Even with the official arrival of a new season, temperatures are still soaring and it certainly doesn’t feel like the true start of Fall. But of course we know it won’t last forever, which is why we’re planning now for the day it drops below 70 degrees and we can run to the closest pumpkin patch.
So whether you live in one of our markets or you’re planning a visit to one this fall, here is our guide for events, festivals, and, yes, pumpkin patches throughout Austin, Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix!
Austin Events
Austober Fest
October 3, 2026 12-10 PM | Scholz Garten
A beloved annual Austin event complete with live music, free sausage, stein holding competitions, beer samplings, plus plenty of activities for the kids.
Austin Film Festival
October 29 – November 5, 2026 | Various theaters throughout downtown Austin
This is the 33rd annual film festival and it spans over eight days, screening more than 150 films, many of them world premieres. See them before their wide release!
Austin City Limits
October 2 – 4 & 9 – 11 | Zilker Park
Over 100 performances scheduled across 9 stages, featuring local food and drink vendors. With two weekends to choose from, there is so much to see and do.
Texas Book Festival
November 14 – 15 | Downtown Austin, Free admission!
This is the largest book event in Texas and one of the premier literary Festivals in the nation. You can expect an all-star author lineup of more than 250 of the year’s leading writers, programming for all ages in both English and Spanish, book signings, cooking demonstrations, family and teen-focused activities, hundreds of bookish exhibitors, food trucks, a Saturday night Lit Crawl, and more. Plus, it’s free!
Check out this roundup of great Austin area pumpkin patches!
Fall Fun in Dallas
Autumn at the Arboretum
September 19 – November 1 | Dallas Arboretum
This year’s theme is Harvest Hues where the village is reimagined through the lens of modern and contemporary artists including Basquiat, Rothko, Bourgeois, Mondrian, Escher, and Pollock. More than 100,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash have been assembled into works of art.
State fair of Texas
September 25 – October 18 | Dallas Fairgrounds
Big Tex is back for the 140th year of the Texas State Fair! From the classic fair food options, an all-star stunt dog show, classic rides, and historic attractions, there is something for everyone.
McKinney Oktoberfest
September 25 – 27 | Downtown McKinney
Historic downtown McKinney becomes a Bavarian village for three days: polka bands, Alpine dance troupes and strolling accordions across multiple stages, stein-holding and weenie dog races, a Kinder Korner for the kids. Admission is free!
Greek Food Festival of Dallas
November 6 – 8, 2026 | Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Try the flavors of Greece from your own neighborhood! Or shop the bustling Agora for authentic Greek groceries, jewelry, gifts, and specialty imports. They will also be offering cooking demos so you can learn how to make your favorite dishes
And check out this roundup of the best Dallas area pumpkin patches.
What To Do in Denver
Denver Botanic Gardens Pumpkin Festival
October 9 – 11 | Chatfield Farms Location
Explore the sprawling 10-acre pumpkin patch and corn maze, plus enjoy their wide variety of activities like bingo, wagon rides, photo booths, live music, and more. Each child admission ticket includes access to carnival games, magic shows, inflatable slides and bounce houses, face painting and balloon characters.
Chatfield Corn Maze
September 18 – November 1 | Chatfield Farms Location
This year, Corn Maze honors the Centennial State’s 150th anniversary. Twists and turns cut into the maze create Colorado state symbols like the Rocky Mountain columbine and the bighorn sheep.
Four Mile Park Pumpkin Harvest Festival
October 17-18 | Four Mile Historic Park
Entry to the Festival includes Access to the Pumpkin Patch and Accessible Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Carving/Painting Station, Access to the SCFD Fun Zone, Crafts, Tours of the Historic Four Mile House Museum, Historic Demonstration Access, Access to the Fall Marketplace and Food Trucks
And be sure to check out these Denver area pumpkin patches!
Phoenix Fun
Arizona State Fair
October 1 – November 1 | Arizona State Fair Grounds
The Arizona State Fair is one of the top 5 state fairs by yearly attendance in the country, drawing over a million visitors annually. It typically has around 75 amusement rides, 110 food booths, and 300 commercial sales booths. Enjoy the Heidi Coaster or the speedy Overdrive, the classic Banana Split, Pickle Split or Flaming Hot Cheeto pretzels, pizza, corn dogs and so much more!
Desert Fall Festival
September 25 – November 1
13 acres of fall fun—featuring The Big Dig, an interactive industrial excavator attraction, The Desert Scavenger Hunt with eight towering 10-ft pumpkins to find, ziplines, apple cannons, the Adopt-a-Pumpkin Program, delicious food, unique photo ops, and so much more!
Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
October 23-25 | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Spooktacular offers a safe and memorable trick-or-treat experience where there is family fun for everyone. Featuring over 20 hot air balloons, 4,000 pounds of candy, a spooky costume contest, and tethered balloon rides, this is a fun time for everyone.
And of course, here are some Phoenix area pumpkin patches to keep in your back pocket!
So here’s to welcoming Fall in style and with plenty of seasonal themed activities. Whether you’re heading to the nearest pumpkin patch or planning a weekend full of state fair or music festivities, there’s something for everyone in our guide!
