HAPPENINGS

Autumn at the Arboretum

Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, 214-515-6615, dallasarboretum.org

Seeing more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash — all grown in Texas — never gets old at this annual fall event. This year’s new features include a Bugtopia! display with oversize insect topiaries, bugged-out pumpkin houses and a maze for the kids. Ticket info and more details are on the website. Sept. 18-Oct. 31

Pumpkin Days

Mainstay Farm Park, 1004 W. Bethesda Road, Cleburne, 817-295-6772, mainstayfarm.com

Fall is a big deal at Mainstay Farm, a former dairy farm, which celebrates the season with family-friendly events such as hayrides, wood mazes, pumpkin patches, games and so much more, as well as food and drink (including adult beverages). Check the website for tickets and hours. Sept. 24-Oct. 31

Boo at the Zoo

Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, 817-759-7555, fortworthzoo.org

The popular daytime event returns with three days of family fun. (Of course, there are also the animal attractions to check out, too.) Treat stations are located throughout the zoo, and other festive events include Professor Pop’s Bubble Show with bubble tricks galore; Hoo-Booville with a friendly scarecrow who entertains with marionette puppets, music and magic; Renfield the Bat; a Mad Scientist Animal Stage Show; and Magical Monster Mash. Keep an eye out for special costumed characters roaming the grounds and, yes, there’s a pumpkin patch. Find more info and events on the website. Oct. 29-31

Frights’n Lights

Riders Field, 7300 Roughriders Trail, Frisco, frightsnlights.com

Billed as the largest trick-or-treat trail in Texas, this event features illuminated carved pumpkins, treat stations, a “freaky foam pit,” Halloween-themed rides, a Sleepy Hollow maze, candy corn cornhole and more. Times and dates vary; check the website for more information. Oct. 2-Nov. 6

It’s Gogh Time

The Dutch postimpressionist is having three mighty big moments this fall. There are two overlapping immersive Van Gogh exhibits — with very similar names — along with a not-to-be-missed groundbreaking Dallas Museum of Art exhibition opening in October. Be warned: As there has been a lot of confusion, check out the websites for the two immersive exhibits and make sure you choose the one you want to see before clicking on the buy-ticket button. — Babs Rodriguez 

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience

Globe Life Park, 1090 Ballpark Way, Arlington, vangoghexpo.com 

Set up on the concourse at Globe Life Park, this 20,000-square-foot exhibition is organized by Exhibition Hub  Edutainment and realized by entertainment platform Fever. Step into 360-degree views of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings and take an interactive virtual reality journey to “walk alongside” the artist for a brief day-in-the-life experience. The exhibition also includes galleries separately chronicling Van Gogh’s life and artistic techniques, then finishes out the experience with hands-on art for any littles in your group. Tickets offer admission on the half-hour (seven days a week). And note that the extra bells and whistles generate this commitment caveat: To fully experience the show, visitors should expect to spend at least an hour wandering the light and sound show. Buy tickets on the website. Through Nov. 28

Van Gogh and the Olive Groves

Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., 214-922-1200, dma.org

While the immersive exhibits create a buzz, a first-ever exhibition of olive grove paintings by Vincent Van Gogh impresses the art world. In collaboration with Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art hosts the series of 15 works painted during the artist’s yearlong stay at the asylum of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Created in 1889, the body of work is a visual arc reflective of Van Gogh’s evolving point of view and mental health. Discoveries about his techniques, materials and palette allow scholarly insights, but even the most casual fan will be touched by the painter’s motivations for depicting the trees throughout his stay as a self-admitted patient. Bold, experimental and evocative, the paintings are a powerful testament to the circle of life and the artist’s belief in the healing powers of art and nature. Time-slot tickets must be reserved on the website. Oct. 17-Feb. 6

Peace Circle

Grapevine Main Station Peace Plaza, intersection of Main Street and Dallas Road,  grapevinetexasusa.com/grapefest/peace-circle-dedication

Public art featuring 11 bronze statues (all cast a bit larger than life size) is unveiled as part of GrapeFest in downtown Grapevine. Peace Circle is an interpretation of a meeting between Sam Houston, Republic of Texas president, and American Indian chiefs/captains from the Delaware, Chickasaw, Waco, Tawakoni, Keechi, Caddo, Anadarko, Ioni, Biloxi and Cherokee nations. The meeting, which took place on the Grape Vine Prairie in 1843, led to a signed treaty defining settlement boundaries. In 1844, the first settlers arrived in North Texas. Representatives of the tribal nations will attend the dedication, and there will be a ceremony recognizing indigenous people and reaffirming a commitment to peace and friendship. Grapevine artist Linda Lewis created and oversaw the production of the bronzes at the Grapevine Foundry, which she owns and operates. 1-2:30 p.m. Sept. 18

Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour

Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth, dickiesarena.com

Check out some of the top athletes in the world as America’s best gymnasts take the stage without the pressure of winning a medal. Instead, see Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, MyKayla Skinner, Katelyn Ohashi and others perform in a high-energy show that feels more like a rock concert than a gymnastics competition. See the website for ticket packages and more. Oct. 9

Butterfly Flutterby

Grapevine Botanical Gardens at Heritage Park, 411 Ball St., 817-410-3350, grapevinetexasusa.com/events/butterfly-flutterby

Celebrate the migration of monarch butterflies as they head from Canada to Mexico by way of Grapevine. There’s a costume parade for kids and pets, art contests, special exhibits and multiple live butterfly releases. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 16