Weekend Event Planner

These are the 12 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Comedy and theater will be the headliners of the weekend around Dallas, as the two art forms combine for six of the 12 events on our list. Other choices include a visit from UFOlogists, a huge college football game, a mixed-media production, a disco symphony concert, a multilingual concert, and a Michael Jackson tribute band.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events. We're also tracking weather-related cancellations and closures in this story.

Thursday, January 9

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch
Fans can dive deeper into The History Channel’s The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch at this special event. Members of the Skinwalker Ranch team will discuss their ambitious scientific study of the world’s most mysterious hot spot for UFO and "High Strangeness" phenomena. The live experience celebrates the long-running program as the team reveals never-before-heard details about their experiments and dissects the new data they have collected during their fifth season. The event takes place at Majestic Theatre.

Shakespeare Dallas presents Measure for Measure
Measure for Measure is Shakespeare Dallas' first indoor winter production since 2020. Considered one of Shakespeare’s “tragicomedies” due to the shift in tone, the play follows a Duke providing divine intervention as Vienna is beset with brothels and loose morality. The production runs through January 26 at Theatre Three.

Rover Dramawerks presents The Shakespeare Conspiracy
Shakespeare’s characters are real, the RSC is a branch of the government (a bit like MI6 but with better costumes), Iago is trying to destroy the world, and mankind’s last hope is a travel agent named Martin. The Shakespeare Conspiracy dives into a most lamentable, epic, comic, romantic tragic comedy in a world where Shakespeare’s heroes and villains have been waging a secret war for over 400 years. The production runs through January 25 at Cox Playhouse in Plano.

Friday, January 10

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
The 2025 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic will serve as one of the semifinals in the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff. After winning their quarterfinal games, the Texas Longhorns - newly of the Southeastern Conference - will take on the Big 10's Ohio State Buckeyes, with the winner advancing to the national championship game on January 20 in Atlanta. The game takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and will go on despite the looming winter storm.

Improv Addison presents Adam Conover
Adam Conover is a comedian and the creator, writer, and star of the hit series Adam Ruins Everything, an educational comedy that dispels common misconceptions. His Netflix series, The G Word - produced in partnership with Barack Obama’s Higher Ground Productions - pulled the curtain back on how the federal government works using comedy and documentary storytelling. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Addison.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Disco Fever"
"Disco Fever" will be a groovy trip down memory lane to the ‘70s, featuring disco tunes like “We Are Family,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “I Will Survive,” “The Hustle,” and more, made famous by the Bee Gees, ABBA, and Saturday Night Fever. Singers will include Maiya Sykes from NBC’s The Voice and Grammy-nominee B. Slade, and there will even be an on-stage “dance-off,” featuring a couple of lucky audience members who can strut their disco stuff. There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Improv Arlington presents D.L. Hughley
One of the most popular and highly recognized stand-up comedians on the road today has also made quite an impression in the television and radio arena. D.L. Hughley is known for his sitcom, The Hughleys; as host of his own late night talk show on CNN, D.L. Hughley Breaks the News; and as one of the Original Kings of Comedy. Hughley will perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.

Pink Martini with China Forbes in concert
Pink Martini, the world-famous “little orchestra” featuring original lead singer China Forbes, is celebrating its 30th anniversary as part of its current tour. They will present a cocktail of multi-lingual delights, from music of Brazilian Samba to jaunty Parisian café songs to retro jazz and old-fashioned pop. The concert will be at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience
Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience highlights all seven books of the boy-who-lived’s saga in just 70 minutes of laughter, magic, and mayhem. With beloved characters, iconic props, and a live Quidditch match, it’s a must-see for wizards, witches, and muggles of all ages. The production will have six performances through Sunday at Wyly Theatre.

Saturday, January 11

Artstillery presents Welcome Mat 2 - People 0
Artstillery will present its latest production, an immersive, interfaith exploration of resilience and solidarity, a timely reflection on the challenges and hopes of today’s diverse communities. Through the voices of individuals from varied backgrounds and faiths, audiences of Welcome Mat 2 - People 0 will experience a profound convergence of personal narratives, sound meditations, music, puppetry, and projection mapping, all within an evocatively designed space. The production will run through January 26 in the Embarcadero Building at Fair Park. (NOTE: A planned performance on January 10 was postponed due to expected inclement weather.)

Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience
Who’s Bad is the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band, the only one to predate his untimely passing. Having just passed its 20th anniversary, the show features a power-packed performance of Jackson’s expansive catalog. The concert takes place at The Echo Lounge & Music Hall.

American Airlines Center presents Shane Gillis
Comedian Shane Gillis has been performing since 2012, but it's only in the last four years or so that he's made it big. He has released two specials: His 2021 self-funded debut Shane Gillis: Live in Austin, and Beautiful Dogs on Netflix in 2023. He also stars in Tires on Netflix and is the co-creator and star of the web sketch series, Gilly & Keeves. Gillis co-hosts the comedy podcast, Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast, with comedian Matt McCusker. He'll perform at American Airlines Center.

$Who\u2019s Bad$

Photo courtesy of Who’s Bad

Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute will perform at Echo Lounge & Music Hall on January 11.

