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The Best Fall Events in North Texas

September 23, 2022

“If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour.” – Author Victoria Erickson

From costume-clad kiddos to downtown fall festivals, chasing the magic hour of autumn in North Texas is, well, magical. And you’ll find plenty of fall events to choose from just outside of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Normandy Homes builds new homes in the most-desired DFW suburbs including Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, and coming soon to Celina. When you buy in these thriving communities, you have countless opportunities to meet your neighbors and carve out some treasured family time — plus, there’s no time like autumn to get outside and mingle!

Mark your calendars with your favorite upcoming events. Note some events are one-day festivals and some may require advance tickets. Check the links for details.

Celina

Normandy Homes has several communities in Celina, Texas, a small town with big charm that spans across Denton and Collin counties. The historic downtown offers rural hospitality, including fall events for the whole family or parents’ night out:

  • Celina Oktoberfest: Celebrate German culture with authentic food, craft beer, live music, a kids’ zone, and more! Get tickets in advance or at the gate.
  • Troubadour Festival: While not a “fall festival,” this event inspired by traveling musicians is for anyone who loves good music and BBQ (with more than 40 vendors!). Get your tickets in advance to secure your spot.
  • Beware! Of the Square: As the official Halloween Capital of North Texas, you won’t want to miss this annual event, the perfect blend of spooky and sweet. Come for pumpkin painting, trick-or-treating, a Thriller flash mob, and even a charity blood drive. Try your hand at an escape room and keep your wits in the haunted house.

Frisco

Known as the “City that Plays,” Frisco, Texas, was named the nation’s fastest-growing city for 10 years in a row, reaching more than 200,000 residents in 2020. People love the cultural and recreational opportunities, the cost of living, great schools, and family-friendly atmosphere. Normandy Homes builds in several Frisco communities, knowing that families are looking for forever homes where they can make lasting memories. This fall, residents can jump into these community events:

  • Fright ‘n Lights Frisco: There’s no spookier, sweeter place to be than downtown Frisco during Halloween — and this festival lasts all month long! Come one weekend for the Haunted Hay Maze, axe throwing, and an outdoor movie. Come back the next weekend to walk the jack-o-lantern-lined trails and larger-than-life lanterns featuring creepy movie characters like Beetlejuice and Friday the 13th. Click the link for the schedule and VIP ticket options.
  • Frisco Oktoberfest: Gather at the Frisco Square for the third annual Oktoberfest featuring traditional keg tapping, imported and local beer, brat and keg rolling competitions (or simple indulging for those who don’t want to compete), plus entertainment and dancing all day long. Kids can come for the petting zoo, bounce houses, and kid-friendly fun.
  • Frisco Arts Walk and Run: Support the arts and get your heart racing at this annual charity event. Race through the Texas Sculpture Garden with pop-up musicians, dancers, vocalists, actors, and visual artists along the way! Race winners will also select a favorite local art piece of their choice and highlight local artists’ work. Register today!
  • Fire Safety Town Hall Festival: Come out in the evening for trick-or-treating at this annual festival that combines safety education and the Frisco Fire Clowns. 
  • Trick or Treat the Square: Families love this free afternoon event with carnival games, inflatables, horse wagon rides, and more!

Need more fun? See Check Out this Fall Fun in Frisco.

McKinney

People are discovering this best-kept secret of North Texas — McKinney and its small-town feel with big-town fun. The growing suburb and Collin County seat has topped more than 200,000 residents. As the town’s popularity grows, so do its seasonal events. The best fall events in McKinney include:

  • Oktoberfest: An annual family-friendly event held in the historic downtown area. It celebrates German culture with authentic food, music, and beer. Key activities include tapping the first keg, a bratwurst-eating contest, weenie dog races, and live performances.
  • Halloween at the Heard: Combine family fun with fundraising at the Heard Natural Science Museum, a McKinney favorite. Kids can trick or treat along the eerie Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs trail. Families will enjoy an evening of fun, including a showing of the movie Luca on the outdoor amphitheater stage. Advance tickets are required.
  • Trick or Treat Trail: Get your costumes ready! The annual Trick or Treat Trail at the Old Settler’s Recreation Center. This free and family-friendly event is a safe and fun way to go trick-or-treating. Local businesses will be set up along the trail to hand out candy and other goodies.

Prosper

With a population of 31,000, Prosper earns an A+ for family-friendly living from Niche.com. The small town, with roots in corn and cotton farming, borders the other DFW suburbs of Frisco, McKinney, and Celina. The area is full of gorgeous neighborhoods, including Normandy Homes’ in the master-planned community of Windsong Ranch — now open for sales! Discover the neighborhood’s Lagoon beachfront, award-winning amenities, and social events. Then make your rounds to Prosper’s fall events, including:

  • Celebrate Prosper: Join the fun at the annual Celebrate Prosper event, featuring live music, a Kid’s Zone with inflatables and games, and a spectacular fireworks display. Grab a bite from local food vendors and enjoy a community gathering at Frontier Park. The event is free and fun for all ages
  • The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm: Drive just a few miles north on Highway 289 to Preston Trail Farms in Gunter. Open daily each fall, enjoy the farm’s petting barn, hayride, pumpkin patch, and more.

Fall Foliage, The Fair, & Pumpkins Everywhere

Pack a thermos with your favorite hot drink and hop in the car for some vibrant fall foliage. Even with its warm weather, Texans can find blazing reds and golden hues from mid-October to early November. Discover some of the best colors at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the Dallas Arboretum, and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve in Plano. Find more top fall color destinations in Texas here.

Take your kids to pick out a pumpkin at the Best Pumpkin Patches in DFW. Your family will be all smiles as they roam the patch for their favorite pumpkin, corn mazes, hay rides, petting zoos, and more. Some favorites include Pumpkins on the Prairie in Frisco and The Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch. Of course, don’t forget about the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Feast on fried food creations, experience the rides and shows, plus see the Lone Star State’s best livestock and agriculture.

Want more information about Normandy Homes communities?  Sign up on an interest list to learn more and talk to a community sales manager.