What began in 1976 as a small showcase for local artists has grown into one of North Texas’s best arts and crafts shows, complete with a dog-friendly Pawtoberfest and a kids’ entrepreneur market.
Huffhines Park, Richardson, TX — October 17-18, 2026
Some festivals come and go, and some just quietly become part of a city’s identity. Huffhines Harvest Fest falls firmly into the second category, and this October, it celebrates a genuine milestone: 50 years running.
The festival got its start back in 1976 as a simple way to showcase local artists’ work along the paved trails of Huffhines Park. What started small has grown into one of the best arts and crafts shows in North Texas, and for decades it was known as Huffhines Art Trails before rebranding as Huffhines Harvest Fest in 2022 to better reflect its fall-season identity.
This year’s 50th anniversary celebration runs Saturday, October 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, October 18, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Road. Admission remains free, as it always has been.
The festival’s marketplace is the heart of the weekend, featuring more than 150 exhibits from local and regional artists and craftsmen, everything from contemporary and traditional pottery, paintings, photography, glasswork, woodwork, and jewelry, making it a genuine one-stop shop for early holiday shopping. Live performances run throughout both days on the Front Porch and Backyard stages, and the park itself provides a beautiful natural backdrop for fall-themed photos, pumpkin decorating, a scarecrow village, and a petting zoo.
Saturday brings out the festival’s most beloved addition: Pawtoberfest, a dog-friendly section packed with pet-centric vendors, costume contests, and a crowd-favorite “great ball hunt.” Sunday shifts the spotlight to young entrepreneurs with the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, running noon to 4 p.m., where kids ages 5 to 17 run their own booths selling handmade crafts, artwork, and treats. A family costume contest, hosted by J-Si of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, closes out the weekend Sunday at 2:30 p.m., with cash prizes on the line.
Produced by the City of Richardson, the festival has remained a steady tradition through five decades of growth, drawing thousands of visitors every third weekend of October without ever charging admission. Whether you’re there for the art, the dogs, the kids’ market, or just an afternoon walk through a beautiful fall setting, Huffhines Harvest Fest’s golden anniversary is shaping up to be one of its biggest celebrations yet.
For more information, visit huffhinesharvestfest.com.
