Fall means different things in different places, and here in Dallas, this season means pumpkins by the hundreds of thousands. Beautiful fall weather means a myriad of festivals and fun activities, with many of them centered around pumpkins. Explore this list of pumpkin-themed things-to-do; you’re sure to find something that feels like autumn.
This list doesn’t include Halloween activities. Look for an Ultimate Guide to Halloween in Dallas.
If pumpkins aren’t your kind of festive, see a list of over 100 Fall Festivals or my Ultimate Guide to Oktoberfests.
Free Pumpkin Patches
Dallas Farmers Market
Whether you want pumpkins for carving, cooking, crafting, or any other purpose, you can find them at the Dallas Farmers Market. Enjoy the displays and photo opportunities in The Shed, and slip across the street to Ruibal’s Plants of Texas for more.
The pumpkin patch is free, but there are plenty of Texas-grown pumpkins (25 varieties) available to purchase. Floydada, Texas provides the pumpkins while the Dallas Farmers Market augments the autumn vibe.
Dates and Hours
Sept 16 through Oct. 31 inside The Shed at the Dallas Farmers Market
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. That’s right, unlike The Shed the rest of the year, the Pumpkin Patch is open daily.
Celebrate Dallas’ Original Texas Pumpkin Day on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Central Market Stores
If you just want a free option to gaze adoringly at piles of pumpkins, the entrance to your local Central Market will fill the bill. It’s also (obviously) a great place to buy pumpkins.
An added bonus: From Wednesday, September 11 to Tuesday, September 22, every Central Market in DFW will have multiple in-store events daily to celebrate their 30th anniversary. From tastings to chef demos to foodie strolls (and one for kids), there’s something to do beside shop at Central Market every single day.
NorthPark Center Pumpkin Patch
From October 11 to November 3, go see the NorthPark Center Pumpkin Patch, designed by a top-notch landscape team, in the CenterPark Garden.
Church Pumpkin Patches
Many churches set up pumpkin patches in their parking lots as annual fundraisers, and they’re usually free to attend. Besides being a good place to buy pumpkins, many have photo ops, bake sales and vendor booths as well. Scroll to the bottom of this post to see the list of Church Pumpkin Patches and Events.
Pumpkin Patches, Amusements, and Farms
To the best of my ability, these are listed in order of distance from the Dallas city center.
Autumn at the Arboretum (at Dallas Arboretum)
This annual Dallas fall event displays over 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash arranged in several gorgeous fall photo opportunities. The theme this year is Texas Town, which includes six pumpkin houses, which highlight different aspects of Texas pioneer life. There’s more to see than just pumpkins, though, with plenty of other plants that bloom in the fall.
Numerous events are scheduled throughout the run of the festival, with tastings daily, kid-friendly activities on Mondays and Tuesdays, and live music on weekends.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours will shift in October, and evening events will be offered on varying days throughout the season.
Admission: $22 Adults, $18 Seniors, $13 Children 2-12 Children’s Adventure Garden addition: $3 per person
Parking: $15, with $3 discount for purchasing online in advance.
Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms, Arlington
Enjoy pumpkin carving, pumpkin games, fire dancers and more as you wander through a half-mile path of pumpkin displays. Each of six themed displays ar built with both real and artificial pumpkins. Two areas offer activites for kids, and The Village at the center of it all has food and drinks available for purchase.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours Sept 19-Oct 3 : Weekdays 7:00 – 10:30 Weekends 7:00 – 11:00
Hours Oct 4-31: Weekdays 6:00 – 10:30 Weekends 6:00 – 11:00
Ticket Prices: Weekday $22 Adult, $17 Children 4-12 Weekend $32 Adult, $22 Children 4-12
Children 3 and under are FREE.
Early bird discounts are available.
Fritz Park Pumpkin Patch and Petting Zoo, Irving
This seasonal petting zoo in Irving adds a lot of pumpkin flair to fun animal activities. That adds up to an event that’s affordable and entertaining. Check out multiple photo-opportunities and a straw maze to get started. Then watch a chicken carve a pumpkin, see pig races, look at lemurs (no touching), and put the kids on a pony ($3 extra if not purchased in the combo ticket.)
