Grab the gang and head to one or more of these outdoor family fall activities in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.
After firecrackers have been popped and oohed and awed at, it’s time to start thinking about outdoor activities where breathing the air is no problem. With this Texas heat we are experiencing now, we are due for some cooler weather. In my opinion, the fall season is the best time to enjoy the outdoors in Texas—not too hot or cold. We’re lining up family fall activities in Fort Worth and in the surrounding area to enjoy.
Even though the first day of fall is in the middle of September, it’s still hot here in North Texas (not your typical autumn until around November). But we don’t wait for cooler weather to start enjoying all the fall activities in Fort Worth.
Family Fall Activities In Fort Worth
My family loves outdoor activities, and we try to attend as many fall activities and festivities as possible in the Fort Worth area. There’s something about fall that is so irresistible. It’s hard to beat the warm colors and brisk, cool autumn air that Texas brings. It’s my favorite time of year (until spring flowers pop up, then I’m all confused!). But that’s another story.
Let’s jump into these fun fall activities for the whole family in Fort Worth and surrounding areas.
Fort Worth Oktoberfest At Panther Island
September 21-23, 2023 – 5:00 pm
Oktoberfest Fort Worth is a 3-day celebration of German culture at Trinity Park.
Tickets: $10-$15; A 3-day pass is $20
Grapevine Farmers And Artisan Market
September 09, 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm (last Saturday for the year)
By the Town Square Gazebo at 325 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX
Annual Grapefest – A Texas Wine Experience
September 14-17, 2023
Grapevine (North Texas): I usually never miss this event. It’s a good one.
The annual GrapeFest in Grapevine – a Texas Wine Experience and the largest wine festival in the southwest. Entertainment at GrapeFest will be awesome, with well-known bands and singers.
Tickets: Not on sale yet.
Six Flags Over Texas Fright Fest Arlington
September 16 – October 29, 2023 (Weekends)
Halloween will never be the same at Six Flags Fight Fest. Updates will be here when available—Head to Six Flags for fun Halloween activities and scary moments. I’ve heard it has a cutting-edge haunted house.
Tickets: TBA. Parking is not free. Six Flags onsite is cashless – cards only.
Enjoy The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
Year-round
Hike, canoe, learn and tour. Pets on a leash are welcome. The Fort Worth Nature Center offers guided hikes and hiking on your own. There is so much to do.
Admission: $2-$6 – Dogs $1. Bring cash if you want to rent a canoe for an hour or so. Canoe rentals are $6 a person.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Race
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at The Texas Motor Speedway – Fort Worth
Tarrant County Harambee Festival & Seafood, Chicken & Blues
Saturday, October 7, 2023
The 14th Annual Tarrant Country Harambee Festival is family-friendly on Saturday, and adults can enjoy themselves on Friday.
The location is 2701 Moresby St., Fort Worth. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Check it all out at the link above.
FYI – Harambee means “all pull together” in Swahili.
The Clearfork Farmer’s Market – Fort Worth
Year-round
A year-round farmer’s market in Clearfork on the Trinity Trails’ riverfront is held on Saturdays from 8 am to 11 am. Winter hours are from 9 am to Noon. There is a lot more going on here – check it out. Not too far from the Fort Worth Zoo.
Image by Michael Johnston on Pixabay
The Official Monster Jam – Arlington
October 14, 2023
Who doesn’t like watching big trucks run and dive in the mud? Back by popular demand at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. Gates open at 5 p.m. This is a fantastic event for Hot Wheel fans!
Monster Jam in Arlington, Texas, promises to keep the whole family on the edge of their seats the entire time!
Tickets: $35-$45 + online fees.
26th Annual Butterfly Flutterby – Grapevine
October 21, 2023, 10 am to 2 pm
Butterfly Flutterby Grapevine will again be held at Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park. Market vendors will be there selling their wares.
Admission: Free
Boo At The Zoo At The Fort Worth Zoo
October 29-31, 2023 – Halloween Weekend
Tickets for Boo at the Zoo are the general admission fees, and extra treat coupons will be $3 (optional).
Admission: $14-$18. Parking is $5. Buy tickets online.
Travel Tip: In years past, it’s literally “a zoo” to get in. Lines will be long, so go early and brace yourself!
26th Celebrate Roanoke
October 1, 2023, Noon to 9 pm
Celebrate Roanoke’s annual event on Historic Oak Street.
Look forward to Gunfights and a chuck wagon, a horse show, armadillo races, pig races, a petting zoo, and more. Brody and I loved going to this event in the past. There were many fun activities for the whole family, including bounce houses, food trucks, face painting, live entertainment, and vendors.
Admission: FREE
Texas Taco Festival – Arlington, TX
November 4-5, 2023
At Texas Live!
1650 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, TX
Texas Taco Festival
Tickets on Eventbrite: $9.99 – $54.99 + fees
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
• Fall Season At The Fort Worth Botanic Garden
There are several special events throughout the year, with November being the start of the fall season at the FTW Botanic Gardens. That’s when all the pretty fall colors, including the Japanese Maples, will be out. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to come out and see the beautiful fall escape in the gardens.
September and October are still thriving with summer perennials but are getting ready to die off so the autumn flowers and colors can be planted and sprouted.
• Floral Carpet For Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
October 28 – November 2, 2023
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will incorporate the beauty of the Hispanic culture for Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead. Enjoy a show stopper of 46,000 marigolds down the Rose Garden stairs. Photo ops are waiting to happen here!!
Admission: $6-$12 General. Some days are BOGO, and there are also days where it’s free to enter.
AllianceTexas Aviation Expo Air Show By Bell (FYI)
FYI – After 32 years of providing fantastic air shows, Alliance Air Productions will not host the AllianceTexas Aviation Expo in 2023.
See our Fort Worth Travel Guide for an in-depth guide to Fort Worth.
I’m sure you all, as I am, are ready to get outside in much cooler weather. Pick a few Fort Worth things to do and go!
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