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    Festival Season

    Music and BBQ top the 15 must-hit Dallas festivals of spring 2025

    Alex Bentley
    Mar 18, 2025 | 12:05 pm

    Spring is when everything feels new again, and it's also the time when festival organizers try to take advantage of both the good weather and positive feelings to put on their big events.

    We've rounded up the top must-attend festivals happening throughout spring 2025 across Dallas-Fort Worth. For even more options, head to our event calendar.

    Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair (April 4-6)
    The third annual Deep Ellum Community Arts Fair transforms Deep Ellum’s streets into a three-day celebration of art, music, community, and culture. Visitors can explore six blocks of original art, live performances, and culinary delights. There will be more than 120 fine and decorative artists and more than 80 bands and performing artists spread across four stages.

    Breakaway Music Festival (April 4-5)
    The Breakaway Music Festival is an electronic music event in Fair Park that will be headlined by big acts like Slander, Zedd, Afrojack, GRYFFIN, and Louis The Child. They will be joined by 16 national touring acts and four local DJs across two nights. Breakaway elevates the festival experience with a silent disco featuring local artists and brand activations.

    Dallas Art Fair (April 10-13)
    Taking place at Fashion Industry Gallery, the Dallas Art Fair offers collectors, arts professionals, and the public the opportunity to engage with a rich selection of modern and contemporary artworks presented by leading global and local galleries. Curated exhibitions and programming encourage conversations about the city's growing arts community.

    Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival (April 11-13)
    The annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival features an abundance of activities and live music throughout the weekend, as well as a spectacular array of Texas bluebonnets across 40 miles of trails in Ennis. Festival activities include arts and crafts exhibitions, shopping, children’s activities, the railroad and cultural heritage museum, and food options. Visitors also can enjoy the beer garden or sample Texas wines at the Ennis Education Foundation Wine Wander.

    USA Film Festival (April 23-27)
    The annual USA Film Festival features a variety of sneak preview screenings, tributes to filmmakers, retrospective screenings, short films, and more at Angelika Film Center in Dallas. This year it will have to share some dates with another big film festival (see below). The festival lineup is typically announced during the first week of April, so stay tuned for full details.

    Taste Addison (April 25-27)
    Taste Addison moves from its traditional late May/early June dates so that guests can relax with cooler temps at Addison Circle Park. Taste Addison has a focus on the culinary arts, performing arts, and visual arts. Food booths and trucks, international delicacies, a tasting area, and Sunday brunch are all part of the culinary experience. National, regional and community artists take to the stages (and spaces) for the performing arts.

    Dallas International Film Festival (April 25-May 1)
    The annual Dallas International Film Festival brings a variety of premiere screenings, documentaries, short films, filmmaker panels, and nightly red carpets to Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Victory Park. For the first time ever, the festival has been named an Oscar Qualifying Film Festival, which may be a boon to the types of films it will screen. The festival lineup is typically revealed in late March/early April, so keep your eyes peeled for more details.

    Festival of Joy (April 26)
    Taking place at Klyde Warren Park, the sixth annual Festival of Joy features a parade, dancing, music, and live performances throughout the day. Presented by East Dallas restaurant Kalachandji’s, the festival includes a free vegetarian feast and a variety of ethnic vegetarian foods available for purchase. The event culminates with an evening concert by The Mayapuris.

    Frisco Uncorked (April 26)
    The annual wine-centered event at Frisco Square features hundreds of award-winning wines, local restaurants, a VIP experience, a craft beer garden, shopping with a variety of boutiques and artisans, grape stomping competitions, activations, and more.

    Lone Star Smokeout (May 2-4)
    The Lone Star Smokeout is a three-day country music and BBQ festival taking over AT&T Stadium in Arlington. It will feature some top country music artists, including Jon Pardi, Cody Jinks, Midland, Randy Rogers Band, Eli Young Band, Kaitlin Butts, and more. Top barbecue spots from around the state will be on hand, including Panther City BBQ, Slow Bone BBQ, Salt Lick BBQ, Black’s BBQ, Curry Boys BBQ, and more.