That’s not all – there are more activities, a gift shop and the Boo Bakery which both offer food options. You can also purchase a pumpkin to take home for $10.00 with a portion of the pumpkin proceeds going to Irving Animal Services.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 10 am-5 pm Saturday Noon-5 pm Sunday
Tickets: Irving residents $4.00 (ages 2 and up), Non-residents $5.00 (ages 2 and up) Children under 2 are free. Child’s combo package $10.00 (includes admission, feed cup, pony ride and Magic Pumpkin Seed)
Hall’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze, Grapevine
This working farm hosts a pumpkin patch every year with plenty of photo ops with pumpkins, scarecrows, haystacks, farm animals and a vintage farm tractor. A two-acre, family-friendly corn maze is included with admission. Hayrides are offered for $5 during the day, and $3 after dark.
Note: This pumpkin experience is CASH ONLY.
No outside food is allowed, but you may bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 3-8 pm Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 pm Friday 10-9 pm Saturday 1-8 pm Sunday Columbus Day Hours 11 am to 8 pm
Ticket Prices: Wednesday and Thursday $5 Adults and Kids 4 and up Friday, Saturday, Sunday $15 Adults and Kids 12 and up, $10 Kids 4-11, $5 Senior Citizens and Veterans
Kids 3 and under are free
Pitchfork Pumpkin Patch, Royse City
Just 25 minutes east of Dallas, this small family farm doesn’t grow pumpkins, but hosts a pumpkin patch in the fall using pumpkins from West Texas farms. There’s no charge for parking or admission, but activities are priced individually, from $5 to $15. Pumpkin smashing, pumpkin carving, and pumpkin painting are $15 activies and the pumpkin and all necessary tools are provided. Multiple fun zone activities (bounce house, bungee run, obstacle course, and inflatable slide) are included in an activities ticket for $15.
Feeding llamas and alpacas, super fun for the kids, is $5. For grownup fun, get ($25) tickets for the Ladies Rage Night which includes smashing plates and pumpkins, shooting glasses with paint balls, and playing Bingo/Singo/Trivia. (Some nights are already sold out, so book your space soon.)
Check the calendar on the website for other fun events and activities.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 11 am-6 pm Monday – Saturday Noon-5 pm Sunday Ladies Rage Nights are 6-9 pm and some have already sold out.
Tickets: Required for activities at extra cost. No charge for entry or parking.

Hayrides go great with pumpkins! Blase Family Farm has a hayride and other fun options for small children.
Blase Family Farm Pumpkin Patch in Rockwall
This family-owned farm grows blueberries in the summer, and partners with a farm in Lubbock for a Pumpkin Patch each fall. Along with the expected photo-ops, activities include a hay maze, hayrides, a storytime walk for toddlers, and a petting zoo. Hay bales, pie pumpkins, and other varieties of pumpkins are available for sale. Concessions are available at additional cost.
Advance reservations are required for all visits.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: All visits are by reservation only.
9am-6pm Monday-Friday
10am-6pm Saturday Noon-6pm
Sunday
Tickets: Tickets are $11 per person for ages 2 and older. Age 23 months and under are free.
Huddin Homestead Fun Farm, Rockwall
The focus at this homestead is its petting zoo, but pumpkins abound in the fall. With picnic and playground areas, bounce houses, and a rock digging pit, there’s more to do than just take pictures, but you’re sure to get some good ones. Kiddos can encounter goats, llamas, alpacas, camels, chickens, turkeys, ducks, calves, ponies, donkeys, tortoises, bunnies, birds, and more.
The farm also offers a food truck and gift shop.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: Cl to 5 pm Tuesday-Thursday 9am to 7 pm Friday and Saturday Noon to 5pm Sunday
Tickets: $12/person ages 2 and older. Children under 2 are free.
Shadow Creek, Midlothian
If you’re looking for an all-in pumpkin patch experience, the one at Shadow Creek can’t be beat. A shady 25-acre farm plays host to a pumpkin patch, corn maze, hay hill slides, pumpkin bowling, and more than a dozen other activities for just one price. The only items that require an extra charge are axe throwing, apple cannons, pumpkins, and food and drinks.
If you purchase tickets online, the all-in price ($18.94) is shown up front – no hidden fees are added. (See details in the Dates, Hours, Tickets box below.)
