5 THINGS HAPPENING AROUND DFW THIS WEEK

October 12–18, 2026

There’s a lot happening around North Texas this week — and you don’t have to wait until Saturday to get out of the house.

From one of the biggest concerts coming through DFW this fall to the final days of the State Fair of Texas, here are five things happening around Dallas-Fort Worth this week.

1. KAROL G TAKES OVER AT&T STADIUM

One of the biggest shows of the week lands in Arlington Thursday night.

KAROL G brings her Viajando Por El Mundo Tropitour to AT&T Stadium on Thursday, October 15, with special guest ELENA ROSE. The Arlington stop follows KAROL G’s headline performance at Coachella and is part of her worldwide stadium tour. 

WHEN: Thursday, October 15
WHERE: AT&T Stadium, One AT&T Way, Arlington
INFO: Tickets are available through the stadium’s official event page.

This one is an easy pick for B96 listeners — and probably the biggest music event happening in DFW this week.

2. IT’S YOUR LAST CHANCE FOR THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS

If you’ve been telling yourself you still have time to make it to Fair Park, that time is running out.

The 2026 State Fair of Texas wraps up Sunday, October 18, meaning this is the final week for Big Tex, midway rides, Fletcher’s Corny Dogs, fair food and everything else that takes over Fair Park each fall. The fair opened September 25. 

WHEN: Through Sunday, October 18
WHERE: Fair Park, Dallas

Translation: if the State Fair has been sitting on your October to-do list, this is the week.

3. BUTTERFLIES TAKE OVER GRAPEVINE

One of the more unusual events happening this weekend is also free.

Grapevine’s 29th Annual Butterfly Flutterby happens Saturday at the Grapevine Botanical Gardens. This year’s event celebrates monarch butterflies and their migration through North Texas, with multiple live butterfly releases, a costume contest, arts and crafts and plenty of photo opportunities. 

WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
WHERE: Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, 411 Ball Street, Grapevine
COST: Free

Live butterfly releases are scheduled throughout the day, beginning at 11 a.m.

4. PHANTOM LIGHTS BRINGS A HALLOWEEN NIGHT TO ARLINGTON

Halloween season is officially getting underway around DFW.

Arlington’s Phantom Lights takes over Cliff Nelson Recreation Center Saturday evening with a lantern float on the pond, dance party and costume contest. Admission is free, while paper lanterns are available for $10 while supplies last.

 WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 6–8 p.m.

WHERE: Cliff Nelson Recreation Center, 4600 W. Bardin Road, Arlington
COST: Free admission

Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.

5. COME HUNGRY TO THE DALLAS SOUL FOOD FESTIVAL

Sunday might be the day to skip breakfast.

The Dallas Soul Food Festival returns to Lofty Spaces with more than 30 food vendors serving everything from fried chicken and fish to oxtails, barbecue, candied yams, turkey legs, funnel cakes and more. Vegan and keto options are also expected, along with local small-business vendors. 

WHEN: Sunday, October 18, noon–6 p.m.
WHERE: Lofty Spaces, 816 Montgomery Street, Dallas
ADMISSION: Free

The food, of course, is another story — so arrive hungry.

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING HAPPENING IN DFW

Big concert night? Check. Fair food? Check. Butterflies, Halloween and enough soul food to wreck whatever diet you started Monday? Also check.

Whatever part of North Texas you call home, there’s something worth getting out for this week.

Keep checking B96 Dallas for more things happening around Dallas-Fort Worth.