The route map for McKinney National Airport keeps growing. Avelo Airlines announced yesterday that it's adding two more Florida destinations from DTX starting in December - bringing the total to 11 cities served by December 17.

Here's what's new: flights to Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) begin December 16, running Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights to West Palm Beach (DJT) start December 17, running Thursdays and Sundays. Both routes fly twice weekly. Avelo is also adding two more weekly Las Vegas flights on top of the four already announced - so LAS now runs six days a week starting November 12 (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun).

Put it all together: when the airport opens November 11 on Veterans Day, Avelo is basing three Boeing 737s at DTX and will eventually serve Fort Myers, Las Vegas (6x/week), Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, New Orleans, Sarasota-Bradenton, and West Palm Beach. That's a Florida-heavy lineup that makes sense given where North Texans go in winter. Fares start at $69 one-way.

The terminal is a 46,000-square-foot new build that broke ground in 2025. Construction is on schedule. (Source: Avelo Airlines press release, October 15, 2026)

A new bakery just landed in McKinney serving croissants, danishes, and fresh-baked pastries. Diamond Pastry is a proper European-style pastry shop - not a chain, not a grab-and-go. Worth finding this weekend.

First 25 people get free mini donuts. Ribbon cutting at 11:30AM, then at 1PM: competitive eater Greg Wilson - ranked #28 in the world and #1 in Texas - attempts to eat 100 mini donuts in 4 minutes. Owner Hilda Queen is throwing a proper party for McKinney's newest sweet spot.
8720 Silverado Trail, McKinney · 11AM-3PM (Free)

A new banking option is open in McKinney: Hancock Whitney Bank, a Gulf South regional bank known for small-business and commercial banking, has started offering financial services here. More competition in the local banking market is always good for residents.

Concrete panel replacement along Eldorado Parkway is fully complete. Virginia Parkway between Lake Forest Drive and Hardin Boulevard is still being wrapped up. The section from Hardin Boulevard to US 75 missed the window and has been pushed to summer 2027 after the project is rebid. Total project cost: $10.8M, city-funded. If Virginia Pkwy has felt rough, this is why - and the full fix is still a year out for the eastern stretch.
(Source: McKinney Capital Improvements Program, October 15, 2026)

Reconstruction of Medical Center Drive between Frisco Road and Spur 399 is nearing the finish line. When done, it becomes a continuous four-lane divided roadway - a meaningful upgrade for access to the hospital corridor. Scheduled to wrap by December 2026 at a cost of $5.2M.
(Source: McKinney Capital Improvements Program, October 15, 2026)

✈ McKinney National Airport Opens - Tue Nov 11
Veterans Day is the launch date. Avelo Airlines takes off from the new 46,000-square-foot commercial terminal with flights to nine destinations from day one, growing to 11 by December 17. If you haven't booked a flight yet, you now have every reason to.
McKinney National Airport (DTX), 600 Municipal Dr. · Nov 11 (aveloair.com)

🎃 An Enchanted Halloween Party at Harvest - Sat Oct 31
Harvest at the Masonic is turning its third floor into a full Halloween costume party for adults - live music, themed cocktails, and a venue that looks incredible dressed up. This will sell out.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · Oct 31, 7:30PM-midnight (harvesttx.com)

🧶 Crochet Coasters - Spiders and Pumpkins with Caré Sharpin
Make a set of six Halloween coasters - three spiders, three pumpkins - with all supplies included. A 3-hour hands-on workshop at MillHouse McKinney that produces something you’ll actually want on your coffee table all October.
MillHouse McKinney, 610 Elm St Suite 1000 · 4-7PM ($75, all supplies included)

🎃 The Humor Games: The Halloween Edition
Elimination-style improv competition where every performer is in costume and the audience votes out the weakest link round by round. One ImproVictor remains. Think Taskmaster meets Hunger Games, but funnier.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E. Virginia St. · 9:30-10:30PM ($20-$26)

👻 Ghostly Hauntings Tour at Chestnut Square
A 2-hour guided tour in the dark through the historic homes at Chestnut Square - starting with audio and video of documented paranormal activity, then moving through the houses where the hauntings actually happen. Limited spots per tour; book in advance. No kids under 12.
Chestnut Square, 315 S. Chestnut St. · 10:30PM ($30, tickets at chestnutsquare.org)

🛍 McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square
The weekly Saturday market at Chestnut Square Historic Village - local produce, handmade goods, and a good reason to walk around the oldest part of downtown before the day gets going.
Chestnut Square, 315 S. Chestnut St. · 8AM-12PM (Free)

🍩 Texas Best Mini Donuts Grand Opening
First 25 people get free mini donuts. Ribbon cutting at 11:30AM, then at 1PM: competitive eater Greg Wilson - ranked #28 in the world and #1 in Texas - attempts to eat 100 mini donuts in 4 minutes. McKinney’s newest sweet spot makes its debut.
8720 Silverado Trail, McKinney · 11AM-3PM (Free)

🛩️ Challenge Air McKinney Fly Day
Challenge Air gives children and youth with special needs (ages 7-21) the gift of flight - an actual chance to fly a plane. One of the most genuinely moving events on the McKinney calendar. Sign up as a pilot, volunteer, or sponsor at ChallengeAir.org.
Cirrus McKinney, McKinney National Airport, 1451 Industrial Blvd · 9AM-4PM (Free to attend)

