Things to Do in DFW This Weekend: October 3-5

Can you believe we just kicked off Q4? Thanksgiving is only eight weeks away 🤯 What better way to welcome fall than with a little fun this weekend? MLB playoffs are underway, football is in full swing, and Pumpkin Spice is officially back!

I can’t wait to hear how you’re celebrating some much-needed R&R this weekend. Now go Shake Your Roots Off and enjoy!

Family Fun (Little Kids)

• Free Mini Photo Session with Shoott! — Fri, Oct 3 @ Dallas/Fort Worth
  Free 30-minute outdoor photo session for families; no upfront cost or sitting fee.
  Shoott

• Movies in the Park: The Colony — Fri, Oct 3, gates open 6:45 pm, movie ~8:00 pm @ The Colony, TX
  Outdoor family movie night in the park.
  Movies in the Park

• Aviation Discovery Fest — Fri, Oct 3, 9:00 am–3:00 pm @ Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, Dallas
  Aviation exhibits, kid-friendly displays, hands-on learning.
  Aviation Discovery Fest

Pet-Friendly Events

• Lucky Dog Saloon Meetup — Fri, Oct 3, 7:00 pm @ Lucky Dog Saloon, Dallas
   A dog-friendly social gathering / meetup.
   Meetup Listing Meetup

• Building Foundations through Practice (Canine Companions Outing) — Sat, Oct 4, 9:45 am (CDT)
   A dog training / interaction outing for service / therapy canine group — likely dog-friendly by nature.
   Meetup Listing Meetup

Sports & Outdoor Events

• Stampede of Speed — Oct 3–5 (and ongoing through Oct 12) @ Texas Motorplex
  A multi-day festival of drag racing, motorsports displays, fan experiences & more.
  Stampede of Speed

   

Concerts & Live Music

• The Waterboys w/ special guest Anna Tivel — Fri, Oct 3, 8:00 pm @ Longhorn Ballroom, Dallas
  A classic-meets-contemporary folk-rock show.
  The Waterboys JamBase

• Drop Dead, Gorgeous — Fri, Oct 3, 6:00 pm @ RBC, Dallas
  Alternative / post-hardcore band headlining.
  Drop Dead, Gorgeous JamBase

• Radiohead Trip Laser Spectacular — Fri, Oct 3, 7:00 pm @ The Echo Lounge & Music Hall, Dallas
  Laser-synced tribute to the music of Radiohead.
  Radiohead Trip Laser Spectacular Ticketmaster

• Sasha Colby: Stripped II — Fri, Oct 3, 7:00 pm @ House of Blues, Dallas
  Performance art + live show event (18+).
  House of Blues Dallas Live Nation+1

• David Archuleta — Fri, Oct 3, 7:00 pm @ House of Blues (Cambridge Room), Dallas
  Pop / singer-songwriter performance.
  David Archuleta Shazam

• P1Harmony LIVE TOUR — Sat, Oct 4, 8:00 pm @ Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
  K-pop boy band in their MOST WANTED North America tour.
  P1Harmony Dickies Arena

• OXIS — Sun, Oct 5, 7:00 pm @ House of Blues, Dallas
  Alternative / rock band.
  OXIS Shazam

Festivals, Fairs, & Markets

• Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms — ongoing, includes Oct 3
  Evening illuminated pumpkin trail & fall displays.
  Pumpkin Nights Dallas Pumpkin Nights+1

• Fall Pumpkin Days at Mainstay Farm Park — opens Sept & runs into October
  Pumpkin patch, attractions, photo ops, etc.
  Mainstay Farm Park Mainstay

• Hall’s Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze (Grapevine, TX) — opens Fri, Oct 3
  Includes pumpkin patch, corn maze, family fall fun.
  Hall’s Pumpkin Farm Hall’s Pumpkin Farm & Corn Maze

• Clark Gardens Pumpkin Patch (Weatherford, TX) — opens Oct 3
  Seasonal patch open daily from Oct 3 onward.
  Dallas Moms – Pumpkin Patches Guide Dallas Moms

• Vignette Art Fair — Thu–Sat, Oct 2–4, all day @ On The Levee, Dallas (Design District)
  Juried art fair featuring works by Texas women artists; free admission.
  Visit Dallas – Vignette Art Fair

• Dallas FAN FESTIVAL — Sat & Sun, Oct 4–5, 10:00 am–7:00 pm (Sat) / 10:00 am–5:00 pm (Sun) @ Irving Convention Center, Irving
  Fan culture extravaganza: comics, anime, gaming, cosplay, panels, vendors & more.
  Fan Expo Dallas

• Aviation Discovery Fest — Fri & Sat, Oct 3–4, 9:00 am–3:00 pm (Fri), 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Sat) @ Dallas Executive Airport
  Aviation exhibits, static aircraft, kids’ hands-on activities, educational displays.
  Aviation Discovery Fest

