DALLAS — It's the most anticipated season: fall.
It marks the end of the dreadful Texas summer and brings in cooler weather. For many, it evokes memories of crisp morning air, spooky Halloween nights, and falling autumn leaves.
But, it wouldn't be fall without pumpkins. They are a staple of fall decor, and whether you're carving, picking, or both, picking out the perfect pumpkin can be a fun thing to do with friends and family.
Sure, you could go to the grocery store and buy one from a bin, but for those true fall enthusiasts, the pumpkin patch is the place to be.
Here's a list of pumpkin patches across North Texas:
Where: Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas
When: Sept. 21 - Nov. 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Dallas Arboretum is the perfect place to take the kids any time of year, but they go all out in the fall. There will be over 100,000 pumpkins on display, and other pumpkins will be available for purchase.
Where: The Shed, 1010 S. Pearl Expressway, Dallas
When: Sept. 16- Oct. 31, Sunday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Dallas Farmers Market will have more than 25 types of pumpkins and gourds fresh from Floyada Texas. Until Halloween, you can pick out the perfect pumpkin for carving, baking or decoration. Plus, you can always knock out some grocery shopping while you're at it. On Oct. 5, they'll host Pumpkin Day with activities for kids like hay and train rides.
Where: NorthPark Center
When: Oct. 11-Nov. 3
NorthPark Center's CenterPark Garden will be transformed into a fall fairytale destination, filled with thousands of pumpkins, autumn plantings, a wishing well, gnome village, and more.
Where: Howell Farms, 4016 W. Division St., Arlington
When: Sept. 19–Oct. 31, Time slots open at 7 p.m. in Sept. and 6 p.m. in Oct.
Pumpkin Nights are back for 2024 in Arlington! Attendees can really get into the spooky spirit with a Halloween walking path featuring 10-foot-tall Jack-o-Lanterns, a pumpkin pirate ship and other pumpkin art displays.
Where: Hall's Pumpkin Farm, 3420 Hall Johnson Road, Grapevine
When: Oct. 4–Nov. 3, Wednesday and Thursday 3–8 p.m., Friday 3–9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sunday 1–8 p.m.
Hall's Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze offer the full fall experience. You can pick out a pumpkin, get lost in the corn maze, and visit with farm animals! The farm also has hayrides available, and if you're looking for food, they'll have kettle corn and hot apple cider!
Where: 10534 Eakin Cemetery Road, Justin
When: Sept. 28–TBD
There are not many spots where you can pick your pumpkin straight off the vine, but you can here! Goober Bub's Orchard and Bakery is a family-owned farm that offers over 20 pumpkin varieties. Plus--not to get your mouth watering-- they'll have apple cider donuts, caramel apple muffins and pies for sale. You can also take the kids on a hayride around the pumpkin patch. If you don't make it in time for fall, you can always come back in spring and summer to pick flowers and berries.
Where: 1042 W. Sherman Drive, Aubrey
When: Sept. 18–Nov. 3, Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., closed every Monday except Columbus Day
Team Family Farms is hosting its 9th annual Pumpkin Patch Festival. You can bring the family for train rides, playgrounds, giant human hamster wheels or to feed the animals.
Where: 1794 Sunset Trail, McKinney
When: Sept. 27–Oct. 27, Friday and Saturday 9 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
For the first time, this year, Sunset Trail Farm will host a pumpkin patch! It'll be a family-friendly environment with farm animals, pumpkin bowling and rubber duck races, and if you get thirsty, you get to choose from hot apple cider or blackberry lemonade! When you're done picking out a pumpkin, you can pick your own bouquet.
Where: 15102 TX-289, Gunter
When: Sept. 14–Nov. 27, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
This is another family-owned farm packed with fall activities. For starters, you can pick your own pumpkin straight from the vine. They'll also have a petting farm, hay rides and a hay maze. Once you're done with all that, you can stop in their hardware and feed store to pick up something sweet for the road.
Where: 1232 E. Fork Road, Rockwall
When: Sept. 28–Oct. 31, Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 12–6 p.m.
While Blase Family Farm is known for their summer blueberry picking season, they're also open in fall for a pumpkin patch! You'll be able to pet llamas, alpaca, sheep and donkeys or take a hayride through the farm. Pumpkins run from $2 to $20. It's a popular attraction, so they do require reservations to be made in advance here.
Where: 601 Harvey Lane, Denison
When: Oct. 5–Oct. 31, Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 1–5 p.m.
They may be best known as a great spot to get a Christmas tree come winter, but they also have a stellar pumpkin patch! If you just want a pumpkin, you can grab one from their farmers market, but if you want to get in a full day of activities, you can go on their Pumpkin Tour, which includes picking out your own pumpkin from the patch!
Where: 3709 County Road 617, Alvarado
When: Oct. 5–TBD, Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Columbus Day 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Country Critters Farm is primarily a petting zoo, making it the perfect spot to get up close with some farm animals. Starting Oct. 5, they put on their pumpkin patch with hayrides, rubber duck races and homemade pumpkin bread! Saturday before Halloween, the farm also puts on a trick-or-treat event!
Where: 3280 Burwick Road, Jacksboro
When: Sept. 27–Oct. 27, Friday 12–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sunday 12–6 p.m.
For its fifth year, the Jacksboro Pumpkin Patch is back! They'll have something for all ages from face painting to ax throwing. Of course, they'll have plenty of pumpkins available to purchase, and you can even paint them there. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also shoot an apple from their apple cannon!
Where: 1004 W. Bethesda Road 617, Cleburne
When: Sept. 21–Nov. 3
September hours: Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
October/November hours: Friday 5–10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Mainstay Farms' name rings true. They are a mainstay for fall fun in North Texas. Each year, they put on their fall festival with plenty of activities. They have a Ferris wheel, mini rollercoaster and a treehouse with a slide! Of course, you can pick out the perfect pumpkin and when you're done, pick yourself a bouquet of zinnias.
Where: 7126 S. Farm to Market 548, Royse City
When: Sept. 27–Oct. 31, Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday:12-5 p.m.
Pitchfork Pumpkin Patch offers a variety of pumpkins and gourds, and if you don't want to have to clean up at home, you can paint and carve your pumpkin on-site. If you mess up, you can always smash it at the patch!
Where: 1530 Indian Creek Drive, Midlothian
When: Oct. 5–Oct. 27, Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Shadow Creek Pumpkin Farm is made to shine this time of year! The pumpkin patch offers tractor rides, alpaca petting, a corn maze, hay slides and a hay pyramid to climb!
Where: 15410 Interstate 20, Canton
When: Sept. 21–Nov. 3
September hours: Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
October/November hours: Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
Yesterland Farm is chockful of activities and attractions for all ages. They have roller coasters, slides, tractor rides, swings and more. For fall fun, you can pick out your pumpkins, zinnias or sunflowers, take a walk through the corn maze or grab some Halloween-themed bites at Hog Wild Grill. Speaking of Halloween, they'll have their Spooktacular Nights starting Sept. 28 and every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 3.
If you have a pumpkin patch you'd like to be featured, send an email to bsawyers@wfaa.com.
