The 18th annual Plano International Festival includes food, music, art and other activities aimed at celebrating the city's diversity and raising awareness about the city's many ethnic communities. A complete schedule is available online. An opening ceremony with a flag presentation and naturalization ceremony begins at 11 a.m. A Wellness Fair with flu shots, blood donations, COVID-19 boosters and other health screenings will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Courtyard Theater, 1509 H Ave., Plano. A Fitzone will have demonstrations on various workouts including yoga, weights ,South Indian martial battle art, Masako Mai Training, brain exercises and more will be from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Saigling House, 902 E. 16th St., Plano. The festival will be from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (admission). Haggard Park, 901 E. 15th St., Plano. www.planointernationalfestival.org
Oct. 15: Take in cultural performances
Dancing with the Symphony, which is being offered in conjunction with the Plano International Festival, will feature multicultural dances accompanied by a Plano Symphony quartet. Participating groups include the Mexico 2000 Ballet Folklorico, McLane School of Irish Dance and Bolly Rhythms Dance Academy. Proceeds will go toward an education scholarship fund that awards Plano ISD middle school students with free private lessons. $25 (tickets available online). 5 p.m. Courtyard Theater, 1509 H Ave., Plano. www.planosymphony.org
Oct. 15: Pay tribute to The Beatles
Join The Beatles tribute band Hard Night’s Day for a belated celebration of John Lennon’s birthday at Red Tail Pavilion in Oak Point Park. Attendees can bring their own chairs, blankets, coolers and alcohol. Burgers, fries and soda will be available for purchase. 6 p.m. (gates open), 7 p.m. (show starts). $10 (age 12 and under), $12 (seniors), $15 (adults); all tickets have an additional $2 service fee. 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. 972-941-5600. www.visitplano.com/event/hard-nights-day-at-red-tail-pavilion
Oct. 18: Test your horror movie knowledge with trivia
Legacy Hall Box Garden hosts a horror movie trivia night complete with food and spooky cocktails from the 20-plus bars and eateries at Legacy Hall. Seating is first come, first served. 7 p.m. $30 (per team of up to six players). 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano. 972-846-4255. www.visitplano.com/event/horror-movie-trivia-night
Oct. 20: Attend a benefit for cancer research
II Brothers Grill & Bar hosts an event benefiting The Cure Starts Now to help fund pediatric brain cancer research. The event is in honor of Mateo Sparkman, a child who died from an incurable form of brain cancer in 2021. Attendees can enjoy music, food, drinks and a raffle with prizes. 6-9:30 p.m. $30 (registration includes one appetizer, one drink and one raffle ticket); $5 (additional raffle tickets). 8308 Preston Road, Ste. 198, Plano. https://csnevents.regfox.com/rockin-for-the-cure-2022
Oct. 22: Drink up at this festival
The fifth annual Plano Food + Wine Festival features a wide selection of award-winning wines as well as cuisine from 15 restaurants. A main attraction at this year’s event is the Lombardi Family Concepts Culinary Experience Stage, where Lombardi Family Concepts chefs lead culinary demonstrations throughout the day. Various ticket options are available. See the Plano Food + Wine Festival website for more details. Noon-6 p.m. $45 (wine tasting only)-$125 (VIP). Legacy West, 5908 Headquarters Drive, Plano. www.planofoodandwinefestival.com
Oct. 22: Learn some haunted history in Plano
Live music, circus performers, food, drinks and more round out Rest in Plano Fest taking place in conjunction with Apparition Expedition, a walking tour of Plano’s “paranormal past,” according to the event’s online description. 5-10:30 p.m. Free (RIP Fest); $8 (Apparition Expedition, tickets are limited and have an additional $2 service fee). 1201 E. 15th St., Plano (RIP Fest); McCall Plaza, 998 E. 15th St., Plano (Apparition Expedition). www.plano.gov/1043/rip-apparition-expedition
Oct. 29: Celebrate Halloween
The third annual North Texas Performing Arts Trunk-or-Treat event includes themed cars stocked with candy for trick-or-treaters, entertainment by NTPA students, food trucks, giveaways and more. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $12-$30. The Shops at Willow Bend parking lot near Chapel Hill entrance, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano. https://ntpa.org/trunk-or-treat/
Nov. 5-6: Check out a retro expo
The Plano Event Center hosts vintage toys, comic books, video games, VHS tapes, vinyl records, action figures, autographs, Pokemon, T-shirts, art, horror memorabilia and more during Retro Expo. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Nov. 5), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Nov. 6). Free (age 8 and younger with adult), $8.66 (ages 9-12), $12.99 (advance general admission), $37.89 (advance VIP). 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. www.retroexpo.com
Nov. 5-12: Honor veterans and first responders
The Plano East Rotary Club hosts the sixth annual Plano Flags of Honor event in recognition of veterans and first responders. A field of 1,111 American flags will be on display for one week. Special events, such as programs from veteran organizations, musical performances, patriotic re-enactments, a safety fair, tethered hot air balloon rides above the flags and more will be held. Times for events vary. Free (admission). Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. https://planoflagsofhonor.com
