The DFW weather begins to cool down and Texas is once again tolerable. After the long, hot summer, you'll want to spend as much time as you can enjoying the outdoors.
1. Through November 21: Autumn at the Arboretum
©Angela Patterson
What: Autumn at the Arboretum is a beautiful transition of the gardens from bright summer colors to radiant fall hues. The fall festival will feature Cinderella's Pumpkin Village -- the home to more than 40,000 decorative pumpkins, gourds and squash and 150,000 fall plants like chrysanthemums and pansies. *ack a picnic lunch or bring a bottle of wine.
When: September 22 through November 21, 2012
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218.
Hours: Open 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily
General Admission: $10/adults, $9/seniors 65 and older, $7/children (3-12) and free for Arboretum members and children two and under. Parking is $7.
Photo Gallery: 2010 Autumn at the Arboretum
2. Oct 7: Fiesta Latinoamericana! 2012
What: Fiesta Latinoamericana! 2011 is a festival of food, music, dance and culture with vendors, raffle, games and more. Parade of nations, dance workshops, strolling mariachis, clowns, Aztec dancers, magicians, sidewalk artists, childrens arts and crafts. Three stages with performances of music and dance from 17 nations.
When: Sunday, October 7, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Along Flora Street from the Cathedral Guadalupe to the AT&T Center, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX.
3. Oct 15: Butterfly Flutterby
Celebrate the winging of the monarchs at Grapevine's Butterfly Flutterby. Parade, arts and crafts, butterfly exhibits and entertainment. Children and pets are encouraged to dress in costumes and participate in the parade.When: October 20, 2012. Parade starts at 10 a.m. Lineup at 9:30 a.m.
Where: The Butterfly Flutterby is held in the historic Cotton Belt Depot, 701 Main Street, Grapevine, Texas.
Also, beautiful butterflies will be released at three separate times during the event which will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. near the Grapevine Cotton Belt Depot. at 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
4. Oct 18-21 & 25-28: Boo at the Zoo
What: The 21st annual Boo at the Zoo will take place over two weekends in October. Games, stories, pumpking carving and more will keep the kids entertained but not spook them too much.
When: October 18-21 & 25-28, 2012 from 6 - 9 p.m.
Where: Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, TX. 817-759-7555. Exit University Drive off I-30. Go south for approximately one mile. Turn left on Colonial Parkway and follow the signs to the Zoo.
Admission: Ages 2 and up: $8. Children under age 2 are free and do not require a ticket.
5. Oct 20-21: Addison's Worldfest
Travel the world in just two days! Yes, it's possible at Addison's Worldfest. Best of all, you will receive free admission. Sample food from all over the world like Turkey, Latin America, Romania, Poland, Germany, Italy, Japan, and of course you can get a corn dog from the USA.
When: October 20-21, 2012 from noon to 6 p.m. both days
Where: Addision Circle Park, 4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison, TX.
Admission: $5. Discount tickets available at DFW Albertsons Market locations for $4.
Parking: Free parking at the NW corner of the Dallas Parkway and Arapaho.
Fine Print: No pets, no coolers.
6. Oct 6-7: The 2012 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show
What: The 2011 Fort Worth Alliance Air Show featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds. Experience a full day of dynamic aviation performances, static display, interactive booths, Kid Zone and more.
When: October 6-7 2012. Gates are open from 9 am to 5 pm. The same show is held from approximately 10 am to 4 pm both days.
Where: Fort Worth Alliance Airport, 2221 Alliance Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76177. To get there, go north from Fort Worth on I-35W and exit Alliance Boulevard.
Admission: Free. Parking is $20 per vehicle.
7. Oct 27: Blues, Bandits and BBQ
What: It's the third annual Blues, Bandits and BBQ celebration. The BBQ competition portion of Blues, Bandits & BBQ is the defacto City of Dallas BBQ Championship, with all the bragging rights that go with it. Teams compete in five categories: brisket, ribs, chicken, sausage and pulled pork – and anyone with a smoker and a little talent can enter.
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Where: Conveniently located in the heart of North Oak Cliff at the future site of the Davis Street Market development, 715 W Davis St., Dallas, TX 75208 is also the site of this summer’s amazing sunflower art installation, 1700 Seeds.
8. Through Oct 21: State Fair of Texas
Photo courtesy of Kevin Brown / State Fair of Texas
Follow the link to find out everything you need to know about the State Fair of Texas. It offers something for everyone with activites like a parade, football and free concerts to farm animals, shopping, midway rides and games, concerts and more.
As far as food goes, if it can be fried, you'll find it at the State Fair of Texas. Corny Dogs, fried frito pie, fried lemonade, fried latte, fried tamales, fried chocolate, fried bubblegum (well, bubblegum flavored marshmallows), it's all here and probably next to the gigantic turkey legs.
Photo gallery of State Fair Foods
Photo gallery State Fair of Texas
9. Oct 23: Taste of Arlington TX 2012 / Trick or Taste: Part Boo
What: The Taste of Arlington celebrates its 30th year of being the biggest all-you-can-eat sampling of the best restaurants and beverages in town.
When: October 23, 2012 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Arlington Convention Center, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TX 76011.
Parking: It's free. From the East you can enter off of Ballpark Way and from the West take Copeland to Legends Way and follow signs posted for parking.
