![Top 10 Things To Do This Week In Plano, McKinney, The Colony And Beyond [Oct. 6-9, 2025] - Local Profile](https://www.newsbeep.com/us-tx/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/grandscape-cowboys-watch-party-11-2048x1365.jpgw1200h800modecrop.jpeg)
The first full week of October is here, and North Texas is serving up a mix of thrills, laughs and reasons to raise a glass. Think of it as fall’s grab bag — a little culture, a little chaos and plenty of ways to break up the workweek.
Whether it’s music, food or just an excuse to get out under the cooler evenings, there’s no shortage of ways to make these days count.
Photo: Lone Star Winery
When: Sept. 30, 2025 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Lone Star Winery, 103 E. Virginia, McKinney
More info and tickets
Popcorn isn’t just for the movies when it’s paired with wine in this guided tasting that matches five premium pours with gourmet flavors from Mom & POPcorn. Led by a certified wine instructor, the class explores how salty, sweet and savory kernels bring out surprising notes in every sip. It’s a lighthearted twist on traditional tastings, showcasing how each sip and crunch complement one another for a pairing that’s as fun as it is flavorful.
When: Until Oct. 31, 2025
Where: The Crayola Experience, 6121 W. Park Blvd., A100, Plano
More info and tickets
Ghouls and goblins of all ages can dive into hands-on Halloween fun with crafts, costumes and plenty of candy along the way. From ghostly masks and glowing jack-o’-crayon-terns to oozy slime and sparkly tattoos, every corner holds a new trick-or-treat. Add a scavenger hunt and character meet-and-greets, and it’s a celebration that puts the “boo” in boogie.
When: Until Oct. 31, 2025
Where: Eddie V’s Prime Plano/Frisco, The V Lounge, 5300 TX-121, Plano
More info
Smooth jazz and crafted cocktails set the mood as rotating trios and ensembles bring their best to the stage. With performances from groups like the Don Morgan Trio, Mahogany Trio and Shelley Carrol Group, each night blends music and mixology into a lounge experience that’s equal parts laid-back and lively.
When: Oct. 7, 2025 | 7:30 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m.
Where: Mic Drop Comedy Plano, 7301 Lone Star Dr., Suite A-110, Plano
More info and tickets
Kalea McNeill brings her sharp wit and bold stage presence to Plano, blending acting chops with stand-up that’s earned her spots at major festivals like Just For Laughs and Netflix Is a Joke. Known from TV roles and her debut special Sma’am, she delivers stories and punchlines that land with energy and edge, proving she knows how to find a way — or make one — to keep the laughs coming.
. Photo: Mic Drop Comedy
When: Until Oct. 19, 2025 | 4 p.m.
Where: Jorg’s Cafe Vienna, 1037 E 15th St, Plano
More info
Raise a glass to Oktoberfest traditions with a tasting that brings Bavarian brews to the heart of Downtown Plano. Guests can expect hearty plates, plenty of laughter and a toast or two with friends old and new. After all, nothing pairs with fall quite like clinking steins and good company.
When: Sept. 6, 2025 – March 1, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney
More info and tickets
Dinosaurs are stomping back into McKinney as a wooded trail transforms into a prehistoric playground filled with life-size animatronic giants. Fourteen moving and roaring creatures line the half-mile path, paired with fun facts about both meat-eaters and plant-eaters, plus baby dinos kids can climb on. Created by “Dino” Don Lessem, the adviser behind Jurassic Park, the exhibition mixes science and spectacle, proving that even millions of years later, dinos still know how to draw a crowd.
When: Until Oct. 19, 2025
Where: Fair Park, Dallas
More info
Big Tex is back with 24 days of food, music and larger-than-life entertainment that stretch from rodeos and parades to high-flying rides and nightly concerts. New this year is an international soccer match alongside more than 90 live performances, cultural exhibits and family-friendly shows. With classic favorites like pig races and funnel cakes still on the lineup, the fair continues to blend tradition with fresh twists that keep North Texas coming back year after year.
. Photo: State Fair of Texas
When: Oct. 7, 2025 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Where: Al Biernat’s North, 5251 Spring Valley Rd., Dallas
Reservations
Whiskey lovers get a curated tour of top bourbons and ryes at Al Biernat’s North, with eight tasting stations pouring selections from names like Buffalo Trace, Michter’s, High West and more. Chef-paired bites keep the palate on track, and a $75 ticket includes one drink, hors d’oeuvres and access to all stations. Consider it a neat way to spend an evening, with zero rocks in the planning.
When: Thursdays until Oct. 30, 2025
Where: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas
More info and tickets
Science, snacks and skyline views come together at this adults-only night out where museum halls stay open late and the food trucks roll in. Guests can sip on drinks, play outdoor games and enjoy live music while exploring the exhibits — no kids, no crowds, just good times and curiosity on tap. It’s part date night, part science experiment and all the more reason to ditch the usual Thursday plans. While you’re there, don’t miss Bug Lab, the must-visit exhibition of summer 2025, which showcases the remarkable genius of insects through immersive, larger-than-life experiences.
When: Oct. 6, 2025 | 7:15 – 10:15 p.m.
Where: Grandscape Corona Stage & Lawn, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony
More info
Game day hits the big screen with a free outdoor showing where fans can cheer, snack and catch every play under the night sky. Nearby happy hour specials add extra flavor, turning Monday into a laid-back tailgate with friends. Gather the crew, grab a bite and enjoy the matchup in a setting where the crowd feels just as fun as the game itself.
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