Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo at Dickies Arena runs 23 days each January with Texas BBQ vendors, Reata restaurant, and a BBQ Pitmasters competition.
Editorially verified June 26, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must order: Reata at the Rodeo Texas plates; smoked turkey legs and brisket from the fairground vendors.
Tip: Rodeo general admission starts from around $25; the Bubbles and Bites wine event on the final weekend adds a food-and-wine component.
Address: 1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Fort Worth Oktoberfest at Trinity Park each September features a Paulaner bierhalle, Hacker-Pschorr Biergarten, and German food at the Food Haus.
Order: Paulaner lager in the air-conditioned Festzelt bierhalle; bratwurst and pretzel platters from the Food Haus.
Tip: Parking is at 1501 University Drive; entrance to the festival grounds is near the Van Zandt Cottage off Farmhouse Way.
Syndicate Smokedown at Fort Worth Stockyards each April is an IBCA BBQ competition with 100 or more teams and free pitmaster sampling from noon to 4pm.
Order: Free brisket and BBQ samples from 20 or more Texas pitmasters during the noon-to-16:00 competition window.
Tip: Competition BBQ sampling is free from noon to 16:00 for ticketed attendees; live music runs concurrently on a separate stage.
Fort Worth Margarita Festival at Cullen Yards each May features 10 margarita samples, live music, taco vendors, and a six-hour ticketed session.
Order: Ten 3.5-ounce margarita samples from local bars and restaurants; tacos from the food vendor row.
Tip: General admission from around $37 includes the sampling package; VIP entry at around $47 includes early access from 11:00.
Dia de los Muertos Fort Worth in the Historic Northside each November is a free community festival featuring food stalls, mariachis, ballet folklorico performances, altars.
Order: Pan de muerto from community baker stalls; tamales and elotes from food vendors at the Marine Park festival.
Tip: The parade runs 10:00 to 11:30 along N Main Street north toward the Stockyards; food vendors open at 11:00 at Marine Park.
Parker County Peach Festival in Weatherford is a one-day July event 25 miles from Fort Worth with 200-plus vendors selling peach cobblers, pies, jams, fresh peaches.
Order: Fresh peach cobbler served warm; peach juleps and peach ice cream from Parker County orchard vendors.
Tip: Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children (5-12), free under 5; VIP packages with early access are available at parkercountypeachfestival.org.
Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival at Clearfork each April is a four-day nonprofit event with chef collaborations, wine tastings, and Taste of Texas Row.
Order: Tacos and Tequila night Thursday; grand tasting Friday with 40 chefs.
Tip: Events are 21 or older only and sold separately; The Main Event general admission typically runs from $145.
