October is a great month to experience Fort Worth, with professional bull riding, sprint car racing, art festivals and family-friendly Halloween events happening throughout the city. From cheering on the Texas Rattlers at PBR Rattler Days and celebrating Hispanic heritage at the Michelada Festival to trick-or-treating at Boo at the Zoo and browsing artists' booths at Arts Goggle and Art Worth Fest, there are plenty of ways to make the most of October in the Modern West.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, a family trip or a night out, use this guide to find some of the best things to do and events happening in Fort Worth in October 2026.
October Festivals & Major Events in Fort Worth
Fashion Week - Stockyards Style
October 2–4, 2026 | Fort Worth Stockyards
For three days, the Fort Worth Stockyards becomes the ultimate destination for western style, creativity and culture—with plenty of reasons to dress up and show up. From runway moments and legendary voices to original artwork, exclusive shopping experiences and live entertainment, fashion week stockyards style celebrates where western tradition meets modern style.
PBR Rattler Days
October 2–4, 2026 | Dickies Arena
The Ariat Texas Rattlers return to Dickies Arena for their annual homestand, bringing three days of professional bull riding to Cowtown as part of the PBR Team Series. The weekend also includes family-friendly activities and a parade in the Stockyards.
Michelada Festival
October 11, 2026 | Downtown Fort Worth, General Worth Square
This free outdoor festival celebrates Hispanic heritage through food, live music and a competition to crown the best authentic michelada. Hosted by the nonprofit Connect Respect, the event supports scholarship programs for Texas Wesleyan University students and features vendors that are entirely locally owned.
Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing Championship
October 16–17, 2026 | Texas Motor Speedway Dirt Track
The national sprint car series returns to Fort Worth for its season-ending championship weekend, with 410 winged sprint cars competing on the half-mile dirt track to decide the year's champion.
Arts Goggle
October 24, 2026 | Near Southside, Magnolia Avenue
This free, family-friendly festival brings more than 1,000 local artists and dozens of live music acts to a stretch of Magnolia Avenue between 8th Avenue and South Main Street. Restaurants, shops and galleries throughout the Near Southside open their doors for the day, making it easy to explore on foot or by bike.
Boo at the Zoo
October 23–25, 2026 | Fort Worth Zoo
The Zoo's annual Halloween event brings treat stations, themed entertainment and animal shows to a daytime, family-friendly celebration. Boo at the Zoo is included with regular Zoo admission or membership.
Art Worth Fest
October 23–25, 2026 | The Shops at Clearfork
This juried festival of fine art and fine craft brings roughly 90 artists from across the country to the lawn at The Shops at Clearfork, along with live demonstrations in glassblowing, metalsmithing and pottery. The weekend also features classical music performances, including sets from the Fort Worth Opera.
Live Music & Entertainment
From country and Texas music in the Stockyards to concerts at major venues, October offers plenty of opportunities to hear live music in Fort Worth. Catch performances at venues throughout the city, including Billy Bob's Texas, Dickies Arena, Bass Performance Hall and other local music venues.
For the most current lineup, explore the Fort Worth music calendar.