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Christmas Lights Celebration and Shopping Stroll © Highland Park Village 

Dallas Zoo Lights  © Dallas Zoo 

Lightscape at Fort Worth Botanical Gardens © Fort Worth Botanical Gardens 

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Cirque du Soleil: Twas the Night Before… © Cirque du Soleil 

Texas Ballet Theater Presents The Nutcracker  © Texas Ballet Theater 

Dallas Symphony Orchestra Deck the Halls Family Holiday Concert  © Dallas Morning News 

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Lone Star Christmas at Gaylord © Gaylord Texan 

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There are just too many great bars to list them all here, but the Say Yes team has scoped out some of our faves in the region. No matter who you’re rooting for you can watch your favorite team at some of the best bars and cold brews around the region. In no particular order:

Frankies Bar
Right in the heart of downtown Dallas, you can find Frankie’s bar. Supporting local businesses, they have local Texas Craft Beers and keep many Texas liquors in stock. They have won numerous awards for their drinks, wings, pizza, burgers, and more!

TNT Sports Bar
This smaller, local spot has everything you could want. They pride themselves being the home of the Minnesota Viking Purple Haze Fan Club, but if you root for another team, doesn’t mean there isn’t something for you. Their renovated space has 28 HDTVs, pool tables, and bar games.

Texas Live
Want to be as close as possible to the Cowboys and Rangers, but not quite at the game? Texas Live will be your go to place. With Texas-sized tv screens, games, numerous bars, and restaurants you’ll be able to watch the game with your friends and probably make a few throughout the day.

Bar Louie
In the heart of Toyota Music Factory is Bar Louie, with a spacious outdoor patio for those cooler days. There are great happy hour specials and always a different weekly special to keep an eye out for. Sundays are for the boys and for football, find great Sunday specials and all the games playing.

Hardwood Tavern
Go down South Harwood street and find the blue lit tree welcoming you. Harwood Tavern promises good food and good cocktails. The new developments have made this a popular spot for residents and downtown businesses.

Knockout Sports Bar
Known for having the coldest beer in Texas at 26 degrees, Knockout sports bar has everything you need for gameday—great drink specials, good food, and surrounded by flat screen TVs.

Katy Trail Icehouse
Awarded as one of the best patios in Dallas, Katy Trail Icehouse has cold brews, good food, and great views. All the food on the menu is made from scratch. On the weekends get in line for some Texas BBQ but get there early because it runs out fast!

Good Friend
Make sure to come hungry because you will not want to miss what’s on this menu. Open Wednesday-Sunday this will be the place to grab a burger and cold beer. Fur friends are welcome.

No Frill Grill
With four locations, this action-packed sports bar has every game playing on their 100 HD TVs and 35 satellites—you won’t miss any of the action. Bring a group because their dining room was designed for the large party in mind.

TRICK OR TREAT: SPOOKY STORIES WITH A TWIST
Saturday, October 8
Get your best costume and join Dallas Comedy Club for an evening of chilling ghost stories. Storytellers will share true stories that are sure to send chills down your spine.

TRICK-OR-TREAT ON DOWNTOWN STREETS: MAIN STREET GARDEN PARK
Friday, October 28
Downtown Dallas, Inc. will be providing a map of participating Downtown businesses that will be handing out tricks, treats, and Halloween items for all.

TRICK OR TREAT AT KLYDE WARREN
Saturday, October
Bring the whole family for Klyde Warren Park’s second-annual free trick-or-treating party in the park.

THE HAUNTED LIGHTS & FRIGHTS TOUR
October 28-31
See the spooky side of Dallas during this haunted tour of cemeteries, hotels, and other eerie locations around the region. You can BYOB, BYOC (bring your own candy), and dress up.

DALLAS ZOMBIE CRAWL—HALLOWEEN PUB CRAWL
Saturday, October 29
Pick up your Zombie survival kit at check-in and take over the streets of Dallas. Your kit will include a map of the participating bars and nightclubs where you can find entry and drink specials.

MOVIES IN THE PARK: HOCUS POCUS
Saturday, October 29
Bank of America presents Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus. Pack comfy blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy this Halloween classic at Klyde Warren Park.

MOXLEY MANOR HAUNTED HOUSE
All month
For those looking for a real scare, visit Moxley Manor, which features three haunted houses. As one of the top rated haunted houses in the region, will you dare to visit?

