You don’t need a perfectly planned weekend to make great family memories.
Sometimes, all you need is one fun place to go, a few hours together, and kids who are ready for an adventure.
That’s why this East Texas Fall Guide is here.
Each week, you’ll find the best fall festivals, pumpkin patches, hayrides, family events, and seasonal activities happening around Tyler and across the 903, all in one easy place.
So skip the endless searching. Pick something that sounds fun, grab your people, and go.
Your next fall memory is waiting. 🍂
Let’s see what you can discover this week!
GRegg County Fairgrounds
📅 Date:
September 11–19, 2026
📍 Location:
Gregg County Fairgrounds
1123 Jaycee Drive
Longview, TX 75604
⏰ Time: See daily fair schedule
🎟️ Admission: $8/person
FREE: Children 3 and under, seniors 60+, military and military families with ID
The 77th Annual Gregg County Fair is bringing nine days of classic fair fun to Longview! Families can enjoy carnival rides, shopping, local artisans, a petting zoo, live entertainment, contests, and more.
Here’s what you can expect:
🎡 Carnival Rides
Enjoy rides and attractions for the whole family.
🐐 Petting Zoo
Get up close with animals and enjoy a hands-on experience.
🎶 Live Entertainment
Enjoy new bands and entertainment throughout the fair.
🛍️ Shopping
Browse local vendors and handmade goods from area artisans.
🎟️ Ride Armbands
Ride armbands and ride coupons are available daily.
💡 Good to know: Check the daily schedule for special events, contests, and admission deals, including Family Day.
Canton Poor Boy Rodeo
📅 Dates: Thursday, September 17 • Friday, September 18 • Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Location: Zeke Burns Arena
24742 State Hwy 64
Canton, TX 75103
⏰ Start Time: 8:00 PM each night
🎟️ Admission:
$10 adults
$5 kids 12 and under
Ages 3 and under FREE
Get ready for three nights of live rodeo action in Canton! The Canton Poor Boy Rodeo brings classic rodeo events, mutton bustin’, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and more to Zeke Burns Arena.
Here’s what you can expect:
🐑 Mutton Bustin’
Mutton bustin’ begins at 7:30 PM.
🐂 Calf Riding
🏇 Barrel Racing
Peewee Barrels and Junior Barrels, along with Open Barrels.
🤠 Team Roping
🐎 Tie Down Roping
Junior and Open Tie Down events.
🐂 Breakaway Roping
Junior and Open Break-Away events.
🐃 Bull Riding
Junior Bulls and Open Bulls.
🔥 Wild Ass Race
🏆 Rescue Race
FALL AT STILLWATER
📅 Opening Weekend: September 18-20, 2026
📍 Location: Stillwater RV Resort
11684 Barber Rd, Winona, TX
⏰ Time: 8:00am-5:00pm
🎟️ Admission: $12 per person
Fall is taking over Stillwater for the first time ever! 🎃 Bring the family for a full day of fall fun, or make a weekend of it and stay at the resort.
Here’s what you can expect:
🎃 Pumpkin Patch & Painting
🚜 Hayrides & Barrel Train Rides
🛝 65-Foot Slides & Jump Pillow
🍂 Harvest Festival Games & Fall Crafts
🦆 Duck Feeding
📸 Fall Photo Ops
🛍️ Local Vendors
🏊 Pools Stay Open! (extra cost to swim)
💡 Good to know: You can visit for the day or book a stay and make a whole weekend out of it. Fall at Stillwater runs every weekend through November 15!
Moon Over Daingerfield State Park
📅 Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
📍 Lacation: Daingerfield State Park
455 Park Road 17, Daingerfield, TX 75638
⏰ Time: 7–9 PM
🎟️ Admission: $4 ages 13+ | FREE ages 12 & under
Program admission is FREE from 7–8 PM
Explore the night sky during this family-friendly evening celebrating the Moon! 🌕 Learn about our closest celestial neighbor, enjoy hands-on activities, and look through telescopes and binoculars to observe the Moon.
Here’s what you can expect:
🌕 Moon Presentation
🔭 Telescope & Binocular Viewing
✨ Family Activities
🌌 Nighttime Exploration
💡 Good to know: Meet at the CCC Pavilion. Bring water and a flashlight. The park will be dark! The program is weather-dependent, so check the park’s Facebook page for cancellations.
Buckin’ PracticE
📅 Date: Friday, September 18
(1st & 3rd Fridays of the month)
📍 Location: Branded by Christ Cowboy Church
5592 SH-110, Rusk, TX 75785
⏰ Time: 6 PM
🎟️ Admission: FREE for youth 18 & under
Bring the family for a Friday night of rodeo-style fun! Young cowboys and cowgirls can get in the arena and practice their skills, while everyone else can grab a seat and cheer them on.
