Plano, Texas -- October is quickly approaching and Plano has all the fall stops. From the top-ranked haunted house in Texas and family-friendly Halloween celebrations to an iconic international festival and a Dallas staple restaurant's debut at Legacy West, there's plenty to look forward to next month for a variety of audiences.
Dates: September 19-November 13
Location: 701 Taylor Drive, Plano, TX
Details: Step into one of Texas' most immersive haunted attractions, where elaborate theatrical sets, terrifying creatures, state-of-the-art effects and unexpected scares are around every corner. For the 2026 season, experience more animatronics than ever before, the all-new Medusa's Lair and Strega Chamber, the North American Cryptid Museum and an ever-growing goblin horde taking over the labyrinth. On Sept. 20, Oct. 15 and Nov. 1, the haunted house will host Chicken Nights for families and self-proclaimed scaredy-cats.
Dates: October 2-22
Location: Mic Drop Comedy Plano
Details: This 75-minute walking tour takes you beyond the polished glow of Legacy West and into the city's darker corners, where laughter meets the unexplained. Led by professional comedians with a flair for the dramatic, this experience is equal parts eerie, hilarious and unexpectedly heartfelt. Uncover chilling urban legends, haunted landmarks and true local lore that's been whispered across generations; from playful poltergeists and weeping children to flickering lights, phantom footsteps and one particularly restless graveyard.
Date + Time: October 11, 11 am-5 pm
Location: Downtown Plano Arts District
Details: The Barktoberfest at Downtown Plano is a fall festival made for people and their pups. Guests can expect local vendors and boutiques, a dog costume contest, pet vendors, goodies for dogs, fall-inspired finds and seasonal treats and photo opportunities throughout. Prizes will be awarded for Dog Costume Content winners, whether they are dressed in spooky, silly or just plain adorable outfits.
Dates: October 15-16
Location: Downtown Plano Arts District
Details: Take a peek into Plano's paranormal past with this walking tour through the city's haunted history. Ghoulish guides will lead guests into homes and businesses full of true tales of the macabre. There will be two tours per night on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16. Tours begin at 6pm and last approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Date + Time: October 17; 11 am-5 pm
Location: Downtown Plano; Haggard Park
Details: The largest, longest running multicultural festival in North Texas, the Plano International Festival has been bringing the sights, sounds and tastes of the world to Plano since 2005. The event includes multicultural music and dance performances, ethnic food trucks, cultural displays, an art exhibit, free Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math and eco-friendly DIY activities and a Festival Passport as an incentive to travel to all cultural booths.
Date + Time: October 24; 5-10 pm
Location: Downtown Plano Arts District, Haggard Park
Details: Taking over Downtown Plano and the Haggard Parking Lot, R.I.P. Fest transforms the area into a spirited (but not too spooky) scene, complete with Instagram-worthy photo ops, live performances, carnival rides and creepy characters roaming the streets. Whether you're a little goblin or a grown-up ghoul, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Some fall festival food and drink favorites will be available for purchase throughout the event, including themed cocktails and mocktails from Fillmore Pub.
Date + Time: October 24
Location: Legacy West
Details: The Henry, the self-proclaimed "greatest neighborhood restaurant" that has thrived in Uptown Dallas, will celebrate the grand opening of its second DFW location on Oct. 24, in Plano's Legacy West. The Henry Plano will span roughly 12,976 square feet, featuring both indoor and outdoor dining, a full-service coffee bar, an open kitchen, a central bar and a private dining room. The space will showcase the brand's signature mix of industrial and classic design, paired with the lively atmosphere and warm hospitality guests have come to expect.
Date + Time: October 31; 5:30-8:30 pm
Location: The Boardwalk at Granite Park
Details: On Halloween evening, trick-or-treat your way through the seven Boardwalk at Granite Park restaurants and enjoy a night full of a live DJ, fall photo opportunities, games with prizes, glitter tattoos, scarecrow balloon creations and additional kids' activities.
Downtown Plano Storefront Decorations
Dates: Oct. 1-31
Location: Downtown Plano
Details: Businesses and street poles throughout Downtown Plano will be lighted and decorated beginning on Oct. 1, with themes like Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, Alice in Wonderland, Swamp, Spiders, Ghosts and more. Participating locations include, Urban Crust, Bibliobar, McNeal's Tavern, Dirty Water Fly Co, Better Than Sex and Willis Morrison State Farm. Fillmore Pub and Vickery Park fully decorate their restaurants annually for guests to enjoy.
