At its September 15 regular meeting, McKinney City Council approved a $5,500 Promotional and Community Event Grant for the McKinney Public Library Foundation - specifically for advertising, marketing, and promotion of the grand re-opening of the Roy and Helen Hall Library and Planetarium.

The grant was one of several community event grants approved at the same meeting, alongside a $15,000 Promotional and Community Event Grant for the Heritage Guild of Collin County to advertise and market 2026 events at Chestnut Square - supporting the programming that keeps the historic village active through the fall season.

The planetarium inside the Hall Library offers educational programming on astronomy, space exploration, and night sky science. A proper grand re-opening event, with city-backed promotion dollars behind it, should ensure most of us are aware it will be open again. No date has been announced yet, but we’re on it. (Source: McKinney City Council Regular Meeting, Sept 15, 2026)

Potbelly is hosting its grand opening celebration this Saturday, September 19, from 11AM to 1PM at the Eldorado Neighborhood Shops - the center anchored by Trader Joe’s at the southwest corner of Stonebridge Drive and Eldorado Parkway. Expect food, giveaways, games, and a chance to win Potbelly for a year. Toasted sandwiches, soups, milkshakes, and those cookies - finally in west McKinney.
Eldorado Neighborhood Shops, McKinney · Sat Sept 19, 11AM-1PM (Free)

Council considered a specific use permit for a proposed 7-Eleven fuel station at the northwest corner of Bloomdale Road and Hardin Boulevard - a 4,816-square-foot convenience store with six pumps. McKinney’s P&Z had already recommended approval.
(Source: McKinney City Council Regular Meeting, September 15, 2026)

☕ Coffee with Cops
McKinney Police Department invites you to Coffee with Cops at Bad Ass Coffee - a relaxed morning to connect with officers over a cup in a casual setting. No agenda, just good conversation.
Bad Ass Coffee, 1301 S Central Expy · Thu Oct 8, 9-11AM (Free)

🏡 Collin County Fall Home & Garden Show — Fri-Sun Sept 18-20
The 13th Annual Collin County Fall Home & Garden Show - one place, one weekend, all your home projects solved. Free admission, free parking, over 100 vendors across home improvement, landscaping, décor, and garden. A short drive to Allen but worth it if you have any projects in the queue.
Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen · Fri 2PM-8PM / Sat 10AM-8PM / Sun 11AM-5PM (Free)

🐘 Wild and Whimsical Watercolors - Gentle Elephant
Part of a watercolor series where each session features a different whimsical jungle animal. This week: a gentle elephant. You’ll learn brush control, layering, blending, and creating soft washes - leaving with a finished piece that’s uniquely yours. All skill levels welcome.
MillHouse McKinney, 610 Elm St Suite 1000 · 1-3PM ($20)

🍺 TUPPS Oktoberfest Weekend 1 - Opening Day
Three days of Bavarian fun kick off at the Cotton Mill - German-style beer, food specials, stein-holding, and the full TUPPS experience. Friday is your first shot at the Oktoberfest Marzen before the weekend crowds hit Saturday.
TUPPS Brewery, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 11AM-11:30PM (tuppsbrewery.com)

🥋 Parents’ Night Out at Pro Black Belt Academy McKinney
Drop the kids off for 3 hours of pizza, games, a movie, and a Nerf battle while you go actually enjoy Friday night. Ages 4+, members and non-members welcome - space is limited and pre-registration required.
Pro Black Belt Academy McKinney, 7551 Eldorado Pkwy Ste 600 · 5-8PM ($35/child)

🏈 Tailgate Party & Night at the Stadium - Boyd vs. Rockhill
Glen Oaks Elementary PTA is throwing a tailgate in the northwest parking lot of MISD Stadium starting at 5:30PM - game-day snacks, ice-cold drinks, yard games, glitter, tattoos, and noisemakers. Group photo on the field at 6:30PM. Kickoff: McKinney Boyd HS vs. Rockhill HS at 7PM. Free student entry with Glen Oaks Spirit Wear.
McKinney ISD Stadium, 4201 S Hardin Blvd · 5:30PM tailgate / 7PM kickoff (Free)

🍞 Feed The Country McKinney
Part of a 100+ city nationwide day of service - show up at Union Bear, pack meals for food-insecure families, and be done by 10:30AM. Each volunteer brings ingredients to make 25-30 complete meal kits. Registration required - see Eventbrite for the full packing list.
Union Bear Brewing, 308 W. Virginia St. · 8:30-10:30AM (Free, register on Eventbrite)

🛒 McKinney Farmers Market
The weekly Heritage Village ritual - local produce, artisan goods, and the best free Saturday morning in McKinney. Vote for it at markets.farmland.org before you leave - deadline is Sept 30.
Chestnut Square Historic Village, 315 S Chestnut St · 8AM-12PM (Free)

🛍 Small Business in September Market
Six hours of local vendors, food, and small business energy at 210 W. University Drive. Hosted by Sweet B’s Vendor Events - the same crew behind the Father’s Day Car Show.
210 W. University Dr., McKinney · 9AM-3PM (Free)

🪄 Mimi Camp: Practical Magic Edition
A spellbinding all-day event inspired by the most iconic cozy witchy film of all time - hands-on witchy crafts, themed treats, cocktails, a tarot card reader, and a fine line tattoo artist on-site. Cozy, magical atmosphere filled with laughter and sisterhood. A day of creativity, connection, and just the right amount of mischief.
McKinney, TX · 10AM-9PM (Ticketed, thecommonthreadsocial.com)