• State Fair of Texas — ongoing through the period (Fri, Oct 3–Sun, Oct 5) @ Fair Park, Dallas
  Huge fair with rides, food, exhibitions, livestock, concerts & lots to see.
  BigTex / State Fair of Texas State Fair of Texas+1

Fun Runs, 5Ks & Marathons

• Irving Oktoberfest Half, 10K & 5K — Sat, Oct 4, 7:30 am / 7:45 am / 7:55 am @ The Plaza at Toyota Music Factory, Irving
  Multiple distance options to suit various runners.
  Irving Oktoberfest Half / 5K Irving Marathon

• Run for Donuts 5K / 10K / 13.1 — Sat, Oct 4, morning @ Trinity River Trail, Fort Worth
  A fun run offering 5K, 10K, and half-marathon options with donuts at the finish.
  Run for Donuts RunSignup+1

• Day of the Dead Half Marathon / 5K / 1 Mile / Kids Dash — Sat, Oct 4, beginning at 8:00 am @ Fair Oaks Park, Dallas
  Offers multiple distances and a kids’ dash in a themed race.
  Day of the Dead Half Marathon Dallas RunSignup

• C.A.L.F. Run (Cowtown / Fort Worth) — Sat, Oct 4, 7:30 am mile / 8:00 am 10K / 8:15 am 5K @ Fort Worth
  A mix of short and moderate distance runs tied to the Cowtown event.
  C.A.L.F. Run The Cowtown Marathon

• Playtri Fort Worth Triathlon & Run-Bike-Run II — Sun, Oct 5, 7:30 am @ Fort Worth
  Includes Triathlon, Sprint, and Run-Bike-Run formats (ages 13+).
  Playtri Fort Worth Triathlon & Run-Bike-Run II TriSignup

• Global Beauty 5K Walk / Run — Sun, Oct 5 @ Grand Prairie
  A wellness-themed 5K walk/run celebrating beauty, health, and community.
  Global Beauty 5K Walk/Run findarace.com (UK)

• GORUCK Light Challenge – MOG Mile — Fri, Oct 3 (2-3 hour team “rucking” event) @ Dallas
  Team challenge with history lesson, light physical activity & team building.
  GORUCK Light Challenge

Theater, Dance, & Performances

• Peter Pan — Fri–Sun, Oct 3-5 @ Texas Ballet Theater, Dallas & Fort Worth
  The classic story of Wendy, Peter, Tinkerbell, and Neverland performed in ballet form.
  Texas Ballet Theater – Season Info Texas Ballet Theater

• Noises Off — Fri, Oct 3, through Oct 26; showtimes @ Kalita Humphreys Theater, Dallas
  A farcical comedy that shows the chaos behind and in front of the stage.
  Dallas Theater Center – Noises Off Dallas Theater Center+1

• Fat Ham — Fri, Oct 3, through Oct 26 @ Kalita Humphreys Theater, Dallas
  Pulitzer Prize–winning play, a bold reimagining of a Southern family drama.
  Dallas Theater Center – Fat Ham AT&T Performing Arts Center+1

• The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity — ongoing Oct 3–26 @ Circle Theatre, Fort Worth
  A dynamic play mixing comedy, wrestling metaphors, and identity.
  Dallas Area Theatre Calendar Dallas Insights

• Las Jevas — Sat & Sun, Oct 4-5 @ Cara Mia Theatre, Dallas
  A Spanish-language play running part of the weekend.
  Dallas Area Theatre Calendar Dallas Insights

Food & Drink Events (wine walks, brewery fests, food truck rallies)

• Charcuterie & Wine Tasting Experience — Sat, Oct 4, 2:00–4:30 pm @ Toasted Coffee + Kitchen, Dallas
  Learn to build a grazing board paired with wine tastings. (Under 21 allowed with parent/guardian)
  Eventbrite: Charcuterie & Wine Tasting Experience

• Truck Yeah! – Doss Tastebudz — Fri, Oct 3, 4:00–10:00 pm @ The Sandy Pickle (Dallas)
  Weekly food truck series with rotating vendors, street eats & treats.
  The Village Dallas – Events

• The Village Fall Main Street Fest — Fri, Oct 3, 5:00–9:00 pm @ Village Main Street (The Village, TX)
  Seasonal bites, local vendors, live music, beer garden + festive fun.
  The Village Dallas – Events

• The Melting Pot Market (Food & Drink + Vendors) — Sun, Oct 5, 1:00–8:00 pm @ Globe Life Field, Arlington
  More than 200 vendors, food trucks, drinks, DJ sets & activations.
  Instagram announcement

Hidden Gems (quirky pop-ups, offbeat attractions)