Release of liability waivers are required to enter the farm. See the website for details.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 10 am to 3 pm Oct 11, 14, 21 10 am to 6 pm Saturday 1 pm to 6 pm Sunday
Tickets: $18,94 all-in price for ages 3-54 Free for ages 2 and under $16.90 for Community Heroes (Military/Veterans, First Responders, Teachers)
5G Farm Pumpkin Patch, McKinney
This family homestead farm has a pretty big list of activities for the low price of $5. With 7,000 pumpkins,you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities. Their corn maze is two acres, and there’s a hayride, a pallet maze for little ones, a petting zoo with bay goats, and a hayride. More than 35 vendors open shop every weekend, and there are food and drink options too.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays 11 am to 4 pm Wednesdays and Thursdays with no vendors and limited activities 11am to 7pm Fridays 9am to 7pm Saturdays 11am to 5pm Sundays
Tickets: Entry fee is $5 per person. Children under 2 are free
Storybook Ranch 2024 Pumpkin Patch at TUPPS in McKinney
You may be familiar with River Ranch Educational Charities (RREC), with services offered at Texas Horse Park equestrian center. This year, their StoryBook Ranch Pumpkin Patch will be hosted at TUPPS Brewery in McKinney. Dates and activities are TBA, but expected to begin in late September.
DBar Farm, Ponder
This Denton County farm is all about bringing the pretty pumpkins to you. They’ll deliver your pumpkin decor, or for an extra fee, stage it for you, if you live in Argyle, Aubrey, Bowie, Boyd, Bridgeport, Celina, Coppell, Cross Roads, Decatur, Denton, Flower Mound, Frisco, Gainesville, Grapevine, Justin, Keller, Krum, Lewisville, Little Elm, Pilot Point, Ponder, Prosper, Roanoke, Runaway Bay, Sanger, Southlake, The Colony.
They will also have pumpkin displays set up at 380 Farm Stand, where they sell other produce they’ve grown. Visit their website and contact them for information about the farm stand. You can also catch up with this farming family at the Coppell Farmers Market.
Goober Bub’s Orchard and Bakery, Justin
Want some U-pick off-the-vine pumpkins? Head out to Justin, TX to Goober Bub’s Orchard and Bakery starting Sept 28. Plans are yet to be confirmed, but teasers on Instagram promise hayrides and hot apple cider donuts. Visit the website (linked above) or follow them on Instagram for further announcements.
Cobbins Family Pumpkin Patch, Sanger
Traditional activities at this pumpkin patch a hay maze, fall photo ops, pumpkin bowling and a craft station. The kids will surely be entertained by the train barrel ride, sand pit, lawn games, board games, bounce houses playground, and play areas for toddlers and infants.
Concessions are available, but outside food is allowed too.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 11 am-7 pm
Tickets: $12 ages 13 and up $10 ages 3-12 (includes a mini pumpkin) Kids 2 and under are free
Teams Family Farms Pumpkin Patch Festival, Aubrey
The pumpkin patch offers a hay maze, farm animals to feed (cute baby goats), human-sized hamster wheels (I gotta see this), more activities, and of course photo ops and pumpkins to purchase.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 10 am – 7 pm
Tickets: Pay admission in person – cash preferred. $12 Tuesday thru Friday (2yrs & up) $18 Saturday & Sunday (2yrs & up) $15 Columbus Day (2yrs & up) Kids under 2 are free.
The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trails Farm, Gunter
Admission at this family-friendly (and dog-friendly) pumpkin patch includes one small pumpkin from the patch, a hayride, a hay maze, a roping pen, and a petting barn (feed included). On weekends, a ride on the farm train is included too. There are, of course, tons of photo opportunities for pumpkin fans. There’s an onsite hardware/feed store that also sells gifts/souvenirs, and a cafe on site too.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: 8 am-8 pm seven days a week
Tickets: Weekdays (Monday through Friday) – $12 per person
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) – $15 per person – Farm Train included!
Children under 2 are free.
Mainstay Farm Park and Winery Fall Festival, Cleburne
This seasonal attraction farm and winery about 50 miles from Dallas built some pumpkin houses (World of pumpkins!) and had plenty left over to fill up their pumpkin barn. Around 40 attractions are included in the ticket price, so your family can ride the Texas Big Wheel, play in a triple-decker treehouse, wander through a u-pick zinna field, hop on a hayride, enjoy a mix of carnival rides and play structures, and more. Add-on attractions include Mega Blasters, a Grand Funk Train, a paintball gallery and face painting.