💍 Speed Dating (Ages 40-55) at Broken Yolk Cafe
Hosted by Jigsaw Dating - 3-minute speed dates with each person, custom conversation cards to break the ice, and a dedicated host on-site. Singles only, ages 40-55. Tickets limited, often sell out.
Broken Yolk Cafe, 6651 Alma Rd Suite 250 · 3-5PM (Ticketed, Eventbrite)

🏺 Throw a Sake Set on the Pottery Wheel with Emily
Throw 5 small pieces on the wheel, pick your best 3-4, and Emily will hand trim and glaze your sake set in an Asian style. Ready for pick-up about three weeks later.
Jump Into Art Studios, 404 N. Church St. · 2-5PM ($55)

🌱 Plant Bingo at TUPPS
Play bingo and win plants at the TUPPS Outdoor Beer Hall - hosted by The Social Greenhouse. Tickets in advance at thesocialgreenhouse.com.
TUPPS Outdoor Beer Hall, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 12-2PM (Ticketed, thesocialgreenhouse.com)

🌸 Kalamkari Florals: Traditional Indian Art in Watercolor
Learn the centuries-old South Asian art form of Kalamkari - intricate hand-painted motifs, botanical patterns, and storytelling through brushwork. Choose a floral design, peacock, or elephant motif and leave with a one-of-a-kind watercolor. All materials included, no experience needed.
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, 4701 S. Custer Rd Suite 500 · 3-5PM (Ticketed, Eventbrite)

🍴 Gather for Good: Dinner Benefit for Dream Catchers Foundation
Dinner with strangers at Sugarbacon for a good cause - icebreaker questions, shared dining, and a group photo at the end. Proceeds benefit DreamCatchers Foundation, which fulfills end-of-life Dreams for hospice patients. Max 6 per table.
Sugarbacon Proper Kitchen, 216 W. Virginia St. · 7PM (Ticketed, Eventbrite)

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🎤 Mark Hudspeth at TUPPS
Live music on the TUPPS Outdoor Beer Hall stage to kick off Oktoberfest weekend. Cold beer, outdoor stage, Friday night with nowhere to be.
TUPPS Outdoor Beer Hall, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 6-9PM (Free)

🎸 The Rockmollys at Harvest
Full-time professional musicians with decades of combined experience - sharing stages with Don Henley, The Jacksons, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Goo Goo Dolls. Classic Rock from the ’50s through the 2000s. Third floor of the Masonic, views over downtown.
Harvest at The Masonic, 215 N. Kentucky St. · 7:30-11PM (Free)

🎷 Zin Zen’s 20th Birthday Bash - Love Handle
Zin Zen turns 20 and celebrates with Love Handle - McKinney’s latest 4-piece rock band featuring shredding guitar solos, sizzling saxophone licks, and hits from Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, ZZ Top, Poison, Thin Lizzy, and more. “The greatest rock and roll mix tape of all time.” A proper birthday party for a downtown institution.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro, 6841 Virginia Pkwy · 8-11PM (Free)

🎤 Night Shift: Live Band Karaoke at TUPPS
Late-night karaoke backed by a live band. Better than regular karaoke. Much better than going home.
TUPPS Outdoor Beer Hall, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 9PM-midnight (Free)

🎸 Reign Duo LIVE at Rick’s Chophouse
Bringing all your favorite songs - plus a few you forgot you loved - and turning it into a sing-along, dance-a-little, stay-a-while kind of night. Award-winning steakhouse in Historic Downtown McKinney. You’re gonna wish you didn’t miss this one.
Rick’s Chophouse, 107 N Kentucky St · 7:30-11PM (Free)

🎸 Forever Hendrix - A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix at HUB 121
Free outdoor Jimi Hendrix tribute concert - bring your chairs and blankets, grab food and drinks from on-site restaurants, and settle in for two hours of Purple Haze, Voodoo Child, and All Along the Watchtower. 430 people have already RSVP’d.
HUB 121, 7570 TX-121 S · 8-10PM (Free)

👑 The Velvet Kings at The Lion & Crown
The Velvet Kings play their first show at Lion & Crown McKinney - come out and party from 8 to midnight at McKinney’s best British pub.
The Lion & Crown McKinney, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy · 8PM-midnight (Free)

🪕 Buzz Andrews Band at Zin Zen
Vocals that blend Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard - Buzz plays bluegrass, country, and rock covers from the 60s to the 2000s on the Zin Zen patio.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro, 6841 Virginia Pkwy · 8-11PM (Free)

🎧 Night Shift: DJ Dance Party at TUPPS
Late-night DJ set at the Outdoor Beer Hall to close out Oktoberfest Saturday. Cotton Mill after dark, open until midnight.
TUPPS Outdoor Beer Hall, 402 E. Louisiana St. · 10PM-midnight (Free)

Tucked in west McKinney, Serenity Park is one of the city’s quieter discoveries - a neighborhood park that punches above its weight with a disc golf course, a fishing pond, pavilion space, playground, and a trail loop through natural landscaping. Not a destination park, but a genuinely pleasant one for a morning run or an afternoon when you don’t want to fight for parking at Bonnie Wenk.

September mornings are the perfect time to find it. Temperatures are starting their long descent from triple digits and the early light on the pond is worth the drive.

📍 2600 Lake Forest Dr., McKinney, TX 75070 | Open sunrise to sunset | Free

Fri Sept 18: ☀️ Mostly sunny and toasty; a shower in spots late afternoon, high 91°F
Sat Sept 19: ☀️ Mostly sunny; a t-storm in spots in the afternoon, high 92°F
Sun Sept 20: ☀️ Hot with abundant sunshine, high 93°F

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