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Fall festivals in North Texas bringing music, culture and more

Posted by Dallas Native Team | Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate on

North Texans have a lot to look forward to when the weather cools down. We rounded up what’s coming.

At some point, the weather will start to cool off (right?), and we’ll all settle into our fall festival groove. Here are some events to look forward to. Check event websites for COVID-19 protocols and potential schedule changes or cancellations, and see Guide each week for additional festivals throughout autumn.

Musicians keep the traditional German music going during the 2018 Addison Oktoberfest. The 2021 event will be held Sept. 16-19.
Musicians keep the traditional German music going during the 2018 Addison Oktoberfest. The 2021 event will be held Sept. 16-19.(Jason Janik / Special Contributor)

Oktoberfest Events

The original Oktoberfest in Munich is canceled this year, but North Texas events celebrating the German folk festival are still on. Expect beer, traditional German foods, music and activities at these fall fests.

McKinney: Sept. 24-26 in Historic Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee St. Free admission.

Dallas: Oct. 2 at Flag Pole Hill Park, 8015 Doran Circle. $15.

Southlake: Oct. 15-17 at Southlake Town Square, 285 Grand Ave. Free admission.

Isaac Wood jumps through the hay maze in the pumpkin village at the Dallas Arboretum's Autumn at the Arboretum in 2019. The 2021 festival will be held Sept. 18-Oct. 31.
Isaac Wood jumps through the hay maze in the pumpkin village at the Dallas Arboretum’s Autumn at the Arboretum in 2019. The 2021 festival will be held Sept. 18-Oct. 31.(Ashley Landis / Staff Photographer)

Autumn at the Arboretum

The theme this year for the arboretum’s 16th annual fall festival is Bugtopia, and it will feature the highly decorated Pumpkin Village and other artistic displays featuring 90,000 pumpkins.

Sept. 18-Oct. 31 at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas. Tickets must be reserved in advance. $17 for adults, $14 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for children 2-12, free for children younger than 2. Entrance to the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden is $3 extra. $15 for parking or $10 if bought online in advance.

Longhorn cattle walk down the parade route at Lewisville Western Days in 2019. The 2021 event will be held Sept. 24-25.
Longhorn cattle walk down the parade route at Lewisville Western Days in 2019. The 2021 event will be held Sept. 24-25.(Brian Elledge / Staff Photographer)

Western Days

The annual country music event in Lewisville features live music, vendors, a tamale eating contest, children’s activities, professional cooking demonstrations and a car show.

Sept. 24-25 at 150 W. Church St. in Old Town Lewisville. Free until 7 p.m. both days; $15 admission after 7 p.m.

Christine Riggs and Brandon Allen browse through the works of visual artists at the 2018 Art in the Square in Southlake. The 2021 event takes place Sept. 24-26 at Southlake Town Square.
Christine Riggs and Brandon Allen browse through the works of visual artists at the 2018 Art in the Square in Southlake. The 2021 event takes place Sept. 24-26 at Southlake Town Square.(Lawrence Jenkins / Special Contributor)

Art in the Square

The annual family festival in Southlake features visual artists, food vendors, live entertainment and children’s activities like a play zone, face painting and sugar art. All proceeds benefit community organizations.

Sept. 24-26 at Southlake Town Square, 285 Grand Ave., Southlake. Free admission.

People order beers at the Beer Haven under the Ferris wheel during the State Fair of Texas in Dallas in 2017. The 2021 State Fair will be held Sept. 24 through Oct. 17.
People order beers at the Beer Haven under the Ferris wheel during the State Fair of Texas in Dallas in 2017. The 2021 State Fair will be held Sept. 24 through Oct. 17.(Nathan Hunsinger / Staff Photographer)

State Fair of Texas

The fair is back after being canceled in 2020. Plan a day out to enjoy classic fair foods, carnival rides, auto shows, farm animals, live music, cooking demonstrations and rodeo events.

Sept. 24-Oct. 17 at Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave., Dallas. $10-$25 daily admission; season passes start at $50.

Leyna Anderson spreads her arms out as her father Mike Anderson throws a giant bean bag during Murphy Maize Days in 2018. The 2021 event will be held Sept. 25.
Leyna Anderson spreads her arms out as her father Mike Anderson throws a giant bean bag during Murphy Maize Days in 2018. The 2021 event will be held Sept. 25.(Carly Geraci / Staff Photographer)

Murphy Maize Days

The 12th annual festival includes a petting zoo, pet adoptions, pumpkin launching, a kids’ zone, a car show, shopping, fireworks and live music by the Blue Hat Band and cover band the British Invasion.

Sept. 25 from noon to 9:45 p.m. at Murphy Central, 550 N. Murphy Road, Murphy. Free admission.

A B-17 and Japanese Zero airplane streak across the skies during a previous Wings Over Dallas WWII Air Show. The 2021 event takes off Oct. 29.
A B-17 and Japanese Zero airplane streak across the skies during a previous Wings Over Dallas WWII Air Show. The 2021 event takes off Oct. 29.(G.J. McCarthy / Staff Photographer)

Wings Over Dallas

The World War II air show returns to Dallas this year with living history exhibits and activities, airplane rides, military vehicles, veteran guest speakers and a family activity area.

Oct. 29-31 at Dallas Executive Airport, 5303 Challenger Drive, Dallas. $20 per day for adults, with discounts for military, students and youth.

Carrollton's Festival at the Switchyard has plenty of free family-friendly activities including carnival rides, live entertainment midway games and face painting. The 2021 event will be held Nov. 6.
Carrollton’s Festival at the Switchyard has plenty of free family-friendly activities including carnival rides, live entertainment midway games and face painting. The 2021 event will be held Nov. 6.(Jeffrey McWhorter / City of Carrollton)

Festival at the Switchyard

The city of Carrollton’s annual fest features live music by bands like Blue October and Dishwalla, fried foods, shopping and children’s activities.

Nov. 6 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1106 S. Broadway St. in historic downtown Carrollton. Free admission.

Information provided by Dallas News

Audrey Eads

audrey.eads@dallasnews.com @_audreyeads

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