The Fall Events Locals Actually Love in North Collin County
From pumpkin patches in McKinney and Frisco to hometown festivals in Prosper, Celina and Melissa, here are the 10 fall events worth putting on your calendar this season.
By Stacy Cate, Realtor | Compass RE Texas, LLC, September 28, 2026
Every fall the event calendars fill up across North Collin County. What locals actually make time for is a shorter list, and that is what I am going to walk you through.
I have lived here for over 20 years and raised my family here, so these are the pumpkin patches and festivals where you will find real neighbors on a real fall Saturday.
Gunter: Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms
This is the fall farm with the longest season on my list. It runs from September 19 all the way to November 25.
That gives you plenty of weekends to fit it in, even if October gets busy with school and sports.
Gunter sits just north of Celina and is an easy drive for families across North Collin County.
If you want one fall outing that does not have to be squeezed into a single weekend, start here. Visit the farm’s website.
McKinney: Sunset Trail Farm
Sunset Trail Farm is open September 25 through November 7 and it is one of the easiest fall outings for McKinney families.
You do not have to drive out of town to get that farm day feeling.
When buyers ask me what weekends look like in McKinney, spots like this one are part of the answer. Visit the farm’s website.
Frisco: Pumpkins on the Prairie
Pumpkins on the Prairie runs through October 31 and it is the Frisco pumpkin patch families plan their fall photos around.
This is where you pick out your porch pumpkins and get the picture for the holiday card in one stop.
It is a simple tradition but it says a lot about how Frisco families spend their fall. Visit the event page.
Plano: Christ United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch
This Plano pumpkin patch is open September 29 through October 31.
It is the kind of local tradition that makes it easy to grab pumpkins without leaving town.
Plano has a lot going on every fall, and this one stays a neighborhood favorite year after year. Visit the event page.
Murphy: Murphy Church Pumpkin Patch
The Murphy Church Pumpkin Patch opens a little later than the others, running October 9 through October 31.
Save this one for a mid October afternoon when the weather finally starts to feel like fall.
Murphy has that close knit feel that people move here to find, and a neighborhood pumpkin patch fits right in.
Van Alstyne: Fall Der All
Fall Der All is on October 10 and it is Van Alstyne showing off its small town charm.
This is the kind of festival where you run into your neighbors, your kids’ teachers and half the town in one afternoon.
If you are curious about life in the northern edge of the county, this is a great day to come see it for yourself.
Prosper: Celebrate Prosper
Celebrate Prosper is on October 17 and it is one of the best looks at the community spirit in this town.
What I tell buyers relocating to Prosper is that events like this are where you start to feel like a local.
The town keeps growing, but the hometown feel at a day like this is exactly why families keep choosing Prosper.
Frisco: DFW Fall Festival
The DFW Fall Festival lands on October 17, the same day as Celebrate Prosper.
That makes it easy to plan a full Saturday of fall fun between two neighboring towns.
Frisco always brings the energy, and this festival is a great way to see the city out and about.
Celina: Beware! of the Square
Beware! of the Square takes over historic downtown Celina on October 24.
The Celina square is one of my favorite places in North Collin County, and it gets even better when the whole town shows up in costume.
Celina residents are invested in their community because many of them chose to be here early, and you can feel it at events like this one.
Melissa: Heart of Melissa Fall Fest
Heart of Melissa Fall Fest is on November 14 and it closes out the season on my list.
If October gets away from you, Melissa has you covered.
It is a great chance to see one of the fastest changing towns in the county come together as a community.
Bottom Line
Fall festivals and pumpkin patches do not make it into most listing descriptions, but they tell you a lot about a community.
The way a town shows up for its traditions tells you everything about the kind of neighbors you are going to have and the kind of life you are going to build there.
Event dates can change, so check each organizer’s website before you head out.
If you are thinking about making a move to North Collin County and want to know what life actually looks like here before you commit, let’s connect. I have been living it for over 20 years and I am happy to share everything I know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the longest running fall event on this list?
The Big Orange Pumpkin Farm at Preston Trail Farms in Gunter runs from September 19 to November 25, so it gives you the most weekends to plan around.
Which pumpkin patches are open through Halloween?
Pumpkins on the Prairie in Frisco, Christ United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch in Plano and Murphy Church Pumpkin Patch in Murphy are all open through October 31.
Is there a weekend where I can hit two festivals in one day?
Yes. Celebrate Prosper and the DFW Fall Festival in Frisco are both on October 17, and the two towns sit right next to each other.
What if I miss everything in October?
Heart of Melissa Fall Fest is on November 14, and Sunset Trail Farm in McKinney stays open through November 7.
Are these events free?
Pricing varies by event and is not listed in the source guide. Check each organizer’s website for tickets and admission before you go.
Can fall events help me choose a neighborhood?
They can. Spending a Saturday at a town’s festival or on its square is one of the best ways to see how a community actually lives before you buy there.
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About Stacy Cate
Stacy Cate is a REALTOR with Compass who has called North Collin County home for more than 20 years.
She raised her family here, has been active in the local school systems and has built her business on deep roots in the community.
With a strong business background and years of civic involvement, Stacy has watched this area grow and helped nurture that growth along the way.
For Stacy, every move is more than a transaction. It is a chance to share all the details that make a house a home and a town a community you will love.
Whether you are buying or selling, she works with you one on one to help you find your own piece of Collin County to call home.