Here’s what you can expect:
🐑 Mutton Bustin’
🐎 Peewee & Youth Saddle Bronc
🐎 Peewee & Youth Bareback
🐄 Calf Riding
🐂 Steer Riding
🎟️ Youth 18 & Under: Free entry and gear provided
🌭 Concessions: Available by donation
Good to know: Questions? Contact Austin at 432-254-6160.
Star Party at Tyler State Park
📅 Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
📍 Location: Tyler State Park
789 Park Road 16, Tyler, TX 75706
⏰ Time: 8–9 PM
🎟️ Admission: Park entry fees apply
Come enjoy a night under the stars and get a close-up look at the night sky with a local astronomy specialist from the Astronomical Society of East Texas. 🔭✨
Here’s what you can expect:
🌟 Stargazing Explore the night sky and look for celestial objects.
🔭 Astronomy Viewing Get a closer look with expert guidance.
🌌 Night Under the Stars Enjoy a peaceful evening outdoors with the family.
💡 Good to know: Meet at Blackjack Pavilion. Bring clothing appropriate for the weather. If you have a red headlamp, bring it to help preserve night vision. Event is weather dependent.
WILD WILD WEST MARKET
📅 Date:
Saturday, September 19, 2026
📍 Location:
The Market at Moonlight Acres
3165 US 271 S Pittsburg, TX
⏰ Time: 9 AM–2 PM
🎟️ Admission: FREE
Saddle up for a family-friendly Wild Wild West Market! Kids can enjoy Western-themed activities while the whole family shops local vendors, grabs a bite, and enjoys live music.
Here’s what you can expect:
🤠 Costume Contest: Dress up in your best Western gear.
🎨 Kids Fun: Crafts, face painting, and a waterslide.
🎶 Live Music: Enjoy live entertainment throughout the event.
🍪 Food & Treats: Food trucks and The Cookie Cowboy.
🛍️ Local Vendors: Shop from 30+ vendors.
📸 Photobooth: Capture a fun family memory.
FALL EVENTS OUTSIDE THE 903 AREA
BUT ARE WORTH THE DRIVE
Dallas Arboretum - Autumn at the Arboretum
📅 Date: September 19 – November 1, 2026
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
🎟 Admission:
Adult: $22.00
Child (ages 2–12): $18.00
- Child under 2: Free
**Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden admission is now included in your general admission.
The Dallas Arboretum is part of the Museum For All Program. Patrons with SNAP or WIC get reduced tickets. More details HERE
🍂 What to Expect:
Step into a vibrant fall celebration at the Dallas Arboretum, where over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash create a breathtaking backdrop. This year’s theme, Harvest Hues, inspiration includes Mondrian’s primary color blocking rebuilt block by block in pumpkins, a towering, spindly spider inspired by Bourgeois perched atop its own house, and Pollock’s controlled chaos interpreted through the many shapes, sizes, and colors of gourds.
PUMPKIN NIGHT
📅 Date: September 17 – October 31, 2026
📍 Location: Arlington, TX
Howell Farms: 4016 West Division Street
🕒 Time: 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Admission: $13-$60
Tickets on Sale: August 28, 2026
What to Expect:
🏮 Half-mile walking path through themed pumpkin lands, including:
🏯 The Forbidden City
🏴☠️ Pirate’s Cove
✨ …and more magical displays
🎯 Festival area The Village with:
Live entertainment
Games & activities
Important Notes:
🎫 Tickets are non-refundable.
⏳ $5 fee (per ticket) to change entry dates/times; must request at least 48 hours before your original time slot.
🚫 Tickets cannot be transferred to a sold-out night.
✨ Pro Mom Tip: Go during the early bird dates for the best price and lighter crowds. Bring a camera for magical night photos, and if you’re bringing little ones, the path is stroller-friendly.
STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
📅 Date: September 25 – October 18, 2026
📍 Location: Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave., Dallas, TX
🕘 Hours:
Mon–Thu & Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (gates open 9:00 a.m.)
Fri–Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
💵 Tickets:
🎟 Daily Admission: ~$19–$29 (varies by day)
🔁 FLEX Ticket: ~$27 (use any one day)
- Discount tickets
What to Expect:
🤠 Big Tex welcome & daily “Howdy”
🍗 Fair food frenzy (Big Tex Choice Awards favorites + deep-fried treats)
🎶 Live music on multiple stages (country, Tejano, pop & more)
🏈 Football classics: Red River Rivalry & State Fair Classic
🎠 Rides & attractions: Texas Star Ferris wheel, Texas Skyway
🐐 Kid fun: petting zoo, barnyard, story time & shows
🎉 Parades & light shows daily
✨ Pro Mom Tip: Go weekday morning for lighter crowds. Load up a coupon card early, share those giant treats, and end with a Texas Star ride for sunset photos. Comfy shoes, sunscreen, and a stroller for littles make the day smooth!
Check out the fun in the weeks to come
Go pick a pumpkin
go something scary if you dare
Favorite fall items
Grab a friend and try a new spot
