Texas is one of the most iconic events of the season for those who live in the Lone Star State! From the moment you walk in the gates, you’ll be welcomed by Big Tex and all the carnival comforts that you remember from childhood.
This event has attractions that span the 277 acres of Fair Park, so expect to find bushels of fun! From the over 70 rides and carnival-style games to livestock shows, art exhibits, and large concerts, the State Fair has a little something for everyone. You can also shop at artisan vendor booths, sip some suds in their Biergarten, attend the auto show, and enjoy kid-centric attractions like petting zoos and close-up magic shows.
And, of course, you can’t forget the smorgasbord of fried foods that are available to try!
Read our Full Guide to the State Fair of Texas
Visit Local Pumpkin Patches and Corn Mazes
Everyone knows that everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the pumpkin patches. Unlike many other states, the pumpkin paradises in our Great State are not only the home of glorious gourds but also delightfully fun corn mazes and an array of attractions like hay rides, petting zoos, and vintage-style games and rides.
Here are some of the top patches in the metroplex that we think you outta know about:
- Hall’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze (Grapevine)
- Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm (Midlothian)
- YesterLand Farm (Canton)
Tip: Pumpkin Nights in Arlington is our top choice for incredible fall photo ops.
Bring the Whole Family to the Free DFW Fall Fest
Another one of the most fantastically fun DFW October things to do is to soak in the season at fall festivals! One of the best events offered in the metroplex is DFW Fall Fest—this free, family-friendly event is the perfect opportunity to try delicious eats and fall treats from area food trucks, live music and performances, a petting zoo, plenty of photo ops, and shopping at local artisan vendor booths.
Kids can also enjoy a creepy crawly critter show, face painting, and the chance to meet real life Disney princesses. This fall experience is only happening from 10 AM – 2 PM, so make sure to reserve your free tickets now!
Read: Top 15 Texas Fall Festivals
Get Scared at Haunted Houses and on Ghost Tours
The peak of the autumn season is a time for both frights and delights, which means another one of the best DFW October things to do is to visit haunted houses. DFW is home to award-winning haunts that are sure to scare your socks off.
Some of the most hair-raising haunts and nightmarish manors include:
- Moxley Manor (Bedford)
- Cutting Edge (Fort Worth)
- Dark Hour Haunted House (Plano)
Haunted trails and ghost tours are also fun options for both thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts, making them more of the must-experience DFW October things to do this season! Dallas Terrors and Lizzie Borden Ghost Tours are highly rated, and Haunted Shadows Lake Trail is ghoulishly good for those who want to get scared outdoors.
Read:
6 Scariest Haunted Houses in DFW
Attend Oktoberfest Celebrations
Prost to Oktober! For those folks looking to learn about German culture and immerse themselves in over 200 years of tradition, Oktoberfests in the metroplex are yet another one of the top DFW October things to do! Not only do these Bavarian celebrations include biergartens and brats, but you can also watch spectacular musical and dance performances and enjoy marketplace shopping.
However, one of the most entertaining parts of these festivals are the competitions! Watch keg tapping, beer stein hoisting, brat eating contests, barrel rolling, dachshund dashes, and even beard and mustache contests. You’ll also find kid-friendly activities like petting zoos, face painting, arts and crafts activities, and carnival-style rides and games.
Read: 6 Bucket List Oktoberfests in DFW
Take a Scenic Fall Hike
For those who live in DFW, it should come as no surprise that another awesome autumn activity is taking scenic fall hikes. The colors that take over North Texas make for a sensational view on cooler fall days. And now that the weather is finally starting to feel like fall, it’s the perfect time to go out and enjoy this beautiful season.
Read:
11 Places in Dallas to See Fall Colors
10 Day Trips from Dallas to See Fall Foliage
Top Outdoor Fall Activities in DFW
Get Spooky at Halloween Events
October wouldn’t be complete without a collection of all Hallow’s Eve-themed festivities, making Halloween hijinks more of the most fa-boo-lous DFW October things to do! Some of the top events and activities to include in your monthly to-do list are trick or treating, trunk or treats, parades, and costume contests.
Great kids events include Fort Worth’s Boo at the Zoo, Halloween productions at The Dallas Children’s Theater, or Malloween events like the one offered at Southlake Mall. Adults can also enjoy a multitude of holiday events like bar crawls, scary movie showings, and Día de Muertos celebrations, like the one held in McKinney!
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS: Make sure to check out our trick or treating city guides to find the best neighborhoods!
Explore Fall Farmers Markets
Another quintessential fall activity is shopping at the farmers market, and the metroplex has a myriad of local marketplaces to peruse! Unlike regular supermarkets, these shopping spots sell fresh farm produce and goods, pumpkins, handcrafted seasonal gifts, decor, home accents, custom jewelry, freshly made baked goods, jams, jellies, and other artisanal food products.
11 of the Freshest DFW Farmers Markets For Fall
Cheer on Teams at Local Football Games
One of the most anticipated DFW October things to do is head to local high schools, colleges, and national stadiums to cheer on your favorite football teams. When you have the combination of the fair-style food, the terrific tailgates, the team spirit, and the thrill of the game, you can truly discover the feeling of fall.
Most importantly, there is no shortage of sports in Lone Star State, and the more fans there are, the merrier! If you plan to attend Dallas Cowboys, SMU, or UNT games, make sure to purchase tickets in advance and figure out where you plan to park before game day.
Read: Coziest Fall Activities in DFW
Make Memories in October With Fun Fall Activities
October is an excellent time to live in DFW or to just come for a visit! There are so many fun DFW October things to do, so you’ll never find a dull moment in this delightful season!
If you know of other fun pastimes that North Texans should check out, make sure to share them with us in the comments section below.
Read
Local Picks Halloween in Dallas for Kids
