Party Time

Discover Dallas' go-to spot for attending — and hosting — holiday events

The Dallas Farmers Market is a find-it-all-here destination for some of the city's best events, from art shows to foodie fests to holiday markets. It's a go-to spot year-round, but things start getting extra festive in November.

One of Dallas' top culinary events kicks off November 2, as Chefs for Farmers BITE Night and Knife chef John Tesar take over the Dallas Farmers Market. The Top Chef alum hosts the cooking showdown, which will feature some stellar past competitors from the reality cooking show, offering their takes on Texan meats and cuisine. Bring an appetite and get ready to eat your fill.

Still hungry? There are plenty more food events coming, starting with the Holiday Market that opens right after Thanksgiving. On November 25, you can celebrate National Cookie Day (don't forget to snag a free tote bag!), and December 2 is National Red Apple Day (temporary tattoos are the gratis swag that day, while they last). Also mark down December 2 for the Tamale Festival — a Texas tradition.

While you're there, snag the opportunity to design a giftable fruit basket and pick up some fresh produce for yourself. Sweet potatoes, green beans, eggplant, butternut squash, pecans, oyster mushrooms, and black-eyed peas are all in season, and all guaranteed to be needed somewhere on your holiday menus.

For culture vultures, the DFM has Julia Jalowiec’s one-woman art show on November 10. The Boho Market can help you get a jump on holiday shopping November 11-12, while a special pop-up reappears on December 9.

All throughout the Holiday Market, be sure to make time to sample apple cider, sip from the hot chocolate bar, and pause for a picture with Santa. After all, adults have wish lists too, right?

And 'tis the season for parties, be they sponsored by the Dallas Farmers Market or simply held there. The Market's European-style food hall is a hidden gem for corporate and social gatherings, thanks to its central seating areas that are surrounded by local artisanal food vendors. You can book one or multiple food vendors, making your event a progressive dinner with a custom-designed menu.

For even bigger events, The Shed's open-air pavilion can accommodate more than 2,700 people, or more than 5,000 by spilling into the surrounding areas. But the area can also be partitioned, making it ideal for smaller, more intimate events. The space is full of personality, with a mix of outdoor and indoor to create a unique atmosphere. The giant, quiet ceiling fans create a gentle breeze during still-warm fall events, but there are also overhead radiant heaters, misters, WiFi, potable water, and plenty of 110 & 220 electrical outlets to help power whomever you might book to perform on the large built-in stage.

Another option is renting out Mudhen Meat and Greens, the next-door restaurant that specializes in farm-to-table fare and killer handcrafted cocktails and local beer. No matter which venue you choose, count on easy and ample parking, amazing skyline views, and close proximity to Big D's other attractions and nightlife. Reach out to Susan Armanovs at 469-607-4596 or susan.armanovs@dallasfarmersmarket.org for more info on booking the Dallas Farmers Market for your next event.

Dallas Observer Brewfest brought beer enthusiasts to the Dallas Farmers Market.

Dallas Brewfest at Dallas Farmers Market

Photo by Melissa Hennings

Dallas Observer Brewfest brought beer enthusiasts to the Dallas Farmers Market.

families promoted event-planner

Politics News

Dallas narrows down field for new city manager to 4 candidates

Photo by R K on Unsplash

This is an Dallasite's sign to launch that small business they've been dreaming of.

After six months without a city manager, the city of Dallas has narrowed down the field of replacements to four semifinalists including one serving as current interim city manager, plus candidates from Fort Worth, Michigan, and Georgia.

Dallas has been without a city manager since May, when previous city manager T.C. Broadnax left to take a job with the city of Austin. Since that time, Broadnax's former chief of staff Kimberly Bizor Tolbert has served as interim city manager.

The city retained Baker Tilly, a consulting firm, to recruit and compile candidates. (Baker Tilly famously erred in the brochure it created for the position by featuring a photo of the Houston skyline instead of Dallas; they've since replaced it with Dallas.)

A spokesperson for Baker Tilly did not respond to inquiries but according to D Magazine, an email listing the candidates has been sent to the Dallas City Council.

The semifinalists include:

Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, Dallas’ current interim city manager
William Johnson, an assistant city manager in Fort Worth
Mark Washington, the city manager of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Zachary Williams, a county chief operating officer in Georgia

All have more than 25 years' of public administration experience and have worked in similar capacities in their respective cities.

Before working in Fort Worth, Johnson was Baltimore’s transportation director and Atlanta’s deputy chief operating officer and public works commissioner.

Washington worked in Fort Worth and Austin before becoming Grand Rapids’ city manager.

Williams has mostly worked in Georgia at the county level, including serving as county manager in Fulton County and chief operating officer in DeKalb County.

Tolbert began working for the city in 1998, first as the city manager’s assistant and later in the aviation department. Broadnax hired her as his chief of staff in 2017.

Unlike the Mayor and the Dallas City Council, the city manager position in Dallas is not elected but is instead appointed by the city council, and is tasked with executing policies, overseeing the annual budget, and managing staff at city hall.

The council’s Ad Hoc Committee will choose finalists, introduce them to the public, and make an offer in early 2025.

politics