Visit DFW: September 18–21, 2026
Fall is starting to make its way into North Texas, and DFW has a packed weekend to celebrate! From major concerts and Cowboys football to the opening weekend of Autumn at the Arboretum, festivals, baseball, food tours, art, and plenty of live entertainment, there’s something happening in every direction.
Whether you’re planning date night, a family outing, or just looking for an excuse to explore, here’s your Dallas Native guide to September 18–21.
Friday Night in DFW
Thomas Rhett – American Airlines Center | Friday, September 18
Country music fans can kick off the weekend with Thomas Rhett at American Airlines Center.
The Soundtrack to Life Tour hits Dallas Friday night at 7:30 p.m., making this an easy choice for a night out in Victory Park.
Billy Idol – Dos Equis Pavilion | Friday, September 18
Ready for a little rock and roll?
Billy Idol brings his It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! to Dos Equis Pavilion Friday night at 7:30 p.m.
Grab dinner around Deep Ellum or East Dallas before heading to Fair Park for the show.
‘til Midnight at the Nasher | Friday, September 18
Spend Friday night under the stars at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
The Nasher’s free monthly after-hours series runs from 6 p.m. to midnight with live music, a film screening, and evening access to the galleries and sculpture garden.
It’s a great option for an easy Dallas date night—and admission is free.
Hudson Westbrook – Billy Bob’s Texas | Friday, September 18
Head west for a Texas night out as Hudson Westbrook takes the stage at Billy Bob’s Texas.
Start with dinner in the Fort Worth Stockyards, walk Exchange Avenue, and then head inside the World’s Largest Honky Tonk for the show.
Rocket League World Championship – Dickies Arena | September 18–20
Gaming takes center stage in Fort Worth this weekend with the Rocket League World Championship at Dickies Arena.
The three-day event runs Friday through Sunday, bringing some of the world’s best Rocket League competitors and esports fans together for a huge championship weekend.
Saturday Adventures
Autumn at the Arboretum – Opening Weekend | Begins Saturday, September 19
It officially feels like fall when the pumpkins arrive at the Dallas Arboretum!
Autumn at the Arboretum opens Saturday with more than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash transforming the gardens for one of Dallas’ favorite seasonal traditions.
Explore the famous Pumpkin Village, wander through the gardens, snap your fall photos, and enjoy one of the prettiest seasonal experiences in Dallas.
The festival continues through November 1, so opening weekend is just the beginning.
J. Cole – American Airlines Center | Saturday, September 19
J. Cole brings The Fall-Off Tour to American Airlines Center Saturday night.
This is one of the weekend’s biggest concerts, so make a full night of it with dinner or drinks around Victory Park before the show.
Best Southwest Hispanic Heritage Fest – Cedar Hill | Saturday, September 19
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an evening of music, culture, food, and community at Valley Ridge Park in Cedar Hill.
The free festival runs from 5–10 p.m. and features live music, cultural performances, food vendors, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Fort Worth Fall Gallery Night | Saturday, September 19
Explore Fort Worth’s creative side during Fall Gallery Night.
Galleries, studios, and cultural spaces across the city open their doors for special exhibitions, demonstrations, and events, making this a great way to experience Fort Worth’s art scene.
Frisco: From the Trail to Today | Saturday, September 19
Frisco is celebrating 125 years!
Head to the Frisco Heritage Center from 11 a.m.–8 p.m. for a community celebration featuring live music, stagecoach rides, an armadillo derby, petting zoo, Old West photo opportunities, two-step lessons, and more.
Dallas’ Best Tacos & Margaritas Tour | Saturday, September 19
Eat and sip your way around Dallas with a guided tour featuring tacos and margaritas from multiple stops around the city.
This one is perfect for a date, birthday celebration, girls’ day, or group outing.
Sunday Around DFW
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders – AT&T Stadium | Sunday, September 20
Football is back in Arlington!
The Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium Sunday afternoon at 3:25 p.m. for the Cowboys’ first home game of the 2026 regular season.
Get to Arlington early, grab lunch around the Entertainment District, and enjoy the game-day atmosphere before kickoff.
Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays – Globe Life Field | Sunday, September 20
Prefer baseball?
