October has arrived, and North Texas is officially in fall mode—even if the weather occasionally needs reminding.
Pumpkin patches are open, fall festivals are filling the calendar, and there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the season. Whether you're planning a family outing, looking for something different to do with friends, or just want an excuse to buy another pumpkin you absolutely do not need, we've rounded up some of our favorite October happenings around DFW.
Pumpkins on the Prairie
October 3–31
📍 3521 Main Street, Frisco
Pumpkins on the Prairie brings plenty of classic fall fun to Frisco with pumpkins, a bounce house, hayrides, a hay labyrinth, weekend food trucks, concessions, and plenty of photo opportunities. On select days, you can even launch a pumpkin through the air with their pumpkin trebuchet.
Best of all, there's no general entry fee—you'll only pay for pumpkins, food, concessions, or the trebuchet.
North Dallas Toy Show
Sunday, October 4 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Courtyard Marriott, 210 E. Stacy Road, Allen
Here's something for anyone whose idea of treasure hunting involves Hot Wheels, Pokémon cards, LEGO, comics, action figures, or the toys they wish they'd kept from childhood.
The monthly North Dallas Toy Show brings together more than 150 tables of toys and collectibles. General admission is $4, kids under 10 get in free, and VIP admission includes early access from 9:00–10:00 AM.
Grandscape Fall Fest
Saturday, October 10 | 1:00–5:00 PM
📍 Corona Stage & Lawn at Grandscape, The Colony
College football and fall festivities come together at Grandscape's free Fall Fest.
The afternoon includes live music, face painters, balloon artists, carnival games, caricatures, a mechanical bull, and a vendor market before Texas and Oklahoma take over the big screen for the Red River Rivalry. There's also a Tailgate Takeover at NFM before kickoff, with trolley service available from Grandscape.
Pumpkin & Squash Show and Sale
October 16–18 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
For the person who wants something a little more sophisticated than another hay maze, this new Cultivate event at the Dallas Arboretum is a fall plant-lover's dream.
Explore pumpkins and squash in unusual shapes, colors, and textures, including heirloom and specialty varieties. The market-style event offers plenty of inspiration for fall decorating, tablescapes, cooking, and garden-to-kitchen creativity.
Thursdays on Tap
Thursdays through October 22 | 6:00–10:00 PM | Ages 21+
📍 Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
Date night at the museum sounds considerably more fun when you remove the field trips and add live music. 😂
Thursdays on Tap gives adults after-hours access to the Perot Museum's exhibit halls alongside live music, food trucks, outdoor games, craft drinks, and cocktails. Tickets are limited, and advance purchase is recommended because evenings can sell out.
Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms
Open through November 25 | Daily, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
📍 15102 TX-289, Gunter
A North Texas fall tradition since 1997, the Big Orange Pumpkin Farm offers the full pumpkin-patch experience: pumpkins picked from the vine, hayrides, a six-foot hay maze, a petting farm, photo opportunities, and plenty of room to enjoy a day in the country.
Weekday admission is $12 and includes a small pumpkin, petting-farm feed, hayride, roping pen, hay maze, and photo opportunities. Weekend admission is $15 and includes the farm train in place of the small pumpkin. Children under two are free.
Blase Family Farm Pumpkin Patch
Open through November 1 | Reservations required
📍 Rockwall
Tucked into a wooded setting in Rockwall, Blase Family Farm offers a smaller, charming pumpkin-patch experience with a petting zoo, hayride, kid-sized hay maze, fall photo spots, pumpkins, homemade fudge, popsicles, and a wooded trail featuring Spookley the Square Pumpkin storyboards.
Admission is $12 per person, with children one and younger free. The farm uses reservations to help manage crowds and parking, so you'll want to choose your time before heading out.
The Pumpkin Patch at Sunset Trail Farm
Fridays–Sundays through November 8
📍 1794 Sunset Trail, McKinney
If your ideal fall outing includes pumpkins, farm animals, flowers, games, and something delicious to eat, Sunset Trail Farm checks a lot of boxes.
Admission includes fall photo spots, a kid-sized hay maze, rubber duck races, pumpkin bowling, farm animals, games, and more. Depending on the day, you'll also find a children's farm train, pumpkin launcher, pick-your-own flowers, face painting, food trucks, blackberry lemonade, kettle corn, berry cobbler, and other treats. Online admission is $12 on Fridays and $13 on Saturdays and Sundays; limited walk-up admission is $16.
Make the most of October
This month's list definitely has a theme—and we're not mad about it. 🎃
Whether you're hunting for the perfect pumpkin, watching Texas and Oklahoma battle it out, digging through tables of childhood collectibles, or spending an adults-only evening at the museum, October gives us plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy North Texas.
Pick a few favorites, grab the calendar, and make some fall memories before November sneaks up on us.
