Texas BBQ, Western$$Daily 08:00-22:00 during the event run (late January to early February)
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo at Dickies Arena runs 23 days each January with Texas BBQ vendors, Reata restaurant, and a BBQ Pitmasters competition.
Order: Reata at the Rodeo Texas plates; smoked turkey legs and brisket from the fairground vendors.
Tip: Rodeo general admission starts from around $25; the Bubbles and Bites wine event on the final weekend adds a food-and-wine component.
German, Beer$$Thu 17:00-23:00
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.
Texas BBQ$$Sat 12:00-18:00
Syndicate Smokedown at Fort Worth Stockyards each April is an IBCA BBQ competition with 100 or more teams and free pitmaster sampling from noon to 4pm.
Order: Free brisket and BBQ samples from 20 or more Texas pitmasters during the noon-to-16:00 competition window.
Tip: Competition BBQ sampling is free from noon to 16:00 for ticketed attendees; live music runs concurrently on a separate stage.
Cocktails, Tacos$$Sat 12:00-18:00
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 $47 includes early access from 11:00.
Mexican Street Food$Sun 11:00-17:00
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.
Peach Desserts, Festival Food$Sat 08:00-16:00
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.