Visit DFW: September 25–28, 2026
It’s officially State Fair season in North Texas! The State Fair of Texas opens its gates this Friday, kicking off 24 days of Big Tex, fried food, live music, Midway rides, football, and one of Dallas’ favorite fall traditions.
But the Fair isn’t the only thing happening this weekend. From Oktoberfest celebrations and live music to football, food tours, opera, and fall fun, DFW is packed with reasons to get out and explore September 25–28.
Here’s your Dallas Native guide to the weekend!
Friday Fun
State Fair of Texas – Opening Day | Friday, September 25
HOWDY, FOLKS! Big Tex is officially back.
The 2026 State Fair of Texas opens Friday at Fair Park and runs through October 18. Expect more than 100 daily attractions included with admission, nearly 100 musical artists throughout the Fair, carnival rides, exhibits, livestock, shopping, games, and—of course—all the fried food you can handle.
Opening weekend is always full of energy, so if you’ve been waiting all year for your Fletcher’s corny dog and a ride on the Texas Star, this is your weekend.
Little Mexico & Arts District Foodie Hop | Friday, September 25
Spend Friday afternoon exploring Dallas through food and history.
This guided foodie experience takes guests through Little Mexico and the Dallas Arts District while mixing local flavors with stories about the neighborhoods and communities that helped shape the city.
It’s a fun option if you have visitors in town—or simply want to experience your own city like a tourist.
Adéla – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall | Friday, September 25
Keep Friday night going with live music at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall.
Adéla takes the stage Friday evening, giving you another option if you want to skip the Fair crowds and spend your night in the Dallas Design District.
Candlelight: Classic Rock on Strings | Friday, September 25
Classic rock gets a completely different sound Friday night at the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
A string ensemble performs familiar rock favorites surrounded by candlelight, combining live music with one of Dallas’ more unique concert settings.
Saturday Adventures
State Fair Classic – Cotton Bowl Stadium | Saturday, September 26
College football takes over Fair Park Saturday when Grambling State and Prairie View A&M meet for the State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl.
Kickoff is at 6 p.m., which means you can spend the afternoon exploring the State Fair before heading into the stadium for the game.
Fair food + football + Big Tex? That’s about as Texas as a Saturday can get.
Prost! Oktoberfest – Dallas Farmers Market | September 26–27
Break out the lederhosen because Oktoberfest is taking over the Dallas Farmers Market!
The two-day celebration at Pearl Plaza brings German-inspired festivities to downtown Dallas with live music, stein hoisting, competitions, food, drinks, a pet costume contest, music bingo, and even wiener dog races.
The event runs Saturday and Sunday and is free to attend.
Gala Concert with Idina Menzel – Meyerson Symphony Center | Saturday, September 26
Broadway fans have a BIG Saturday-night option.
Tony Award-winning performer Idina Menzel joins the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for a special one-night-only Gala Concert at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
From Broadway favorites to the songs that made her a household name, this is one of the weekend’s standout performances.
Dallas Lowriders Annual Picnic – Flag Pole Hill | Saturday, September 26
Head to Flag Pole Hill Saturday for an afternoon celebrating Dallas lowrider culture and community.
The free event features an impressive display of cars alongside vendors and community activities.
Dallas’ Best Tacos & Margaritas Tour | Saturday, September 26
Tacos and margaritas are always a good Saturday plan.
Eat and sip your way around Dallas during a guided tour featuring stops for some of the city’s favorite tacos and margaritas.
This one is perfect for a birthday, girls’ day, date, or group outing.
Pilates & Croissants | Saturday, September 26
Start Saturday with movement—and pastries.
This French-inspired wellness morning in Downtown Dallas pairs Pilates with croissants for a social start to the weekend before you head off to your afternoon plans.
Fort Worth Fun
Fort Worth Oktoberfest – Trinity Park | Through Saturday, September 26
If you want an even bigger Oktoberfest celebration, head west.
Fort Worth Oktoberfest takes over Trinity Park through Saturday with German food, beer, live music, dancing, shopping, competitions, and plenty of Bavarian-inspired fun.
Grab your stein, bring your appetite, and make a full day of it.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra – Brahms & Haydn | September 25–27
For something a little more refined, spend an evening at Bass Performance Hall.
