Weekend Event Planner

These are the 10 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

It's Halloween weekend, but that doesn't mean you have to be constrained by spooky events. There are plenty of other things going on, including several big-name concerts, a new air show, a new opera production, one of the last outdoor festivals of the year, and more. By the way, if you are looking for the best Halloween weekend events around Dallas-Fort Worth, you can check them out here.

Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, October 27

Decks in the Park - Halloween Edition
Costumes are highly encouraged at Decks in the Park's annual Halloween Bash. In addition to music from more than seven DJs, guests get a sneak preview of the Red Bull Flying Bach show coming to the Majestic Theatre in January. There's also an after-party at the Foundation Room for those who want to keep the party going.

Celtic Thunder in concert
The new show from international megastars Celtic Thunder, Legacy, celebrates the influence of Irish and Celtic music around the world. It features a mix of lively, fast-paced, and upbeat songs, including “A Place in The Choir,” “Galway Girl,” and “Raggle Taggle Gypsy,” and slower classic ballads like “Danny Boy” and “Noreen." The concert takes place at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie.

Friday, October 28

Commemorative Air Force presents 2016 Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow
The inaugural Commemorative Air Force Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow commemorates the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and features Tora! Tora! Tora!, an award-winning re-creation of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Dozens of other WWII-era aircraft are being exhibited on the ramp and in the air throughout the event. The show takes place at Dallas Executive Airport through Sunday.

Dallas Symphony Pops Series: Disney's Fantasia Live in concert
If you've never seen Disney’s classic movie, Fantasia (or even if you've seen it a 100 times), seeing it with live symphony accompaniment makes it feel completely different. The Fantasia concerts, presented four times through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center, include works from the original 1940 film as well as selections from Fantasia 2000.

Dallas Opera presents Eugene Onegin
Set in late 19th century Russia, innocence and passion collide in the Dallas Opera's latest, Eugene Onegin. After the aristocratic and arrogant Onegin rejects a country girl's advances, the roles are reversed many years later when the two meet again at a royal ball. The opera plays four times at Winspear Opera House through November 5.

Evanescence in concert
For a band that has only released three official albums, Evanescence have had an outsized impact on the music world. The band, led by Amy Lee, has sold nearly 25 million albums since their 2003 debut, Fallen, featuring the hit, “Bring Me To Life.” They are playing at South Side Ballroom in support of their soon-to-be-released box set.

Saturday, October 29

Frontiers of Flight Museum presents Star Wars Day
Spend the day at Frontiers of Flight Museum on the “dark side” with the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion “good guys.” The day includes special Star Wars-themed activities, including a red carpet costume contest. Guests get to meet characters from all sci-fi genres, as the Star Wars universe joins forces with the USS Joshua Sci-Fi fan club and the DFW Ghostbusters fan group.

2016 Trinity River Wind Festival
The fifth annual Trinity River Wind Festival, postponed from June, is a day of high-flying outdoor adventure and fun. The event, taking place at the Commerce Street Viaduct, includes the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center and stage show, homing pigeons from Trinity River Audubon Center, Texas Discovery Gardens butterfly display and crafts, performances by kite teams and the Alma y Corazon Tejano Ballet Folklorico, a kid’s fun zone, and more.

The Fray in concert with American Authors
The Fray achieved national success with their 2005 debut album, featuring the hit singles "Over My Head (Cable Car)" and "How to Save a Life," which went double-platinum. Anybody who buys a ticket for this concert at House of Blues Dallas receives a digital download of The Fray's new Greatest Hits Through the Years. They're joined by American Authors.

Sunday, October 30

Stevie Nicks in concert with The Pretenders
If you weren't lucky enough to catch the reunited Fleetwood Mac when they came to town in 2014, you can now see one of their most prominent members, Stevie Nicks, as she revisits her long and storied career. As if that weren't enough, the opening act for the concert at American Airlines Center is another legendary band, The Pretenders, making this the ultimate two-for-one night.

The inaugural Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow takes place at Dallas Executive Airport, October 28-30.

Photo courtesy of Commemorative Air Force

The inaugural Wings Over Dallas WWII Airshow takes place at Dallas Executive Airport, October 28-30.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen