A trip to McKinney guarantees unforgettable experiences and unique places to explore, no matter when you visit. But in the fall, this North Dallas suburb truly shines, offering surprises and plenty of fun moments at a wide range of events and attractions.
September Celebrates Beer and the Outdoors
McKinney’s fall season kicks off with the arrival of the T-rex and his animatronic dinosaur friends at the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary. The "Dinosaurs Live" exhibit runs annually from September through February. The Heard also features a wide range of activities including bird walks, a kid-sized pioneer village, and guided trail and canoe experiences.
Wrap up September with an authentic Oktoberfest experience in McKinney’s historic downtown square which transforms into Little Bavaria with beer, food, music, games, dancing, and more. Younger visitors can enjoy the kids’ area, carnival, and events like the Weenie Dog Races while adults compete in German festival games like stein holding, beard and mustache competition, brat eating contest, and more. This much-anticipated event is free to attend but tickets are available for the VIP experience and other special passes. Book a hotel so you don’t miss any of the weekend-long good times!
October is Filled with Cultural and Spooky Events
October in McKinney offers a mix of cultural celebrations and thrilling, eerie history.
Take part in the beauty of the Asian cultures at the McKinney Moon Festival. Enjoy street food, live performances of music and dance, lanterns, and plenty of fun activities for all ages.
Ratrodtober takes over TUPPS Brewery with hundreds of rat rods, hot rods, custom cars, and bikes. This 8th annual event includes food, music, and other activities, all benefitting Tiny Pockets Community. Make it a full weekend getaway by booking a room at one of the event’s partner hotels in McKinney.
If you're a coffee aficionado, consider exploring Downtown McKinney's incredibly rich coffee culture at the seasonal Downtown McKinney Coffee Crawl. Wear your most creative costume and haunt Historic Downtown McKinney to get caffeinated at some of your favorite local coffee shops. You'll choose a place to start from a map given to you at check-in then journey to each stop to enjoy five distinct coffee experiences, two yummy pastries and even a ghoulish coffee cocktail! Get tickets HERE.
McKinney’s Día de los Muertos festival, held in downtown’s Mitchell Park in mid-October, is a vibrant celebration of Latin American culture, featuring food, music, dance, arts, crafts, and an incredible costume contest for all age groups.
If you love a good wine, tasty bites, and live music, make sure to get your tickets for the McKinney Wine & Music Festival at District 121, where you can sample wines from over three dozen award-winning wineries and savor dishes from local restaurants while rocking out to live music. The festival also features more than 50 vendors selling unique goods, all set in the beautiful District 121, a dynamic entertainment district set in a vibrant, community-focused environment.
As Halloween approaches, Chestnut Square Heritage Village increases their Ghostly Hauntings tours and experience offerings during which you can explore the village’s historic homes and hear tales of the ghosts that haunt them.
Kids will love the ever-popular Halloween at the Heard where they can walk along nature trails collecting candy and looking for the animatronic dinosaurs. This event always sells out so get tickets early!
Round out the month with McKinney Spooktacular Brews & Boos, a fun costumed beer stroll featuring 20 beer tasting stops throughout historic Downtown McKinney, giving you the opportunity to stop and shop along the way.
November Brings Holiday Magic to McKinney
As November rolls in, McKinney’s holiday season comes to life with twinkling lights, festive store windows, and a 30-foot community tree in Downtown McKinney. Kick off the holidays with Home for the Holidays… A McKinney Christmas over Thanksgiving weekend. During this three-day festival, the Downtown square becomes a holiday wonderland, complete with festive decorations, food and drink, visits with Santa, music, dancing, and a Ferris wheel. The holiday magic continues with Santa’s workshop, a kids’ craft area, and stunning decorations through Christmas Eve.
A McKinney Getaway is Perfect Any Time of Year
While visiting Downtown McKinney during the fall months or anytime, indulge in delicious cuisine at more than three dozen eateries, many of which source ingredients from North Texas farmers and artisanal producers. Learn more about Downtown McKinney being named the “Top Foodie Destination in Texas” here. You can also enjoy wine tastings at the Downtown McKinney wine rooms, a vintage video arcade, a comedy club, and an axe-throwing bar.
Other things to do and places to visit in McKinney include:
- Don’t miss the weekly Farmers Market at Chestnut Square, recently named the #1 farmers market in Texas and the Southwest, and #2 in the United States.
- And from Thursday through Saturday, grab a free ride on the Downtown McKinney Trolley.
- Also while in town, visit other entertainment districts located throughout town including Adriatica Croatian Village, and Hub 121.
Plan your fall McKinney adventure now with our online Visitors Guide!
