Memorial Day weekend will offer a wide variety of things to do in and around Dallas. There will be six concerts - a pop star, two symphony options, a retrospective from a Broadway legend, a rock festival, and a prolific singer/songwriter. Other choices include a gaming festival, a new lantern exhibition with a DC Comics theme, a horror movie convention, a performance combining music, dance, and visual art, a dance production, comedy, and iconic cheerleaders on tour.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, May 22
Katy Perry in concert
This visit by pop star Katy Perry to American Airlines Center was supposed to take place on Wednesday night, but the Dallas Stars reaching the Western Conference Finals forced Perry to push her concert back a night. Perry comes to town as part of her first headlining tour since 2018, and shortly after her much publicized/maligned visit to space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin. She's touring in support of her 2024 album, 143.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Beethoven’s 'Eroica'"
In this concert, conducted by Ilan Volkov, world-renowned violinist Leonidas Kavakos will interpret Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1. Other selections include Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” and Serenity Meditation (after Ives) from Dallas-based composer Kyle Gann. There will be three performances through Saturday at the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Friday, May 23
DreamHack Dallas
DreamHack is one of Dallas’ largest annual gaming lifestyle festival. For three days, fans can explore dozens of local indie game developers and artists, watch world-class esports tournaments, meet with hundreds of creators, don their favorite cosplay, and more. The event takes place through Sunday at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.
Gaylord Texan Hotel presents Universe of Light featuring DC
Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences will present Universe of Light, an all-new, walkthrough attraction featuring multiple worlds and 40 iconic DC Super Heroes and Super-Villains in more than 1,000 glowing lanterns constructed by master artisans from Zigong, China. From Batman’s Gotham City and Wonder Woman’s home of Themyscira to Superman’s Metropolis, each display captures the action and artistry of DC’s storytelling. The exhibition will remain on display through September 1.
Texas Frightmare Weekend
The annual Texas Frightmare Weekend celebrates all aspects of genre films. It features celebrity appearances, autograph signings, screenings, exclusive parties and horror memorabilia vendors from all over the country. Among the celebrities on hand will be Bruce Campbell, Melissa Barrera, Patricia Arquette, Rosanna Arquette, Bill Duke, Griffin Dunne, Linda Blair, Devon Sawa, Cole Sprouse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Kevin Dillon, Mark Duplass, Tom Savini, and more. The event takes place through Sunday at Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas.
Verdigris Ensemble presents Shams
Shams, an immersive production by Verdigris Ensemble, features music by Iranian-American composer Sahba Aminikia, dance by Bruce Wood Dance Dallas, and visual art by Sara Baumann. It brings Rumi’s poetry to life in its original Farsi, forming the largest collection of its kind ever set to music. There will be three performances through Sunday at Moody Performance Hall.
TITAS/Dance Unbound presents Doug Varone and Dancers
Doug Varone is a master dance maker and creates dance like a master painter. The music comes to life as he paints the stage with movement. To My Arms / Restore is a two-part work embodying Varone’s fascination with the interplay between the deeply emotional and the immensely physical. Set to a suite of exquisite arias by G.F. Handel, To My Arms builds a landscape of love and loss, evoking a strange otherworld of intimacy. The one-night-only event takes place at Winspear Opera House.
Hyena's presents Bobcat Goldthwait
Bobcat Goldthwait's career dates back to the 1980s, when he had one of the most recognizable voices in comedy. He's ditched that unusual way of speaking, but his stand-up still features hilarious riffs on politics, divorce, going broke, and his career as a writer and director of film. He'll perform twice on Friday at Hyena's Dallas.
Saturday, May 24
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders On Tour
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders On Tour will feature collection of dances performed live on stage. In a first-of-its-kind experience starring a professional football cheerleading squad, fans will also enjoy a live Q&A session where the cheerleaders pull back the curtain and open up about their personal journeys, inspirations, and triumphs. They will also host live, on-stage solo auditions, with fans in the audience holding the power to send one lucky candidate straight to the final round of auditions. The event takes place at the Music Hall at Fair Park.
AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Patti Lupone: A Life in Notes
Three-time Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone describes her new concert as a “personal musical memoir,” and what a memoir she has. Lupone takes to the stage with her longtime musical director Joseph Thalken to celebrate, through song, her legendary career. The event takes place at Winspear Opera House.
Sunday May 25
97.1 The Eagle’s BFD
Rock fans will get a festival-type experience at Dos Equis Pavilion on Saturday with 97.1 The Eagle’s BFD, featuring headliners Chevelle and Marilyn Manson. Other performers will include POD, the newly reunited Evans Blue, and Sleep Theory.
Ryan Adams in concert
Rock/country singer Ryan Adams is 25 years into his career, and he's proven to be one of the most prolific artists working today, having released 28 albums, including two more already in 2025: Another Wednesday and Changes. At this special concert, he'll celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut album, Heartbreaker, and play lots of other music from his extensive catalogue. He'll play at Longhorn Ballroom.
Monday, May 26
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents Parks Concert: Flag Pole Hill
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will kick off their summer Parks Concert series with this concert at Flag Pole Hill. Assistant Conductor Shira Samuels-Shragg will lead the orchestra in a program featuring patriotic favorites alongside festive classics like Bernstein’s Overture to Candide and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The concert will end with a fireworks display beginning at 9:15 pm. In the case of rain, the concert will be moved to Meyerson Symphony Center.