    Dallas International Guitar Festival (May 2-4)
    Taking place at Dallas Market Hall, the Dallas International Guitar Festival is the largest and oldest guitar show in the world. Visitors can buy, sell, trade, or just browse among the thousands of new and vintage guitars, basses, amps, banjos, music memorabilia, and more. There will also be performances by more than 50 local, regional, and national bands on four music stages. Headliners include Ian Moore, Sonny Landreth, and Andy Timmons.

    Cottonwood Art Festival (May 3-4)
    Cottonwood Art Festival, held at Richardson's Cottonwood Park, is a semi-annual event that features works from the nation's top visual artists. Jurors select over 240 artists to exhibit their museum-quality work, competing in 14 categories. The festival also features music from a variety of local bands.

    Post Malone's Travelin' Tailgate (May 9)
    Travelin' Tailgate is a free daytime event taking place at AT&T Stadium directly before Post Malone's concert. Running from 12-6 pm, it will feature live music, food, beer, merch, carnival games, photo opportunities, and tattoos by Posty’s personal tattoo artists from Oxford Circle Tattoos. Plus, one lucky fan will ride away with a 2025 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Tickets to that night's concert are not required.

    City of Grapevine presents 41st Annual Main Street Fest (May 16-18)
    The 41st Annual Main Street Fest is a family-friendly festival featuring live music, craft brew and wine experiences, food, and unique shopping in Historic Downtown Grapevine. Visitors can enjoy the Carnival and Midway, explore the KidZone, and more.

    Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival (May 16-18)
    The annual Wildflower! Arts and Music Festival at Richardson's Galatyn Park Urban Center features performances by national, regional, and local bands, led by headliners The Revivalists, Cold War Kids, Young the Giant, NEEDTOBREATHE, and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears. Over the course of the festival, nearly 50 bands will perform on various stages, and there will be a variety of other activities, including a Singer Songwriter contest, strolling entertainers, and a Battle of the Bands contest.

    Taste of Addison
    Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

    Taste Addison takes place at Addison Circle Park, April 25-27.

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    Weekend Event Planner

    These are the 13 best things to do in Dallas on Christmas weekend

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 24, 2025 | 4:01 pm
    City Rink, Santa skating, holiday ice skating
    Photo by Ashley Gongora
    The CultureMap City Rink is one of many continuing holiday events taking place during Christmas weekend and beyond.

    When Christmas bumps up against a weekend, as it does this year, it's usually just the ongoing holiday events that are featured. But there will be more than a few new events sprinkled in this year, leaving you with plenty of choices in holiday-themed happenings, theater, comedy, music, and more.

    Below are the best ways to spend your free time this Christmas weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events. For a big list of the best Christmas lights, go here.

    Continuing holiday events

    If you haven't already had a chance, many different holiday events will remain open at least through this weekend, and some through New Year's weekend. Choices include Snowday and Santaland at Galleria Dallas, Holiday at the Arboretum at Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, CultureMap City Rink at Main Street Garden Park, The Trains at NorthPark, Coca Cola's Classic Christmas at Dallas Midtown, The Light Park in Little Elm, Frisco, or Arlington, and Prairie Lights at Lynn Creek Park at Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, among others.

    Theater

    Broadway Dallas presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast
    Disney’s 30th Anniversary production of Beauty and the Beast is in the middle of an extended stay in Dallas, taking place at the Music Hall at Fair Park through January 4. The enchanting and timeless tale boasts the Oscar-winning and Tony Award-nominated score, including the classic songs “Be Our Guest” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

    Pegasus Theatre presents MacMurder!
    How about a little murder for Christmas? Pegasus Theatre brings back Harry Hunsacker and his paid-by-the-hour assistant, Nigel Grouse, to try to find a mysterious murderer who might have their sets sights on Harry himself. MacMurder! is produced in Pegasus' Living Black & White style, which recreate the look and feel of classic black-and-white films through a unique combination of makeup, costumes, lighting, and set design. The production runs through January 4 at Addison Performing Arts Centre.

