This is the last week of the East Texas State Fair! If the fair has been sitting on your family’s fall bucket list, this is your chance to squeeze in one more day of rides, games, fair food, and family fun.
The good news? Fall isn’t going anywhere just yet. Many of the festivals and seasonal events in this guide happen throughout October, so you have plenty of opportunities to pick a weekend, grab your people, and head out for an adventure.
So scroll through, find something that makes you think, “The kids would love that!” and go make it happen.
You’re the one making the memories. I’m just here to help you find where to make them. 🍁
EAST TEXAS STATE FAIR
📅 Date:
September 25–October 4, 2026
📍 Location:
East Texas State Fair
Tyler, TX
🎡Carnival Opening Times
Monday – Friday……… 4:00 pm
Saturday – Sunday……12:00 pm
Food Row opens daily at 10:00am
🎟️Fair Admission
Adult (ages 13+)…………………………$12.00
Youth (ages 5-12)….……………..……..$6.00
Children (under 4)……………………….FREE
Discount days :
- Friday, September 19 – Seniors (60+) get in free
- Monday, September 22 – Military personnel get in free
- Monday, September 22 – Kids (K-12) get in free until 7:00 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 23 – Kids (K-12) get in free until 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 24 – Kids (K-12) get in free until 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 24 – First responders get in free
- Thursday, September 25 – College students get in free until 7:00 p.m.
Get a free student ticket here
🎟️ Carnival Wristbands
Unlimited Ride Wristband…………$37
🚚 Monster X Tour: October 1–2 with massive monster trucks, jumps, and roaring engines. Tickets are $20–$45 and include fair admission.
💡 Good to know: Monster X seating is limited and not open seating, so plan ahead.
Fall Celebration at Plants of Texas
📅 Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Activities & Food Truck)
📍 Location: Plants of Texas
17470 FM 2493, Flint, TX
Food Truck
Bounce House
Inflatable Obstacle Course & Games
Fall Plant Sale
WINNSBORO AUTUMN TRAILS FESTIVAL -
📅 Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
A whole month of family-centered fall magic awaits in Winnsboro this October!
📍 Location: Winnsboro, TX
Week 1 –
🚜 Antique Tractor Pull
🏃 5K Run
🦶 “.05K” Fun Run (just 165 feet—cute, right?)
👑 Little Miss & Miss Autumn Trails Pageant
Great Pumpkin Roll
📅 Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.📍 Location: Center Street, Longview (between Highway 80 and Tyler Street)
💵 Admission: FREE to watch
🎟️ Participation
$2 per roll
Pumpkins not included—bring your own OR purchase at the event (limited supply available)
Anyone can roll a pumpkin!
🏆 Prizes: Up to $500 for farthest rolls or hitting targets
Uh, what’s a Pumpkin Roll? It’s not the dessert—it’s an exciting fall event where pumpkins race downhill for prizes and bragging rights! Gather the family for this fun, quirky tradition in downtown Longview.
🍂 Other Activities
🥧 Pie eating contest
🎨 Lil’ pumpkin coloring contest
🌽 Maze & yard games
🚗 Car show
🛍️ Vendors
PINEY PARK
📅 Date: September 25 – October 31, 2026
📍 Location: 600 Martin Lake Rd, Marshall, TX
🕒 Hours:
Wed–Fri: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
🍬 Trick-or-Treating Dates:
October 10, 17, 24 & 31 — at 11:00 AM & 5:00 PM
🎟 Admission (Ages 3+):
Early Bird: $8.99
Discounted: $12.99
Regular: $15.99
💡 Save $2 per ticket when you buy online! Check their site for special discount days.
🍂 Included Attractions:
Family-friendly spooky trail
Jumbo jumpers
Barrel train rides
Piney Peak slides
Shooting cannons
Game area
Food trucks with dinner & sweets ($)
…and more!
🍁 Why We Love It:
This is one of our family’s favorite fall traditions! We love that everything is included in the price, and the spooky trail, decorated with all the best seasonal touches, is a must. Pro tip: arrive early to enjoy the activities in daylight, then walk the trail once the sun goes down for the full effect.
✨ Bonus tip: Grab some Halloween holographic glasses from Amazon for an extra magical experience while walking through the spooky trail at night.
