Things to Do in Burleson, Texas
Burleson is a growing town just south of Fort Worth, and its draws are the community kind — a lively historic downtown, a working farm turned art center, good parks, and a summer waterpark. It's a pleasant, low-key day with Fort Worth's attractions a short drive north.
Here's what to do in and around Burleson.
Old Town Burleson
Old Town Burleson is the town's historic downtown — a walkable district of shops, restaurants, and boutiques that serves as the hub for community events, with festivals, car shows, and live music through the year.
Between the brewery and the shops, Old Town is where Burleson gathers, and it's the natural place to start a visit.
Russell Farm Art Center
The Russell Farm Art Center is one of Burleson's more distinctive stops — a city-owned working farm that offers art lessons and workshops, historic home tours, and nature trails, along with events like Fall Fest at the Farm, which features a woodcarvers showcase.
It blends art, history, and the outdoors in a way most suburbs can't, and it's a pleasant, unusual place to spend part of a day.
Parks and the Waterpark
For time outside, the 49-acre Bailey Lake Park has an 8-acre fishing lake, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a paved trail. In summer, Pirate's Cove Waterpark off I-35 is the cool-off spot, with a lazy river, a slide tower, and multiple pools.
Between the parks, the trails, and the waterpark, Burleson has plenty to fill an outdoor day for families.
Nearby
Burleson sits just south of Fort Worth, so the city's big attractions — the Stockyards, downtown, the cultural district, and the zoo — are a short drive north up I-35.
But between Old Town, the farm center, and the parks, Burleson has enough to fill a relaxed day without leaving town.
Upcoming in Burleson
Dates confirmed on each organizer's own site as of October 3, 2026. Plans change, so check the link before you drive.
Sat, Oct 10, 2026
Founders Day (Burleson)Burleson · Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza · 141 W Renfro St · 10am–3pm
Free, family-friendly celebration of Burleson's founding: historical re-enactments, live music, car show
Sat, Oct 17, 2026
Fall Fest at the FarmBurleson · Russell Farm Art Center · 405 W. County Road 714 · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Free; hayride, petting donkeys, fall crafts, games, live music; includes the Woodcarvers Showcase with live woodcarving demos
Sat, Dec 5, 2026
BTX-MAS: Christmas in BurlesonBurleson · Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza (Old Town) · 141 W Renfro St. · 6pm Parade of Lights; 8pm tree lighting and holiday drone show
Free; Parade of Lights from Burleson Collegiate High School to the Plaza, stage entertainment, tree lighting, drone show
FAQ: Things to Do in Burleson
Burleson's draws include historic Old Town, the Russell Farm Art Center, Bailey Lake Park, and Pirate's Cove Waterpark. Fort Worth's attractions are a short drive north.
The Russell Farm Art Center is a city-owned working farm in Burleson offering art lessons and workshops, historic home tours, nature trails, and events like Fall Fest at the Farm, which features a woodcarvers showcase, blending art, history, and the outdoors.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Burleson
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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