    Dallas Theater Center presents A Christmas Carol
    Seeing A Christmas Carol is a tradition for many, and no Dallas theater company has done it as much or as well as Dallas Theater Center. Audiences will embark on a magical Christmas Eve adventure with Ebenezer Scrooge as three otherworldly spirits whisk him away on a breathtaking journey of hope and redemption. From the nostalgic warmth of Christmases past to the stark truths of the present and the ominous shadows of the future, Scrooge’s journey is a spectacle of wonder. There will be showings through December 27 at Wyly Theatre.

    Broadway at the Center presents Mrs. Doubtfire
    What's this? A new production on Christmas weekend? Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny comes to Dallas in Mrs. Doubtfire. The musical, based on the beloved 1993 film starring Robin Williams, tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. There will be five performances, December 26-28, at Winspear Opera House.

    Comedy

    Hyena's presents Ron Pearson
    Not only does Ron Pearson juggle in his act, he also juggles his Hollywood career. As a stand-up comedian, Pearson has made hundreds of TV appearances doing stand-up on shows like The Late Late Show, Chelsea Lately, The Dennis Miller Show, Nickmom Night Out, and on Comedy Central. He'll perform four times on December 26 and 27 at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.

    Improv Addison presents Mark Curry
    Mark Curry is an American actor, comedian, and host best known as the star of the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and as one of the various hosts of the syndicated series It's Showtime at the Apollo. He'll perform five times, December 26-28, at Improv Addison.

    Improv Arlington presents Aries Spears
    Ever since Chicago native Aries Spears was 14 years old, he has been a force to be reckoned with in the comedy scene throughout America. His quick wit, charisma, and ferociously aggressive style of comedy have earned him critical acclaim, high accolades, and above all, a busy schedule. He has been a regular on Fox’s Mad TV, starring in feature films, appeared on a number of national talk shows, and continually toured the country with his stand-up act. He'll perform six times, December 26-28, at Improv Arlington.

    Dallas Comedy Club presents Dean Stanfield
    Dean Stanfield is a comedian, actor, writer and race car driver from Austin. He has been showcased three years on Moontower Comedy Festival and won second place in Helium’s "Funniest Person in Austin" competition. He has featured for Mark Normand and Ian Fidance on the road and was recently named a 2025 Just For Laughs New Face in the stand-up category. He'll perform four times on December 26 and 27 at Dallas Comedy Club.

    Music

    Old 97's in concert with Joshua Ray Walker and Rhett Miller
    The Old 97's are a Dallas original, forming in 1992 and becoming pioneers of the alt-country movement. Even though they never made it huge nationally, they continue to be a big deal locally and still put out new music, most recently American Primitive in 2024. This special post-Christmas show, taking place on December 27 at Longhorn Ballroom, will feature a set by both the band and a solo set by lead singer Rhett Miller, as well as a performance by Joshua Ray Walker.

    Other holiday shows

    Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
    The first of a trio of one-off holiday events this weekend is Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland, which features a thrilling blend of world-class circus artistry and favorite holiday music, is a spectacular production that transports audiences to a winter wonderland of awe and enchantment. The performance takes place on December 26 at Comerica Center in Frisco.

    Eisemann Center presents Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
    Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, presented by Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande, is named after the beloved Andalusian Christmas carol. The show journeys through the joyous rhythms of "Bells Upon Bells" and the vibrant spectacle of Mexican dance, capturing the heartwarming story of Mary and Joseph's journey. The event takes place on December 27 at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

    Mocky Horror Picture Show presents Jack Frost
    People love to revisit classic holiday movies, but what about ones that are infamously bad? In this special show, Mocky Horror stars comedians Liz Barksdale, Danny Gallagher, and Albie Robles will riff on Jack Frost, starring Michael Keaton as a dad who dies on Christmas Day and comes back to life as a snowman. In addition, the group will perform brand new comedy sketches, new riffs of holiday shorts, offer a chance to win presents from Collected Comics, and welcome a special visit from Santa Claus himself. The event takes place on December 28 at Texas Theatre.

    City Rink, Santa skating, holiday ice skating

    Photo by Ashley Gongora

    The CultureMap City Rink is one of many continuing holiday events taking place during Christmas weekend and beyond.

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