BOO AT THE ZOO - BUSY B RANCH
📅 Date:
Saturdays, Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31
📍 Location: Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park,
1100 W Prospect Rd, Jefferson, TX
💵 Tickets: $20-$25
Zoo Boo Activities:
🍬 Trick-or-treating
🐐 Petting zoo
🌅 Sunset trailer tour
🎨 Face painting & games
🦘 Animal feed included
🎃 Pumpkin patch
🥇 Costume contest
CALIE’S ACRES
📅 Date: October 1 – November 2, 2026
⏰ Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. (last field trip ends)
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
📍 Address: 7165 US 259, Longview, TX
💵 Cost:
$10 general admission
$15 admission + paint a pumpkin
🎃 Highlights & Activities:
Barrel train (kids only)
Hayride (family included)
Petting zoo
Bouncy balls
Music garden
Spiderweb
Wheel walk
Hoop the horses
Tether ball
Tug of war
Other misc. games
✨ Extras:
Gift shop, picnic area, and many photo ops
Porta potties available
Great for field trips (booking required)
$20 minimum on credit card purchases
No pets and no outside food or drinks (except field trips)
The Pumpkin Wonderland
📅October 1 – October 31
📍 Location: Austin Bank Green Space, 200 E. Commerce St., Downtown Jacksonville, TX
🎨 Hosted by: Jacksonville Community Arts Alliance (JCAA)
💲 Admission: FREE 🙌
🕒 Hours:
- Daily
About the Event:
Each year, JCAA volunteers transform the Austin Bank Green Space into The Pumpkin Wonderland, a stunning display of pumpkins, gourds, and creative arrangements that celebrate the beauty of fall. This beloved tradition is completely free, funded by community donations, and offers incredible photo ops 📸 for families, couples, and friends.
BLUEBERRY RIDGE FARM Pumpkin Patch
📅 Dates: October 1 – November 1, 2026
💲 Admission: $8 per person (pumpkins not included). Infants are free.
Location: 2785 East US Highway 80, Mineola, TX
⏰ Hours:
Monday: 10 AM – 4 PM (open to the public)
Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday: 2 PM – 5 PM
Tuesday–Friday: reserved for field trips only
Activities:
Your admission includes access to a variety of family-friendly activities:
🚜 Hayride
🧺 Picnicking
🔍 Scavenger Hunt
👒 Dress a Scarecrow
🤠 Rodeo Games
🎯 Corn Hole
🏃♂️ Sack Races
⭕ Ring Toss
🏐 Ball Toss
🐐 Petting Animals
⚾ Play Catch
🪵 Obstacle Course
📸 Photo Ops
🌲 Hiking
🎃 U-Pick Pumpkins:
Head into the patch and choose your perfect pumpkin right off the vine!
$2 – Mini
$5 – Small
$8 – Medium
$12 – Large
$15 – Jumbo
👩🏫 Field Trips:
Perfect for schools, churches, daycares, and other organizations. Reservations required.
🎉 Private Events:
The pumpkin patch can also host birthday parties, reunions, showers, small weddings, and more.
📞 Call Jill at 903-372-7119 for pricing and details.
Lanes Chapel Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival
📅 Date: October 1 – October 31, 2026
⏰ Hours: Open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Lanes Chapel Methodist Church, 8720 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX
💵 Admission: FREE
🍂 What to Expect
🚂 Train rides for kids
👩🎨 Face painting
🎯 Yard games
📸 Fall-themed photo booths
🎃 Thousands of pumpkins for purchase
❤️ Why It Matters
All proceeds from the pumpkin sales support mission work in the community and help fund various ministries at Lanes Chapel. So every pumpkin purchased goes right back into helping East Texas families.
PUMPKIN PARK
📅Every weekend in October
📍 Location: 15866 FM 3204, Brownsboro, TX 75756
🕒 Hours:
Saturday: 3:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 3:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
💵 Admission: $10/person
Activities Include:
🎃 Pumpkin Patch
🚂 Train Ride
🌾 Hay Maze
🎯 Kids Activities
🛝 Pumpkin Peak Slide
📸 Fall Photo Ops
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
