Festival Season

Oktoberfest and more major festivals coming to Dallas in fall 2024

As summer turns to fall in Dallas-Fort Worth, one alliteration instantly springs to mind: fall festivals.

The world loves a festival, but not in the middle of summer, not in Texas. We save our festivals for when the temperatures drop and cram as many into the fall as we possibly can. From early September through the end of November, fans of the fall festival — which is to say, everyone — can pretty much find at least one every week.

We are here with the complete list: ranging from traditional fall fests to gatherings celebrating aviation, pop culture, and food.

Below are the best festivals taking place in the Dallas-Fort Worth area over the next two months:

Addison Oktoberfest (September 19-22)
The first big Oktoberfest celebration of the year takes place at Addison Circle Park in Addison. Visitors can enjoy a taste of the original Bavarian celebration with a purely Texan twist. Guests can also enjoy polka bands and other traditional entertainers on multiple stages, and participate in special games for bier lovers, kids of all ages, dachshunds, and more.

HEB | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival (September 19-22)
The Plano Balloon Festival is an annual four-day event that features nightly balloon glows, skydivers, hot air balloons taking off into the morning sky, concerts, drone shows, fireworks, a kids fun zone, merchandise vendors, corporate exhibitors, and variety of foods. The festival takes place at Red Tail Pavilion in Plano.

Fort Worth Oktoberfest (September 26-28)
Fort Worth gets in on the Oktoberfest fun with a three-day celebration featuring traditional German food and drink, a midway with carnival rides and games, and an extensive music lineup. Performers include Alex Meixner Band, Das Ist Lustig, Alpenmusikanten, Walburg Boys, Lederhosen Junkies, Off the Grid Band, and more. The festival takes place at Trinity Park in Fort Worth.

State Fair of Texas (September 27-October 20)
You can't talk about festival season without including the biggest one around, the State Fair of Texas. There is so much to do at the annual 24-day event that it's almost impossible to fit it all in, but the universal favorites include the Midway with the Texas Star Ferris Wheel, the new fried food options, and a steady supply of live music. This year performers include Jo Dee Messina, Shakey Graves, Jefferson Starship, Jon Wolfe, Spin Doctors, and The Commodores. The fair takes place at Fair Park in Dallas.

Aviation Discovery Fest (October 4-6)
The Commemorative Air Force’s Aviation Discovery Fest celebrates the wonder of flying with cockpit tours and rides on vintage aircraft. More than 20 historic aircraft will be present at Dallas Executive Airport in Dallas, including the B-29 Superfortress “FIFI,” P-51 Mustang “Gunfighter,” C-47 Skytrain “That’s All, Brother,” and more. Other activities include kid-friendly hands-on projects, educational exhibits, food trucks, living history re-enactors, rides on vintage military vehicles, and a classic car show.

Cottonwood Art Festival (October 5 and 6)
The semi-annual Cottonwood Art Festival features works from over 240 artists competing in 14 categories: 2D Mixed Media, 3D Mixed Media, Ceramics, Digital, Drawings/Pastels, Fiber, Glass, Jewelry, Leather, Metalwork, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Wood. The festival, taking place at Cottonwood Park in Richardson also features performances from a variety of local bands.

McKinney Wine and Music Festival (October 12)
At the 8th Annual McKinney Wine & Music Festival, guests can taste hundreds of wines from local wineries, California wineries, and beyond. The one-day event, taking place at District 121 in McKinney), will also feature performances by Downtown Fever Band, Maylee Thomas Band, and Like Combs, with food available for purchase from 400 Gradi and The Common Table.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium presents OktoberFeast (October 19)
The annual OktoberFeast at Flying Saucer Draught Emporium in Fort Worth is a beer tasting extravaganza featuring more than 80 Beerknurd-approved, rare, and unusual brews from across the globe. Highlighted breweries include Odell, Manhattan Project, Sierra Nevada, Real Ale, Firestone Walker, and Lakewood breweries, in addition to a selection of seasonal pumpkin beers. There will also be live music from Mike Randall and Paul Val.

Dallas Fan Festival (October 19 and 20)
The Dallas Fan Festival offers the ultimate playground for fans of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming. Celebrity guests scheduled include Tyler Hoechlin, Danielle Panabaker, Tom Cavanagh, John Wesley Shipp, and more. Visitors can also interact with comic book creators, shop for merchandise, dress up for cosplay fun, and more. The event takes place at Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.

Ennis presents Autumn Daze (October 25-27)
The annual Autumn Daze in Ennis, back for its 22nd year, features more than 15,000 pumpkins. With the theme of "Season of Harvest," the star of the festival is the Giant Hay Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Along with the main attractions, kids will enjoy pumpkin painting, carnival rides, climbing on the life-size tractor made from haybales, a gigantic harvest moon, and the huge corn pit. The event takes place in downtown Ennis.

