If you’re new to the Dallas/Fort Worth area then this list of annual events will be extremely helpful for introducing you to the fun happenings that the area has to offer! Try to attend an event each month and by the end of the year you’ll be a DFW entertainment pro! Also be sure to check our live events calendar which is updated regularly with the latest and greatest entertainment options in the DFW area!
January
Kid Film Festival
Dallas; 214-821-6300; www.usafilmfestival.com
Sponsored annually by USA Film Festival the Kid Film Festival features classic and new quality children’s films at various Dallas area venues.
Martin Luther King Birthday Parade
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center
2922 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dallas; 214-670-8355; www.mlkcelebrationdallas.org
The annual Martin Luther King Parade in downtown Dallas honors the late civil rights leader every January.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
3400 Burnett-Tandy Dr. Fort Worth; 817-877-2400; www.fwssr.com
The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo has entertainment for all ages. The 2014 rodeo will mark this DFW tradition’s 118th year.
February
Dallas Home and Garden Show + Fort Worth Home and Garden Show
Dallas Market Hall; 2200 N Stemmons Fwy. Dallas; www.texashomeandgarden.com
Fort Worth Convention Center; 1201 Houston St. Fort Worth
This bi-annual event features innovative ideas for your home and garden. Event dates in both Dallas and Fort Worth as well as others cities across Texas in the Spring and Fall.
Dallas Autorama
Dallas Market Hall; 2200 N Stemmons Fwy Dallas; 248-373-1700; www.autorama.com
Enjoy collectible cars and the latest auto innovations at the annual Dallas auto show in Dallas Market Hall.
Fort Worth Bead Market
Amon Carter Exhibit Hall Will Rogers Center
3400 Burnett Tandy Dr Fort Worth; 903-734-3335; www.thebeadmarket.net
Held twice a year in February and July the Fort Worth Bead Market is a treasure trove for jewelry makers.
West End’s Mardi Gras Parade
1010 First Avenue Dallas; 214-741-7180; www.mardigrasdfw.com
Celebrate a Texas Style Mardi Gras in Dallas’ historic West End.
March
Spring Gallery Night
Fort Worth • www.fwada.com/gallerynight.html
Many of the Fort Worth area’s most significant art galleries hold open houses.
Texas Indian Market and Southwest Showcase
Arlington Convention Center Arlington; www.indianmarket.net
Art food and many Native American acts such as the Ehecatl Aztec Dancers. Entry is $12 Children under age 13 get in free
Russian Festival
SMU McFarlin Auditorium 6405 Boaz Lane Dallas; 214-718-0701
The Russian American Center presents a traditional Russian ballet music and art at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium.
Dallas Bloom Dallas Arboretum Botanical Society
Dallas Arboretum; 8525 Garland Road Dallas; 214-515-6500; www.dallasarboretum.org
Enjoy the Arboretum’s gardens in their spring glory.
Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Dallas; 214-757-9000; www.greenvilleave.org/st-patricks-day/
Usually held the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day this Dallas tradition is fun for the entire clan.
April
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
Denton’s Quakertown Park and Facilities; 321 East McKinney Denton (Corner of McKinney and Bell); www.dentonjazzfest.com
This free three-day event features talented artists and jazz musicians. It is one of DFW’s most popular festivals
Arbor Daze
Euless City Hall Complex; 201 N. Ector Dr. Euless ; 817-685-1449; www.arbordaze.org
A family oriented festival encouraging tree planting. Events include a business expo kids’ rides and nightly entertainment.
Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Dallas; 214-855-1881; www.deepellumartsfestival.com
Talented artists from around the DFW area show off their work in Dallas’ historic Deep Ellum neighborhood.
Air Power Expo
Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at Carswell Air Force Base Fort Worth; 817-782-3094; www.airpowerexpo.com
Enjoy the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels’ aerial acrobatics. The show is part of the annual Dallas-Fort Worth Navy Week aimed at educating the public about the Navy’s community projects etc.
Grapevine New Vintage Wine & Arts Festival
636 South Main Street Grapevine; 817-410-3185
Enjoy seminars and tours hosted local wineries and witness the Blessing of the Vine and the Blessing of the New Release.
Earth Party—Fort Worth
www.fortworthtexas.gov/earthparty/
Celebrate Earth Day at this fun festival. Free entertainment for the entire family at Sundance Square.
USA Film Festival
214-821-6300 • www.usafilmfestival.com
Now in its 43rd year the USA Film Festival annually features independent films from across the globe.
May
Cottonwood Art Festival
Cottonwood Park; 1321 W. Belt Line Rd. Richardson; 972-744-4582; www.cottonwoodartfestival.com
Held annually for over forty years the Cottonwood Art Festival features the works of new and established artists along with entertainment and food. Admission to the festival is free.
Mayfest
6115 Camp Bowie Blvd. Suite 160 Fort Worth; 817-332-1055; www.mayfest.org
This annual festival held in Fort Worth’s Trinity Park features arts crafts entertainment food and amusement rides. Proceeds go to the City of Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department the Junior League of Fort Worth Inc. and Streams & Valleys Inc.
Taste Addison
Addison Circle Park; 4970 Addison Circle Dr. Addison; 972-450-2851; www.addisontexas.net/events/TasteAddison/
A chance to taste cuisine from more than 60 Addison restaurants as well as enjoy live music performances. This three-day event also features activities like the Taste Run 5 K and Fun Run.
Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Maverick Stadium; 1307 West Mitchell Arlington; 800-363-7268; www.texasscottishfestival.com
Authentic Scottish music food and athletic contests. Enjoy the all Scottish breeds dog show. This family-friendly event has something for all ages. Traditionally held in June promoters have now moved it to May to take advantage of the cooler weather.
