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    Weekend Event Planner

    These are the 14 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

    Alex Bentley
    Jul 31, 2025 | 6:00 am

    July turns into August this weekend, and with the new month comes a nice variety of things to do in and around Dallas. Choices include seven concerts featuring some big names, three local theater productions, a bluegrass festival, a notable comedian, and the final days of two art exhibitions.

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

    Thursday, July 31

    Kyle Mooney in concert
    Kyle Mooney is a former SNL cast member, founding member of the sketch comedy group Good Neighbor, and the director of films like A24's Y2K. He'll show off another side of himself as Kyle M. in support of his debut album, The Real Me, featuring rock, country, dance, R&B, and more. He'll play at Club Dada.

    Junior Players presents A Midsummer Night's Dream
    In Shakespeare’s lyrical comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, young lovers flee the stifling confines of the social order of the city to the woods, only to discover that the forest contains more mystery and menace then they dared dream. Romantic entanglements and magical chaos ensue when fairies, lovers, and a group of amateur actors converge in the woods outside Athens and darkness and desire twine beneath the midsummer moon. The production runs through Sunday at Theatre Three.

    Rover Dramawerks presents Murder at the Orient Burlesque
    When Russian princess Katherina Anastasia Faberge Antoinette joins the cast of the burlesque show at Christie’s Orient Palace, the trouble begins, so it’s not a surprise when she turns up dead after only one performance. As Detective Red Flannegan quickly discovers, everyone has a motive, and the Czarina was not only shot, but also poisoned, stabbed, electrocuted, and strangled. The question then becomes not who did it, but who did what, and is there anyone who didn’t? The production runs through August 16 at Cox Playhouse in Plano.

    Friday, August 1

    Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival
    The Farmers Branch Bluegrass Festival will feature performances by headliner Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, as well as Rhonda Vincent & The Rage (Friday), Appalachian Road Show, Kody Norris Show, Cutter & Cash and the Kentucky Grass (Friday), Bobby Giles & Texas Gales, Riley Gilbreath & Lone Star Blue, The Herrins (Friday), Pythagoras, and Randy Collier & Grassland. The festival takes place through Sunday at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dallas.

    Billy Currington and Kip Moore in concert
    Country singers Billy Currington and Kip Moore have each had strong careers, with Currington notching five top 5 albums on the Billboard Country chart and Moore landing four of his own. Currington has had a string of No. 1 songs, including "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right," "People Are Crazy," "Hey Girl," and "Do I Make You Wanna." Moore's lone No. 1 song was "Somethin' 'Bout a Truck," but he also got a later start than Currington. The two will team up for a co-headlining concert at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

    North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre presents Footloose
    When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The production runs through August 10 at North Texas Performing Arts in Plano.

    AT&T Performing Arts Center presents One Night of Queen
    In 2022, Gary Mullen & The Works celebrated the 20th anniversary of their One Night Of Queen live concert performance. During the two-hour show, the band pays tribute to the stage theatrics, showmanship, and music of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductees, Queen. They'll perform at Winspear Opera House.

    Saturday, August 2

    My Chemical Romance in concert
    Rock band My Chemical Romance has mostly been out of the public eye since their last major tour in 2011. They released four albums in the 2000s, peaking with The Black Parade in 2006, which went to No. 2 on the Billboard 200. They're putting on a big show at Globe Life Field in Arlington to celebrate that album by playing it in its entirety, along with other hits. They will be joined by special guest Garbage.

    Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns: The Ultimate Summer Party
    Jazz/rock saxophonist Dave Koz has released 21 solo albums in his career, most recently A Romantic Night In (The Love Songs Album) in 2021. At this special event at the Music Hall at Fair Park, he will be joined by Marcus Anderson, Jeff Bradshaw, Leo P, Evan Taylor, and Marcel Anderson.

    Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass in concert
    Herb Alpert and a new version of his band, The Tijuana Brass, come to Dallas as part of their first tour in 35 years, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights. They'll celebrate the 60th anniversary of the seminal album, Whipped Cream & Other Delights, by playing songs from that album, as well as other big hits. The concert takes place at Winspear Opera House.

    Michael Kosta: Lucky Loser Tour
    Comedian Michael Kosta is currently a correspondent and occasional host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. As a stand-up comedian, he has had numerous late-night appearances on The Tonight Show, Conan, Seth Meyers, and @midnight. His first book, a memoir entitled Lucky Loser, was released in March 2025. He'll perform at Granada Theater for one night only.

