DALLAS — OK y'all, the arrival of fall is here and it just might start to feel a bit more like it actually is fall this weekend.
So, you want to get out and take advantage right?
Of course, you could visit the State Fair of Texas, which is going on now until Oct. 20. Or maybe check out all the pumpkins at Autumn at the Arboretum, which will runs through Halloween.
RELATED: New rides at the State Fair of Texas
But what else is there to do?
Friday, Oct. 4
1. Aliencon is going on all weekend at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. If you like HISTORY's "Ancient Aliens" show, you'll love this event, which will feature sci-fi celebs, authors, scientists, filmmakers, engineers archaeologists and more.
Want to get beamed up? Tickets start at $62.
2. Celebrate Oktoberfest this weekend at Oktoberfest Southlake! A huge event that draws tens of thousands, this festival is obviously doing something right.
Pay some homage to German heritage and traditions, don some lederhosen and grab a beer or pretzel before you settle in to watch the wiener dog race.
3. Take a trip to the Devil's Bowl Speedway in Mesquite on Friday or Saturday for the Lone Star 600, a racing event filled with non-stop action-- NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will be there to compete.
Tickets for both days cost $25, single day admission is $15.
4. Check out Sunset Live! at the Gardens in Grapevine on Friday or Saturday for some smooth tunes and gorgeous views of the gardens and the sunset. Bring something to sit on and your best boogie moves to this free event.
Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase. The event runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
5. Support the arts at the 2019 TACA Lexus Party on the Green at the AT&T Performing Arts Center on Friday by tasting the best DFW's culinary talent can create, along with live performances by 2019 TACA Grant Recipients.
Tickets start at $350. The event begins at 6:30 p.m.
6. Listen to the drums and be memorized by the moves of the dancers at DanceAfrica on Friday and Saturday. Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago will perform at the Moody Performance Hall at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $35. There is also a free family-friendly festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for performances, a marketplace and games.
Saturday, Oct. 5
7. The Don't Quit Half-Marathon and 5K will be at White Rock Lake on Saturday to help stop the stigma surrounding mental health.
There will be a street party (those who register get two Truly Hard Seltzers y'all) and runners will get plenty of swag, too. Registration is $85 for the half-marathon and $45 for the 5K up until race day. Register on race day and you'll pay $95 and $50, respectively. But, it all goes to a good cause! Proceeds benefit the North Texas Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which serves Dallas, Collin, Denton and Rockwall counties.
8. Check out the artwork at the Turtle Creek Fall Arts Festival at Reverchon Park in Dallas on Saturday and Sunday for pieces from 125 local and regional artists, along with food trucks, demonstrations and live music.
The best part? It's free to attend.
9. Dog-lovers, this is your day! Head to DogFest DFW in Irving for all the 'pup'-ular activities your heart desires and to help raise money for Canine Companions for Independence, which provides trained assistance dogs to people with disabilities free of charge.
Bringing your pup? Be sure to dress them in costume and enter the contest! For more information, click here.
10. Dallas PorchFest means there will be plenty of beautiful, historic front porches in the Peak's Addition neighborhood filled with musicians as they perform live music and local artisans' handiwork as well, all to benefit the neighborhood's programs and beautification.
11. Make your way to Plano with an empty stomach for the Plano Food and Wine Festival on Saturday to taste more than 100 wines and loads of dishes from more than 20 local restaurants.
Enjoy culinary demos from local talent, take a look at wares from more than 100 boutiques and shops and listen while you sip to local musicians. Passes start at $20.
12. Celebrate the Latinx LGBTQ+ community at the Texas Latino Pride Music Festival on Saturday, the largest Latinx pride music festival in the state. The festival will feature live music ranging from Bachata to pop to salsa, along with live dance team performances, a mechanical bull and food trucks.
The festival runs from 2 to 10 p.m. General admission costs $10.
13. Wander through the artwork of artists from across the country at the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson on Saturday and Sunday.
The juried semi-annual art show is a big draw for artists from all over and will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It's free to attend.
14. Tarrant County Pride Parade and Water Garden Festival. Celebrate this Saturday, the parade is themed "Remember Stonewall 1969 Parade" begins at 11 a.m. and then stick around for more activities at the water garden festival which runs through 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6
15. The 17th Annual Pottery in the Park Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday will have the work of more than 50 artists on display ranging from pottery to mosaics to stained glass, along with live demos where you can make your own piece of pottery, all while taking in views of the Trinity River.
This free event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day in Fort Worth at the CERA Pottery Studio.
16. Ready for basketball season? Go watch the Mavericks for free during the team's open practice at 11:30 a.m. It will be fans' first chance to see the entire 2019-2020 roster and will take place on the floor of the American Airlines Center. For more info, click here.