Things going on in fort worth this weekend

Wanna get out of the house? DFWChild’s calendar editor recommends the top five kid-friendly events each weekend coming to Dallas-Fort Worth that are worth the effort of venturing out. Sign up here to get our Weekend newsletter directly in your inbox every Thursday and find more family fun events every day of the week at dfwchild.com/calendar.

November 4–6

Big Cat Pumpkin Toss & Fall Festival
In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center, Wylie
Saturday, November 5, 11am–4pm
Pumpkins aren’t just for carving and photo ops. They’re for eating and playing, too—at least for the rescued big cats at In-Sync Exotics. The lions, tigers, cougars—they’ll all receive their own fall treats during this annual event that’s open to the public. The day includes face painting, a bounce house and games for kids. Make you’re sure there by 2pm to watch how the cats react to their pumpkins. Learn more

Festival at the Switchyard
Downtown Carrollton
Saturday, November 5, 11am–10pm
This particular fest is a fab choice for two reasons. One, you’ve got the free entertainment during the day, so your kids can enjoy the entire children’s area with abandon—everything from zip line, rock climbing wall and a game truck, crafts and face painting. Then after dark, you’ve got the rock concerts by headliners Soul Asylum and Hoobastank for lovers of music from the ‘90s and early aughts. FREE Get details

Japanese Garden Fall Festival
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Saturday–Sunday, November 5–6, 9am–5pm
If your kids have never fed the koi fish at the Japanese garden, this twice-annual cultural festival is a lovely excuse to go visit for the first time. The Fort Worth Japanese Society presents performances throughout the day, including taiko drumming, swordsmanship and karate, as well as origami and Japanese games. Register online to join the tea ceremonies in Oak Hall. Show me

Free First Saturdays
Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas
Saturday, November 5, 11am–5pm
Introduce a little contemporary art into your kids’ lives by exploring the Nasher Sculpture Center galleries and garden. You get to snack on complimentary tamales from Casa Mesa and join kid-focused crafts and more projects with two guest artists. FREE Learn more

The 4DWN Experience
4DWN, Dallas
Saturday, November 5, 11am–8pm
Bring your own skateboards to this South Dallas skate park for an all-day fest with performances by pro-skaters and EarthX film screenings. Kids are welcome to use the skate park when the pro skaters aren’t performing. Funds raised by this event will support the further construction of 4DWN’s zero waste skateboard park in South Dallas. Learn more

October 28–30

Boo at the Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo
Friday–Sunday, October 28–30, 10am–5pm
For those who can’t wait until Halloween night, why not maximize your family fun with daytime fun at the zoo? You’ll enjoy treat stations, animal shows and more themed entertainment at designated spots around the zoo all weekend. Learn more

Tunnel of Terror Haunted Car Wash
WashGuys Car Wash locations
Frisco: Friday, October 28, 7pm–midnight
Dallas: Saturday, October 29, 7pm–midnight
Lewisville: Sunday, October 30, 7pm–midnight
This drive-thru alternative to haunted houses brings the scares and gives you a legitimate car wash. Register online

Dallas Día de los Muertos
Dallas City Hall
Saturday, October 29, 2–10pm
Want to see the most stunning Catrinas and Catrins? Don’t miss this third annual festival and parade, getting bigger and bolder each year. The family-friendly festivities kick off at 2pm, with the community parade stepping off at 7pm. FREE Learn more

Halloween in the Park
Farmers Branch Historical Park
Saturday, October 29, 5–10pm
The city’s historical park transforms into a Halloween spectacle with a free Booville area and the Haunted Hedge for a bigger scare. Get details

Halloween Spooktacular
The Star District, Frisco
Saturday, October 29, 3–7pm
Suit up for the trunk-or-treat in the Gridiron parking lot, followed by music, spooky photos and games around Cowboys’ entertainment district. FREE Show me

Paddington Gets in a Jam
Eisemann Center, Richardson
Saturday, October 29, 11am and 2pm
The famously accident-prone, marmalade-loving bear gets into said jam both literally and figuratively. Reserve your seats for one of two shows to find out what goes down when he asks to borrow a cup of sugar from his neighbor. Get tickets

October 21–23

Eerie Irving
Trinity View Park, Irving
Saturday, October 22, 6–10pm
Join this Halloween fest at Trinity View Park with walk-thru haunted scenes for the kids in your family who love frights—and a haunted carnival and rides for smaller kids. Plus, be there at the top of the hour when the first 100 guests score free pumpkins to take home. FREE Learn more

Disney Princess: The Concert
Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas
Saturday, October 22, 7:30pm
Four Broadway starlets—better known as Cinderella, Belle, Jasmine and Tiana—headline this live concert at Music Hall. Reserve tickets

AllianceTexas Aviation Expo
Fort Worth Alliance Airport
Saturday, October 22, 10am–5:30pm
The Thunderbirds are back as the electrifying, featured performer (cue the Top Gun theme song) but your kids will love the inflatables and flight simulator. Get details

Park 10th Anniversary Party
Klyde Warren Park, Dallas
Saturday, October 22, 2–5pm
Enjoy live music, lawn games, free cupcakes and splash time in the Nancy Best Fountain, the park’s brand new water feature. FREE Show me

A Knight’s Tale Exhibition
Arlington Museum of Art
Opens Saturday, October 22, 10am–5pm
Continues Sunday, October 23, 1–5pm
You’ll see how real knights from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance dressed for battle through this new exhibition of 130 rare artifacts on loan from a museum in Florence, Italy. Show me

October 14–16

Mickey & Friends x CAMP: An Extra Big Adventure
CAMP Store, Dallas
Begins Friday, October 14, 10am–6pm
Open daily except Tuesdays, hours vary
The hybrid shop/play CAMP Store in The Hill shopping center opens Mickey & Friends, a one-of-a-kind play experience with larger-than-life props and spaces made for climbing, sliding and tossing around basketball-size popcorn kernels like a goofball. Reserve tickets

Corinth Pumpkin Palooza
Corinth Community Park
Saturday, October 15, 11am–9pm
You’ll find not only a pumpkin patch and pumpkin painting but also tethered rides inside hot air balloons and loads of free kids activities. FREE Learn more

Pumpkin Hollow
Little Elm Park
Thursday, October 13, 6–9pm
Friday–Saturday, October 14–15, 6–10pm
After dark, take your brave trick-or-treaters for a walk through the sorta scary haunted trail or another kid-friendly trail lined with hundreds of glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Show me

McKinney Día de los Muertos
Memorial Park, McKinney
Saturday, October 15, noon–9pm
Commemorate the Day of the Dead with face painters, crafts and tricked out lowriders. Register online for the costume contest for all ages, including Los Bebés. FREE Get details

Step Up for Down Syndrome
EpicCentral, Grand Prairie
Saturday, October 15, 8am–2pm
Show your support for The Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas by lacing up for this the 5K and family walk fundraiser. See schedule

Top photo courtesy of In-Sync Exotics