Weekend Event Planner

These are the 8 best things to do in Dallas this New Year's weekend

Most people will be focused on bringing in the New Year this weekend, but Christmas isn't quite done with us. In addition to a Christmas-themed concert and theater production, events will include a circus, an electronic dance music festival, a huge bowl game, theater in black and white, an annual concert tradition, and fireworks.

Below are the best ways to spend your last weekend of 2017. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, December 28

Dallas Children’s Theater presents Lone Star Circus' Cirque Joyeux
Ring in 2018 at Dallas Children's Theater with thrilling daredevils, electrifying jugglers, mesmerizing acrobats, hilarious clowns, and endearing four-legged performers. Dallas’ very own Lone Star Circus gets you up close and personal with circus stars from around the world at Cirque Joyeux, a family-friendly New Year tradition. The production will play at least twice a day through Monday.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
Marking the 33rd anniversary of Mannheim Steamroller's annual Christmas Tour and the release of Mannheim Steamroller Christmas, Chip Davis will direct and co-produce this performance that will feature Mannheim Steamroller classics, along with dazzling multimedia effects. The concert will take place at the Pavilion at the Toyota Music Factory, which will be set up in a rare intimate theater configuration.

Friday, December 29

Lights All Night
The 8th annual Lights All Night will once again celebrate New Year's Eve at Dallas Market Hall, offering festival-goers of all ages access to some of the most sought-after electronic acts across the globe. Performers will feature EDM heavyweights Bassnectar and Porter Robinson (DJ set) as headliners, along with Marshmello, Illenium, NGHTMRE, Seven Lions, Ugly God, Smokepurpp, and many more.

Goodyear Cotton Bowl: USC vs. Ohio State
Bowl season in Dallas-Fort Worth wraps up with the 2017 edition of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Even though it won't have any say in who will win the national championship, the bowl game at AT&T Stadium will feature a stellar matchup between the USC Trojans of the Pac-12 Conference and the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten Conference.

Pegasus Theatre presents A Minor Case of Murder
With the help of his best friend (and paid-by-the-hour assistant) Nigel Grouse, and the long-suffering Detective Lt. Foster of the Metropolitan Police, world-famous detective and aspiring actor Harry Hunsacker will go on an all-new adventure. The production, running through January 28 at the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson, is in Living Black & White, a technique which uses trade-secret makeup, special lighting, meticulous costumes and sets, and stylized acting to create the illusion that the audience is watching a black-and-white movie brought to life on stage.

Saturday, December 30

Bob Schneider in concert with Roxy Roca and Ryan Berg & The Velvet Ears
Although he appears locally on multiple occasions throughout the year, it's become a tradition for Austin-based musician Bob Schneider to return for an end-of-the-year show in Dallas. For this concert at Granada Theater, Schneider will be joined by opening acts Roxy Roca and Ryan Berg & The Velvet Ears.

Sunday, December 31

AT&T Streaming Lights at Reunion Tower
While there are plenty of ways to celebrate the beginning of the new year, the most explosive way is with the annual fireworks shot off from Reunion Tower. You're not allowed to set up camp in the footprint of the tower, so scout out a place on the west side of the Trinity River, along the levees and Trinity Overlook Park, then watch and listen to the radio simulcast on NOW 102.9 FM.

Monday, January 1

Lightwire Theater presents A Very Electric Christmas
With New Year's Day falling on a Monday this year, you can extend your weekend activities with Lightwire Theater's A Very Electric Christmas, which will have two performances at Winspear Opera House. In this story, a young bird named Max gets blown off course during a snowstorm, and he ends up alone and lost at the North Pole. He encounters many fanciful creatures in a magical tale of family, friendship, and hope set to timeless holiday hits.

Lone Star Circus' Cirque Joyeux will play every day through January 1 at Dallas Children's Theater.

Dallas Children's Theater presents Lone Star Circus Holiday Spectacular

Photo courtesy of Lone Star Circus

Lone Star Circus' Cirque Joyeux will play every day through January 1 at Dallas Children's Theater.

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Rolling a strike

High 5 Exchange bowling and entertainment mega-center rolls into Allen

Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

The High 5 Exchange in Austin has bowling galore.

A new family entertainment destination is rolling into Allen, bringing bowling, laser tag, miniature golf, virtual reality, and more. Called High 5 Exchange, the venue has broken ground at 2361 Quail Covey Rd. in The Farm in Allen.

It is expected to open in 2027, according to a release.

High 5 Exchange comes from a family entertainment company founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Jenny Emley. They opened the first location in the Lakeway area of Austin more than a decade ago; a second Austin location followed a few years later.

Their roots are in Austin - Scott Emley played football for UT Austin - but the couple recently relocated to McKinney. There's also a location under construction in Mansfield.

The entertainment mega-center in Allen will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, dining, and rooms for parties and other group events.

Tasty-looking tacos at High 5 in Austin.Facebook/High 5 Exchange Austin

Bowling will be the major draw, with 24 lanes supplied by QubicaAMF. The lineup will include 16 traditional tenpin lanes equipped with EDGE String pinspotters, HyperBowling, and Neoverse, along with eight Fly'n Ducks duckpin lanes, the release says. The combination will give guests the choice between traditional full-length bowling and duckpin bowling, which uses a smaller ball.

"Bowling has a unique ability to bring different generations, interests and skill levels together," said Jody Pastula, director of new business development, U.S., for QubicaAMF, in a statement. "By offering both tenpin and Fly'n Ducks duckpin bowling, High 5 Allen is creating more ways for guests to participate and share the experience. We are pleased to be part of a project designed around connection, variety and repeat visits."

Beyond bowling, High 5 Allen will feature laser tag, a virtual reality arena, an arcade gaming floor, escape rooms, an immersive experience from Creative Works called "Limitless," and outdoor miniature golf. The venue will also have dedicated spaces for birthday parties, corporate gatherings, and private events, along with food and beverage service.

While details on the food and beverage program have not yet been announced, the Austin locations feature a full-service bar and a menu of "American classics with a gourmet twist."

High 5 Exchange Allen Rendering of High 5 Exchange at The Farm in Allen.Rendering courtesy of High 5 Exchange

High 5 Exchange will be part of The Farm in Allen, a 135-acre mixed-use development at the southeast corner of the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Alma Drive. Developed by Allen-based JaRyCo Development in partnership with the Johnson family, The Farm combines residential, office, dining, retail, and entertainment components.

"Allen and the surrounding communities have been part of our vision for this project from the beginning," said Scott Emley, co-founder and CEO of High 5 Exchange, in a statement. "The Farm brings together homes, workplaces, parks, dining and entertainment in a way that fits how people want to connect.

"We are excited to create a place where a family can spend an afternoon, coworkers can gather after work, and friends can celebrate the moments that matter."

entertainment and dining bowling allen