Weekend Event Planner

These are the 10 best things to do in Dallas this holiday weekend

Just because Christmas has passed doesn't mean that you have to stop celebrating the holidays. This long holiday weekend around Dallas will feature a few more holiday-themed events, including a theater production, a cirque performance, a concert, a hybrid performance, and a bad movie. Other choices include a Broadway-style musical, a concert, an electronic music festival, video game music played by a symphony, and a comedian.

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. Looking for the best Christmas lights still illuminating Dallas? Those lists are here and here.

Thursday, December 26

Broadway Dallas presents Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a high-flying musical brought back to life in a new adaptation by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse. The adventure begins when Peter Pan and his mischievous sidekick, Tinker Bell, visit the bedroom of the Darling children late one night. With a sprinkle of fairy dust and a few happy thoughts, the children are taken on a magical journey they will never forget. the production runs through January 5 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Yippee Ki Yay: The Parody Celebration of Die Hard
When gunmen seize an LA skyscraper, off-duty policeman John McClane is the hostages’ only hope. Yippee Ki Yay is an uplifting action romp (and unauthorized parody) that pays affectionate tribute to the iconic '80s festive fan favorite and is essential viewing for Hans Gruber superfans and newcomers alike. The production runs through Sunday at Wyly Theatre.

Friday, December 27

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland is filled with acrobatics, aerial feats, and musicians and singers, taking audiences on a journey into a world of music, cirque, and wonder. With new costumes, music, and storylines, the all-new show blends the grace and athleticism of circus performers with a musical mix of seasonal favorites. The one-night-only event takes place at Comerica Center in Frisco.

Bob Schneider in concert
Austin-based musician Bob Schneider is a Texas original who's been a part of three different bands, but has experienced his biggest success as a solo singer. Over the past 25 years, he's released 21 albums - most recently The Human Torch in 2023 - a track record that means this concert at Granada Theater won't be short of great material. He'll be joined by special guests J Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed.

Saturday, December 28

Trans-Siberian Orchestra in concert
Trans-Siberian Orchestra comes to Dallas as part of their The Lost Christmas Eve tour, the first time they've presented their rock opera since 2013. The Lost Christmas Eve is the final chapter of their Christmas trilogy, which also includes Christmas Eve and Other Stories and The Christmas Attic. There will be two performances on Saturday at American Airlines Center.

Lights All Night
The annual Lights All Night festival is an all-electronic music extravaganza, featuring performances by almost 40 acts. Headliners include Excision, Audien, Friction, Thought Process, Delta Heavy, William Black, Ganja White Knight, Zorza, and more. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Dallas Market Hall.

Eisemann Center presents Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande will celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico. The show is named after the beloved Andalusian Christmas Carol and brings cherished Mexican traditions to life in a magical celebration of the season. They will journey 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 show will be at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Sonic Symphony
Sonic Symphony is an immersive live experience that celebrates more than three decades of music from Sega’s iconic mascot. From the classic 8-bit and 16-bit tunes to rock bands and EDM, the concert will take the audience on a musical journey through the colorful world of Sonic the Hedgehog. The event takes place at Winspear Opera House.

Sunday, December 29

The Mocky Horror Picture Show presents Jack Frost
At the Mocky Horror Picture show, comedians Liz Barksdale, Danny Gallagher and Albie Robles make fun of a movie while audiences watch it in the theater. At this event, they'll mock Jack Frost, which stars Michael Keaton as a dad who dies right before Christmas and comes back to life as a snowman. Except this snowman walks and talks like an Eldritch horror created for a Rankin/Bass television Christmas special. Audience members will get a special bag of props to use during the movie, and this time, there will be snowball fight right in the middle of the movie. The screening takes place at Texas Theatre.

