As the weather cools down, people in Dallas and Houston are celebrating by heading outdoors for seasonal fun. Fall festivals in both cities are bringing in crowds to celebrate with autumn activities, seasonal food and more.
Dallas
Autumn at the Arboretum has been crowned one of the top pumpkin festivals in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel. This annual event in Dallas brings the city a taste of autumn with festivities running from late September through Nov. 21. The 31st annual event transports its visitors to a magical world with its Adventures in Neverland theme. The breathtaking gardens are transformed to fit the world of Peter Pan, with sights including the Lost Boys hideout and a pirate ship ready to explore.
Attractions at the arboretum during this festival include:
- Live music on weekends
- Harvest Tea
- Family fun weekend with trick-or-treating Oct. 27-28
- Pumpkin Village with over 90,000 pumpkins, squashes and gourds
- Children’s Adventure Garden
- Over 4,000 chrysanthemums
- 150,000 autumn-blooming plants and more!
In Lewisville, the Castle Hills Fall Festival is happening on Oct. 20, bringing visitors to the town for free, friendly fun from 5 to 8 p.m. All activities will have an autumn theme, and a DJ will keep the crowd energized throughout the festival. Food is available for purchase from popular local food trucks.
This festival features:
- Bounce houses
- Fall arts and crafts by Design Time art studio
- Pumpkin decorating
- Petting zoo and more!
In the Bishop Arts District, the Oak Cliff Pumpkinfest is having its fourth annual event on Oct. 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. Local musicians will be performing, and games will be available for the public to play along Bishop Ave. Be sure to get there by 5 p.m. to participate in the costume contest!
Other can’t-miss activities include:
- Magic show
- Face painting
- Games
- Punkin Chunkin’
- Pie walk at Emporium Pies and more!
Houston
The Houston Family Fun Festival is hosting a free event on Oct. 28. From noon to 4 p.m. at LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch in Katy, Houston Family Magazine will host this highly-anticipated event for everyone in the community to enjoy. Vendors vary at events throughout the year, making each fest a unique experience with different food, activities, locations and seasonal favorites.
Kids will adore the opportunity to indulge in face painting, arts and crafts, and more activities, including:
- Food trucks
- Rock climbing wall
- Door prizes
- Inflatables
- Houston Family Magazine goodie bags
- Music and more!
If a countryside fall experience sounds appealing, check out Froberg’s Farm in Allen and its fall festival, running through Nov. 4, with a rustic setting providing the perfect scene for everything from duck races to corn mazes.
Don’t miss these activities on the farm:
- Berry Fun Land playground
- Gold panning
- Lighted hay rides, fire pits and more!
The Festival of Abilities, taking place in Houston from 3 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 28, offers a truly unique and all-inclusive experience. Proceeds from this event benefit the future Playground for All Abilities, which will be the first accessible adaptive playground in the region.
At this festival, try:
- Riding on SIRE therapeutic horses
- Costume contest
- Adaptive sports games
- Food court
- Art tile painting and more!
With so many festivals throughout Dallas and Houston, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the cooler weather this season!
