This is a little hand-picked guide to things around Dallas and DFW that seem especially wonderful, weird, local, one-off, or otherwise worth knowing about before the weekend disappears.
Please click through before heading out, because event details can change.
| Event |
What the heck is it? |
When & Where |
| Denton's Day of the Dead Festival, Coffin Races & Cirque du Horror |
Coffin races, a lantern parade, live music, and Denton's original Halloween cabaret turn downtown into a weekend-long celebration. |
Fri-Sun, downtown Denton. Main festival Sat 11am-9pm; coffin races noon-4pm; parade 7pm. Cirque du Horror Fri 7pm, Sat 4pm/9pm, Sun 5pm; separate tickets. Thursday's showing is private. |
| PlantCon Dallas |
A 200-booth plant market brings growers from around the world together with workshops, presentations, and botanical discoveries. |
Sat-Sun 10am-6pm, Dallas convention center, Hall C. Advance: $49 + tax for both days or $39 + tax Sunday only; prices rise event weekend. |
| Junius Heights Saturday Stroll |
Four historic homes, two porch parties, and live bands celebrate Junius Heights' 120th anniversary. Explore it all on foot. |
Sat 11am-5pm; check in at Garden Cafe, 5310 Junius St., Dallas. Public tickets $30 advance/$40 day-of; district-member rates available. |
| Collect-A-Con Dallas |
More than 900 vendor tables of cards, vintage toys, comics, anime, and games, plus celebrity guests and voice actors. |
Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-5pm. Dallas convention center, Hall B. Tickets required; ages 7 and under free. |
| AIA Dallas Tour of Homes |
Dallas architects curate a weekend of distinctive private homes, opened for a self-guided look inside. |
Sat-Sun 10am-5pm, residences across Dallas. Ticket required; addresses supplied to ticketholders. |
| Heritage Oak Cliff Fall Home Tour |
Nine homes and two bonus properties open their doors for a preservation-focused tour through Oak Cliff neighborhoods. |
Sat-Sun noon-5pm, Oak Cliff, Dallas. Ticket required; see organizer for pickup and route details. |
| Oak Cliff Art Walk |
More than 275 local artists join neighborhood businesses and creative organizations for a free community art weekend. |
Fri reception 6-9pm; Sat art walk 11am-7pm. East Dock, 900 E. Clarendon Dr., Dallas. Free admission and parking. |
| Pathways of Past Lives: The Persistence of Existence |
A temporary Dia de Muertos exhibition explores memory and existence inside a mausoleum. |
Sat-Sun 1-4pm, Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 9718 Webb Chapel Rd., Dallas. Free. |
| Romanian Food Festival DFW |
Romanian cooking, traditional dance, music, and handcrafted goods bring a three-day cultural celebration to Colleyville. |
Fri 5:30-10pm; Sat 10am-10pm; Sun 9am-6pm. 3801 Glade Rd., Colleyville. $10 admission; free parking and shuttle. |
| League of Legends Worlds: Swiss Stage |
The international League of Legends championship begins its Swiss stage in Allen, with public spectator tickets. |
Fri-Sun noon, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen. Tickets required; check the chosen session's availability. |
| Mecum Dallas/Fort Worth |
Approximately 1,500 collector vehicles cross the auction block. Public spectators can watch the cars and auction action. |
Thu-Sat, Dickies Arena, Fort Worth. Gates 8am; Road Art auction 9am; cars 10am. Spectator tickets required. |
| Garland Dia de los Muertos |
Dancing Friesian horses, lowriders, mariachi, folklorico, artisan markets, altars, and evening cumbia fill downtown Garland. |
Sat, programmed stages approximately 2-8pm, Downtown Garland Square and Granville Arts Center. Free. Procession timing still being finalized. |
| Latino Cultural Center Dia de los Muertos Festival |
The annual cultural celebration accompanies an exhibition of altars created by community members, artists, and organizations. |
Sat 11am-4pm, Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St., Dallas. Schedule listed by Visit Dallas; check the linked listing before traveling. |
| Mesquite 10th Annual Dia de los Muertos |
The tenth anniversary celebration honors memory and Mexican heritage through community altars, art installations, performances, and workshops. |
Sat 3-6pm, Mesquite Arts Center, 1527 N. Galloway Ave., Mesquite. Free. |
| Changeling |
Ballet North Texas presents Sam Jones' new ballet about masks, illusion, and transformation as part of its fall mixed repertory program. |
Fri-Sat 8pm, Moody Performance Hall, Dallas. Tickets required. |
| Aparajita (Devi Mahatmyam) |
Natyaveda presents an Indian classical dance group production inspired by Devi Mahatmyam. |
Sun 4pm, Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St., Garland. Tickets required; early pricing ends Oct 20. |
| All Hallows' Eve Showcase |
A Halloween ballroom showcase stitches together solos, team numbers, and group productions. |
Sat 6-10pm, Studio 22, 14902 Preston Rd., Suite 400, Dallas. Spectator passes and spectator-plus-table packages available. |