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Weekend Event Planner

These are the 11 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

Cardi B

Cardi B will perform at American Airlines Center on March 7.

It's not officially spring, but this weekend in and around Dallas brings a hint of the new season with three fun festivals. Other choices include two theater productions, a well-known comedian, a symphony concert, an opera competition, a concert celebrating crooners, a concert featuring a big rapper, and the final days of an art exhibition.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out our calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events. With rainy weather possibly affecting outdoor events, we'll update the below listings if necessary.

Thursday, March 5

Fever presents SAW The Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of SAW
SAW The Musical is a parody that reimagines the first horror movie in the series, picking up from when Lawrence Gordon and Adam Stanheight meet for the very first time in the infamous bathroom trap. Will they follow “the rules” as they discover each other’s secrets? Will they outwit the game and make it out alive? Think Little Shop of Horrors meets Avenue Q for the darkly hilarious story about life, love, and yes … a little limb removal. The production runs through April 12 at Theatre Three.

Michelle Buteau: The Surviving and Thriving Tour
Michelle Buteau, a comedian, actress, and bestselling author, comes to Dallas with The Surviving and Thriving Tour. Fresh off her Netflix series, Survival of the Thickest, and her memoir of the same name, Buteau is ready to take the stage with a brand-new set that delves into life’s unpredictable twists and turns — parenting, relationships, body positivity, and navigating the chaos of modern life.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Brahms’ Double Concerto"
Johannes Brahms' Double Concerto is a give-and-take between violin and cello as they trade phrases and musical gestures full of drama and lyricism. Bringing the concerto to life will be Chad Hoopes, faculty member at Southern Methodist University, and world-renowned cellist Jan Vogler. Maurice Cohn also leads the first DSO performance of Weill’s Second Symphony, composed in the fraught post-World War I period. There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

Friday, March 6

North Texas Irish Festival
The North Texas Irish Festival celebrates Celtic music, culture, and family fun across multiple indoor and outdoor stages. In addition to performances by a variety of bands, guests can enjoy Irish step dancing, storytelling, horse and sheepherding demonstrations, Gaelic football exhibitions, and a dedicated children’s area with crafts and cultural activities. The festival takes place through Sunday at Fair Park.

The Dallas Opera presents National Vocal Competition
Audience members can get a first glimpse of the opera stars of tomorrow as they perform onstage at Winspear Opera House. Finalists at the 2026 National Vocal Competition will sing with The Dallas Opera Orchestra while competing against singers from across the United States. Attendees are invited to join in on the action by voting for the “People’s Choice Award” winner of the evening.

Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas presents Native Gardens
Pablo, a high-powered lawyer, and doctoral candidate Tania, his very pregnant wife, are realizing the American dream when they purchase a house next door to community stalwarts Virginia and Frank. But a disagreement over a long-standing fence line soon spirals into an all-out war of taste, class, privilege, and entitlement. The hilarious results guarantee no one comes out smelling like a rose. The production runs through March 21 at Irving Arts Center.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: Great American Crooners
Great American Crooners focuses on quintessential crooners such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Bobby Darin, whose velvety voices and sentimental serenades made them superstars on stage and on screen. The concert will feature vocalists Robbie Lee, Shenel Johns, and Benny Benack III, singing classics like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Misty,” “I Only Have Eyes for You,” and “Moon River.” The concert takes place at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Saturday, March 7

Dallas Festival of Colors
The Dallas Festival of Colors (Holi Mela), celebrating its 16th anniversary, continues its tradition of uniting the community through color, music, culture, and togetherness. Inspired by the ancient Indian festival of Holi, the Festival of Colors is a high-energy, family-friendly experience featuring live music and DJs, traditional and contemporary dance performances, color throws, cultural showcases, food vendors, and activities for all ages. It takes place at Myers Park & Event Center in McKinney.

City of Carrollton presents TEXFest
TEXFest is the City of Carrollton's annual celebration of Texas Independence Day. The Texas-sized festival features craft beer, good grub, and local artists performing Texas music. Visitors can ride on a mechanical bull, take a photo with a live Texas longhorn, or kick back and relax with an afternoon of two-stepping and lawn games. Music performances will include headliner Grupo Stampede, as well as Bailey Rae of The Voice and Brandon Rosage. The event takes place in Historic Downtown Carrollton.

Cardi B in concert
Rapper Cardi B comes to Dallas as part of her Little Miss Drama Tour, marking her first full headline arena run and her biggest tour to date. Having sold over 100 million albums since her 2018 debut, Cardi B is touring in support of her new album, Am I The Drama?. She'll perform at American Airlines Center.

Sunday, March 8

Crow Museum of Asian Art presents Cecilia Chiang: "Whiskers and Paws" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view Cecilia Chiang: "Whiskers and Paws" at Crow Museum University of Texas Dallas in Richardson. "Whiskers and Paws," an excerpt of Chiang’s nature-focused work, primarily serves as a nod to her childhood. While Chiang grew up in a large family of nine, she also had a cat and dog. As the children in the Chiang family grew older and became more independent, from moving away to becoming preoccupied with school, Chiang’s mother, lonely and hard-working, embraced the animals’ company. Their companionship often granted her a sense of solace from supporting the Chiang household.

Cardi B

Cardi B will perform at American Airlines Center on March 7.

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