Hyena's presents Ralph Barbosa
Ralph Barbosa was named the Funniest Comic in Texas in 2019, was the winner of the New York Latino Film Festival Stand Up Comedy competition in 2021, and recently made his HBO debut on the HA Festival Comedy Special. He also sold out six shows in Dallas for his 2023 Netflix special, Cowabunga. He'll perform four times through Monday at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.

Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade

Broadway Dallas presents Peter Pan at the Music Hall at Fair Park through January 5.

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Revving up

State-of-the-art Velocity racing simulator lounge zooms into Dallas

Rendering courtesy of Velocity

Velocity Sim Racing Lounge is opening on North Central Expressway at Walnut Hill in Dallas.

A new "eatertainment" venue devoted to virtual racing is revving up for North Dallas: Called Velocity Sim Racing Lounge, the concept combines high-tech driving simulators with a full restaurant and bar.

Velocity is located at 9830 N. Central Expwy., Ste. 400, at Walnut Hill in The Hill shopping center, in the former Camp space. According to a release, it will celebrate with grand opening festivities on Saturday, July 25.

Dallas is the second location for the Texas-based Velocity, after a Houston venue opened in 2025.

Designed for everyone from first-time drivers to dedicated enthusiasts, the venue features a "Racer" - a beginner-friendly motion-enabled simulator - all the way up to an "Ultimate" - a full-throttle premium rig for the highest-intensity immersion available, the website says. It's the only "Ultimate" in Texas. There are also two-seat race cars available.

Racers can choose from a number of cars (i.e., Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport or McLaren 570S GT4) and multiple track destinations (i.e., Monza in Italy and Zandvoort in The Netherlands).

While the racing simulators are the main attraction, Velocity is designed as much for socializing as competition, with more than 30 racing rigs, a large video wall where guests can watch races in real time, and a central bar for cocktails, food, and watch parties.

“Velocity is all about building community through a shared passion for cars and racing,” founder Viet Tran says in the release. “The simulators will bring people through the doors, but it's everything around them that makes them stay. We’re creating an environment where people can connect, share a great meal, celebrate milestones and be part of something bigger than what's happening behind the wheel.”

The Dallas location also puts an emphasis on food, with a menu that includes:

Warm Feta Dip
Crispy Coconut Shrimp
Mediterranean Steak Tacos
Angus Flatiron & Frites
Crispy Avocado Tacos
Cauliflower Wings
Apple Turnovers

“Whether someone is joining us for a family outing, catching up over dinner, attending a themed event or chasing a spot on the podium, we want every visit to feel different,” Tran says. “We're proud to see that vision come to life in Dallas and excited to be a part of the community.”

Racing at the Velocity Sim Racing Lounge in Houston. Courtesy of Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge

Velocity is designed to be family-friendly, the owners say, despite the fact that it has "Lounge" in the name, and that a bar is the central design feature. The website features mostly photos of adults eating, drinking, and racing, and it does not specify recommended ages.

A spokesperson for Velocity clarifies to CultureMap: "The team generally recommends the experience for guests ages 10 and up. It's not intended as a kids-only venue. Practically speaking, the recommendation comes down to the simulators themselves. Guests need to be at least 5 feet tall to comfortably reach the pedals, and anyone under 17 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver before racing. As a result, the experience is generally best suited for older kids and adults."

Hey, maybe they'll add that important information to the website.

The grand opening will begin at 10 am July 25 with a car meet, live DJ, and the venue's first sim racing tournament. Qualifying rounds run from 10 am-12:30 pm, with the championship race taking place from 1-1:30 pm. Entry fees for the tournament start at $25.

Guests will receive a complimentary branded keychain while supplies last, and hourly raffles will award T-shirts, hoodies, and other merchandise. Following the tournament and awards ceremony, regular service begins at 2:30 pm. Reservations are available online, and walk-ins are welcome.

Following the grand opening, hours will be 12 noon-11 pm Monday-Thursday, 12 noon-midnight Friday, 11 am-midnight Saturday, and 11 am-10 pm Sunday.

Memberships are available starting at $99 per month.

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