💀 Día de los Muertos Festival at TUPPS
McKinney’s biggest Día de los Muertos celebration returns to TUPPS Brewery for a full day - live music, traditional dance performances, local artisan vendors, and cold beer. One of the most visually striking events on the McKinney calendar.
TUPPS Brewery, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 12-9PM (Free)

👻 Trick or Treat Trail at Towne Lake Park
McKinney’s annual Trick or Treat Trail runs Saturday afternoon at Towne Lake Park. Kids trick-or-treat through the trail; parents get a proper fall outing in the first jacket-weather weekend of the year.
Towne Lake Park, 1401 Wilson Creek Pkwy · 3-6PM (Free)

🎤 Two For The Show (Mute Point + Spinal Chord)
One ticket, two complete comedy shows back-to-back. Mute Point does silent-scene improv; Spinal Chord brings something entirely different. Two troupes, one night, twice the laughs.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E. Virginia St. · 9-10PM ($20-$26)

🎃 Make Fabric Pumpkins with Sarah Hill
Adult sewing class in the upstairs studio at Jump Into Art Studios. Sewing teacher Sarah Hill walks you through two methods - by hand and by machine - to create decorative fabric pumpkins for your mantle. All materials provided, beginners welcome.
Jump Into Art Studios, 404 N. Church St. · 1-4PM (tickets)

For US farm, ranch and small business owners.

Airlines hedge fuel. Food companies hedge crops. For decades, protecting a business from outcomes it can't control took a broker, a trading desk and an order size most owners never had.

Kalshi opens hedging up to small businesses. Pick the outcome that would hurt you, like a fuel spike, a heat wave, a new tariff or a rate hike, and take a position on it, starting at a few dollars. If it happens, the payout offsets the hit. If it doesn't, the contract expires and the good month was the point.

A California goat herder and a Maryland tea company already do it, and CNBC, Reuters and The New York Times have covered businesses hedging on Kalshi.

Kalshi is a federally regulated exchange.

See how other owners hedge

🎸 The Rockmollys at Harvest
Band members have shared stages with Don Henley, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Jacksons, and the Goo Goo Dolls. Classic rock spanning the ’50s through the 2000s on the third floor of the Masonic Lounge.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · 7:30-11PM (Free)

🎸 The Maylee Thomas Band at HUB 121
Free outdoor concert at HUB 121. Bring chairs and blankets - food from the on-site restaurants and a concession stand next to the stage.
HUB 121, 7570 State Hwy 121 · 7:30-9:30PM (Free)

🎷 Love Handle at Zin Zen
Four-piece rock band with shredding guitar solos, sizzling sax licks, and a setlist that covers Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, ZZ Top, Thin Lizzy, Bad Company, and more. Dubbed “the greatest rock and roll mix tape of all time” - and they’re not wrong.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro, 6841 Virginia Pkwy · 8-11PM (Free)

🎤 REIGN at The Lion & Crown
Powerful duo fronted by vocalist Carly Reign and keyboard player Alex Martins - timeless classics and today’s biggest hits with serious energy. McKinney’s British pub at its Friday-night best.
The Lion & Crown, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy #1600 · 8PM-midnight (Free)

🎸 Texanadians at Harvest
Duo Scott E. & Dālene Richelle - soul and Texas grit in country, rock, and pop. Saturday night at the Masonic Lounge.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · 7:30-11PM (Free)

🤠 Pop Up Dance Hall Night with Red Dirt Rewind at The Augustus
Red Dirt to 80s/90s classics, all built for dancing - the songs that make you roll down the windows and breathe in the fall air. A Saturday night that earns its name.
The Augustus at Local Yocal, 350 E. Louisiana St. · Doors 7PM, Show 8:30PM (Free with dinner reservation / tickets at prekindle.com)

🎸 Windy City - A Tribute to Chicago at HUB 121
Free outdoor Chicago tribute concert - horns, harmonies, and all the classics. Bring chairs and blankets, food on site.
HUB 121, 7570 State Hwy 121 · 7:30-9:30PM (Free)

💀 Live Music at Día de los Muertos Festival at TUPPS
Live music runs throughout the 12-9PM festival alongside traditional dance. A full Saturday in one place.
TUPPS Brewery, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 12-9PM (Free)

🎤 Therapy Session at The Stix Icehouse
Group Therapy Band is back at one of their favorite McKinney venues. The Stix is a newer icehouse at 301 Eldorado Pkwy - a solid Saturday night option.
The Stix Icehouse, 301 Eldorado Pkwy #100 · 7PM (Free)

🎸 The Thrifted Flame at The Stix
Afternoon live music at The Stix Icehouse to ease into Sunday. Check the Facebook event for details.
The Stix Icehouse, 301 Eldorado Pkwy #100 · 11AM-5PM (Free)

Russell Creek Park (4801 Eldorado Pkwy) is one of McKinney’s larger community parks and is surprisingly underused given how good it is. The park runs along Russell Creek with paved trails, multiple sports fields, large playgrounds, shaded picnic areas, and enough space to actually spread out. It’s a solid destination for a Sunday morning run, a family outing, or just somewhere to take the dog and let the weekend breathe.

Fall temperatures finally cooperating this weekend makes this a natural stop.

📍 Russell Creek Park, 4801 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney, TX 75070 | Open sunrise to sunset | Free

Fri: 🌤️ Some clouds, then sunshine; breezy and much cooler with Wind Advisory until 7PM, high 65°F
Sat: 🌤️ Partly sunny, high 67°F
Sun: ☀️ Mostly sunny and beautiful, high 70°F

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