A required stamp on the Texas Passport

By Matthew Berger, Director of Communication

The State Fair of Texas is returning to historic Fair Park, and visitors from near and far are excited. From Fletcher’s corny dogs to car shows and rides, the annual event is fun for all.

Whether you’re a seasoned fairgoer or a newbie attending for the first time, it’s the essential stamp on your Texas passport. The No. 1 rule: come hungry.

“We want people who are brand new to Texas or brand new to the Dallas Region to stamp their Texas passport while at the State Fair,” said Jennifer Schuder, Senior Vice President of Marketing for the State Fair of Texas. “It’s a major tradition for a lot of people.”

At 24 consecutive days, the State Fair is the longest-running fair in the nation, as well as one of the largest. Below are attractions (and fun facts) about the best fair in the country:

A birthday celebration, Texas-style
Big Tex, the famous face of the State Fair of Texas, turns 70 years old on Oct. 4. Since 1952, the 55-foot man with the 95-gallon cowboy hat has greeted fairgoers with his famous line, “Howdy folks; this is Big Tex.” This year is even more special.

“We’ll have a Texas-sized, birthday celebration for the big cowboy from Corsicana,” Schuder said. “Make sure you come to wish him a happy birthday.”

Other fun facts about Big Tex:

-His Western shirt is 200 inches x 325 inches (neck size by sleeve size). An average man’s size is 16 x 32.

-It takes 100 yards of fabric to make Big Tex’s jeans, which weigh a whopping 100 pounds with 3.5-inch rivets.

-His size-96 boots are a 1949 replica cowboy boot designed by Lucchese.

Giving back to the community
The State Fair of Texas is a nonprofit organization, and since its establishment in 1886, it’s promoted Texas agriculture, education, and community involvement. The fair is committed to preserving Fair Park and building on its legacy as a historic landmark.

“We host a fair on 277 acres with the largest collection of art deco buildings in the middle of it and a 90,000-seat stadium that hosts one of the most iconic college football games in the country,” Schuder said. “It’s a very different experience at Fair Park, and it only makes it better.”

Since 1992, The Big Tex Scholarship Program has also awarded college scholarships to more than 3,000 students, totaling more than $16.1 million. Scholarships vary, but the Youth Livestock Scholarship is for high school seniors in Texas who have participated in livestock events at the State Fair, and the Seasonal Employee Scholarship is for employees of the State Fair of Texas or their dependents. For more information, visit the State Fair of Texas Scholarship page.

The food isn’t all fried
In 2016, the State Fair of Texas introduced a mobile agricultural system. All produce from Big Tex Urban Farms (more than 6,000 fruits and vegetables) is donated to south Dallas organizations, including the Baylor Scott & White Health and Wellness Center at the Juanita J. Craft Recreation Center, Cornerstone Baptist Church, and Austin Street Shelter.

The urban farm’s 40-by-48-inch beds were designed and manufactured through a partnership with Dallas-based General Packaging Corporation.

“We have been a catalyst in connecting people with all of our community gardening going,” Schuder said. “Indoor agriculture is a great way to sustainably create a large output for fresh fruits and vegetables that we can donate to non-profits organizations  in Southern Dallas County, and it’s also educational for the community.”

Arts and crafts and a car show, Texas-style
The State Fair of Texas has one of the largest — and longest running — art shows in the nation. Participants compete in arts and crafts (rug making is one of 14 categories) and cooking. The Big Tex BBQ & Chili Challenge invites all pitmasters and chili cooks in the Lone Star State to show off their culinary expertise. Texas-sized bragging rights are on the line, so don’t miss out on the fun.

The State Fair is for the car enthusiasts in your life, too. Since 1913, the State Fair has hosted the Texas Auto Show. Sit in the latest vehicles from the brand you love or discover a new four-wheeled favorite.

Food, food, and more food
Some just go to the fair for the food, and we’re here for it. New food entries this year include the Deep-Fried Country Cookout, Dim Sum Loco Burritos, Cajun Lobster Bisque Croquettes, and Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake on a Stick. You can find the full list here. Come hungry and leave happy, and remember, calories don’t count while you’re at the State Fair of Texas!

The State Fair of Texas begins on Friday, Sept. 30 and runs until Sunday, Oct. 23. Read more about the State Fair of Texas here.