Adults can enjoy live music, a Wine Terrace and food that maybe goes a bit beyond typical festival fare.
This venue is cash free.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: Sept: Sat: 10am-6pm | Sun: 11am-6pm
Oct & Nov: Fri: 5:30pm-9pm | Sat: 10am-9pm | Sun: 11am-6pm
Tickets: $31.95 at the gate for all visitors 2 and up. Flash sales as low as $17.95 are offered from time to time, and pre-purchasing online will save you money.
Fall Festival at Yesterland Farm, Canton
This farm and amusement park about an hour’s drive from Dallas has a fall festival and a sunflower patch through September and a pumpkin patch in October. Starting in October, there are “Spooktacular” events and activities every Friday and Saturday night. Tickets include a corn maze, farm animals and UNLIMITED rides on about a dozen (more for little ones) Amazement Park Rides. Some activities require an additional fee. Upgraded tickets include tokens for add-on activities.
Dates, Hours, Tickets
Hours: Sept: Sat/Sun: 10am – 7pm Sept. 28: 10am – 10pm Oct: Fri/Sat: 10am – 10pm | Sun: 10am – 7pm Nov: Fri/Sat: 10am – 10pm | Sun: 10am – 6pm Spooktacular Nights: Sept. 28: Dark – 10pm | Oct: Every Fri/Sat: Dark – 10pm | Nov: Fri/Sat: Dark – 10pm
Tickets: $34.95 for everyone 2 and older. Kids under two are free. Super tickets include tokens for additional attractions, and tickets can be purchased online at a discount.

Yesterland Farm in Canton, Texas is all about the pumpkins in the fall.
Pumpkin-Centered Fall Fests
Sept 21 | Fall Festival at North Haven Gardens | 11 am-2pm
FREE | Pumpkins, Mums, a petting zoo, and lots of fall decor
Oct 5 | Fall Fest at Grandscape, The Colony | 10 am-3 pm
FREE | Live music and dancing | Vendor market | Face painting/balloon twisters | Pumpkin photo ops
Oct 5 | River Legacy Fall Festival at River Legacy Park & Nature Center, Arlington | 11 am-7 pm
$8, Family Fun Packs avail | Pumpkin Patch | Tree Giveaway | Games | Bounce Houses | Live Music
Oct 5 | Goretti Fest Fall Festival at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School, Arlington | 11am-8pm
FREE Admission | Live Band | Magic Show | Dance Troupes | Rummage Sale | Vendor Hall
Oct 6 | Fall Festival at The Shire, Richardson | 11 am-5 pm
FREE | Pumpkin Painting | Live Music | Dog Costume Contest | Vendors | Lawn games | Face Painting and Caricatures
Oct 12 | Nash Farm Fall Round-Up at Historic Nash Farm, Grapevine | Free, but tickets are required for some activities.
10 am-2 pm | Fall Photo-ops, Cake Walk, Chuckwagon Demos, Tradition in the Making contest, Farm Animals and More. Proceeds benefit Nash Farm Education Programs.
Oct 13 | Fall Fest at The HUB, Allen | 1-5 pm
FREE | Pumpkin Painting | Outdoor Games | Food and Drinks | Football
Oct 19 | PumpkinFest at Paschall Park, Mesquite | Noon to 5 pm
FREE |Hayride | Trick or Treat | Costume Contest | $10 Wristband for Carnival and other Add-ons
Oct 19 | Fall Festival at Adriatica Village, McKinney | 11 am to 2 pm
FREE Admission, Fees for some activities. $25 all-access wristband
Oct 19 | DFW Fall Fest at Frisco Fresh Market, Frisco | 10 am-2 pm
FREE, Free Parking | Family/Kids | Live Entertainment | Critterman | Petting Zoo
Oct 25-27 | Autumn Daze at Downtown Ennis | 4-10 pm Friday, Noon-10 pm Sat, 11 am- 6pm Sun
FREE Friday, $5 Sat/Sun | Live Music | Haymaze | Carnival Rides Pumpkin Patch| Food & Drink
“Worth the Drive” Pumpkin Festivals
Oct. 9 | Punkin’ Days in Floydada, TX (West Texas, between Amarillo and Lubbock) | 8 am to 11 pm
FREE Admission, add-ons available | BBQ and Chili Cookoffs | Dozens of Games and Contests
The pumpkin capital of the U.S. holds a big bash on the second Saturday in October. Most of the day’s activities are free, but registration is required for the 5K run, car show, and some other contests. Admission to the evening street dance is $10 per person.