• DanceAfrica Festival & Marketplace — Sat, Oct 4, 10:00 am–2:00 pm @ Klyde Warren Park
  Artisans, music, dance troupes from across the region — lively, culturally rich, and outdoors.
  Klyde Warren Park Events Klyde Warren Park

• Rickmobile Pop-Up — through Oct 4, at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Dallas
  Mobile art / merch pop-up event that stops at churches, parks and grassroots spaces.
  Dallas News – Rickmobile Pop-Up Dallas News

• Vignette Art Fair — Thu–Sat, Oct 2–4, @ On The Levee, Dallas (Design District)
  Showcasing female artists, local makers, installations & boutique art — a lovely, less “big fair” vibe.
  Visit Dallas – Vignette Art Fair Visit Dallas

Events with Animals

• Keeper Chats / Stage Shows — Fort Worth Zoo — Daily (including Oct 3–5) @ Fort Worth Zoo
  Zoo interpretive specialists lead educational sessions about various animals (otters, crocodiles, elephants, etc.).
  Fort Worth Zoo Keeper Chats

• Backstage Safari — Dallas Zoo — ongoing through Oct 25, 2025
  A 90-minute guided tour giving insight behind the scenes at the zoo, how animals are cared for, and zoo operations.
  Dallas Zoo Backstage Safari

• Giraffe Feeding, Bird Aviary & Tortoise Feeding Experiences — Dallas Zoo — daily offerings (check schedule)
  Visitors can feed the giraffes, step into Birds Landing aviary, or feed Galápagos tortoises (weekends).
  Dallas Zoo Encounters & Experiences

Museum Events

• The Modern ‒ Film: The Summer Book — Fri, Oct 3, 4:00 pm @ Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
  A film screening as part of their calendar of museum events.
  The Modern Events themodern.org

• The Modern ‒ First Friday at the Modern / Café Modern — Fri, Oct 3, 5:00 pm @ Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
  Evening event combining art, social time, café offerings.
  The Modern Events themodern.org

• The Modern ‒ Film: Frankenstein (National Theatre Live screening) — Sat, Oct 4, 1:00 pm @ Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
  Screening of a London theatre production.
  The Modern Events themodern.org

• Sound Bath under the Stars — Sun, Oct 5, 6:30–7:30 pm @ Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (Jane & John Justin Foundation Omni Theater)
  A multisensory, relaxing event under the stars.
  Fort Worth Museum Events Florida Watercolor Society Museum

• Modern Masters of the West: A Classic Collaboration of Fine Art & Runway Fashion — Oct 3–5, 9:00 am–7:00 pm daily @ John Wayne: An American Experience, Fort Worth Stockyards
  Exhibition blending Western fine art and fashion design.
  John Wayne: An American Experience John Wayne: An American Experience

• Toddler Studio: Pumpkin Time — Sat, Oct 4, 11:00 am–12:00 pm @ Amon Carter Museum of American Art
  A drop-in studio event for little ones making pumpkin-themed art.
  Carter Museum Events Amon Carter Museum of American Art

• Guided Tour: Seven Days — The Still Lifes of Chuck Ramirez — Sun, Oct 5, 3:00–4:00 pm @ Amon Carter Museum of American Art
  A curator-led walkthrough of a current exhibit.
  Carter Museum Events Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Workshops & Classes

• Songwriters Workshop with Skye Peterson — Fri, Oct 3, 9:00 am @ Northway Church, Dallas
  A songwriting class exploring craft, collaboration, and techniques.
  Eventbrite: Songwriters Workshop Eventbrite

• Mommy & Me: A Self-Love Body Butter Workshop — Sat, Oct 4 @ Body Jam Studio, Dallas
  Hands-on workshop creating body butter; parent + child can attend.
  Eventbrite: Mommy & Me Workshop Eventbrite

• “The Arts as Divine Inspiration” Free Event / Workshop — Fri, Oct 3 @ Tre Stelle Coffee Co., Dallas
  A free, conversational / participatory arts / inspiration event.
  Eventbrite: The Arts as Divine Inspiration Eventbrite

• Pre-Con Workshop: “Finding Your Voice” (DFWCon) — Fri, Oct 3, 12:30 pm–4:30 pm @ Hurst Convention Center
  Writing masterclass by author Ari Tison, focused on voice in writing.
  DFWCon Pre-Con Workshop DFW Con

• AR Workshop Dallas — DIY & Craft Workshops
  — Fri, Oct 3: Wood & Canvas Family Workshop, 5:00–8:00 pm
  — Sat, Oct 4: Fall & Halloween Wood Block Trios, 10:00 am–12:00 pm; Chunky Knit Blanket Family Workshop, 2:00–5:00 pm
  — Sun, Oct 5: Porch Decor Workshop, 2:30–5:30 pm
  6039 Oram Street, Dallas
  AR Workshop Dallas Schedule AR Workshop