The Dallas event slate is back up to full force in 2024, featuring a nice variety of things to do this weekend. They include two symphony concerts, two concerts from seasoned performers, a trio of theater productions, two visiting dance troupes, a Lego festival, a kid's film festival, two big comedians, and a concert from a renowned opera singer.

Below are more best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, January 18

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Mozart and Beethoven"
"Mozart and Beethoven" features two iconic composers and their masterful works that showcase how they subverted the styles of the time and pushed the genre forward. Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute is the delightful prelude to his lyrical and joyous Piano Concerto No. 21. Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, one of the most famous and popular symphonies in the history of classical music, brings the concert to a dynamic close. The concert, which will have three performances through Saturday at Meyerson Symphony Center, will be conducted by Tabita Berglund and feature pianist Alessio Bax.

Lucinda Williams in concert
Lucinda Williams is one of those musicians who you know even if you don't know you know her. She's had a steady career, garnering critical acclaim with every album release dating back to her debut in 1979. Her latest, 2023's Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart, is even more impressive given the fact that she suffered a stroke in 2020. She'll play in support of that album at Longhorn Ballroom.

Theatre Three presents I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Presented as a series of vignettes, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a touching musical comedy about all of love’s greatest challenges: dating, sex, marriage, and family. The production, taking place in the Theatre Too space, will run through February 25 at Theatre Three.

Friday, January 19

Mainstage Irving-Las Colinas presents The 39 Steps
London, 1935. The rather dull Richard Hannay encounters a woman who claims to be a spy. But when she’s suddenly murdered, Richard finds himself the focus of a nationwide manhunt led by a mysterious organization called “The 39 Steps.” This fast-paced whodunit combines a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel (plus a dash of Monty Python). The production runs through February 3 at Irving Arts Center.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters in concert
Singer Elvis Costello turns 70 later in 2024, and he's been actively recording and touring for 47 of those 70 years, making his debut in 1977. Through the years, he's released 32 studio albums either as a solo act or with various collaborators and bands, including The Imposters, with whom he put out The Boy Named If in 2022. He'll play with them at this concert at Majestic Theatre, joined by special guest Charlie Sexton.

TITAS/Dance Unbound presents Cie Hervé Koubi
Compagnie Hervé Koubi is a French, now “mostly” male, dance company that now has dancers from across Europe. The fearless, powerful and "masculine beyond belief" dance company returns to Dallas with their new work, SOL INVICTUS. The music score includes a composition by Swedish composer Mikael Karlsson, to be mixed with music excerpts by Steve Reich and digital composer Maxime Bodson. They'll perform at Winspear Opera House.

Saturday, January 20

Brick Fest Live
Brick Fest Live features live interactive stage shows, life-size models, hands-on building activities, a chance to build a Guinness World Record mosaic, photo ops, exclusive merchandise, and more. The festival - which is not officially associated with LEGO - will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

USA Film Festival presents KidFilm Family Festival
The 40th Annual KidFilm Family Festival, the oldest children’s film festival in the United States, features an entertaining, educational, and diverse line-up of new and classic films for both children and adults. Taking place on Saturday and Sunday at Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands, it will include salutes to children's authors Sophie Blackall and Sara Varon, feature films like The Tiger’s Apprentice, Kensuke’s Kingdom, and Ozi: Voice of the Forest, a selection of short films, and more.

Shen Yun
Two weeks after Shen Yun finished a run at Winspear Opera House, they're back again for three performances - twice on Saturday and once on Sunday - at the Music Hall at Fair Park. Shen Yun’s unique artistic vision expands theatrical experience into a multi-dimensional, deeply moving journey. Featuring one of the world’s most ancient and richest dance systems - classical Chinese dance - along with dynamic animated backdrops and all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun opens a portal to a civilization of enchanting beauty and enlightening wisdom.

Hasan Minhaj: Off With His Head
Comedian Hasan Minhaj continues to take on challenging themes like politics, parenting, and therapy with irreverent wit and insight. Minhaj is a two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian best known for his breakout Netflix special Homecoming King and his political satire show, Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, for Netflix. He'll perform an early and late show at Winspear Opera House.

Plano Symphony Orchestra presents "An Interplanetary Experience"
"An Interplanetary Experience" is a multi-media musical exploration featuring award-winning accordionist Sofía Ros performing Piazzolla’s Concerto for Bandoneón and Orchestra. Also joining the Plano Symphony Orchestra will be the Plano Civic Chorus Women’s Choir, with the evening’s celestial journey concluding with Holst’s beloved suite The Planets. They'll perform at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts, where you can also see the exhibition "Sensing Deep Space."

Jonathan Van Ness: Fun & Slutty
Jonathan Van Ness is an Emmy-nominated television personality, two-time New York Times best-selling author, podcaster, and comedian best known for his role on Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning reboot series Queer Eye, where he shines as the hair guru and self-care advocate. This event, taking place at Majestic Theatre, is for ages 18+.

Sunday, January 21

  

Photo by Shervin Lainez

Lawrence Brownlee will perform at Winspear Opera House on January 21.

Dallas Children's Theater presents Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!”
Mo Willems, author and creator of the Elephant & Piggie and Pigeon picture books, is at it again with Elephant & Piggie’s “We Are in a Play!” The ever-upbeat Piggie is thrilled to be on stage, while Elephant is a bit busy hoping nothing goes “terribly, horribly, best-friendship endingly wrong” during the duration of the performance. He’s getting there… Anything can happen in this goofy, heartfelt show that is sure to have audiences laughing hard. The production runs through February 25 at Dallas Children's Theater.

Dallas Opera presents The Robert E. and Jean Ann Titus Family Recital: Lawrence Brownlee
The Dallas Opera will present a special recital with tenor Lawrence Brownlee. Whether he’s charming audiences as Figaro’s sidekick, Count Almaviva, or falling desperately in love with Cinderella as Prince Charming, Brownlee is pure delight on stage. His voice has filled opera houses from New York to Rome. He'll perform at Winspear Opera House.