That chill is back in the air, and orange is all around. It’s fall time! Personally, it’s my favorite time of year, especially in Texas with all of our beautiful foliage. There are so many ways to celebrate the season with your family, and we have a few new and old favorites from the years.

Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin patches are an iconic part of fall, full of whimsy and beauty. Each event brings something unique to the table, but all of them have pumpkins and adventures to be had!

Autumn at the Arboretum: ¡Mundo México! – Dallas

The Dallas Arboretum’s Pumpkin Village is one of the most popular fall events in Dallas, and it’s extra special this year. World-renowned Oaxacan artists Jacobo and María Ángeles have collaborated with the Arboretum to create an exhibit inspired by the seven regions of Mexico. Enjoy classes such as candle making and listen to music from the Cool Thursday Concerts while exploring this beautiful exhibit.

Price: $21.95 for adults, $17.95 for 2-12, 2 and under free

Dates: September 20th – November 2nd

Location: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218

Yesterland – Canton

Yesterland is a wonderland! Full of attractions like rollercoasters, a twisting corn maze, a petting zoo, and more. When the sun goes down at Yesterland, it transforms into Spooktacular Nights on Fridays and Saturdays, a family-friendly haunted farm. Even more activities, like the Goblin Glow Hayride and Zombie Paintball, come to life to fill this fair with spooky fun. And to finish a wonderful day off, fireworks bring a close to one of the most expansive events on this list.

Price: $31.95, 2 and under are free, $8 off for military members

Dates: September 20th – November 2nd

Location: 15410 Interstate 20, Canton, TX 75103

Hall’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze – Grapevine

Hall’s Pumpkin Farm has a distinct, cozy feel as you wander through its expansive pumpkin patch and 2-acre corn maze. Take a hayride with a real farm tractor and feed cows and donkeys on the way. With warm cider and kettle corn, it doesn’t get much more comfortable than this.

Price: Cash Only! Friday, Saturday, Sunday: $15 for 12 and over, $10 for 4 to 11, 3 and under are free, $5 for senior citizens and veterans. Wednesday and Thursday: $5 for 4 and over, free for 3 and under, senior citizens, and veterans.

Dates: October 3rd to November 2nd

Location: 3420 Hall Johnson Road, Grapevine, Texas 76051

Festivals

Good weather, music, and food are a match made in heaven, and fall brings these in abundance. Many have artisan goods to shop for and rides to enjoy, as well as their own unique activities.

Epic Art and Music Festival – Grand Prairie

The bright lights of the 3rd Annual Epic Art and Music Festival are enough to dazzle any visitors. With over 70 vendors and numerous food trucks, there’s something for everyone at this festival. Artists come from all over to share their wonderful creations, and all get to enjoy a night under the lights.

Price: Free!

Dates: October 18th

Location: 2960 Epic Pl, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052, United States

Festival of the Switchyard – Carrollton

Free is the name of the game at the Switchyard. Free admission, free rides, free games, and free concerts. Headliners such as Rick Springfield, Spin Doctors, and Sixpence None The Richer play alongside performances by Perry Middle School and School of Rock as well as numerous others throughout the festival.

Price: Free

Dates: November 8th

Location: 1106 South Broadway Street, Carrollton, TX 75006

Pumpkinfest – Mesquite

Pumpkinfest is a kid’s paradise with trick-or-treating, costume contests, and rides abound. There’s plenty for adults too, with artisan vendors selling unique goods and a pumpkin pie-eating contest. Make crafts, take a picture, and enjoy the season together.

Price: Admission is free! $12 obstacle course and face painting

Dates: October 18th

Location: 1001 New Market Rd., Mesquite, TX 75149

Farmer’s Markets

Harvest season brings all kinds of delicious produce, and farmers’ markets are happy to help you bring these goods to your table. You can also find local artisan goods at many of these to add to your home and pantry.

Dallas Farmers’ Market – Dallas

One of my personal favorites, the year-round Dallas Farmers’ Market is well known for a wide array of seasonal produce and artisans, but it has a fun twist for the season. The Shed has a pumpkin patch that is open 7 days a week and is absolutely picture-perfect.

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, Pumpkin Patch open 7 days a week

Location: 920 S Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75201

McKinney Farmers’ Market – McKinney

The McKinney Farmers’ Market is held in its historic village, which gives the event a distinctly vintage feel. There are even plenty of fall and Halloween-focused events such as Ghostly Hauntings and Pumpkin Pals. While you explore the houses and watch reenactments, there are plenty of goods to gather. This farmers’ market has over 100 vendors, and all of them are amazing.

Dates: Every Saturday from April to December

Location: 315 S. Chestnut Street, McKinney, TX 75069

Cowtown Farmers’ Market – Tarrant

Cowtown Farmers’ Market – a really fun name, by the way – prides itself on all food being within 150 miles of the market and producer-only. There’s no wonder they’ve been around so long – since 1986. For the fall season, they are hosting a harvest festival with music, cooking demos, and games for all. Their ever-shifting list of vendors and high quality are sure to keep you coming back all fall season.

Dates: Every Saturday and Wednesday. Harvest Festival is on October 11th

Location: 8901 Clifford St., White Settlement, TX 76108

Haunted Houses

Who’s prepared for a scare? It’s spooky season, and there are plenty of places to get your fright on. Most of these haunted houses are for older kids and adults, but there are lots of other activities for the little ones earlier on this list. Get your best costume and prepare for a freakishly good time.

Dark Hour: Haunted House – Plano

Dark Hour is Texas’ highest-rated haunted house and one of the scariest in the US haunted house scene. This terrifying manor is full of spooks and jumps. They even have exclusive features, such as their cryptid museum and Creepy Concierge service, where you can go behind the scenes and join in the frights.

Price: $45 – $50 for adults, $35 – $40 for 12 and under, discounts on Sundays

Dates: October 10th – November 1st

Location: 701 Taylor Dr., Plano

Cutting Edge – Fort Worth

Set in an abandoned meatpacking plant dubbed “Hell’s Half Acre”, Cutting Edge has won awards for its terrors, including a Guinness World Record. This multistoried house of horror is realistic enough to scare even the bravest among us. Just remember, children must be over 42”.

Price: $29.99 – $49.99 and $20 cash-only parking

Dates: September 26th – November 1st

Location: 1701 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth

Cosmic Howl at Meow Wolf Grapevine – Grapevine

And we wrap up this list with a party! The creatives at Meow Wolf bring the wonder of their bizarre world, The Real Unreal. Bring your craziest Halloween costume and dance the night away on their two dance floors with two DJs to keep the party going all night. With spooks, drinks, and contests, this is a great way to finish off the season. 21+ only.

Price: $49

Date: October 31st

Location: 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, No. 253, Grapevine, TX 76051