This weekend has no shortage of ways to keep the season lively
North Texas heads into the weekend with plenty to do, whether that means kicking back with live music, wandering through a festival or getting a head start on holiday cheer. The calendar is stacked with options that range from family outings and community gatherings to nightlife and seasonal traditions. Even with warm afternoons still hanging on, cooler mornings are hinting at fall, making it the perfect stretch to step outside and soak in the variety.
Think of it as a weekend sampler plate — a little of this, a little of that and just enough to keep things interesting.
Hollydays Market of Plano 2025
When: Oct. 10-12, 2025 Where: Plano Event Center, 2000 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano More info
Holiday shopping is starting earlier than ever. Halloween candy isn’t gone and Thanksgiving turkeys haven’t even thawed, but Hollydays Market of Plano is already decking the halls. More than 130 vendors gather under one roof with gifts, décor and treats. Visitors can browse unique finds, sip wine while they shop and even snap festive photos with Santa for a weekend that mixes errands with cheer.
Friends of the Farmstead 2025
When: Oct. 10, 2025 | 6 - 10 p.m. Where: Heritage Farmstead Museum, 1900 W 15th Street, Plano More info and tickets
An evening of music, food and community spirit comes together at Friends of the Farmstead, the annual fundraiser supporting education and preservation at the Heritage Farmstead Museum. Guests can enjoy craft cocktails, a Texas barbecue dinner and live music from Lone Star Attitude while bidding on auction items ranging from getaways to family experiences. The night also honors Meg Belanger as this year’s Best Friend of the Farmstead, celebrating her lasting contributions. It’s a chance to eat, dance and raise support for keeping local history alive.
When: Oct. 11, 2025 | 12 - 5 p.m. Where: ArtCentre of Plano, 902 E 16th Street, Plano More info and tickets
The “Come As You Are” Festival blends community spirit with family-friendly fun while raising funds for a future resource center in North Texas. Guests can explore vendor booths, grab food and drinks and join in on live music, dancing and giveaways throughout the day. Proceeds also support a partnering nonprofit, with VIP tickets offering extra perks like indoor seating and refreshments. It’s an afternoon designed to celebrate inclusivity while giving back in a big way.
When: Oct. 12, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Where: The Star, Cowboys Way, Frisco More info
Sunday turns into a doggone good time with Tails & Touchdowns, a Cowboys-themed celebration for pups and their people. Families can catch the game on the big screen while enjoying giveaways, food trucks and plenty of pet-friendly fun, from photo ops to special treats. A costume contest even lets four-legged fans strut their stuff for prizes, making it a true tailgate with tails.
Dark Hour Haunted House 2025 Season
When: Until Oct. 31, 2025 Where: Dark Hour Haunted House, 701 Taylor Dr, Plano More info and tickets
Nightmares get an upgrade at this haunted house packed with live actors, eerie creatures and special effects sharp enough to rattle even the bravest visitors. Guests wind their way through cursed halls, folklore-inspired monsters and enough jump scares to keep hearts racing. For those who like a little mischief with their mayhem, VIP perks even let you join in on the scares.
When: Oct. 11, 2025 | 1 - 1:45 p.m. & 2 - 2:45 p.m. Where: Kaleidoscope Park, 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco More info
Wild encounters take center stage with Dallas Zoo Animal Adventures, where families can meet a variety of mammals, reptiles and birds up close. Each 45-minute program is interactive and educational, blending science with fun in a way that keeps kids and adults equally engaged. It’s part lesson, part adventure and all about discovering the animal kingdom together.
When: Oct. 11, 2025 | 12 - 6 p.m. Where: District 121, 6731 Alma Rd, McKinney More info
Wine glasses and live tunes take the spotlight at the McKinney Wine & Music Festival, now in its ninth year. Guests can sample pours from local and national wineries while three bands keep the soundtrack flowing. With food, vendors and plenty of community flavor, it’s a full day built for sipping, savoring and maybe even a little dancing.
When: Oct. 11, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: The Village at Allen, 190 E. Stacy Road, Allen More info
Autumn gets a family-friendly spotlight at the Fall Festival on the Grove, where pumpkins, crafts and live music set the scene for an afternoon outdoors. Kids can meet furry friends at the petting zoo, try hands-on art projects and enjoy seasonal giveaways. With activities for all ages and plenty of festive flair, it’s a laid-back way to soak in the season without raking any leaves.
State Fair of Texas 2025
When: Until Oct. 19, 2025 Where: Fair Park, Dallas More info
Big Tex is back with 24 days of food, music and larger-than-life entertainment that stretch from rodeos and parades to high-flying rides and nightly concerts. New this year is an international soccer match alongside more than 90 live performances, cultural exhibits and family-friendly shows. With classic favorites like pig races and funnel cakes still on the lineup, the fair continues to blend tradition with fresh twists that keep North Texas coming back year after year.
Red River Rivalry 2025
When: Oct. 11, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: Cotton Bowl Stadium, 3750 The Midway, Dallas More info
Saturdays at the State Fair bring big crowds and bigger rivalries to the Cotton Bowl, where college football and hometown pride take center stage. From the historic Red River Showdown to the State Fair Classic and the new State Fair Clásico with Dallas Trinity FC, the stadium becomes a stage for legendary matchups. With over 100,000 fans packing the stands for some games, it’s as much about tradition as it is about touchdowns.
Etienne Charles & Creole Soul
When: Oct. 11-12, 2025 | 7 p.m. Door Open 6 p.m. Where: Windmills Grandscape - Texas, 5755 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony More info
Etienne Charles brings his Creole Soul project to the stage, blending jazz with the rhythms and stories of the African diaspora. Known for weaving music with history and culture, the Trinidad-born trumpeter and composer has earned global recognition and collaborated with legends from Roberta Flack to Marcus Miller. His performance mixes improvisation, storytelling and vibrant soundscapes, offering an evening where rhythm and narrative go hand in hand.
Fall Fest
When: Oct. 12, 2025 | 1-6 p.m. Where: Grandscape Corona Stage & Lawn, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony More info
Pumpkins, live music and even a mechanical bull come together for Fall Fest, a family-friendly day packed with seasonal fun. Guests can browse a local vendor market, sip drinks in the beer garden and enjoy performances while kids get their faces painted or pose for autumn photo ops. With activities for all ages and plenty of fall flair, it’s an easy way to celebrate the season without raking leaves.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.