The Texas Rangers host the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field with first pitch scheduled for 1:35 p.m.
With both the Rangers and Cowboys playing in Arlington, expect plenty of energy around the Entertainment District all day.
Pride in Dallas Parade – Cedar Springs | Sunday, September 20
Pride in Dallas returns to Cedar Springs Road Sunday afternoon.
The free community parade begins at 2 p.m. and travels through the heart of Dallas’ Oak Lawn neighborhood, with additional Pride events happening throughout the week.
Empire of the Sun – Dos Equis Pavilion | Sunday, September 20
Keep Sunday going with Empire of the Sun at Dos Equis Pavilion.
The Ask That God: Afterlife North American Tour comes to Dallas Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., giving concert fans another major show to add to the weekend.
Dallas Farmers Market
Slow things down Sunday morning at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Browse The Shed, shop fresh produce and local goods, grab brunch or lunch, and enjoy the Market’s First Day of Autumn celebration before heading to your afternoon plans.
Deep Ellum BBQ, Burgers & Blues Tour
Explore one of Dallas’ most recognizable neighborhoods through its food and music.
The Deep Ellum BBQ, Burgers & Blues Tour combines Texas favorites with neighborhood history for a fun way to experience Deep Ellum from a different perspective.
Monday, September 21
Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues – American Airlines Center | Monday, September 21
Keep the weekend going Monday night with hockey at American Airlines Center.
The Dallas Stars take on the St. Louis Blues at 7 p.m., giving sports fans one more reason to head into Victory Park.
Legacy of the Longhorn – Cowtown Coliseum | Monday, September 21
Head to the Fort Worth Stockyards Monday afternoon for Legacy of the Longhorn at Cowtown Coliseum.
Pair it with lunch, shopping, and a walk through the Stockyards for an easy Fort Worth day trip.
Make It a Museum Monday
If you’re looking for something a little quieter, spend Monday exploring one of DFW’s museums.
Check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, or head west to explore Fort Worth’s Cultural District.
How to Use This Weekend Guide
Friday night is all about entertainment. Catch Thomas Rhett or Billy Idol, spend the evening at ‘til Midnight at the Nasher, head to Billy Bob’s for Hudson Westbrook, or experience the Rocket League World Championship in Fort Worth.
Saturday officially kicks off fall with opening weekend of Autumn at the Arboretum. You can also catch J. Cole, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in Cedar Hill, explore Fort Worth’s art scene, celebrate Frisco’s 125th anniversary, or eat your way through a Dallas taco tour.
Sunday is HUGE for sports fans with the Cowboys and Rangers both playing in Arlington. Dallas also has the Pride in Dallas Parade, Empire of the Sun, the Dallas Farmers Market, and plenty of ways to explore the city.
Then stretch the weekend into Monday with Dallas Stars hockey, a trip to the Fort Worth Stockyards, or a relaxing museum day.
However you spend it, there’s plenty happening across DFW September 18–21. Get out and explore!
Event Links
Thomas Rhett – American Airlines Center
https://www.ticketmaster.com/discover/dallas
Billy Idol – Dos Equis Pavilion
https://www.fairparkdallas.com/events
‘til Midnight at the Nasher – Nasher Sculpture Center
https://www.nashersculpturecenter.org/
Hudson Westbrook – Billy Bob’s Texas
https://billybobstexas.com/events
Rocket League World Championship – Dickies Arena
Autumn at the Arboretum
https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
J. Cole – American Airlines Center
https://www.ticketmaster.com/discover/dallas
Best Southwest Hispanic Heritage Fest
Fort Worth Fall Gallery Night
Frisco: From the Trail to Today
Dallas’ Best Tacos & Margaritas Tour
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
https://www.dallascowboys.com/
Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Pride in Dallas
Empire of the Sun – Dos Equis Pavilion
https://www.fairparkdallas.com/events
Dallas Farmers Market
https://dallasfarmersmarket.org/
Deep Ellum BBQ, Burgers & Blues Tour
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/
Dallas Stars vs. St. Louis Blues
Fort Worth Stockyards
https://www.fortworthstockyards.org/
Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Dallas Museum of Art
More Dallas Events
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/