Top 12 Things To Do This Weekend In Plano, Frisco, McKinney And Beyond [Sept. 5-7, 2025]

September in North Texas has a way of blending the last echoes of summer with the early hints of fall. Weekends fill up quickly — with food, music, art, sports and plenty of ways to get outside before cooler days arrive. 

Whether it’s gathering with friends, taking in live performances or simply enjoying the community energy, no matter the choice, the weekend of Sept. 5–7 brings together the kind of variety that makes getting out and about feel like the best plan of all.

Downtown Plano Art Drop Day 2025

When: Sept. 4-5, 2025 | Starting at 8 a.m.
Where: Downtown Plano Arts District, 1021 E. 15th St., Plano
More info

Hidden canvases and surprise sculptures turn the Downtown Plano Arts District into a citywide scavenger hunt during Art Drop Day. Local artists tuck original works into alleys, corners and unexpected places, while clues online help seekers track them down. The fun is simple: find it, snap a photo and take the art home — proof that sometimes the best gallery walls are the streets themselves.

Plano Water Lantern Festival 2025

When: Sept. 6, 2025 | 5 - 9 p.m.
Where: Haggard Park, 901 E 15th Street, Plano
More info

Lanterns meet lakeside vibes when thousands of glowing lights drift across the water in a celebration of community and connection. Guests can enjoy food trucks, music and hands-on activities before setting their lanterns afloat, turning the evening into a shimmering reflection of hope and togetherness. It’s part art, part picnic and part wish-making ceremony — proof that sometimes the best nights really do light themselves.

Troy Bond

When: Sept. 5-6, 2025 | 8 & 10:30 p.m.
Where: Mic Drop Comedy Plano, 7301 Lone Star Dr., Suite A-110, Plano
More info

Sharp punchlines meet quick-fire crowdwork when Troy Bond takes the stage. Known for racking up millions of followers online with his impressions and fearless riffs, he brings the same unfiltered energy to his live shows. From politics to pop culture, his set runs the gamut — proving no topic is too big (or too silly) for a laugh.

Kelly Steller Hrad: Finding Joy

When: Sept. 6 - Oct. 18, 2025
Where: ArtCentre of Plano, 902 East 16th Street, Plano
More info

Layers of paint meet layers of memory in this solo exhibition, where bold colors and textured canvases explore themes of healing, reflection, and celebration. Returning to the place where her professional journey first began, artist Kelly Steller Hrad invites viewers to see joy not as something fleeting but as something built into life’s deepest moments. With each piece, the show blends personal history and vibrant expression into a visual conversation that feels both intimate and expansive.

Hispanic Heritage Celebration

When: Sept. 6, 2025 | 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Kaleidoscope Park, 6635 Warren Parkway, Frisco
More info

A full day of dance, music, food and community pride is on the calendar as a Hispanic Heritage Celebration brings vibrant traditions to life. Guests can shop a market of Hispanic-owned businesses, join dance classes, enjoy cultural performances and close the night with live music. From salsa steps to sizzling plates, the event offers something for every age to enjoy while honoring heritage and culture in North Texas.

Historic Ghost Tour 

When: Sept. 5 & 26, Oct. 3 & 24, 2025 | 8 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Collin County History Museum, 300 E. Virginia St., Old Post Office Building, McKinney
More info

History takes on a haunted twist with a guided evening tour through one of McKinney’s most storied landmarks. Guests will hear eerie tales tied to the building’s past, explore dimly lit halls and uncover the chilling backstories behind certain artifacts. Part spooky stroll, part history lesson, the experience offers just enough goosebumps to make the past feel very present.

Dinosaurs Live! Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs

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.

McKinney Train Show/Meet

When: Sept. 6, 2025 | 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Collin College Conference Center, 2400 Community Avenue, McKinney
More info and tickets

All aboard for a day where whistles, wheels and nostalgia take center stage. Collectors and hobbyists come together to showcase toy and model trains in every scale, complete with intricate layouts that keep eyes moving as much as the locomotives themselves. With door prizes, fellow enthusiasts to swap stories with and plenty of family-friendly fun, this gathering proves trains never really go out of style — they just keep on track.

McKinney Fall Latin Music Festival 2025

When: Sept. 6, 2025 | Doors open at 11 a.m.
Where: TUPPS Brewery, 402 East Louisiana Street #Building 2, McKinney
More info and tickets

Cumbia, Tejano and Conjunto rhythms will keep the stage moving all day at this family-friendly music fest. With a packed lineup of Latin stars, the celebration mixes live performances with plenty of food, drinks and a lively atmosphere that stretches from the first note to the last encore. Free entry for kids 12 and under in general admission makes it a full-day party the whole family can enjoy, no rhythm required, but dancing is encouraged.

Prosper on Tap! Craft Beer Kickoff

When: Sept. 6, 2025 | 12-4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Prosper, 215 West Broadway Street, Prosper
More info and tickets

Football season kicks off with a craft beer twist as local breweries pour samples across Prosper’s downtown. Guests can stroll between shops and vendors with a tasting cup in hand, rep their team colors for a little tailgate flair and even squeeze in games before heading to watch the big match. With brews, bites and a market to browse, this event turns a Saturday into the perfect pregame warm-up.

Dallas Card Show

When: Sept. 4-7, 2025 | Times vary
Where: Dallas Card Show - Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel & Convention Center, 777 Watters Creek Blvd, Allen
More info and tickets

Trading cards, comics and collectibles take over as hobbyists and pros gather for one of the nation’s largest shows of its kind. Visitors can browse rows of memorabilia, meet fellow collectors and score everything from vintage finds to modern hits. With prizes, signings and plenty of deals on the table, this event proves the card game isn’t just for kids anymore.

First Down Sundays

When: Sept. 7, 2025 
Where: Corona Stage & Lawn, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony
More info

Sunday gets a big-screen upgrade with pro football playing all day outdoors, where every kickoff, pass and touchdown is larger than life. Fans can pull up a chair or spread out on the lawn while brunch specials from nearby restaurants keep the game-day energy fueled. With free entry and plenty of parking, it’s an easy call to make this your weekend huddle.

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