Tianyu Lights Festival (November 8-January 19, 2025)
The Tianyu Lights Festival is an immersive show that tells the story of a 7-year-old boy as he explores the magical rainforest of Caballococha, Peru. It includes 19 immersive scenes featuring larger-than-life lantern sculptures crafted from metal, steel, fabric, and LED lights, plus nightly performances by acrobats and folk performers, as well as food, beverages, and souvenirs for sale. It takes place on the parade grounds around Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

AURORA Biennial: FuturePresentPast (November 16)
Taking place at Dallas City Hall and surrounding areas, AURORA Biennial is a free nighttime exhibition of technology-based public art. Under the title FuturePresentPast, the exhibition looks into the shared experiences of Dallas-Fort Worth, reflecting on the past to consider and shape the future through the present. Artwork themes will include bridging disconnected communities, health advocacy, environmental sustainability, and urban transformation due to displacement and migration.

Shaq’s Bass All Stars Festival (November 16)
DJ Diesel (aka Shaquille O'Neal) will come back to Fort Worth with the second annual Shaq’s Bass All Stars Festival. The lineup will feature performances by DJ Diesel, Dion Timmer, Dirt Monkey, Eptic, Space Laces, and more. The festival at Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth will also include an array of local Texas flavors, interactive brand activations, and photo opportunities.

$Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson is one of the top art events in the United\nStates.$

Photo courtesy of Cottonwood Art Festival

Cottonwood Art Festival takes place at Cottonwood Park in Richardson on October 5 and 6.

kids families music craft-beer wine galleries celebrities fairs-festivals

Holiday fun

9 Dallas-area ice rinks to spin & glide through the 2025 holiday season

Photo courtesy of CultureMap

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Forget Milan-Cortina. The real winter figure skating action is taking place across Dallas-Fort Worth this holiday season.

From a brand-new ice rink taking over a popular park in downtown Dallas to rinks in town squares, hotels, and popping up as part of Christmas-y attractions, there are more places than ever to spin and glide through the season. You might even perfect your triple Salchow in time for Team USA tryouts.

Here are nine cool DFW ice rinks to jump into family fun for the 2025 holidays:

CultureMap City Rink, Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas, November 26-January 5
The first-ever CultureMap City Rink will transform Main Street Garden into Dallas' very own Rockefeller Center, filled with ice skating, sparkling lights, and festive fun for all ages. Presented by Verizon and produced in partnership with Downtown Dallas, Inc., the rink will host pop-ups and a full slate of programming, from romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights on Fridays, and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets. (Don't miss the big Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 29 from 5-8 pm.) Don't fancy yourself a Winter Olympic hopeful? Then come for the people-watching and refreshment. Skaters and non-skaters alike can warm up at the Après Chalet, a cozy on-site lounge serving holiday drinks ("spirited" or not), and snack on nachos and tacos from DRG Concepts at Rudolph’s Rink Side Café.

Details: The CultureMap City Rink is located at Main Street Garden, 1902 Main St., in downtown Dallas. Regular hours are 4-10 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-10 pm Saturday, and 10 am-8 pm Sunday. During school holidays (December 19-January 4), hours expand to 10 am-10 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-8 pm Sunday; check the website for special holiday hours. Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas, Dallas Midtown, November 21-December 28
Coca-Cola's holiday experience returns to DFW for a second year in a new location: Dallas Midtown — the former Valley View Mall. The winter wonderland includes an outdoor rink canopied by twinkle lights. The "Alpine Adventure" themed event illuminates 90,000 square feet of holiday light sculptures featuring larger-than-life vignettes to walk through and explore; plus a snow slide, visits with Santa, festive music, seasonal treats, special themed nights, and more.

Details: Open select nights, 5:30-9:30 or 10:30 pm; check the calendar for specific dates and times. Event tickets are $21-$29, ice skating is an additional $9 for children and $13 for adults. Note: If bringing your own skates, make sure they have blade guards on at all times; skate bags must meet a Clear Bag Policy.

Frisco Skate the Square Skate the Square is an outdoor ice rink in Frisco. Frisco Square Facebook

Skate the Square, Frisco, November 21-January 5
For the 15th year, Frisco's Christmas in the Square event will boast the city's only real ice outdoor ice rink. "Skate the Square" is but one of the highlights of the holiday extravaganza, which includes one of the largest free choreographed lights and music displays in North Texas: nightly shows of over 180,000 lights, 3,000 feet of RBG color-changing canopy, 200 dancing snowflakes, and festive music. There are also carriage rides, visits with Santa, and more.

Details: The Skate the Square rink is located along Main and Coleman. Open daily, but times vary (as early as 12:15 pm and as late as 10 pm); check the calendar for specific dates and times. Ice skating tickets are $25, with or without skate rentals. Private group bookings are available. Christmas in the Square runs nightly, 6-10 pm; the light show is free to attend.

Peace Plaza Ice Rink Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

Peace Plaza Ice Rink, Grapevine, November 22-January 6
The 4,500-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink on Grapevine's Historic Main Street has become a favorite tradition in the "Christmas Capital of Texas." Skaters can glide around in the festive surroundings, including the 64-foot live Christmas tree, and the entire street decked out with Christmas lights.