Oct. 26 | Festival of Pumpkins in Paris, TX | 9am to 4 pm
FREE Admission | Live Music |Pumpkin Decorating Events | Kids Midway | Festival Food | Downtown Shopping and Vendor Booths
Due north of Tyler and west of Texarkana, Paris, Texas is just over 100 miles northeast of Dallas. Go see the Texas Eiffel Tower and make the most of pumpkin season.

Mainstay Farm in Cleburne celebrates pumpkins in a big way.
Pumpkins and Pint Nights at the Arboretum
Oct 6, 15, 20, 25 | 6-9 pm | Live Music, Seasonal Brews | $9-22
Quirky and Unique Autumn Events
Sept 21 | Harvest Moon Supper at Historic Nash Farm, Grapevine
Oct 11 | Barn Dance at Historic Nash Farm, Grapevine
Oct 12 | Lake Joe Pool Pumpkin Run at Joe Pool Lake/Lynn Creek Park, Grand Prairie
Oct 18 | Fall Market and Glass Blown Pumpkin Patch at SiNaCa Studios – School of Glass and Gallery
Oct 26 | Pumpkin Catapulting Contest at The Maker Spot, North Richland Hills
Nov 2 | Fall Festival and Pumpkin Toss at In Sync Exotics, Wylie
Craft and Cooking Classes
Sept 14 | Fall Floral Pumpkin Upgrades at Central Market Dallas Preston Royal Community Room
Sept 19 | Bountiful Pumpkin Harvest (Wine and Painting) at Painting with a Twist, Richardson
Sept 21 | Decoupaged Dried Flower Pumpkins at Native Plants, Euless
Sept 25 | Cocktails with the Distiller-Pumpkin Spice Baby at Andersons Eatery and Distillery, Denton
Sept 27 | Fall Pumpkins – Paint and Sip by Classpop at Celestial Beerworks
Oct 9 | FREE BYOP Pumpkin Painting at Apt CoWork at Toscana at Valley Ridge, Lewisville
Oct 6 | Pumpkin Succulent Social Craft Party at DFW Young and Social, Farmers Branch
Oct 10 | Pumpkin Succulent Floral Class at Rosini Vineyards, Rockwall
Oct 20 | Pumpkin Carving Social Craft Party (Adults Only) at DFW Young and Social, Farmers Branch
Oct 20 | Create your own Pumpkin Patch at East Dallas Vintage Annex
Oct 26 | Adult Workshop – Pumpkin Planter at Covington’s Nursery and Landscape, Rowlett
Oct 28 | Learn @ Lunch: Great Pumpkin at Central Market Cooking School, Plano
Oct 30 | Learn @ Lunch: Great Pumpkin at Central Market Cooking School, Fort Worth

St James Episcopal Church in Dallas hosts an annual pumpkin patch.
Church Pumpkin Patches
Many churches set up pumpkin patches in their parking lots as annual fundraisers. Besides being a good place to buy pumpkins, many have photo ops, bake sales and vendor booths as well. Scroll down to see the list of Church Pumpkin Patches and Events.
These are almost always free, with proceeds coming from purchases. Dates and times can be hard to find on church websites, but most run for the entire month of October. Watch for them as you drive around town, or check these churches that have one annually.
These are listed alphabetically by city.
Creekwood United Methodist Church
261 Country Club, Allen
910 S. Collins, Arlington
911 S Davis Dr, Arlington
532 E. Sandy Lake Rd, Coppell
9845 McCree Road, Dallas
Grace Ave. United Methodist Church
3521 Main Street, Frisco, TX
1218 E Debbie Ln, Mansfield
Christ United Methodist Church
3101 Coit Road, Plano
Arapaho United Methodist Church
1400 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson