Sept. 27-Oct. 4

Plan your weekend with Richardson's Things to Do e-newsletter, published weekly every Wednesday. 

Information on how to subscribe to the newsletter can be found at www.cor.net/thingstodo.

Annual Peanut Butter Drive 

The annual North Texas Food Bank Peanut Butter Drive is held each September in conjunction with Hunger Action Month to benefit local food banks. Richardson is again participating along with several other North Texas cities. Peanut butter is perpetually on food bank lists of most-needed foods, since it’s nutritious, kid-friendly and high in protein.  

Time: Runs through Sept. 30
Location: Donations can be made at the Network of Community Ministries, 1500 International Pkwy. (Monday-Wednesday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursdays 8 a.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m.-2 p.m.) or give online through Amazon. Additional drop-off locations include Heights and Huffhines recreation centers, Senior Center, Gymnastics Center, Huffhines Tennis Center, Police Headquarters, Fire Headquarters, Service Center and Richardson IQHQ. 

Additional details: Peanut Butter Drive

Sept. 27

Mobile Health Apps 

Join the Richardson Senior Center to learn about important health tools that are already on your phone.

Time: 2-3:15 p.m. (Wednesday)
Location: Richardson Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: Call 972-744-7800 for more information 

Sept. 28

“20 Feet From Stardom” 

Come enjoy this Oscar-winning documentary. Award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. 

Time: 7 p.m. (Thursday)
Location: Bank of America Theatre, Eisemann Center
Admission: Free, ticket is required 

Additional details: Event Details | 20 Feet From Stardom

Veterans Mental Health Summit 

Dallas College will host its fifth annual Veterans Mental Health Summit. It will address issues and offer solutions to mental health challenges military service members and their families are facing.  

Time: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Thursday)
Location: Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, Room H125
3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, TX
Admission: Free, registration required 

Additional details: Veterans Mental Health Summit

Darbey’s StoryWalk^® 

Enjoy the September edition of Darbey’s StoryWalk^®. This is the last book that will be installed as the Library began its big move to their temporary facility. This month’s book is titled “Marta! Big & Small,” written by Jen Arena and illustrated by Angela Dominguez. The book is a nod to Hispanic Heritage Month which is Sept. 15-Oct. 15. It incorporates Spanish vocabulary into the text. The story is short and simple, but a lot of fun with opportunities for tiny readers to move their bodies around like the animals they see in the story.  

Darbey’s StoryWalk^® is all about movement and reading, as it enables visitors to walk along a designated path behind the Library while reading pages of a children’s book posted at 16 different stations.  

Time: Open daily
Location: Richardson Public Library
Admission: Free and open to the public 

Additional details: Darbey's Storywalk

Sept. 29

CityLine Live – Carly Carroll 

Enjoy music from singer-songwriter Carly Carroll. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets and pups are welcome.  

Time: 6-9 p.m. (Friday)
Location: CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: CityLine LIVE featuring Carly Carroll (Singer-Songwriter)

“Herederos” 

Latin Grammy nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mèxico announces the extension of the wildly successful North American tour, “Herederos” (the heirs), with special guest Grammy winner La Marisoul (from the Mexican American band La Santa Cecilia.) 

Time: 8 p.m. (Friday)
Location: Hill Performance Hall, Eisemann Center
Admission: $32-$42 

Additional details: Event Details | Mariachi Herencia

DART to the State Fair 

DART is adding scheduled stops to its light-rail service to better accommodate visitors to the State Fair of Texas which runs through Sunday, Oct. 22.  

Extra Green Line trains will run between Victory Station and Lawnview Station from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m.-to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. During those hours, trains on that portion of the Green Line will run approximately every 10 minutes.  

Orange Line service will be extended to Plano’s Parker Road Station on all trips, weekdays and weekends.  

Additional details: www.dart.org/statefair  

Sept. 30

CityLine Live – Colton Blue

Enjoy music from soul/country artist Colton Blue. Lawn chairs, picnic blankets and pups are welcome.  

Time: 6-9 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: CityLine Plaza, 1150 State St. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: CityLine LIVE featuring Colton Blue (Soul / Country)

Asian American Culture Festival  

Come out to this event and enjoy cultural performances, activities, such as Origami, Ikebana and Chinese brush painting exhibition.  

