Weekend Event Planner

These are the 13 best things to do in Dallas this weekend

There will be a bit of a party vibe in Dallas this weekend, with a unique music event and two holiday festivals taking place. Other choices include three local theater productions, a symphonic celebration of a classic rock band, four concerts across multiple genres, a spooky dance performance, and a visit from monster trucks.

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.

Thursday, October 24

AT&T Performing Arts Center presents Reunion '85
Reunion ’85 is a party with an epic twist. Visitors can choose a nametag, grab a drink, and let the good times rock ‘n’ roll as they reunite with old "classmates" in a nostalgic celebration filled with comedy, scrunchies, dancing, shoulder pads, and a live band playing the chart-topping hits of the 1980s. There will be four performances through Saturday at Wyly Theatre.

Friday, October 25

Denton's Day of the Dead Festival
Held outside on Hickory and Industrial St, Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival is a true collaboration of the eclectic art and music community of the city. It pays homage to many of fall’s treasures such as cooler weather, the harvest, the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, and all things Halloween. Highlights of the two-day event, taking place on Friday and Saturday, include live music, the Halloween Cabaret “Cirque du Horror,” Coffin Races, a lantern-lit twilight parade, and more.

Garland Civic Theatre presents Blithe Spirit
Blithe Spirit is a farcical comedy play by Noël Coward about a man whose domestic life is disturbed by the jealous ghost of his first wife. The combination of drawing-room comedy and ghost story enhances Coward's usual subject of people whose lifestyles defy conventional morality. The production runs through November 10 at Granville Arts Center in Garland.

Dallas Symphony Orchestra presents "Go Now! A Tribute to the Moody Blues"
Go Now! is the ultimate tribute to the iconic Moody Blues, put together by drummer Gordy Marshall, who toured with the band for 25 years. They'll join forces with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to recreate the glory of one of their concerts, with hits like “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Go Now,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere,” and “The Story In Your Eyes.” There will be three performances through Sunday at Meyerson Symphony Center.

The Core Theatre presents The 39 Steps
The 39 Steps is a fast-paced whodunit that is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a talented cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, and some good old-fashioned romance. The production runs through November 10 at The Core Theatre in Richardson.

Chayanne in concert
Puerto Rican pop singer Chayanne is the true definition of a lifer in music. For 14 long years following his 1984 debut album, he lived on the edges of the industry, only barely cracking the Billboard Latin chart. But he broke out with his 1998 album, Atado a Tu Amor, going on to release four No. 1 albums on the Latin chart that also did well on the overall Billboard 200. He'll play at American Airlines Center in support of his 2023 album, Bailemos Otra Vez.

Richardson Theatre Centre presents Anatomy of a Murder
Defeated for re-election as District Attorney, Paul Biegler isn't looking forward to becoming a defense attorney, but his first case is sensational: a lieutenant is accused of murdering the bartender who allegedly raped his wife. It’s a high-stakes battle of wit and determination, as Biegler uses every device to save the officer's neck. The production runs through November 10 at Richardson Theatre Centre.

Saturday, October 26

Ballet Ensemble of Texas presents Dracula: Ballet with a Bite!
Dracula: Ballet with a Bite features unique twists to the traditional story. Based on the famous haunting tale by Bram Stoker, the production revisits Transylvania, and the unlucky people who visit there. Patrons may also participate in “The Vein Drain” (a blood drive in collaboration with the Carter Blood Center), “Drinks with Dracula” prior to the performance, and a “Fiendish Frock Fashion Fantasy,” a costume parade for the audience at the performance. The one-night-only production will be at Coppell Arts Center.

Monster Jam
The latest edition of Monster Jam will feature the Texas debut of four new Marvel Monster Jam trucks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Thor will face off for the first time against fan favorites like the legendary Grave Digger, the all-new Sparkle Smash, and more in Freestyle, Skills, and Racing competitions. The adrenaline-charged event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington will feature heated rivalries, high-flying stunts, and fierce head-to-head battles.

