Eats, Beats, Artistic Treats

Taste Addison turns up the flavor to celebrate 30 delicious years

Spring in North Texas means Taste Addison, the beloved festival that turns Addison Circle Park into a foodie and music-lover's paradise for one special weekend.

This year, that's April 25-27, and the event also marks Taste Addison's 30th anniversary. So of course the festival is doing it up big with a vibrant blend of culinary delights, musical performances, and artistic experiences, offering an unforgettable weekend for attendees of all ages.

Tasty bites
Come hungry to Taste Addison, because the area's top restaurants are bringing their best samples and full-sized dishes in a variety of cuisines. Festival-goers can satisfy all palates by exploring several dedicated food areas:

Texas Lottery Chow Hall: An outdoor dining hall with over a dozen food stalls offering signature dishes and "Taste Bites."
Tasty Truck Stop: A selection of sweet and savory options from various food trucks, conveniently located next to the Bite-Sized Backyard.
Pop-Up Restaurants: Experience the ambiance and flavors of Addison's restaurants through both indoor and outdoor pop-up venues.
WorldEats Street: A culinary journey offering tastes from Thailand, Mexico City, the Islands, and more.
Tasting Hut: Enjoy complimentary samples from various exhibitors, vendors, and restaurants.

Find the full food line-up here.

Beverage experiences
Complementing the food offerings are several ways to sip, savor, gulp, and guzzle:

The Lawn: A dedicated area for beer enthusiasts to enjoy a selection of brews — features a great view of the Main Stage, too.
Speakeasy: A hidden gem offering spirits and food; purchase a flight to discover the password for entry.
Corkyard: An area where attendees can enjoy wine pours accompanied by live entertainment.
Mocktail Demonstrations: Beyond the Bar will host unique alcohol-free mocktail demos throughout the weekend, complete with free samples.
Perfect Pair: This ticketed experience takes you on a 45-minute pairing session of chocolate and whiskey, sponsored by Yelibelly Chocolates and OKI Bourbon— what could be better?

Sunday brunch
On Sunday, indulge in a three-course brunch menu paired with brunch cocktails. The experience includes access to a cigar lounge, private bar, and indoor restrooms.

Musical performances
The festival's Main Stage has an exciting lineup of musical acts planned, including Silversun Pickups, Hoobastank, and Wade Bowen.

Additionally, the NRG WorldBeats Stage will feature cultural performances from talented musicians and artists, showcasing a diverse array of cultures.

Photo courtesy of Taste Addison

Taste Addison's 30th anniversary festival is April 25-27.

Family-friendly activities
Activities for everyone await:

Carnival and Midway: Enjoy classic rides and games located in the Conference Centre parking lot and on Festival Way.
Sip & Stroll Art Walk: See the work of some of the region's most talented artists.
Studio 24 Silent Disco: Dance to music from live DJs with provided headphones in this unique experience.
Cultural Performances: Experience diverse performances on the WorldBeats Stage.
Blue Dot Spot: Jugglers, fire artists, puppets, magicians, and more will appear to amaze and entertain.
BlackBox 30: Watch alluring silk aerialists move to the resonating sounds of live jazz.
Shoppers Row: Browse apparel, jewelry, specialty food items, and so much more.
Bite-Sized Backyard: A dedicated area for children featuring interactive activities and entertainment.

Stay a while
Looking to extend your experience? Hotel packages are available, with each stay including four general admission tickets and a commemorative 30-year Taste Addison poster.

Get your tickets
Tickets are on sale now, with presale prices set at $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and $20 for a weekend pass.

At the gate, tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids. Something major to note: Weekend passes, VIP 3-Day, and group tickets are not available at the gate.

Special promotions include a $3 discount on admission with the donation of three canned goods, benefiting Metrocrest Services, and half-off admission for veterans. Additionally, all kids aged 6-12 enjoy free admission on Sunday.

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RIP RIP

Noted Dallas figures and local heroes who passed away in 2025

Photo by John Cain Sargent

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Dallas lost many great figures in 2025, including a number of beloved names in the business, media, and entertainment worlds.

Here are some of the folks from Dallas and Texas who passed away this year, in chronological order:

Dallas lawyer and one-time club owner Ray Balestri
Dallas lawyer and investor Ray Balestri, who circulated through Dallas' media and entertainment world, died on January 4; he was 64. Balestri, who co-founded '90s Deep Ellum bar The Bone, became a multimillionaire after investing early in Broadcast.com, the company founded by Mark Cuban.

Women's rights activist and Texas native Cecile Richards
Cecile Richards, a national leader for abortion access and women’s rights who led Planned Parenthood for 12 years, died on January 20; she was 67. The daughter of the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2023, five years after she left Planned Parenthood.

Dallas DJ and record store owner Chris Penn
Christopher Todd Penn, a DJ and co-founder of music store Good Records, passed away on April 23; he was 54. Penn succumbed to injuries sustained in a tragic fall in March which caused paralysis from the neck down.

Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott
Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died on June 11 after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

Dallas philanthropist and business leader Morton Meyerson
Business leader and philanthropist Morton Meyerson, for whom the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas' Arts District was named, died on August 4. He was 87. A native of Fort Worth, the one-time president and vice chair at Electronic Data Systems was a big supporter of the arts who helped open the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in September 1989.

Dallas public relations mogul Stan Levenson
Stan Levenson, a beloved figure in the Dallas media world, died on August 27 from natural causes in his home; he was 91. With his advertising-savvy wife, Barbara, Levenson spent more than 50 years representing clients such as American Airlines, Zales, Chili’s, and Papa John’s, creating campaigns such as the one that launched Chili’s iconic “Baby Back Ribs” jingle.

Dallas businessman and sports mogul Tom Hicks
Prominent businessman Thomas O. Hicks died in Dallas on December 6, surrounded by his family; he was 79. Hicks co-founded private equity platform Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in 1989, and also owned the Dallas Stars from 1995–2011, and the Texas Rangers from 1998–2010.

Texas country music singer-songwriter Joe Ely
Joe Ely, the songwriter, singer, and storyteller whose career spanned more than five decades, died on December 15 from complications related to Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and pneumonia. He was 78. Ely died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, with his wife Sharon, and daughter Marie, at his side.

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