Time: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Saturday)
Location: Chinatown Richardson's CORE District, 400 N. Greenville Ave. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: 2023 Asian American Culture Festival

Oct. 1

Feeding Children Everywhere 

Join the Richardson Interfaith Alliance, East Plano Islamic Center and Compassionate DFW to package 100,000 meals. The packaged meals will be lentil and jambalaya. All meals will go to local food banks like the Network of Community Ministries.  

Time: Noon-5 p.m. (Sunday)
Location: 4700 14th St., Plano, TX
Admission: Free 

Additional details: www.compassionatedfw.org  

National Drive Electric Week 

The Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities Coalition (DFWCC) will host the region’s annual celebration of National Drive Electric Week (NDEW). There will be food, games and an opportunity to engage with community members and industry professionals involved with sustainability, electric vehicles and more.

Time: 2-5 p.m. (Sunday)
Location: Tanger Outlets, 15853 N. Freeway, Fort Worth, TX
Admission: Free 

Additional details: Celebrate National Drive Electric Week

Oct. 2

Blue Bag Giveaway 

One roll of blue bags per family/household will be given away. You must present a photo ID with a Richardson address.  

Time: 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Monday)
Location: Walgreens, 500 Centennial Blvd. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: www.cor.net/philup  

Oct. 3

National Night Out 

Celebrate National Night Out, which is coordinated locally by the Richardson Police Department’s Community Relations Unit. Most cities and towns celebrate National Night Out with a variety of special citywide and neighborhood events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, festival visits from local officials and law enforcement, safety fairs and youth events. In 2022, the City of Richardson won first place in the nation among cities competing in Category 2 (cities with pop. 100,000-299,000).  

The Police Department is also collecting canned goods for the annual “Can Do Food Drive.” Please bring at least one donation to your NNO Block Party or Park Party.  

Time: Times vary in each neighborhood (Tuesday)
Location: Various neighborhoods in the City of Richardson 
Admission: Free and open to the public 

Additional details: National Night Out

Oct. 4

 Body Boost 

Join the Heights Recreation Center for a brand-new class. This is a 60-minute workout that combines cardio, strength and core training. It is a challenging, empowering and energizing class that will leave you refreshed and recharged. Body Boost is designed for moms in all stages of motherhood. Kids are welcome in strollers.  

Time: 9 a.m. (every Wednesday)
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: $100 (eight weeks), $15 (one class drop-in), register here  

Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity number: 37772 

5’n Wine Social Run with Whole Foods Market 

Meet on the front patio of Whole Foods for a 5K run through Spring Creek Nature Area. Following the run, celebrate with a social hour at the Whole Foods bar.  

Time: 6:30-8 p.m. (Wednesday)
Location: Whole Foods CityLine, 1411 E. Renner Rd. 
Admission: Free, register here 

Additional details: 5'n Wine Social Run with Whole Foods Market - CityLine DFW 

Drama Kids

Kids in grades first through sixth can enjoy an exciting mix of theater games, improvisation, scripted work and more in a safe and inclusive environment. Boost self-expression, social skills and creativity. 

Time: 6-7 p.m. (Oct. 5-Dec. 14)
Location: Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd. 
Admission: $195 (resident), $197 (nonresident)

Additional details: Activity detail | City of Richardson Parks and Recreation
Activity number: 36651

Cottonwood Art Festival 

The Cottonwood Art Festival returns with unique art from hundreds of artists, live music, food and fun activities for children.  

Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Oct. 7), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 8)
Location: Cottonwood Park, 1321 W. Belt Line Rd. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: www.cottonwoodartfestival.com  

Huffhines Harvest Fest 

This two-day festival celebrates local makers, food vendors, live music and family fun along the trails of Huffhines Park.  

Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Oct. 21), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Oct. 22)
Location: Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: www.huffhinesharvestfest.com  

Pawtoberfest 

Spend a day in the park with your pup and friends while enjoying delicious goodies from food trucks, listening to music shopping from vendors and participating in other fun activities.  

Time: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Oct. 21)
Location: Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd. 
Admission: Free 

Additional details: Pawtoberfest | Huffhines Harvest Fest 

Costume Contest at Huffhines Harvest Fest 

Ghosts, princesses, witches and superheroes unite! Sign up to participate in the Huffhines Harvest Fest costume contest for a chance to win cash prizes. First places prizes will be awarded to "Best Family Costume," "Best Adult Costume" and "Best Children Costume." 

Time: Noon (Oct. 22)
Location: Huffhines Park, 1500 Apollo Rd. 
Admission: Free, registration required by Oct. 19 at 5 p.m.

Additional details: Huffhines Harvest Fest Costume Contest

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