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Exciting Events for Every Season that You Can Only Find in McKinney, TX
By Hunter Lanier
Like many things, the perfect vacation is all about timing. Whether you’re planning months ahead, have a specific window when the entire family is free, or just feel the sudden urge to hit the road, you need to be sure there’s a destination waiting on the other side.
In McKinney, TX, you never have to worry about timing. If you throw a dart at the calendar, you’re bound to hit an art festival, concert, coffee crawl, or any number of unique celebrations. If you’re all out of darts or just worried about dart-related accidents, we’ve put together some of the best events in McKinney, TX you can expect to find throughout the year.
Everything Spring Can Bring
The flowers aren’t the only pretty things in bloom during the spring. In April, the original works of 120 hand-selected artists fill the streets of historic downtown McKinney at the Arts in Bloom Festival. This three-day celebration includes more than 100 juried artists and craftsmen, offerings from local Texas wineries, as well as live music from an eclectic range of genres.
Since spring is perfect golf weather, McKinney comes prepared with THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson. This four-day, PGA tournament happens every year at the beginning of May. Swing by and catch some of the best golfers in the world doing what they do best. The tournament will be televised, so if you attend, you might even be on TV. Time to dig out that “Hi, Mom” sign from the garage!
Texas Fun in the Summertime
The centerpiece of every summer vacation is Independence Day, celebrated in McKinney with the Red White & Boom celebration on July 4th. This lively event is a medley of a parade, block party, fireworks, concert, and family activities.
If you’d like to bookend your trip to Red, White & Boom with some of nature’s own fireworks, the Crape Myrtle Trails World Collection Park is in bloom all summer long. This seven-acre park is comprised of every crape myrtle species and variety known to mankind. Admiring them is made easy with smooth walking paths and informative signage.
The Festival Season Begins in Fall
Things heat up as we head into the fall and the holiday season begins. This is when McKinney holds its biggest event of the entire year: Oktoberfest. Over 60,000 people attend this three-day, family-friendly jamboree of authentic German food, polka music, and, of course, beer! If you like a little entertainment to go along with your freshly cooked bratwurst, consider taking in the ever-popular weenie dog races.
One of the more unique festivals you’ll find in McKinney—or anywhere else—is Ratrodtober in mid-October. Think of it kind of like Oktoberfest, but with significantly more hot rods, rat rods, classic cars, muscle cars, and motorcycles. Prizes will be awarded to the vehicles on display, but everybody wins since the event takes place at TUPPS Brewery and the craft beer will be flowing!
Later in October, you can look forward to Halloween at the Heard, a unique spin on the spookiest time of year. If you didn’t know, the Heard is McKinney’s Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, housing a wide variety of fascinating exhibits, beautiful gardens, and much more. For Halloween, the Heard puts on a family-friendly trick-or-treating event alongside its Dinosaurs Live! trail that includes life-size animatronics! Sure, ghosts and goblins are scary, but when was the last time you stood face to face with a prehistoric carnivore? Less teeth-rattling activities are also available, such as a film screening, photo-ops, and pumpkin displays.
Close out the fall strong with Home for the Holidays, an annual Christmas tradition in historic downtown McKinney, taking place Thanksgiving weekend. The streets are transformed with a yuletide glaze of carnival rides, live music, and Christmas lights—so, so many Christmas lights. Santa Claus himself will be in attendance offering photo-ops and taking requests for ponies.
Kick Off Winter with College Football
Winter kicks off with, well, a kick-off! The NCAA Division II Football Championship goes down at the beautiful, 12,000-seat McKinney ISD Stadium the weekend before Christmas. With a midday start and the temperate Texas weather, it’s the perfect time to sit back with a hotdog and take in some high-level football.
By Hunter Lanier
Tailgating is encouraged, so if you’re traveling from far away, don’t be afraid to pack lots of snacks, drinks, and even a portable grill. As a companion event, TUPPS Brewery will be hosting a free Fan Fest on the day before the game.
Events You Can Enjoy Throughout the Year
Why limit fun to one month when you can have fun all year long? That’s the philosophy behind the super-popular McKinney Coffee Crawl, a community-driven tour of Downtown McKinney’s many fine coffee houses. Depending on which crawl you attend throughout the year, it will have a different theme to match the season.
If you’re more of a spirits person than a coffee person, might we introduce you to the McKinney Sip + Stroll Series. This four-part series includes the St. Partick’s Day Beer Walk in March, the Craft Beer Walk in June, the Margarita Stroll in July, and the Spooktacular Brews and Boos Walk. Tickets tend to sell out for these events, so get yours early!
It’s Always the Right Time to Visit McKinney
No matter which time of year you’re looking to get away, McKinney is always ready with exhilarating events. Sports fans, coffee enthusiasts, gearheads, SUVs jam-packed with the whole family, and many more can rest assured there’s something waiting for them in McKinney, TX.
But what’s a vacation spot without a warm bed to recoup your energy for the days ahead? McKinney has plenty of hotels and bed & breakfasts, as well as some that are pet friendly!
About the Author: Hunter Lanier is the head writer and content specialist for Tour Texas. When he isn’t writing about the many great places in the state of Texas, he’s writing books and screenplays. He may or may not own an armadillo in the future.
