WHAT TO DO IN DFW | September 17 – September 20
18th Annual North Texas Giving Day – More Details
When: Sept 17
- Today (Sept 17) is North Texas Giving Day! You have 18 hours to support the local nonprofits and causes that mean the most to you, all through NorthTexasGivingDay.org.
- There are more than 3,300 local nonprofits to choose from, and the best part is 100% of your donation goes directly to the nonprofit because all transaction and technology fees are covered.
GrapeFest – More Details
Location: Grapevine Main Street
When: Sept 17 – 20
- Celebrate Texas wine at this four-day festival featuring live music, food, wine, and activities for all ages
- Fun fact: GrapeFest was named one of the Top 10 Wine Festivals in the U.S., ranking #7 in USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!
- Get hands-on: Try your hand at the famous GrapeStomp or compete in the Champagne Cork Shoot-Off
- Bring the kids: The Carnival & Midway will have games and rides for the whole family
Autumn at the Arboretum – More Details
Location: Dallas Arboretum
When: Sept 19 – Nov 1
- More than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds + squash transform the gardens into Dallas’s iconic Pumpkin Village
- This year’s “Harvest Hues” theme puts a modern spin on the display, with six pumpkin houses inspired by artists including Basquiat, Rothko, Bourgeois, Mondrian, Escher + Pollock
Plano Balloon Festival – More Details
Location: Plano’s Oak Point Park / Redtail Pavilion
When: Sept 17 – 20
- Enjoy live entertainment, special kids’ activities, skydivers, tons of food vendors + shopping from local makers
- See the balloons: Hot air balloons will be in the park Thursday + Friday at 7 PM, Saturday at 7 AM + 7 PM, and Sunday at 7 AM
Oktoberfest – More Details
Location: Addison Circle Park
When: Sept 17 – 20
- Experience authentic Bavarian culture with a Texas twist at this four-day celebration of German food, music + bier
- Enjoy polka bands + traditional performers across multiple stages throughout Addison Circle Park, plus games + activities for bier lovers, kids of all ages, dachshunds + more!
- NOTE: Thursday admission is FREE for all
Dirk Nowitzki Foundation 8th Annual Tennis Classic – More Details
Location: Banner House at T Bar M
When: Sept 19 | Doors open 10:30am, start time 12pm
- Watch Dirk Nowitzki + other athletes and celebrities go head-to-head in an exhibition-style Tennis Classic benefiting the North Texas community
- Your ticket includes: A reserved seat, limited-edition 2026 merch, exclusive activations + experiences, complimentary light bites and access to a cash bar
- All for a good cause: 100% of proceeds support the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation and its work funding local nonprofit organizations
Cool Thursdays at the Arboretum – More Details
Location: Dallas Arboretum
When: Starts Sept 17 (Runs through Nov 5)
- Fun night out with live music, sunset views, and laid-back garden vibes overlooking White Rock Lake!
- This week = Turnstiles (Billy Joel tribute)
Pumpkin Nights – More Details
Location: Howell Farms (Arlington)
When: Sept 17 – Oct 31
- Half-mile trail through nine immersive pumpkin lands featuring more than 10,000 hand-carved and custom-designed pumpkins, plus food, games, and a live fire show in Pumpkin Village
- Sign up for a timeslot online (run every 30 minutes), $10 per car
First Autumn at the Dallas Farmers Market – More Details
Location: Dallas Farmers Market
When: Sept 18 – 20
- Celebrate the first day of fall at Dallas Farmers Market with live music, family-friendly activities, seasonal shopping, and pumpkin tastings!
- Plus, the Pumpkin Patch is back with more than 20 varieties of pumpkins, including tons of edible options (over 80% being edible) you can use for all your favorite fall recipes.
Cosmic Cowboy Weekend at NorthPark Center – More Details on Instagram
Location: Nordstrom NorthPark (2nd level)
When: Sept 18 – 20
- Want to know what’s in your future? MOTHER and Nordstrom are bringing some fun FREE activations to the public this weekend!
- Sept 18 – Tarot Card readings
- Sept 19 – Aura photography & crystal curation
- Sept 20 – Birth Chart readings
- Plus, they will have complimentary patch applications
Hugapalooza – More Details
Location: Klyde Warren Park
When: Sept 19 | 9am – 12pm
- Hugapalooza is a free, kid-centered sing-along concert from KidLinks, bringing music, fun, and a whole lot of happiness to families
- All abilities welcome: The event is designed for kids of all abilities, with a Children’s Resource Fair featuring DFW organizations and resources for families of children with special needs
- Come sing along + connect: It’s a fun, feel-good day for the whole family while supporting KidLinks’ mission of bringing healing, hope, and happiness to kids through music and media
It’s Goin’ Down Farewell Tour – More Details
Location: Fort Worth Convention Center
When: Sept 20 | 12pm-4pm
- FREE public farewell celebration for the historic “flying saucer” arena at the Fort Worth Convention Center before it is demolished
- There will be live music and DJs playing hits from five decades, a festival atmosphere and interactive experiences celebrating the history of the arena and future of the center.
Oaklawn Live – More Details
Location: Cedar Springs
When: Sept 19
- FREE music festival in Oaklawn… four blocks, three stages and one big day of community!
- Multi-platinum and Grammy Award-winning artist DAYA is headlining
- NOTE: A suggested $20 donation helps cover festival expenses and supports CSMA’s year-round community work
- VIP is available – Upgrade to VIP for $50 and enjoy express entry, VIP viewing and lounge areas, upgraded restrooms, dedicated bars and two beverage tickets
Oktoberfest – More Details
Location: Harwood Arms
When: Sept 18
- Celebrate Oktoberfest with German beer, special Oktoberfest food menu, live music (6-10pm), and German dancers, plus stein-holding competitions throughout the night!
- Soccer fans can catch the Bayern Munich match at 1:30 p.m. before the Oktoberfest festivities kick off!
- Grab a limited-edition Oktoberfest stein for $26, which includes your first beer, with $8 refills all night!
¡Celebramos! Kick-Off Event– More Details
Location: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
When: Sept 19 | All Day
- Celebrate the start of ¡Celebramos! with FREE admission to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and explore all 120 acres while celebrating Hispanic heritage and culture
- There’s a full day of family fun, including a Latin American Flag Parade, folklórico performances, a cultural market, food trucks, and a DJ dance party.
- It’s completely free and open to everyone… no tickets or reservations required, so bring the family and come celebrate!
CONCERTS:
- Sept 18 & 19: Hudson Westbrook – Billy Bobs’s (Get Tickets)
- Sept 18: Thomas Rhett (American Airlines Center)
- Sept 18: Billy Idol (Dos Equis Pavilion)
- Sept 20: DJ Diesel (SILO, 18+)
SPORTS:
- Sept 17: Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox
- Promo: Nolan Ryan Bloody Lip Bobblehead
- Sept 18 – 20: Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays
- Sept 20 Theme Nights – Hello Kitty & Veteran’s Day
- Sept 19 : TCU vs. Arkansas State (Fort Worth)
- Sept 17 & Sept 18: Frisco RoughRiders vs. Amarillo (Riders Field)
Texas Rangers Code:
- Use code STENSINTHECITY for 25% off select single-game tickets at rangers.com/singlegame (valid Sunday–Friday, excludes Saturdays)