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra performs a program featuring Brahms and Haydn Friday through Sunday, conducted by Robert Spano and featuring pianist Dejan Lazić.
Pair the performance with dinner downtown or in Sundance Square for an easy Fort Worth date night.
Sunday Around DFW
Fiesta de la Ópera – Winspear Opera House | Sunday, September 27
The Dallas Opera celebrates Latin heritage Sunday afternoon with a FREE concert at the Winspear Opera House.
Tenor Anthony León leads a program combining opera favorites with Latin and salsa music, backed by the Dallas Opera Orchestra and a six-piece Latin band.
The concert begins at 2 p.m., and reservations are required.
Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings | Sunday, September 27
Continue the celebration of Latin music Sunday evening with a candlelight tribute to Juan Gabriel.
The Bishop String Quartet reimagines some of the legendary Mexican singer-songwriter’s most recognizable music in an intimate candlelit setting.
State Fair Sunday
If opening day sounds a little too busy, Sunday is another chance to visit Big Tex.
Spend the day working your way through the Fair’s food, attractions, shopping, live entertainment, exhibits, Midway rides, and nightly Starlight Parade.
With the Fair running through October 18, you don’t have to see everything in one visit—but we certainly wouldn’t blame you for trying.
Dallas Farmers Market
If Oktoberfest isn’t your thing, you can still spend Sunday exploring the Dallas Farmers Market.
Browse local produce, artisan goods, specialty foods, and small businesses at The Shed before grabbing brunch or lunch inside The Market.
Monday, September 28
Make It a State Fair Monday
Want to experience the Fair with fewer weekend crowds?
Monday is a great opportunity to head back to Fair Park. Grab your favorite fair food, explore exhibits you missed over the weekend, catch live entertainment, and spend a little more time wandering the grounds.
Autumn at the Arboretum
Keep the fall theme going with a trip to the Dallas Arboretum.
Autumn at the Arboretum is underway, transforming the gardens with thousands upon thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and squash.
Explore the seasonal displays, snap your fall photos, and enjoy one of Dallas’ prettiest traditions.
Museum Monday
If you’re ready for air conditioning after a weekend outside, spend Monday exploring one of Dallas’ museums.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Frontiers of Flight Museum are all great ways to slow things down and extend the weekend.
How to Use This Weekend Guide
Friday is all about welcoming Big Tex back to Dallas. Make opening day at the State Fair your main event, or spend the afternoon on a foodie tour before catching live music or a candlelight concert.
Saturday is packed. Combine the State Fair with the State Fair Classic, head to the Dallas Farmers Market for Oktoberfest, see Idina Menzel with the Dallas Symphony, explore Dallas lowrider culture, or make the drive west for Fort Worth Oktoberfest.
Sunday brings Fiesta de la Ópera, a Juan Gabriel candlelight tribute, another full day at the State Fair, and Oktoberfest at the Dallas Farmers Market.
Then stretch the weekend into Monday with another Fair day, pumpkins at the Dallas Arboretum, or an afternoon inside one of Dallas’ museums.
However you spend it, this is one of those weekends that reminds us why fall in DFW is so much fun.
Event Links
State Fair of Texas
State Fair of Texas – Fair Park
https://www.fairparkdallas.com/events/detail/2026-state-fair-of-texas
State Fair Classic
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/annual-events/state-fair-of-texas/
Little Mexico & Arts District Foodie Hop
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/weekend-picks/
Dallas’ Best Tacos & Margaritas Tour
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/weekend-picks/
Pilates & Croissants
https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/things-to-do-in-dallas/
Prost! Oktoberfest – Dallas Farmers Market
https://dallasfarmersmarket.org/
Gala Concert with Idina Menzel – Dallas Symphony Orchestra
https://www.dallassymphony.org/
Dallas Lowriders Annual Picnic
https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/things-to-do-in-dallas/
Fiesta de la Ópera – Dallas Opera
Candlelight: Classic Rock on Strings
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/live-music/
Candlelight: Tribute to Juan Gabriel on Strings
https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/things-to-do-in-dallas/
Adéla – The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
https://www.visitdallas.com/blog/top-upcoming-concerts/
Fort Worth Oktoberfest
https://fortworthoktoberfest.com/
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Autumn at the Arboretum
https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
Dallas Farmers Market
https://dallasfarmersmarket.org/
Visit Dallas Events Calendar
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/