Weekend Event Planner

These are the 8 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

The first weekend in November — yes, November is here already — is the unofficial start to the holiday season, a fact that's being celebrated by two separate events. You can also enjoy two fun concerts, comedy from two of the best in the business, a food and music festival, and a whale of a good time at the opera.

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, November 3

Dallas Market Center presents Market Halliday Sale
The Market Halliday Sale, formerly Sample Sale, is Dallas Market Center’s only consumer event, giving you an opportunity to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping. Visitors to the four-day event can shop for gifts, apparel, jewelry, toys, children’s clothing, home accessories, furniture, and manufacturer samples from a wide variety of vendors. Thursday's preview event is $15; admission Friday-Sunday is free.

Mary Chapin Carpenter in concert with Rose Cousins
Like many other country musicians, Mary Chapin Carpenter hit her peak in the 1990s with hits like "Passionate Kisses," "He Thinks He'll Keep Her," "I Take My Chances," and "Shut Up and Kiss Me." But these songs are more than enough to keep her relevant 20 years later. Carpenter plays at Majestic Theatre in support of her 2016 album, The Things That We Are Made Of, with help from opening act Rose Cousins.

Friday, November 4

Dallas Opera presents Moby-Dick
Six-and-a-half years after making its world premiere in Dallas, Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer's Moby-Dick returns to Winspear Opera House for a special six-performance encore. Based on Herman Melville’s epic tale of Captain Ahab’s obsession with the great white whale, it is opera on a grand scale. Even better, you don't need a ticket to enjoy it, as the Dallas Opera is putting on a simulcast at Klyde Warren Park, with special activities for both kids and adults.

The Adam Carolla Show Live Podcast
Comedian Adam Carolla has dipped his toes in almost every aspect of the entertainment industry, co-hosting the Loveline radio show with Dr. Drew Pinsky, co-hosting The Man Show with Jimmy Kimmel, appearing on reality shows like Dancing with the Stars and Celebrity Apprentice, writing books, and even appearing in a few movies. He's best known these days for his hilarious podcast, a live version of which is being held at the Majestic Theatre.

Saturday, November 5

Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox in concert
Created by Scott Bradlee, the rotating collective of Postmodern Jukebox has spent the past few years amassing more than 450 million YouTube views. The performers, which include some notable names, like former American Idol standout Haley Reinhart, alongside phenomenal "undiscovered" talent, are taking their talents off the computer and onto the stage at Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.

Maria Bamford in concert
Comedian Maria Bamford was named by Rolling Stone as one of the 50 Funniest People and won the 2014 American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic. But she didn't truly break out until her Netflix sitcom, Lady Dynamite, premiered in early 2016. She's performing a stand-up comedy set at Majestic Theatre.

Sunday, November 6

Dallas Arboretum presents Holiday at the Arboretum
Holiday at the Arboretum includes the return of the 12 Days of Christmas outdoor exhibit, which features 12 elaborate 25-foot-tall Victorian gazebos with charming costumed characters, whimsical animals, and winter scenes made famous by The Christmas Carol. New this year, the garden is open for evening hours for The 12 Days at Night exhibit, which is on display every weekend through December 30.

Granada Theater presents Texas Chili Festival
The inaugural Texas Chili Festival at Granada Theater features select North Texas chefs, including Graham Dodds, Oliver Sitrin, Troy Gardner, Jason West, and Patton Robertson, cooking their unique version of what Texas chili means to them. The event also has music performances from Charlie Robison, Slobberbone, Mike McClure, Phil Pritchett, The Vandoliers, and The Roomsounds.

Adam Carolla presents a live version of his podcast at Majestic Theatre on November 4.

Adam Carolla/Facebook

Adam Carolla presents a live version of his podcast at Majestic Theatre on November 4.

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Free Fair Fun

State Fair of Texas adds dazzling drone show and more free events in 2026

State Fair of Texas Ferris wheel at night

Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas

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Spending money at the State Fair of Texas is easy to do, so it's nice to know that there's also a long list of free activities for visitors each year, including music, performing artists, educational exhibits, and more.

A number of new free entertainment options are also on the docket for the 2026 event — running September 25-October 18 — including a dazzling new drone show among other highlights, according to a release.

Stars of the Fair, a three-night drone show on October 2-4, features images of Big Tex and other State Fair icons lighting up the sky. Created by Coppell-based Sky Elements, each of the three nights will feature two shows, beginning at approximately 8:15 pm and 9:15 pm.

Other new entertainment choices include Wacky Chad, who delivers an action‑packed, interactive stunt comedy show; daily fountain shows at The Esplanade of State, running every 30 minutes from 1-5 pm; two new exhibitions at the Hall of State; Texas in the Saddle, an innovative and educational horse show; and more.

Drone show at the State Fair of Texas A drone show will be one of many free entertainment options at the 2026 State Fair of Texas. Photo by Kevin Brown

Music and more free performances
As previously announced, the State Fair’s live music lineup will include nearly 100 artists performing across four stages, with the reimagined Chevrolet Main Stage now located inside Fair Park Coliseum.

Main Stage headliners will include Clint Black, La Alianza Norteña, Bowling for Soup, Paul Wall’s Fall Ball, Kansas, 3OH!3, Gym Class Heroes, and more.

Other performers include “¡Fiestas de Marionetas!,” in which a small village of more than 85 handmade marionettes come to life to celebrate a fiesta of color, culture, and creativity, and World of Magic, featuring award-winning illusionists and futuristic elements.

Free fun for the kids
The new children's area called Little Lone Stars Land will feature a variety of kid-friendly entertainers, including Wacky Chad (September 25-October 6), USA Breakdancers (October 7-18), and strongman Mighty Mike.

And visitors should be on the lookout for State Fair-inspired inflatable characters like Little Big Tex, Amy-Dillo, and Champ, who will entertain guests with their wild antics.

Other free fair favorites
At night, the Starlight Parade will light up the Fair Park skyline, featuring over-the-top spectacular floats. The parade wanders through the fairgrounds all 24 nights of the event, bringing a colorful assortment of floats, life-size puppets, animated characters in ornate costumes, and more.

Car lovers can get their fix in two different ways: At the Texas Auto Show, where auto enthusiasts can browse the latest and greatest models, and via Chevrolet's brand-new take on its Ride & Drive event, which gives qualified drivers the chance to get behind the wheel of the most anticipated vehicles of the year.

The fan-favorite Pig Races will return to Chevy Park Plaza, with piglets dressed in racing silks running the course four times a day.

Find these free events and more interactive experiences, photo opportunities, games, product samples, and giveaways offered by State Fair of Texas partners. A full lineup of entertainment options is available at BigTex.com/Attractions.

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