Judas Priest in concert
Of all the music genres, heavy metal would seem to be a young man's game the most, but try telling that to Judas Priest. Fifty years after their debut album, 1974's Rocka Rolla, they're still at it. Not only is their latest tour, which stops at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, not a farewell tour, it's in support of a new album, Invincible Shield, the band's 19th studio release. They'll be joined by special guest Sabaton.

Sunday, October 27

Photo courtesy of Ballet Ensemble of Texas

Ballet Ensemble of Texas presents Dracula: Ballet with a Bite! at Coppell Arts Center on October 26.

Globe Life Field presents Halloween Festival
The home of the Texas Rangers, Globe Life Field will present its first-ever Halloween Festival, where guests will be invited directly onto the field to enjoy a variety of Halloween and general ballpark activities. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes and bring their own trick or treat bags/containers to get candy at various stations. Other activities at the one-day event will include costume parades, a chance to run the bases, wiffle ball, free play on the field, pitch in the bullpen, face painting, yard games, guided ballpark tours, photo ops in the dugouts, and more.

Dashboard Confessional in concert
For over 20 years, the rock band Dashboard Confessional has been led by singer Chris Carabba, who started the band as a solo project. He released two albums and two EPs before welcoming others into the band, and perhaps not so coincidentally, it was that third album - 2003's A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar - that was their breakout, going to No. 2 on the Billboard 200. They've gone on to release five more albums with a variety of different band members, but Carabba is still there leading the way. They'll play at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, joined by Boys Like Girls and Taylor Acorn.

Don Toliver in concert
Rapper Don Toliver is making his second visit to the Dallas-area in two years, and it's clear he's already leveled up. After three albums, each of which charted in the top 10 on the Billboard 200, his last performance was at the relatively small Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory. But his new album, Hardstone Psycho, was his first No. 1 album on both the Billboard Rap and R&B charts, and now he's performing at one of the biggest area venues, American Airlines Center.

music festivals kids families theater symphony concerts dance holidays event-planner

RIP Don

Don Nelson, legendary Dallas Mavericks head coach, dies at 86

Ronald Martinez /Allsport

Head Coach Don Nelson of the Dallas Mavericks points from the sidelines during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Reunion Arena in Dallas on April 5, 2001.

Former Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history who won five championships as a player with the Boston Celtics, died Sunday, August 9. He was 86.

Nelson’s family confirmed the death in a statement that did not say where he died or provide a cause.

“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” the statement said. “Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories.”

Nelson is one of two coaches in NBA history to have at least 250 wins with three different franchises — Milwaukee, Dallas and Golden State — also serving as general manager for all three franchises. He was a three-time coach of the year and made the playoffs 18 times in 31 seasons. He went to the conference finals three times with the Bucks and once with the Mavericks, never winning a title.

Nelson introduced what is now known as the point forward, and his up-tempo style of offense created a buzz. He said the idea of shifting from the dominant big men of the 1970s to an offense focused on speed and the fast break came from his playing days under Celtics Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach.

“The league really hadn’t seen an offense like the one we were running, and the results were undeniable,” Nelson wrote in 2016 in The Players’ Tribune.

Nelson said that “without Red Auerbach teaching me the mechanics of running the fast break, none of it would have been possible. He deserves all the credit for Nellie Ball, and for how fast the game of basketball is played today.”

Nelson played 11 of his 14 seasons in Boston and was on five Celtics championship teams under four different coaches. He became an assistant coach in Milwaukee after retiring as a player, then took over after coach Larry Costello resigned 18 games into the 1976-77 season. Nelson coached the Bucks for 11 seasons starting in 1976 and won seven straight division titles.

In Nelson’s second season, Milwaukee overcame a 29-point fourth quarter deficit to beat Atlanta 117-115 in regulation.

