There are packed weekends and then there are PACKED weekends. This weekend in Dallas is so full of things to do that staying at home shouldn't even be a choice. Events include a Broadway musical, three big-name comedians, four concerts featuring national headliners, exhibits featuring art, flowers, and LEGOs, a music festival, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, February 21
Dallas Summer Musicals presents Anastasia
From the Tony Award-winning creators of the Broadway classic Ragtime, Anastasia transports the audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family. The musical will play at the Music Hall at Fair Park through March 3.
Friday, February 22
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Disney's The Little Mermaid
2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will celebrate by presenting Ariel in her quest to be part of the human world. The orchestra will play along to the movie live while it shows on the big screen. The DSO, conducted by Sarah Hicks, will put on three shows through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Meek Mill in concert
Rapper Meek Mill has been in the headlines in recent years more for his brushes with the law than his music. But with his legal issues possibly now behind him, he's free to resume his career as one of the most popular artists in the genre. All four of his albums have reached the top 4 in the Billboard 200, including his latest, 2018's Championships, which went to No. 1. He'll perform at South Side Ballroom.
WaterTower Theatre presents Guadalupe in the Guest Room
Guadalupe is living in the guest room of her son-in-law, Steve, while she works to translate from English to Spanish the children’s books her deceased daughter has written. Overcome with grief and separated by a language barrier, the unlikely housemates struggle to communicate. As they begin watching the same television show, the two bond in the most unexpected of ways, leading Guadalupe and Steve to learn that understanding doesn’t always require speaking the same language. The production will play at WaterTower Theatre in Addison through March 17.
Patton Oswalt in concert
Patton Oswalt is a comedian whose size belies his impact on the entertainment world. From his award-winning comedy specials to his many memorable film roles and guest appearances on TV shows like Parks and Recreation, he's racked up a résumé that compares favorably with most of his peers. He'll perform a night of stand-up comedy at Majestic Theatre.
Saturday, February 23
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden presents Dallas Blooms
Dallas Blooms, Dallas Arboretum's annual floral festival, features more than 100 varieties of spring bulbs and over 500,000 blooms. The theme for 2019 is “Life’s A Picnic,” and the festival will feature a larger-than-life picnic scene topiary, weekly films showcasing some of best picnic scenes throughout film, picnic wines from Checkered Past Winery, and the start of the 2019 Cool Thursdays concert series. The event will go on through April 7.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science presents "The Art of the Brick"
Millions of Lego bricks used to create everything from the masterpieces of Da Vinci and Van Gogh to feats of engineering are part of the spectacular “The Art of the Brick” traveling exhibition, which will open at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science on Saturday. “The Art of the Brick” features displays such as the Mona Lisa, the statues of David, Venus de Milo, and Augustus of Prima Porta, a T. rex, Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa, and more. The exhibit will be on display through August 18.
Mardi Gras Texas Style
Mardi Gras isn't until March 5, but you start the party early with the 18th Annual Mardi Gras Texas Style. The music festival will feature performances by Turnpike Troubadours, Koe Wetzel, Wade Bowen Kevin Fowler, Shane Smith & The Saints, Randall King, and more on five stages. The event, taking place in the Automobile Building at Fair Park, will also include all of the food, fun, and flavor of the best Mardi Gras celebrations.
Fred Armisen: "Comedy for Musicians but Everyone is Welcome"
Former Saturday Night Live cast member Fred Armisen has made a career out of his eccentric personality and humor. Since officially leaving the show, he's done a number of off-the-wall projects that have somehow made him even more notable, including Portlandia, Documentary Now!, and the Amazon series Forever. He'll perform a night of comedy and music at Texas Theatre.
Bert Kreischer: "Body Shots" Tour
Lauded as one of the best storytellers of his generation, Bert Kreischer seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood. The stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and host recently had a stand-up special, Bert Kreischer: Secret Time, premiere on Netflix. Kreischer will perform twice at Majestic Theatre as part of his "Body Shots" Tour.
Erykah Badu presents Another Badu Birthday
If it's late February, that means it's time for another birthday party for Dallas' own Erykah Badu. Taking place once again at the Bomb Factory, guests can expect the unexpected as Badu and her band, the Cannabinoids, take the stage along with a variety of special guests. Yes, it's been nine years since Badu put out an actual album, but she'll forever live in the hearts of Dallas fans.
Sarah Brightman in concert
The world’s most successful and best-selling soprano, Sarah Brightman, who originated the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, comes to Dallas in support of her much anticipated 15th full-length album, Hymn, her first new studio recording since 2013's Dreamchaser. The crossover singer will take full advantage of the state-of-the-art acoustics at Winspear Opera House.
Sunday, February 24
Dallas Museum of Art opening and closing
One exhibit will say goodbye and one will say hello on Sunday at the Dallas Museum of Art. Closing is Ida O’Keeffe: "Escaping Georgia’s Shadow," which showcased for the first time approximately 50 of O'Keeffe's works, including paintings, watercolors, prints, and drawings. Opening is Berthe Morisot: "Woman Impressionist," an international exhibition dedicated to Morisot, one of the founding members of the French Impressionist movement. The exhibition will be on display through May 26.
Muse in concert
English rock band Muse is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its debut album, Showbiz, and they remain as popular as ever. Their past six albums have gone to No. 1 in their native United Kingdom, and they've consistently charted near the top on this side of the pond, too. They'll play at American Airlines Center in support of their 2018 album, Simulation Theory, alongside opening act Walk the Moon.
John Oates in concert with Vanessa Peters
John Oates, one half of the best-selling duo of all time, Hall & Oates, is also an accomplished solo artist. With Hall & Oates all but done recording new music, Oates has released five solo albums over the past 17 years, including 2018's Arkansas. He'll be joined at this concert at The Kessler by special guest Vanessa Peters.
Dallas Summer Musicals will present Anastasia at the Music Hall at Fair Park through March 3.
Figure skater Mariah Bell. Getty Images 