    "Weird Al" Yankovic in concert
    "Weird Al" Yankovic comes to Grand Prairie as part of his Bigger and Weirder tour, returning to the big stage for the first time in six years. He will play his iconic hits, as well as some fan favorites that have never been performed live. Yankovic has released 14 albums in his career, most recently Mandatory Fun in 2014. He'll perform at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie.

    Sunday, August 3

    Arlington Museum of Art presents M.C. Escher: "Infinite Variations" closing day
    Sunday will be the final day to view M.C. Escher: "Infinite Variations at the Arlington Museum of Art. With over 150 works spanning the career of the graphic designer, the exhibition explores the metamorphic work of one of the most famous printmakers in modern times. It includes some of the artist’s finest works, starting with his early bookplates, to landscapes, tessellations, and impossible worlds.

    Dallas Museum of Art presents Tiffany Chung: "Rise Into the Atmosphere" closing day
    Sunday will also be the final day to view Tiffany Chung: "Rise Into the Atmosphere" at the Dallas Museum of Art. The sixth iteration of the museum’s Concourse mural series features an installation by Houston-based artist Chung, who is internationally known for her diverse conceptual work and research-driven process dealing with sociopolitical issues. Her mural centers narratives of migration and movement, especially those found within Dallas, in recognition and celebration of these lived experiences.

    Junior Players presents A Midsummer Night's Dream
    Photo courtesy of Junior Players

    Junior Players presents A Midsummer Night's Dream at Theatre Three through August 3.

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    Skating into the holidays

    Downtown Dallas debuts CultureMap City Rink at dazzling tree lighting

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Dec 1, 2025 | 2:23 pm
    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025
    Photo by Ashley Gongora
    Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    A rainy Thanksgiving-weekend forecast wasn't going to stop the official grand opening of the first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, at Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas.

    On Friday, November 28, representatives from Downtown Dallas, Inc., Verizon, and CultureMap gathered with the community for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor ice rink that has transformed the downtown park into a magical winter wonderland.

    Just after sunset, at 6 pm, guests were welcomed from center ice by CultureMap editorial director Stephanie Merry; Downtown Dallas, Inc. VP of marketing and communications Monica Gonzalez, and Keli Ferguson of the Verizon team. As they were about to begin the countdown to light the tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus skated out to surprise the crowd.

    "I've made my list and checked it twice, and it turns out Dallas is very, very nice," Santa told the delighted audience. Then he counted down, "5-4-3-2-1!" and flipped the switch to illuminate the sparkling 35-foot tree.

    The majestic sounds of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells" filled the air, and a group of young skaters from the Skate VIDA skating school glided onto the rink. They twirled, spun, and jumped like future Olympians on the ice.

    Amber Barth, a U.S. Figure Skating national-level competitor from Skate VIDA, gave a mesmerizing solo performance.

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 Amber Barth of Skate VIDA performs after the tree is lit.Photo by Ashley Gongora

    When the rink re-opened to the public, kids (and their parents) slid and scurried onto the ice for the chance to skate and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

    Families fueled up at Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe, presented by DRG Concepts (the folks behind Wild Salsa, Chop House Burger, Wicked Butcher). Warm barbacoa tacos, fried chicken sliders, nachos, churros, and hot chocolate hit the spot as the night grew chillier.

    Guests who were 21-and-up lingered at the Après Chalet lounge on the other side of the rink. The cozy gathering area features nooks with inviting Adirondack chairs next to pipe-stoves - the perfect place to warm up with cocktails showcasing Shiner Spirits or sip on a Yuegling beer.

    The CultureMap City Rink, nestled beneath the colorful tall buildings downtown, brings the fun and festive feel of Rockefeller Center to Dallas. (It's the only ice rink in downtown Dallas this holiday season - and yes, it is real ice.)

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 The rink will be open through January 5, 2026.Photo by Ashley Gongora

    The rink will be open through January 5, 2026. Visitors can expect themed pop-ups and a full slate of programming designed for every kind of holiday reveler. From romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets, there’s something new happening each week:

    • Dallas Holiday Parade Activation — Saturday, December 6
    • Cheap Skate Mondays — Select Mondays
    • Date Skate — Select Wednesdays
    • Family Movie Night — Select Fridays
    • Shop + Skate Night Market — Select Saturdays
    • Santa Skate — Select Sundays

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025

    Photo by Ashley Gongora

    Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    Regular hours are Monday-Friday from 4-10 pm, Saturdays 10 am-10 pm, and Sundays 10 am-8 pm. During school holidays (December 19-January 4), hours expand to 10 am-10 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-8 pm on Sundays. Special holiday hours will take place December 24 & 31 (10 am-7 pm) and December 25 & January 1 (1 pm-7 pm).

    Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

    Scroll through the photos, above, to see highlights of the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

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