What: Dallas FanDays
When: Friday, Oct. 14th – Sunday, Oct. 16th @ 4:00PM – 9:00PM
Where: Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas
500 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, TX 75039
Why: Dallas Fan Days is one of the best comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming events in Texas. It is packed with exciting family-friendly activities, celebrity and comic guests, and much more. The pop culture extravaganza is host to tens of thousands of fans at the Irving Convention Center for the 3-day fall event. Guests include Mr. Robot‘s Christian Slater, The Flash‘s Danielle Panabaker,Stranger Things‘ Millie Bobby Brown, Batman‘s Adam West and Burt Ward,Harry Potter‘s Matthew Lewis, Bones‘ TJ Thyne, Agents of SHIELD‘s Elizabeth Henstridge and Brett Dalton, Star Trek‘s Michael Dorn and John de Lancie,Walking Dead‘s Scott Wilson, Sharknado‘s Ian Ziering & his Beverly Hills, 90210 cast mate Tori Spelling.
What: South Street Art Festival
When: Friday, Oct. 14th – Sunday, Oct. 16th @ 4:00PM (Fri) and 11:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Downtown Arlington
200 E. South St., Arlington, TX 76010
Why: Eighty local, regional and national artists will be selling quality, affordable art work at the 4th annual South Street Art Festival. Artists’ booths will line both sides of South Street (between Mesquite and East Streets) in downtown Arlington. The festival debuts a new Craft Beer Garden this year and a live music stage will be located at South and Mesquite Streets. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are permitted. Admission and parking are free.
What: Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cookoff
When: Friday, Oct. 14th – Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 4:30PM (Fri) and 11:30AM (Sat)
Where: Farmers Branch Historical Park
2450 Farmers Branch Ln., Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Why: The Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent, the Gibson Brothers, David Grisman and other bluegrass bands will entertain during the two-day outdoor festival. The good music is complemented by a chili cook-off, kids activities, an arts & crafts marketplace and a variety of delicious concessions. Festival-goers can bring their own acoustic instruments and pick with their friends in several shady jamming areas throughout the park. . Presented by the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.
What: The Boho Market at Dallas Farmers Market
When: Friday, Oct. 14th – Sunday, Oct. 16th @ 5PM (Fri) and 8AM (Sat) & 10AM (Sun)
Where: Dallas Farmers Market
1010 S. Pearl Expy., Dallas, TX
Why: The Boho Market at Dallas Farmers Market is a unique and special event where you can shop a handful of The Boho Market’s best makers alongside Dallas Farmers Market farmers and vendors. This special event will offer the free Photo Booth (Friday night only) along with shopping, music, games, food, and drinks. Admission and parking are both free, but if able, please bring a canned good benefitting the North Texas Food Bank.
What: Better Block Market – Swingtober
When: Friday, Oct. 14th @ 7:00PM – 11:00PM
Where: Shops at Park Lane
8070 Park Ln., Dallas, TX 75231
Why: Stop by Better Block headquarters in Oak Cliff for a market with a “Swingtober” theme. There will be swing dance lessons, live music by Savoy Swing, and local vendors in the backyard. Oddfellows will host the bar. Food options include Steel City Pops, Jessican’s Bake Shop, Kessler Pie Co. and Casa Masa.
What: Keith Urban in concert
When: Friday, Oct. 14th @ 7:30PM
Where: American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Country superstar Keith Urban comes back to Dallas in support of his upcoming album, Ripcord. He’ll be joined by opening act Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris.
What: Kris Kristofferson in concert
When: Friday, Oct. 14th @ 9:30PM
Where: Annette Strauss Square
2403 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Kris Kristofferson comes to Dallas in support of his album, The Cedar Creek Sessions.
What: Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th – Sunday, Oct. 16th @ 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Where: Fort Worth Alliance Airport
2221 Alliance Blvd., Ft. Worth, TX 76177
Why: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration Team will soar through the skies at Bell Helicopter’s annual air show. The world-class show also features the Bell 429, Shockwave Jet Truck, Liberty Jump Team, David Martin Aerobatics, A-26 “Lady Liberty” Invader Bomber, Cavanaugh Flight Museum Warbirds, Greg Shelton and Wing Walker Ashley Key, and the always popular Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco. Another highlight is the first-time display of Lockheed Martin’s F-35A, the world’s only 5th generation multirole fighter. Themed “A Tradition for the Future,” this year’s event will showcase the area’s rich aviation heritage with a number of historical displays, and a Discovery Zone with interactives and simulators. Kids can enjoy the “world’s largest” inflatable slide and other aviation-themed inflatables. Performers, veterans and authors will be available for autographs in the Legends and Heroes area.
What: Van Poole Properties Pumpkin Patch
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Where: Coyote Creek Park
5801 Communications Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093
Why: You’re invited! As a thank you for your friendship and loyalty come join the team for family fun at the Van Poole Properties pumpkin patch. Costume contest, face painting, bounce house, trick or treating, pumpkin decorating and playground. Please RSVP by Friday, October 14th.