Details: Open daily, times vary (opening as early as 11 am with last entry as late as 9 pm); check the calendar for exact dates and times. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Location is Grapevine Main Peace Plaza, 815 S. Main St., at the train station outside Hotel Vin. Tickets are $20 for a one-hour session at 15-minute timed intervals; skate rentals included. Group ice rentals are available by the hour.

Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, November 19-January 3
As part of the Gaylord Texan’s Lone Star Christmas event, the Grapevine resort rolls out a 6,000-square-foot ice skating rink made with real ice. Skaters of all ages can rent a pair of skates or bring their own to glide among the dazzling holiday lights and festive decor. That's not the only way to get up close with ice, though. At ICE!, guests can experience their favorite scenes from Elf brought to life in the walk-through winter wonderland. (Adults can also enjoy spirited beverages at ICE! On The Blocks ice bar for $20.) Festivities also include a "Cirque" show, ice tubing, snowball building, crafts, light shows, gingerbread house decorating, and more.

Details: The ice rink is open daily in the Christmas Village; times vary. Tickets are $23. Admission to ICE! is separate, from $33.32.

Stockyards Rodeo Rink is moseying into Fort Worth's historic district for the season. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

Stockyards Rodeo Rink, Fort Worth Stockyards, November 18-January 4
Visitors to the historic Fort Worth district can "giddy up and glide" all season long as part of the Stockyards' holiday festivities. The covered 4,000-square-foot professional ice skating rink takes over the lawn of the Livestock Exchange Building (131 E. Exchange Ave.) and includes snacks and beverages, fire pits, music, picnic seating, and more. Throughout the season, the Stockyards will also host visits with Cowboy Santa, a tree lighting at Hotel Drover, a "Christmas in the Stockyards" event, and much more.

Details: Hours vary by day. Five 90-minute skating sessions are offered Monday-Thursday, with an extra 9 pm session Friday-Sunday. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for kids ages 3-12, and include skate rental. A family four-pack is available for $80. Holiday treats include Whataburger Tuesdays, when everyone who skates gets a coupon for a free Whataburger.

Ashley Cain-Gribble, Timothy LeDuc, Olympic figure skating 2022 Olympic pairs skater Ashley Cain (show here with former partner Timothy LeDuc) will make a solo appearance at the Hilton Anatole and Galleria Dallas ice rinks. Getty Images

Hilton Anatole, Dallas, November 28-January 4
The Hilton Anatole will bring back its annual Christmas at the Anatole celebration with a new feature: an outdoor skating rink. Available for both hotel guests and visitors alike, the rink is located in what is usually the Atrium valet parking lot, complete with sparkling lights and skate rentals. On December 5, they'll welcome a special guest appearance by former Olympic figure skater Ashley Cain. Along with the rink come new Winter Glass Chalets — cozy private retreats overlooking the rink. Each accommodates up to eight guests and includes ice-skating access and dedicated food-and-beverage service.

Details: General admission tickets to Christmas at the Anatole are $20 and include a one-hour skate rental plus access to the holiday train rides, inflatables, and festive crafts. Tickets and packages can be reserved online at Hilton Anatole’s Christmas page. Chalets are $375 for a 90-minute reservation.

Garland Square on Ice, November 28-January 3
Glide into the heart of downtown Garland for a chance to skate around the Garland Square all 2025 holiday season. A full-sized outdoor ice-skating rink will be decorated with festive lights, just steps from local restaurants and retailers. The rink will host live music, holiday movies, and special themed nights - check the calendar for updates.

Details: The rink is located at Downtown Garland Square, 211 N. Fifth St., Garland. Hours are 4-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 4-10 pm Friday, 12-10 pm Saturday, 12-9 pm Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and early closure at 6 pm on New Year's Eve. Tickets are $15 (before tax & handling fee) for one hour of skate time, skate rental included.

And no DFW ice rink roundup would be complete without the most famous one of all ....

Galleria Dallas Christmas tree ice rink Galleria Dallas and its very Christmas tree. Photo courtesy of Galleria Dallas

Galleria Dallas, through January 5
The nation's tallest indoor Christmas tree (at 95 feet) will shine in the middle of the ice rink throughout the season. Public skating is available every day, but as usual, holiday festivities will really rev up on at 12 pm Black Friday (November 28) with the Grand Tree Lighting Celebration on the ice rink, featuring some of the country's best figure skaters and ice dancers: 2022 Olympian Ashley Cain, U.S. National Champion Ryan Bradley, 2022 Olympian ice dancers Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker, and Junior Grand Prix Champion Jacob Sanchez; it will end with a fireworks finale starring Missile Toes, the famed ice-skating Santa. (The celebration will repeat at 12 pm November 29 and December 6.)

Details: Public skating hours are 10 am-9:30 pm Monday, Wednesday-Thursday; 10 am-9 pm Tuesday & Friday; 12-9 pm Saturday; 12-6 pm Sunday. Admission is $13, plus $5 for skate rental. Public skating is first-come, first serve; no reservations permitted. A full list of holiday events at the ice rink is here.

christmas at the anatole city rink culturemap downtown dallas grapevine holiday attractions ice skating verizon fort worth stockyards families holidays