Big names litter the landscape in and around Dallas this weekend, appearing at a film event, two stand-up comedy performances, a trio of concerts, and a pro-am tennis competition. You can also attend a hot air balloon festival, a classical music concert, a theater festival, and the newest immersive art exhibition.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, September 22
HEB | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival
The Plano Balloon Festival is a multi-day event at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve that features balloons glows, skydivers, hot air balloons, concerts, fireworks, a huge kid’s fun zone, merchandise vendors, corporate exhibitors, and variety of foods. There will also be a half marathon, relay, 5K run/walk, and 1-mile Fun Run. On opening night will be a performance by the Plano Symphony Orchestra, featuring movie favorites. The festival takes place through Sunday.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Symphonic Dances"
The latest concert from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra looks at America from three distinct viewpoints. The fantasy world of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft inspired Connesson’s "Celephais" from Cities of Lovecraft. James Agee’s poem depicting a summer evening in a sleepy southern town is represented musically in Barber's Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Rachmaninoff blends his love of his new American home with nostalgia for his native Russia in his Symphonic Dances. The concert, featuring conductor Stéphane Denève and soprano Jeanine De Bique, will play three times through Saturday at Meyerson Symphony Center.
Dallas VideoFest presents The Ernie Kovacs Award Honoring Al Franken
Dallas VideoFest will award comedian and former U.S. Senator, Al Franken, best known for his work on the NBC staple Saturday Night Live, with the coveted Ernie Kovacs Award. Immediately following the event at Texas Theatre will be a screening of the 2006 documentary, Al Franken: God Spoke. VIP admission will include an exclusive reception before the event with Franken.
Cara Mia Theatre presents Latinidades Theatre Fest
Cara Mia Theatre's annual multi-weekend Latinidades Theatre Fest starts with two events. On Thursday will be the Opening Night Celebration, featuring an outdoor ceremony with a mask performance, live music, danza, and food. The initial production is Pachuquísmo, a multi-disciplinary show on Friday and Saturday that explores history, culture, and rhythm through the lens of the Mexican American pachucas that American society tried to eradicate. Both events are at Latino Cultural Center.
Friday, September 23
Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light
The newest immersive exhibit at Lighthouse Dallas, Immersive King Tut: Magic Journey to the Light features the most famous of Egyptian rulers, the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, bringing to life the story of King Tut’s passage into the afterlife as he escorts the sun through the underworld each night to rise again victoriously each morning. Launched to commemorate the 100th anniversary of archeologist Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of the legendary “boy king” in November 1922, the exhibit will be on display through at least November 13.
Nick Swardson: "Make Joke From Face" Tour
Comedian Nick Swardson is known for his roles in multiple Adam Sandler movies, his character Terry on Reno 911!, Grandma’s Boy, Bucky Larson, and his own shows, Comedy Central’s Pretend Time and Typical Rick. Touring what’s to be his sixth stand up special, Swardson will take audiences on a journey of smells and laughter. He'll perform at Majestic Theatre.
Roxy Music in concert
Roxy Music is touring for the first time in more than a decade to mark the 50th anniversary of their groundbreaking debut album, with band members Bryan Ferry, Andy Mackay, Phil Manzanera, and Paul Thompson together on stage for the first time since 2011. Regarded as one of the most influential bands of all time, whose work has inspired generations of musicians, they'll play at American Airlines Center, with support from Dallas singer St. Vincent.
Saturday, September 24
ZZ Top in concert
When original bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill died in 2021, it was fair to wonder if that was the end for legendary Texas rock band ZZ Top. But the surviving band members — Billy Gibbons and Frank Beard — have made it clear they have no intention of retiring, continuing to tour, with Elwood Francis, Hill's guitar tech, taking his place. They'll play at Dos Equis Pavilion.
Camilo in concert
Colombian singer Camilo has an enviable musical track record, along with one of the sweetest 'staches going today. His debut album, accurately called Por Primera Vez, was released just after the start of the pandemic in 2020, but still went to No. 1 on the Billboard US Latin Pop charts. He's released two more albums in as many years since, including the new De Adentro Pa Afuera, both of which have charted highly. He'll perform at American Airlines Center.
Sunday, September 25
Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic
Returning after a three-year break, the fifth annual Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic takes place at SMU Tennis Center, hosted by the beloved NBA champ and Dallas Mavericks legend. Joining Dirk for the one-day charity pro-am competition will be Luka Dončić, JJ Barea, former tennis pros Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, and Mark Knowles, and more.
Kevin James in concert
We all know Kevin James from his sitcom The King of Queens and movies like Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Hitch, and Grown Ups, but long before he was a star, he was a stand-up comedian traveling the country. In the last few years, he's gotten back to his stand-up roots, something he'll prove in this special show at Majestic Theatre.
Dirk Nowitzki will host the 5th annual Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic at SMU Tennis Center on September 25.
Walk among the treetops at Go Ape!. Photo courtesy of Go Ape!