“I coached the team as though I was still playing for the Celtics, while implementing a few of my own strategies,” Nelson wrote. “I knew I wanted to play unconventional basketball and use speed to my advantage.”

His fast-paced offenses were probably best on display with Golden State in the “Run TMC” era featuring future Hall of Famers Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. Nelson said he wanted them on the court at the same time.

Nelson spent 11 seasons over two stints with Golden State. The first one was punctuated by a rift with rookie star Chris Webber, who was traded away a month into his second season. Nelson, demoralized by the trade, missed nine games that season due to illness and resigned under pressure three months later in February 1995.

In between, Nelson was fired after less than one season in New York in 1995-96, then coached in Dallas for eight seasons, missing 21 games with the Mavericks starting in December 2000 to recuperate from prostate cancer surgery.

Nelson’s son, Donnie, joined his father as an assistant coach with the Mavericks in 1998, later became general manager and remained with the organization until 2021. Together they persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the Mavericks. Don Nelson also developed Steve Nash into one of the NBA’s top point guards before Nash went on to win back-to-back MVPs with the Phoenix Suns in 2005 and 2006.

Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks Don and Donnie Nelson persuaded 20-year-old German star Dirk Nowitzki to pass up European basketball and join the Mavericks. Dallas Mavericks Facebook

“Don Nelson was a true innovator whose influence on the game of basketball is still felt today,” current Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He consistently challenged conventional thinking, experimented with different lineups and styles of play and saw possibilities in the game that others often did not. So much of what is now commonplace in the modern NBA can be traced back to the way Nellie approached the game."

At Golden State, Nelson’s “We Believe” Warriors led by Baron Davis upset Nowitzki and the top-seeded Mavericks in the first round of the 2007 playoffs in one of the biggest shockers in NBA history. In his final season as a coach, Nelson mentored rookie Stephen Curry in 2009-10.

“One of the big reasons I was drafted by the Warriors was because of Don Nelson. The story is he never liked rookies, but from Day 1 he challenged me and gave me an opportunity to be my best self on the court,” Curry said in a statement released by the Warriors. “He taught me a lot during our one season together and I’ll never forget the night he became the winningest coach in NBA history in Minnesota. We were so happy for him. He had an immeasurable impact on the sport and will go down as one of the greatest minds in the history of the game.”

Davis added: “When I think of Nellie, I’ll always think of the ‘We Believe’ team and our incredible run in 2007. He understood what made us go and made us believe we could beat anybody, ultimately helping us make history as the first No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in a seven-game series. That time in my life and career was truly special, and Nellie was a huge part of making it possible.”

Nelson retired as the NBA’s career coaching wins leader with 1,335, just ahead of Lenny Wilkens’ 1,332. Nelson kept that top spot for nearly 12 years before close friend and now-retired San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich passed him in March 2022.

Nelson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2025, he received the Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the National Basketball Coaches Association. Miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade, Nelson wore a pair of Doncic’s signature Jordan Brand sneakers to the awards ceremony. He called the trade a “tremendous mistake.”

Don Nelson was miffed that the Mavericks sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster trade Courtesy photo

Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Nelson attended high school in Rock Island, Illinois, and averaged a double-double in college at Iowa. He spent his retirement years living on the Hawaiian island of Maui and owned several short-term rentals on the island.Dallas

Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont issued the following statement on the passing of Nelson:

“Don Nelson was a true original whose impact on the Dallas Mavericks and the game of basketball will endure for generations. Nellie helped transform this franchise, bringing an innovative spirit, a belief in doing things differently and, most importantly, a winning culture to Dallas. His influence can be seen throughout Mavericks history and across the NBA today.

“On behalf of the entire Mavericks organization, our thoughts are with Don’s family, friends, former players and coaches, and the many people whose lives he touched. We are grateful for all he gave to the Mavericks and to the game he loved.”

Read the Mavericks' tribute to Don Nelson at mavs.com/news/don-nelson-one-of-a-kind.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.

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