DALLAS — Can you believe it's the middle of October almost already? Whether you're guzzling pumpkin spice lattes or still rocking shorts and a T-shirt, fall is here and passing by quickly.
So before it gets too cold out there, you'll want to take advantage of all the awesome outdoor festivals and activities right at your fingertips, right?
You can still visit the State Fair of Texas, which is going on now until Oct. 20 (oh, and Billy Ray Cyrus will be there on Sunday) or embrace the fact that it is fall and check out all the pumpkins at Autumn at the Arboretum, which runs through Halloween.
And there's plenty more. Here's what else is happening this weekend.
Thursday
1. The 4th Annual Uptown Block Party will be rocking out Griggs Park on Thursday, starting at 6 p.m. Dylan Scott and Lainey Wilson will perform. There will be food trucks aplenty, and attendees will get two free beers.
Don't forget to bring a lawn chair or blankets to sit on, and make sure to have your ID handy, too.
2. Run away and join the circus-- at least for a night-- and visit the Lone Star Circus at the Dallas Farmers Market all weekend long to see Cirque Kerwich, featuring contortionists, magicians and comedians, along with acrobats.
Tickets are $20 for children and $30 for adults. Click here for showtimes.
Friday
3. Travel to Armenia without venturing further than Carrollton this weekend with Armeniafest at the St. Sarkis Armenian Church. The cultural festival goes through the entire weekend and will have folk dance performances and demonstrations, lots of food and plenty of other heritage-based activities to explore.
Admission and parking to the festival are free. Times differ throughout the weekend, click here for more information and a full event schedule.
4. Burgers and Burgundy will take over Klyde Warren Park starting at 6:30 p.m. as 12 acclaimed chefs serve up their own unique sliders and wine pairings to benefit DIFFA Dallas, a group that raises awareness and money for those affected by HIV/AIDS in the region.
The event has a feather theme and tickets start at $150 per person.
5. The Modern Cinema Festival runs all weekend long at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. It's your chance to seem some of 2019's "most-anticipated and critically-acclaimed films," according to the festival's Eventbrite description.
Attendees can get individual screening tickets for $15 or passes for $59. For a full list of the films being shown, click here.
6. Get ready for some haunted history and mysterious experiments at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History during its SPOOKY Science on Tap event on Friday. Get dressed up for the costume contest and be ready to be spooked and amazed by the pumpkin chuckin', some very life-like injuries, creepy collections and wizard wand crafting, among other chilling activities.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with a social hour. Tickets begin at $20, with VIP admission costing $30.
7. Murder mystery lovers, get ready. Play a detective in a live game of Clue at the Dallas Museum of Art on Friday. If you solve the mystery correctly, you could win one of five prize packs, including a gift certificate the museum's store.
The event starts at 8 p.m., with dinner service at the DMA Cafe running from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35 for the public and $30 for members or students.
Saturday
8. Want it to be a bit colder outside? Well, head indoors for some icy fun and go watch the Dallas Stars take on the Washington Capitals at the American Airlines Center this Saturday at 7 p.m.
Tickets start at $20.
9. Take part in a classic tradition and watch that Red River Showdown as the Texas Longhorns take on Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl Stadium during the State Fair this Saturday.
Just beware, you'll be in good company on game day-- more than 100,000 people travel to the State Fair for the game, according to the Fair. Tickets to the game are still available on common resale sites like StubHub or Vivid Seats.
10. Grab your pumpkin spice latte and your favorite fall outfit before heading to Dallas' Original Pumpkin Festival at the Dallas Farmers Market this Saturday for all things pumpkin.
Twenty-five varieties of Texas pumpkins, gourds and squash will be on display during the event to make for that perfect Instagram pic, along with educational and cooking demos, tastings, live entertainment and other activities to keep you busy. And don't forget to check out the pumpkin pie!
11. Gearheads, this one is for you. Ratrodtober at TUPPS Brewery in McKinney will have historical and revamped vehicles on display on Saturday for a celebration of all things rat rod.
A keg tapping, mini bike races and live music are also on the agenda, with the keg tapping kicking off the festivities at 11 a.m.
12. Take in the cultures of the world at the Plano International Festival for free on Saturday at Haggard Park in downtown Plano with cultural art, food, music and dancing on display for people of all ages to enjoy.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a live performance from dancers and the Plano Symphony Orchestra at 5 p.m. Click here for more information.
13. Experience Oktoberfest at the Toyota Music Factory for free in Irving on Saturday. The outdoor festival will start at 5 p.m. with live German music, "German-style food and drinks" and other themed activities for all ages.
Sunday
14. Get your tastebuds ready! Black Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday to celebrate the city's finest African-American, African and Caribbean cuisines.
The highlight of the week will be the NOSH culinary showcase on Thursday, Oct. 17 at The Empire Room. Doors open for that event at 6 p.m. and tickets start at $30.
15. Taste some of the best cocktails in Dallas and help give back to the community all at the same time by attending the Ultimate Cocktail Experience, "the world's largest charity cocktail event."
Founded in 2012, the event has raised more than $700,000 thus far-- and organizers hope to reach $1 million this year-- with 100% of proceeds going towards Trigger's Toys, an organization that serves chronically ill children and their families, according to UCE's website.
Tickets cost $65 and doors open at 6 p.m. at Harlowe MXM in Dallas.
16. Head to downtown Fort Worth for a free celebration of Hispanic heritage at the Clamato Michelada Festival on Sunday.
The festival runs from 12 to 8 p.m. and has a competition for the best Clamato Michelada along with live music, authentic Mexican food and vendors.
Have an upcoming event you'd like featured? Email it to jprohov@wfaa.com for consideration.