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9 food festivals in Dallas-Fort Worth to check out this fall

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 9:38 GMT by Dallas Morning News
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Dallas‑Fort Worth’s Autumn Food Scene: A Taste‑Tastic Road‑Map

The Dallas‑Fort Worth metroplex is no stranger to culinary celebrations, but the fall season brings a special kind of heat to the region’s food festivals. According to a September 25, 2025 feature in the Dallas News, a dozen fall‑season events transform downtown streets, sprawling ranches, and community parks into a nonstop buffet of local produce, masterful chefs, and even halal‑friendly fare. Below is a concise rundown of the most popular festivals, what they offer, and why you’ll want to bring a fork (and a sense of adventure) to each.

1. Dallas Food & Wine Festival

Dates: September 21‑22, 2025
Location: Dallas Convention Center and surrounding city streets

The Dallas Food & Wine Festival remains the flagship event for gourmands in the metroplex. In 2025, the festival highlighted 40+ restaurants from Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Headliners include Chef Maria Martinez of El Toro, who served a three‑course “farm‑to‑table” menu, and the beloved BBQ maestro Johnny Lee of Longhorn Smokehouse, who demonstrated his signature dry rub technique.

Wine aficionados will find over 200 wines from Texas, California, and New Zealand on the tasting floor, curated by the Dallas‑based Texas Wine & Spirits Association. The event also hosts a “Chefs’ Table” series, where diners reserve a seat at a private table with the chef, usually a $200+ ticket that covers a multi‑course tasting. For younger attendees, a dedicated “Junior Chef” station offers a hands‑on cooking workshop for kids aged 8‑14.

2. Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival

Dates: September 21‑22, 2025
Location: Fort Worth Convention Center and Downtown

Held on the same weekend as its Dallas cousin, the Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival emphasizes the city’s burgeoning farm‑to‑table movement. A highlight of this year’s event is the “Southern Comfort” tasting, featuring Southern‑style collard greens, pecan pie, and a selection of locally aged bourbon.

Chef Tina Nguyen from The Vietnamese Café will showcase a “Sea‑food & Rice” tasting that includes a rare truffle‑infused miso soup. Fort Worth’s celebrated St. John’s Brewery will host a beer‑pairing workshop that dives into the craft of barrel aging.

3. Dallas Harvest Festival

Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2025
Location: Dallas Fair Park

The Harvest Festival brings a rustic touch to the city’s central park. Local farmers from the Dallas‑Fort Worth Agricultural Cooperative will exhibit produce, while the city’s Cowboy Chef—an acclaimed Tex‑Mex fusion chef—demonstrates how to incorporate seasonal squash into everyday meals.

A dedicated “Gourmet Gourd” booth will host a pumpkin‑spice latte competition, while a “Cheese & Charcuterie” table from the Fort Worth Cheese Co‑Op will offer artisanal cheeses and cured meats sourced from within a 100‑mile radius.

4. Texas Farmhouse Market

Dates: Monthly (Last Saturday of each month in 2025)
Location: Dallas’ historic Klyde Warren Park

A smaller, more intimate event, the Texas Farmhouse Market is a monthly farmers’ market that features a rotating roster of local produce, homemade baked goods, and artisanal crafts. This month’s lineup includes a “Sourdough Sunday” with an open‑mic demonstration by a local bread‑baker, and a “Brew‑and‑Bite” booth where attendees can sample craft beers from local micro‑breweries paired with gourmet sliders.

5. Dallas‑Fort Worth Halal Fest

Dates: October 5‑7, 2025
Location: Fort Worth Expo Center

The Halal Fest is a newcomer that has quickly become a staple for the city’s diverse Muslim community. Featuring over 25 halal‑certified restaurants—from Cedar's Mediterranean Kitchen to Al-Masri Deli—the festival also offers cooking classes that demonstrate how to prepare halal‑friendly versions of classic Texas BBQ.

In addition to the food, the Halal Fest hosts a Cultural Expo, showcasing traditional music, dance, and fashion from Arab, South Asian, and African cultures. The event’s opening keynote speaker is Dr. Omar Al‑Habib, a Dallas‑based imam and culinary historian who discusses the significance of halal cuisine in the American culinary landscape.

Why Fall?

As the summer heat wanes, the Dallas‑Fort Worth area experiences a “food renaissance.” According to a quote in the original Dallas News article, “Fall offers a unique opportunity for chefs to spotlight local produce that’s at its peak—think corn, squash, apples, and pears—while also inviting diners to experience a seasonal shift in flavor profiles.” The city’s climate—mild and comfortable—makes it an ideal outdoor food destination.

The article also highlights the growing trend of farm‑to‑table initiatives that link chefs directly with local farmers. Many chefs—especially those featured at the Dallas Food & Wine Festival—have taken it upon themselves to ensure every dish is rooted in the region’s terroir.

Practical Tips for Attendees

Bottom Line

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie, a curious newcomer, or simply in search of a fall outing, the Dallas‑Fort Worth food festivals offer a spectacular blend of culinary artistry, community engagement, and seasonal celebration. From the grandiose wine pairings in Dallas to the inclusive, halal‑friendly stalls in Fort Worth, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Mark your calendars for September and October—your taste buds will thank you.