| Flower Mound Diwali: Festival of Lights |
Denton County India Cultural Association and Flower Mound present cultural dance, music, Indian street food, and vendors. |
Sat 3-9pm, Gerault Park fields, 1116 Gerault Rd., Flower Mound. Check current admission and event details. |
| Grand Diwali Mela / Dallas Festival of Lights |
Ram Leela, Dhunuchi dance, live music, cultural showcases, and Indian food celebrate the Festival of Lights. |
Sat noon-10pm, Myers Park & Event Center, McKinney. Check admission options; parking $10 + fees. Current ticket page confirms Myers Park. |
| Southlake Diwali Fest |
An outdoor Diwali celebration brings cultural entertainment, international food, artisans, and makers to Town Square. |
Sat 3-10pm, Southlake Town Square. Check current admission and festival details. |
| Oktoberfest Dallas |
Lake Highlands' annual festival combines local food, live music, a market, keg tapping, and a stein-holding contest. |
Sat 10am-10pm, Flag Pole Hill, Dallas. Advance adult wristband $25; presales close Fri at 5pm. No pets except service animals. |
| Grand Prairie Main Street Fest |
Grand Prairie's three-day street festival brings three entertainment stages, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and food vendors downtown. |
Fri 5pm-midnight; Sat 10am-midnight; Sun noon-8pm. Downtown Grand Prairie. Free admission and parking; rides and purchases extra. |
| Rockin' October |
A locally produced, two-day festival showcases original rock bands and singer-songwriters. |
Sat music 1-11pm; Sun 1-9pm; doors noon both days. Los Amigo's, Plano. Ticketed; under 18 with parent or guardian. |
| Louis I. Kahn: The Last Notebook |
Sue Ann Kahn discusses her father Louis I. Kahn's final private sketchbook with architect Mark Gunderson, followed by a book signing. |
Sun 2pm, Horchow Auditorium, Dallas Museum of Art. Free public admission. |
| The Way of the Rain: Hope for Earth concert-film Texas premiere |
The Texas premiere of a concert film combines orchestra, environmental imagery, art, and recorded Robert Redford narration. |
Thu 6-8pm, Horchow Auditorium, Dallas Museum of Art. Tickets required. Redford appears in the recording. |
| Nash Farm Fall Round-Up |
Traditional agricultural skills and heritage crafts celebrate fall the nineteenth-century way at a working historic farm. |
Sat 10am-2pm, Nash Farm, 626 Ball St., Grapevine. Free admission; concessions available for purchase. |
| Dallas Farmers Market Howl-O-Ween |
Dogs take over the market for costume contests, rescue organizations, K9 activities, wildlife presentations, and live music. |
Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-5pm, Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood St. Dog costume contest at 1:30pm both days. |
| Whiskey Washback Dallas |
A spirits festival offers more than 100 varieties of whiskey, bourbon, rye, and Scotch, alongside local vendors. |
Fri 6-9:30pm, Empire Room, 1225 N. Riverfront Blvd., Dallas. Tickets required; ages 21+. Some pours are reserved for early-entry tickets. |
| Irving Taco Festival |
A seasonal outdoor taco festival brings food vendors, live music, DJs, and margaritas to the plaza. |
Sat 4-11pm, Toyota Music Factory Plaza, 316 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. Free, all ages; RSVP and optional VIP tickets available. |
| McKinney Wine & Music Festival |
The tenth anniversary festival features 15 wine-tasting stations, live music, and local flavor. |
Sat 2-6pm, District 121, 6731 Alma Rd., McKinney. Check current tasting-ticket options. |
| MinJung Baek guest piano recital |
Visiting pianist MinJung Baek gives a public guest-artist recital at UNT. |
Fri 8pm, Paul Voertman Concert Hall, UNT Music Building, 415 S. Avenue C, Denton. Free public admission; general seating. |
| Eduardo Lalo Flores double bass and harp recital |
An unusual pairing of double bass and harp takes the spotlight in Eduardo 'Lalo' Flores' student recital. |
Sat 3:30-4:30pm, UNT Music Building Choir Room 230, 415 Avenue C, Denton. Free public admission; general seating. |
| Branch Arts Live! |
Local schools, studios, and community organizations present an outdoor afternoon of traditional and contemporary dance. |
Sun 12:30-4pm, Gussie Field Watterworth Park, Farmers Branch. Free admission and parking. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. |
| The Legend of Eppy and Other Artifacts of Lore |
A temporary gallery exhibition examines strange historical objects and the unsettling stories that turn them into lore. |
Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm. UNT CoLab gallery, 207 N. Elm St., Suite 101, Denton. Free. |
| Dallas Halloween Block Party |
The annual Cedar Springs street celebration features elaborate costumes, drag performances, live music, and a costume runway. |
Sat evening, 3900 block of Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas. Free street entry; ages 18+, drinks 21+. Check organizer for final starting hour. |
