Visit DFW: October 2–5, 2026
October has arrived, and DFW is officially in full fall mode! The State Fair of Texas is in full swing, pumpkins have taken over the Dallas Arboretum, and this weekend brings everything from Latinidad Festival and Monster Jam to professional bull riding, major concerts, classic cars, and plenty of fall fun.
Whether you’re planning a family day, date night, or weekend with friends, here’s your Dallas Native guide to October 2–5.
Friday Night in DFW
State Fair of Texas – Fair Park | All Weekend
Big Tex is waiting!
The State Fair of Texas continues throughout the weekend at Fair Park with fried food, Midway rides, shopping, livestock, exhibits, games, live entertainment, and more than enough to fill an entire day.
The Fair is open from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, so there’s plenty of time to make your State Fair plans.
Pumpkins & Pints – Dallas Arboretum | Friday, October 2
Fall Friday night plans? We found them.
The Dallas Arboretum hosts Pumpkins & Pints from 6–9 p.m., pairing the spectacular Autumn at the Arboretum displays with craft beer, wine, food trucks, and an evening stroll through thousands of pumpkins, gourds, and squash.
It’s a great fall date-night option—and a chance to experience the Arboretum after hours.
PBR Rattler Days – Dickies Arena | October 2–4
Professional bull riding takes over Fort Worth this weekend when the Ariat Texas Rattlers return to Dickies Arena for their annual homestand.
Rattler Days runs Friday through Sunday with three days of PBR Teams competition and some of the sport’s best riders going head-to-head.
Chris Young – Billy Bob’s Texas | Friday, October 2
Make it a full Fort Worth night with Chris Young at Billy Bob’s Texas.
Grab dinner in the Stockyards, walk Exchange Avenue, and then head inside the World’s Largest Honky Tonk for live country music.
Goodguys Lone Star Nationals – Texas Motor Speedway | October 2–3
Car lovers, this one is for you.
More than 2,500 hot rods, custom cars, classics, muscle cars, and trucks take over Texas Motor Speedway Friday and Saturday for the Goodguys 33rd Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals.
Expect automotive displays, vendors, specialty exhibits, and plenty to see throughout the weekend.
Saturday Adventures
Latinidad Festival – Strauss Square | Saturday, October 3
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a FREE night of Latin American arts, food, music, dance, and culture at Strauss Square in the Dallas Arts District.
The fifth annual Latinidad Festival runs from 6–10 p.m. with mariachi, dancing, a DJ, live salsa, merengue, cumbia and bachata, plus the Latinidad Mercado featuring Latin-owned businesses.
It’s one of the weekend’s best free events.
Monster Jam – AT&T Stadium | Saturday, October 3
Monster trucks take over AT&T Stadium Saturday night!
Monster Jam brings its massive trucks, racing, freestyle competition, and high-flying stunts to Arlington for an action-packed family night.
The event begins at 7 p.m., giving you plenty of time to grab dinner around Arlington’s Entertainment District beforehand.
TCU vs. BYU – Amon G. Carter Stadium | Saturday, October 3
College football fans can head to Fort Worth as the TCU Horned Frogs take on BYU.
Pair the game with lunch or dinner around University Drive, Magnolia Avenue, or the Stockyards and make it a full Fort Worth Saturday.
Fashion Week Stockyards Style | October 2–4
Fashion meets the West in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Fashion Week Stockyards Style runs throughout the weekend with Western brands, original designs, shopping, and events celebrating the style and creativity of Cowtown.
Sunday Around DFW
State Fair Sunday | Sunday, October 4
Sunday is made for Big Tex.
Spend the day working your way through the State Fair’s food, rides, exhibits, shopping, livestock, games, and live entertainment.
If you’ve already been once this year, use your second trip to explore everything you didn’t have time to see the first time around.
ZZ Top – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory | Sunday, October 4
Texas rock legends ZZ Top take the stage in Irving Sunday evening.
The show starts at 6 p.m., making it an easy way to close out the weekend with one of Texas’ most recognizable bands.
Boz Scaggs – Majestic Theatre | Sunday, October 4
Prefer a night downtown?
Boz Scaggs takes the stage at the historic Majestic Theatre Sunday at 7 p.m.
Grab dinner downtown beforehand and make it a classic Dallas date night.
Cash Money & No Limit Tour – American Airlines Center | Sunday, October 4
Sunday night also brings a completely different musical option to Victory Park with the Cash Money & No Limit Tour at American Airlines Center.
The show begins at 7 p.m., adding another major concert to an already packed weekend.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Houston Texans – Sunday, October 4
The Cowboys are on the road in Houston Sunday, but that doesn’t mean Dallas won’t be watching.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon, so grab brunch and catch the game at your favorite Dallas sports bar before heading to your afternoon plans.
Monday, October 5
TLC, Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue – Toyota Music Factory | Monday, October 5
Monday night is bringing the nostalgia.
TLC and Salt-N-Pepa team up with En Vogue for the IT’S ICONIC tour at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and is a pretty great excuse to extend the weekend one more night.
State Fair Monday
Monday is also a great opportunity to visit the State Fair with fewer weekend crowds.
Grab your favorite fair food, explore the exhibits, ride the Texas Star, and spend a little extra time wandering Fair Park.
Autumn at the Arboretum
If you didn’t make it to Pumpkins & Pints Friday, Monday is another chance to experience Autumn at the Arboretum.
More than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash fill the gardens this fall, making it one of Dallas’ most popular seasonal traditions.
How to Use This Weekend Guide
Start Friday with Pumpkins & Pints at the Arboretum or head west for PBR Rattler Days and Chris Young at Billy Bob’s.
Saturday has something for everyone: Latinidad Festival in the Arts District, Monster Jam in Arlington, TCU football in Fort Worth, classic cars at Texas Motor Speedway, or a full day with Big Tex at the State Fair.
On Sunday, spend the day at the Fair before choosing between ZZ Top, Boz Scaggs, or the Cash Money & No Limit Tour.
Then keep the fun going Monday with Autumn at the Arboretum, another State Fair visit, or TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue in Irving.
However you spend it, October is starting BIG in DFW!
Event Links
State Fair of Texas
State Fair Schedule
Pumpkins & Pints / Autumn at the Arboretum
https://www.dallasarboretum.org/
Latinidad Festival
https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/things-to-do-in-dallas/
PBR Rattler Days – Dickies Arena
Chris Young – Billy Bob’s Texas
https://billybobstexas.com/events/
Goodguys Lone Star Nationals – Texas Motor Speedway
Fashion Week Stockyards Style
https://www.fortworthstockyards.org/events
Monster Jam – AT&T Stadium
https://attstadium.com/events/
TCU Athletics
ZZ Top – Toyota Music Factory
https://www.thepaviliontmf.com/
Boz Scaggs – Majestic Theatre
https://www.ticketmaster.com/discover/dallas
Cash Money & No Limit Tour
https://www.ticketmaster.com/discover/dallas
Dallas Cowboys
https://www.dallascowboys.com/schedule/
TLC, Salt-N-Pepa & En Vogue
https://www.ticketmaster.com/discover/dallas
Visit Dallas Events
https://www.visitdallas.com/events/