East Dallas Fall Events: Your Ultimate Guide to Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Lochwood & Beyond This Fall
- Morgan Schneider
- Oct 21
- 4 min read
What are the best fall events happening in East Dallas this year?
Fall in East Dallas is packed with community events, cultural experiences, and family-friendly fun. From pumpkin patches and porch parties to local art tours and outdoor festivals, neighborhoods like Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Ridgewood Park, and Lochwood come alive with things to do. This guide will help you explore the best of what the season has to offer, right in your own backyard.
Why Locals Love Fall in East Dallas
Fall in Dallas means cooler temperatures, outdoor festivals, and a packed community calendar. And East Dallas neighborhoods like Lakewood, Lochwood, and Lake Highlands offer a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city access to arts, culture, and food. Whether you're looking for kid-friendly fun, evening wine socials, or cultural events, there's something happening nearby almost every weekend.
Top East Dallas Fall Events for 2025
1. Autumn at the Arboretum: Pumpkin Village & Family Fun
Location: Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden Dates: Now through November 2, 2025. This year's theme, "¡Mundo México!", turns the Pumpkin Village into a cultural celebration. Enjoy thousands of pumpkins, interactive exhibits, trick-or-treating with "Goblins in the Garden," and festive photo ops for all ages.
2. Old Lake Highlands Chili Cook-Off & Porch Party
Location: Lake Highlands neighborhood Date: October 17, 2025. A hyper-local event where neighbors compete with their best chili recipes while gathering on decorated porches. This is one of those quintessential East Dallas events that builds community and warms your soul.
3. Halloween Yard Decorating Contest (Lake Highlands & OLHNA)
Date: Judging starts October 15, 2025. Decorate your yard or take a spooky stroll through Lake Highlands to see how creative your neighbors get. Bonus: prizes are often awarded!
4. White Rock Lake Artists’ Studio Tour
Location: Multiple artist studios around White Rock Lake Date: October 11, 2025, 10am–5pm. A self-guided tour where you can meet East Dallas artists, see their workspaces, and even purchase original art. Perfect for a scenic fall Saturday.
5. Pumpkins & Pints at the Arboretum
Location: The Arboretum Date: October 19, 2025, 6–9pm. An evening adult event featuring local beer, live music, and glowing pumpkin displays after dark. Great for date night or midweek unwinding.
6. Oktoberfest Dallas at Flag Pole Hill
Location: Just off White Rock Lake Date: September 27, 2025. Enjoy German beer, bratwurst, live music, and a kid zone at this annual festival. It’s walkable from many East Dallas neighborhoods and draws a friendly crowd.
7. Wine Nights at Times Ten Cellars
Location: Lakewood Recurring: Wednesdays and select Sundays. Join locals for casual wine tastings, live music, and neighborhood mingling. Their weekly “Wine With Us Wednesday” is a low-key favorite.
Bonus Events Worth the Drive (Still Local!)
While not technically in East Dallas, these fall favorites are close enough to make your weekend calendar:
State Fair of Texas (Fair Park): Fried food, midway rides, Big Tex, and concerts. Runs through October 20.
GrapeFest (Grapevine): A wine-centric weekend of tastings, vendors, and grape stomping.
Plano Balloon Festival: Watch colorful hot air balloons take flight. Great for kids and early birds.
Pumpkin Nights at Howell Farms: Magical pumpkin displays perfect for Instagram.
How to Keep Up With East Dallas Events All Fall
Want to make the most of fall? Try these tips:
Bookmark neighborhood websites like Old Lake Highlands Neighborhood Association and Lakewood Advocate Magazine.
Join local Facebook groups focused on East Dallas events and families.
Check Eventbrite and the Dallas Arboretum site weekly.
Make a shared family calendar for events, yard contests, and tickets.
Walk your neighborhood regularly as many events are advertised on porch signs or flyers.
Why Fall is a Great Time to Explore East Dallas
If you're new to East Dallas, fall is the perfect time to get involved. Community events offer a low-pressure way to meet neighbors, explore the area, and discover what makes Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Lochwood, and Ridgewood Park such beloved neighborhoods. From scenic walks along White Rock Lake to sipping wine on a local patio, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the season.
Whether you're carving pumpkins, tasting chili, or hunting for the best Halloween display, East Dallas makes fall feel festive, local, and alive.
Final Takeaway
There’s no better place to enjoy the fall season than right here in East Dallas. The neighborhoods of Lakewood, Lake Highlands, Lochwood, and Ridgewood Park offer a full calendar of events from classic family fun to hidden local gems. Use this guide as your go-to resource, and make the most of the crisp air, community spirit, and festive vibes.
Looking to Buy or Sell in East Dallas This Fall?
I'm Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass, REALTOR® serving Dallas. I know East Dallas inside and out, not just the housing market, but the people and events that make this community special.
If you want local insight into neighborhoods like Lakewood or Lake Highlands, or you're thinking about making a move this season, I’d love to connect.
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