You wouldn’t know it from the thermometer, but the calendar says fall begins later this month — and so do a plethora of crowd-pleasing annual events.

Based on the astronomical Autumnal Equinox, the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere is Tuesday, Sept. 22.

But the 2026 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival takes to the sky the weekend before, running from Thursday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 20, at Oak Point Park. 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway in East Plano. 

This marks the 47th year of ballooning in Plano and Collin County and the event features balloons, food vendors, crafts made by local artisans, the Central Market Kids Fun Zone, entertainment on the FOX4 Main Stage, RE/MAX of Texas skydiving exhibitions and nightly fireworks.

Tickets are available for purchase onsite with adult tickets priced at $10 and $5 for kids 3-12 and seniors 65 and older.

Kids under 36 inches tall are admitted for free, as are all current and retired military with valid ID.

The festival is cashless, with all sales made via credit or debit card or Apple Pay.

The following weekend, the State Fair of Texas kicks off Friday, Sept. 25, and will run through Sunday, Oct. 18, in historic Fair Park in Dallas. 

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. but 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and this year’s theme is “Stars, Stripes and Howdies.”

Children aged 2 and under are admitted free while tickets for kids 3 through 12 are $10. All admissions are $10 after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 

Adult admissions (ages 13–59) are $15 Monday–Thursday and $25 Friday–Sunday. Seniors aged 60-up are admitted for $13 Monday–Wednesday, $7 Thursdays and $20 Friday–Sunday. 

Parking in official State Fair lots is $25 but DART’s Green Line serves the Fair and provides free parking in park-and-ride lots.

Celebrating 16 years of fun, Murphy’s free Maize Days Cornival is from noon until after the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, in Central Park, 550 N. Murphy Road.

Parking is free in Tom Kimbrough Stadium just to the north of the park and no shuttle will be available. VIP parking is $10 at the City Hall complex. 

Vendors accept cash but VIP parking and ride wristbands will require a credit or debit card. Wristbands are $15 before the event and $20 on the day of the festival. 

Entertainment will be on the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Main Stage and the CoServ Community Stage. The Maize Midway will have games and rides, and the Primrose Playground will be available for younger tots. Other attractions include inflatables, farm games and cornhole competition. 

Dogs are allowed but must be leashed at all times.

November brings cooler temperatures and the Murphy Family Campout from 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, to 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Central Park pond. 

Campsites for up to five campers are available for $50, with registration only for Murphy residents until Wednesday, Sept. 30. Non-residents may then sign up until Oct. 15.

The event includes dinner, breakfast, s’mores, a movie and a variety of games. 

On Saturday, Dec. 5, Murphy celebrates Christmas in the Park, a free event from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the City Hall complex.

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