June
Juneteenth Celebration
www.juneteenthfw.com
This eight day celebration has events at various venues in Fort Worth and Dallas to commemorate the day people in Texas heard about the Emancipation Proclamation. Sponsored by the Citizens concerned with Human Dignity/Community Development Inc.
July
Castle Hills Freedom Festival
www.castlehillsvillageshops.com
For over 15 years Castle Hills residents have enjoyed a community-wide July 4th Freedom Festival culminating in an impressive fireworks display over The Lakes at Castle Hills golf course. This event is free and open to the public.
Old Fashioned Fourth of July
Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park; 1515 S. Harwood Dallas; 214-421-5141; www.dallasheritagevillage.org
Fun for all ages this event includes a barbeque and rides for kids.
Shakespeare Festival
Samuell-Grand Park 1500 Tenison Dallas; 214-559-2778; www.shakespearedallas.org
Enjoy Shakespeare in the Park during June and July.
Taste of Dallas
Fair Park 3600 Grand Avenue Dallas; www.tasteofdallas.org
Enjoy live performances as well a great food at this outdoor food festival held at Fair Park.
August
KRLD Restaurant Week
Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex ; North Texas Food Bank: 213-330-1396
DFW restaurants have specials and other events to benefit the North Texas Food Bank. Call the Food Bank directly for more information.
September
Bedford Blues and BBQ
951 L. Don Dodson Bedford; www.bedfordbluesbbq.com
Featuring great music and great food this annual reasonably priced event is held on Labor Day weekend.
Dallas Dance Festival
972-929-4500; www.dallasdancefestival.com
This annual event features professional and emerging dance companies performing in the Dallas Arts District.
Greek Festival of Texas
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church; 13555 Hillcrest Road Dallas; 972- 991-1166; www.greekfestivalofdallas.com
Enjoy Greek food music dancing and more at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Greek Festival.
Dallas Blooms Autumn
Dallas Arboretum 8525 Garland Road Dallas; 214-515-6500; www.dallasarboretum.org
A celebration of autumn’s color and the cultural richness of Dallas. The Dallas Arboretum hosts many festivals and concerts throughout the year. Check out their website for more information.
State Fair of Texas
3921 Martin Luther King Blvd. Dallas 214-565-9931; www.bigtex.com/sft/
Walk through the State Fair entrance and you’ll be greeted by Big Tex the legendary statue that is the fair’s mascot. The Fair features rides entertainment and plenty of food. It’s known for its unique fried treats.
October
Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride and Concert
817- 265-1535; www.srvrideandconcert.org
In October Texas blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughan is honored with a parade and concert. The parade begins at Hooters in Dallas and travels to Arlington for the concert. For a small fee participants can ride their motorcycles in the parade.
Boo at the Dallas Zoo
650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway (I-35E) Dallas; 214-670-5650; www.dallaszoo.com
Each year the Dallas Zoo offers a safe venue for young trick-or-treaters.
Butterfly Flutterby
Grapevine; 800-457-6338
Each year Grapevine marks the migration of the Monarch butterfly to Mexico with a celebration and parade.
Haunted Orchestra
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center; 2301 Flora Street Dallas; 214-692-0203; www.dallassymphony.com
This annual event at the Dallas Symphony features the antics of nerdy Mr. Kirby (Dan Kamin) who must be convinced of the magical powers of music. Pre-event activities in the lobby include a piano keyboard dance floor costume contest and many fun family games.
Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival
Fort Worth Stockyards; 121 E Exchange Avenue Fort Worth; 800-433-5747; redsteagallcowboygathering.com
This three-day event features a chuck wagon gathering some traditional rodeo events including the Ranch Rodeo in which competitors represent their ranches cowboy poetry and lots of food and great music.
November
Tom Thumb Texas Stampede
Allen; 214-520-8874; www.texasstampede.org
This event held at the Allen Center in Allen Texas benefits North Texas children’s charities. In addition to a rodeo and live music there is golf tournament a Christmas market a beauty pageant and tons of other fun activities. The Western Festival includes kids’ rodeo activities.
Chi Omega Christmas Market
3600 Grand Avenue Dallas; www.chiomegaxmas.org
First held in 1978 this wonderful Christmas Market at Fair Park in Dallas has tons of unique gift items. The event benefits several local charities.
Turkey Trot
Dallas; www.ymcadallas.org/healthy_living/family_time/turkey_trot/
The annual YMCA Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving morning in Dallas has a host of other events besides the race. The Turkey Trot began in the 1940s but became an annual event beginning in 1968.
December
The Trains at NorthPark
NorthPark Center; 8687 North Central Expressway Dallas; 214-361-6345; www.rmhdallas.org/news-and-events/the-trains-at-northpark/
This huge exhibit of toy trains at NorthPark Center in Dallas benefits the Ronald McDonald House. The trains travel over 1600 feet of track through major cities such as Dallas San Francisco and New York. You can sponsor individual cars which will be personalized with your name.
Dickens of a Christmas
McKinney; www.believemckinney.org/dickens.php
Be transported back to Christmas’ past with this delightful Christmas festival in McKinney. Enjoy horse-drawn carriages carols music food and plenty of activities for children.
Children’s Medical Center Holiday Parade
Dallas; www.childrensmedicalcenterdallas.com/development/parade
The Children’s Medical Center Holiday Parade benefits the Child Life program at the hospital. Now in its 26th year this event is a Dallas tradition looked forward to by children and adults alike.
