Festival Fun

5 ways to rock out at the wildest music festival in North Texas

Wildflower Arts and Music Festival in Richardson

Wildflower! is turning 25, and you get to help celebrate.

Photo by David Downs

When a beloved Texas festival turns 25, it's time to party. Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival is bringing in big-name bands, lots of locally made goodies, and plenty of food for its silver anniversary, happening May 19-21 at Richardson's Galatyn Park.

With more than 80 musical acts on six stages, 20 or so food vendors, and lots of kid-friendly activities — not to mention about 62,000 fans milling about during the weekend — it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Don't be. We're here to help plan out your ideal Wildflower! weekend.

Listen
This year's headliner is Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd, playing May 20 at 10 pm on the Methodist Richardson Amphitheater Stage. But they're not the only group you should check out. The B-52s, Guster, John Fullbright, Night Ranger, The All-American Rejects, Bowling for Soup, and A Hard Night's Day are just a few of the acts you can catch, along with dozens more national, regional, and local performers. The Queen tribute band Almost Queen even plays daily. Check the full lineup for times.

Eat
WF! Eats food vendors are dishing up an array of local cuisine and traditional festival treats. Stroll the grounds for everything from Conway's Corndogs to i Fratelli pizza, with a Maui Wowi snocone or Marble Slab ice cream to help cool off. There's also a craft beer and wine garden this year, complete with shaded seating and lawn games to make sipping that beverage truly relaxing.

Shop
Accessories, art, home decor, unique clothing — if you feel like shopping, you're bound to find something amazing at the WF! Marketplace, where local, handmade goods are the focus.

Play
If you have little ones, the WF! Kids area is a welcome escape from the festival chaos. From the hands-on activities to a contest for budding artists, Rock Star Karaoke to free face painting, there's plenty to keep everyone occupied. Be sure to swing by the Texas Native Butterfly Tent, which features over 250 native Texas butterflies and a display of the monarch butterfly metamorphosis. Eagle-eyed kids can spot different butterfly species and take their very own milkseed home to plant.

Watch
Performance Row is where you can see acrobats, magicians, dancers, and other street performers show off their remarkable skills. Times vary, but you're bound to see something cool no matter when you wander by.

Single-day adult tickets to Wildflower! are $30 ($40 at the gate), with kids' tickets only $5. A three-day pass is $65, and the VIP package — which includes two three-day passes, two VIP access wristbands, complimentary food and drink, and one commemorative poster — is $375. All are available here.

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Surfing News

Surf and adventure resort Cannon Beach to break ground in McKinney

Courtesy rendering

Cannon Beach McKinney

A surf and adventure resort is set to break ground in McKinney: Called Cannon Beach, it's a $200 million project that represents one of the most innovative recreation and entertainment developments, and will break ground at the northeast corner of Stacy Road and SH-121 on December 15.

The 35-acre project will introduce a three-acre surf lagoon, lazy river, mineral hot springs circuit, full-service resort hotel, and a mix of dining, entertainment, and business spaces designed to transform the region’s leisure and tourism landscape.

“We are proud to bring the intersection of lifestyle and adrenaline to McKinney,” says developer Cole Cannon in a release. “In partnership with the City, we’re creating a place where families build indelible memories, visitors explore, and businesses thrive, all centered around a surf experience you won’t find anywhere else in the state.”

At the center of the development will be a resort-style hotel featuring best-in-class accommodations, event and wedding venues, and a sandy beach. Guests will enjoy cabanas and lounge areas with food service, directly connecting them to the surf lagoon and water attractions such as cliff diving and a stationary surf wave. Plans also include a skateboard park, movie theater, bowling alley, health club and indoor recreation facilities.

“This groundbreaking marks an important moment for our city’s future. The project brings new energy to McKinney, supporting growth that provides residents with more activities to enjoy while opening new avenues for local businesses to serve visitors and benefit from the increased activity this destination will attract,” says Mayor Bill Cox.

The development is a partnership between the City of McKinney, the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, and the McKinney Community Development Corporation, which have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality for McKinney. The parties executed development agreements in May 2025 — including infrastructure assistance, tax reimbursements and land acquisition. The first phase could open as soon as mid-2027.

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