What: 16th Annual Fall Round-Up
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th – Sunday, Oct. 16th @ 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Where: Nash Farm
626 Ball St, Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Experience life on the farm at the 16th Annual Fall Round-Up at Grapevine’s historic Nash Farm. Admission is free but some activities require a participation fee. Activities include kitchen gardening, live music, farm animals, blacksmith and wood carving demonstrations, cotton picking, heritage toys, heritage games, wood-burning stove cooking demonstrations, petting zoo and more. Concessions will be available for purchase at the event.
What: Parktoberfest Fall Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Where: Shops at Park Lane
8070 Park Ln., Dallas, TX 75231
Why: Unlimited fun is on tap for the 2nd annual Parktoberfest presented by The Shops at Park Lane and Bowl & Barrel. The one-day craft beer and music festival returns to The Park, a landscaped lawn located in the heart of The Shops at Park Lane, will be transformed into a tasting garden where revelers can enjoy multiple beer tents featuring some of Texas’ best craft breweries along with food options that include handmade brats from Rudolph’s Market & Sausage Factory and soft pretzels from Slow Dough Bread Co. Enjoy fun games, a photo booth and continuous live music all day from local acts including Vincent Neil Emerson, Dan Rocha, Kirk Thurmond, Texas Gentleman and headliner Charley Crockett.
What: Celina ParkFest: Boots, Tunes & Balloons
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Where: Old Celina Park
12670 Farm to Market 428, Celina, TX 75009
Why: Colorful hot air balloons will provide a canopy of color as the festival’s entertainment lineup unfolds with rides, games, giant inflatables, arts & crafts for kids, petting zoo, remote-controlled aircraft show, tethered balloon rides, balloon glow, food, music, vendors, and a Steak Cookoff. Music lineup starts at 11 a.m., with Jason Boland and the Stragglers (7:30 p.m.) and Dale Watson (5:30 p.m.) as evening headliners.
What: Windsong Wine & Music Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 12:00PM
Where: Windsong Ranch
1001 Windsong Pkwy S., Prosper, TX 75078
Why: Windsong Wine & Music Festival features 11 North Texas wineries pouring a variety of wines. Food vendors and talented local musicians will also be on tap throughout the day. Signature wine glasses will be given out at the door. Wine tasting tickets will be available for purchase at the wine tents. Tickets are $1 per taste and $5 per glass.
What: Tacolandia
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 4:00PM – 7:00PM
Where: Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Sample some of Dallas’ best tacos, from street style to urban contemporary, at this outdoor festival which offers live music, beer and cocktails (for purchase). The 2nd Annual Dallas Observer Tacolandia is presented by Tabasco Sauce.
What: Movies in Main Street Garden
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th, 29th and Nov. 12th @ 6:00PM
Where: Main Street Garden
1902 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Downtown Dallas, Inc. will partner with Alamo Drafthouse on a family-friendly film series at Main Street Garden. Moviegoers are welcome to bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and their favorite furry friends. Concessions and beverages, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase. October 15 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens, October 29 – Hocus Pocus, November 12 – Frozen
What: Otsukimi Moon Viewing Celebration
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 7:00PM
Where: Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Celebrate the full autumn moon at Klyde Warren Park with an outdoor picnic, calligraphy, tea ceremony, ikebana demonstrations, and haiku poetry. Enjoy a variety of Japanese music and dance performances, along with sky-gazing and moon activities, and a rabbit petting zoo with The Bunny Burrow Rabbit Rescue. Presented in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth.
What: Marc Anthony in concert
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 8:00PM
Where: American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Marc Anthony comes back to Dallas for his 2016 US Tour titled Marc Anthony Live!.
What: State Fair of Texas Concert Series presents Nelly
When: Saturday, Oct. 15th @ 8:30PM
Where: Fair Park
1121 1st Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: Two-time Grammy Award winner Nelly hit it big in 2000 with his first solo album Country Grammar which went platinum nine times over in the U.S. and debuted at number three in the Billboard 200 chart. His hit singles include “Ride Wit Me,” “Dilemma,” “Hot in Here,” and “Work It,: to name a few. While continuing to create chart-topping albums, Nelly has also made a name for himself in television, film, fashion and philanthropy. Currently the artist stars in his own reality TV show on BET called Nellyville, which follows him through everyday life, from managing his career to spending time with his family.
What: 4th Annual Pitmasters Picnic “Dia de los Carnes”
When: Sunday, Oct. 16th @ 5:00PM
Where: Thanks-Giving Square
1627 Pacific Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: The 4th Annual Pitmasters Picnic will feature Nick Pencis (Stanley’s Famous), Travis Heim (Heim BBQ), Jeff Bergus (Lockhart), Stephen Joseph (Riverport BBQ), Tim Hutchins (Hutchins Barbecue), Todd David (Cattleack BBQ), and Matt Dallman (18th & Vine).
