Weekend Event Planner

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

This weekend in and around Dallas features a number of big acts, including a unique double concert experience from arguably the best heavy metal band ever. There will be three well-known comedians, a local theater production, a couple of country singers, two musical trips back in time, a live YouTube show, a rising Mexican singer, the closing of an art exhibition, and a major hip hop concert.

Below are the 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.

Friday, August 18

Metallica in concert
There has been no bigger heavy metal band over the past 40 years than Metallica, and their return to the Dallas-Fort Worth area will appropriately be bigger than ever. Just like every other stop on their world tour, they will play two separate shows, promising a "No Repeat Weekend," with two completely different setlists and support lineups at each concert. Joining them on Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington will be the reunited Dallas band Pantera (touring for the first time in 22 years) and Mammoth WVH, followed by Five Finger Death Punch and Ice Nine Kills on Sunday. The tour is in support of the band's new album, 72 Seasons, their first new release in six years.

Improv Addison presents Lil Rel Howery
Lil Rel Howery has been such a presence in movies and TV for so long that it's easy to forget that, like many comic actors, he got his start as a stand-up comedian. He's appeared in a slew of movies in recent years, including Free Guy, Get Out, Bad Trip, and Judas and the Black Messiah, and he also starred in his own Fox sitcom, Rel. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Addison.

The Comedy Arena presents Steven Michael Quezada
Another actor who you may be surprised is a comedian is Steven Michael Quezada. With a career in the entertainment industry spanning more than three decades, Quezada has worked alongside some of the biggest names in show business, most notably Bryan Cranston and Bob Odenkirk when he played DEA Agent Steven Gomez on both Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He'll perform four times through Saturday at The Comedy Arena in McKinney.

Repertory Company Theatre presents The Drowsy Chaperone
The Drowsy Chaperone, a madcap, screwball musical within a comedy, is a lovable send up to the Jazz Age musical. A multiple Tony Award winner, the musical pays tribute to the Jazz Age shows of the 1920s and their power to transport people into a dazzling fantasy and to lift their spirits. The production runs through August 27 at Repertory Company Theatre in Richardson.

Charlie Robison in concert
Anyone who knows Texas country music knows the name of Charlie Robison, as he's the brother of singer/songwriter Bruce Robison and the ex-husband of Emily Strayer of The Chicks. His last album was 2013's High Life, and in 2018 he retired after complications from surgery left him unable to sing at the time. Things have clearly improved in the years since, and fans can see the result when he plays at Majestic Theatre.

Chris Gethard: Franco Danger
Comedian Chris Gethard is an example of persistence. Though he's never become a huge star, he's stuck to his show business aspirations, first as the host of The Chris Gethard Show from 2011 to 2018, and now as the host of two podcasts, Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People and New Jersey is the World. He'll perform his new show, Franco Danger, at Texas Theatre.

Saturday, August 19

Lost '80s Live
There are some '80s bands whose music is iconic and will live forever, and then there are ... other '80s bands. Lost '80s Live at Texas Trust CU Theatre features performances by a host of such bands, including Wang Chung ("Everybody Have Fun Tonight"), The Tubes ("She's a Beauty"), Animotion ("Obsession"), Naked Eyes ("Always Something There to Remind Me"), and more.

Sixtiesmania: A Journey through the Sixties
Sixtiesmania: A Journey through the Sixties is an all-encompassing celebration of the iconic musical decade. The show is a musical roller coaster from the Beach Boys to the British invasion, and everything in between. Hit after hit is performed with complete accuracy to detail to sound exactly like the recordings people know and love. The show takes place at Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson.

Sam Hunt in concert
If things had shaken out differently for country singer Sam Hunt, he'd be playing in the NFL as a star quarterback. But a 2008 tryout for the Kansas City Chiefs led nowhere, leading him to pursue music instead. Fans have rewarded him with two No. 1 albums - 2014's Montevallo and 2020's Southside - and a bunch of top 10 hits, including four that went to No. 1. He'll play at Dos Equis Pavilion.

Ghost Files Live!
Ghost Files is a YouTube series focusing on visiting haunted places in order to prove the existence of supernatural entities. At this event, the audience can experience the excitement of ghost hunting with the ghoul boys through a special screening of a never-before-seen episode of the series, followed by a Q&A session with the hosts, Ryan Bergara and Shane Madej. The event takes place at Majestic Theatre.

Danna Paola in concert
Mexican singer Danna Paola has been in the public eye for almost her entire life. She started as a child actor, appearing on the Mexican version of Sesame Street and more. She went on to star in the first Spanish-language version of Wicked and, after releasing four previous albums, she's seen her music career take off with albums in 2020 and 2021. She'll play at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving.

Sunday, August 20

Nasher Sculpture Center presents Thaddeus Mosley: "Forest" closing day
Sunday is closing day for Thaddeus Mosley: "Forest" at Nasher Sculpture Center. The exhibition features five large-scale wooden sculptures, all made after 2015 by the still-practicing 96-year-old artist. Mosley has been making carved and joined wood sculptures since the 1950s. Largely self-taught, the artist works with arborists and local sawmills in the Pittsburgh area to find felled trees which he sculpts using mallets and chisels.

High School Reunion Tour with Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa
The title of Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa's co-headlining tour, the "High School Reunion Tour," might as well have quotes around the first word, since Snoop Dogg is one of the world's leading proponents of marijuana, and Wiz Khalifa named his breakout album Rolling Papers. Snoop, who just released his 20th album, Missionary, and Wiz, whose latest album is 2022's Multiverse, will be joined by Too $hort, Warren G, Berner, and special guest DJ Drama at Dos Equis Pavilion.

Photo by Herring Herring

Metallica will play at AT&T Stadium on August 18 and 20.

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Holiday attractions

All the cool new ice rinks skating into Dallas for 2024 holiday fun

Photo courtesy of Omni Dallas Hotel

The Omni Dallas Hotel is channeling Rockefeller Center with its ice rink this season.

The coolest new holiday attractions of 2024 will have Dallas-Fort Worth jumping, spinning, and gliding through the season: Ice skating rinks are being installed as part of winter festivities all over North Texas. From a downtown Dallas ice rink channeling Rockefeller Center to community rinks that look like Hallmark movie settings, here are the best new places to skate through the holidays, along with some favorites making their limited returns for the season.

Omni Dallas Hotel, downtown Dallas, November 22-January 5
The downtown Dallas hotel known for its trademark sculpture of giant-sized Christmas-tree red ball ornaments is upping the ante this year. As part of its seasonal celebration called "Ice, Lights & City Nights," the hotel is introducing downtown's only outdoor ice skating rink on Pegasus Lawn. Visitors of all ages can twirl and spin beneath the glow of holiday lights, then warm up with at a hot chocolate bar, kids can ride the Elf Express train, and adults can make spirits bright at Blitzen's Bar. Every night at 7:30 pm, Omni Dallas will host holiday light shows with 4.1 miles of LED lights wrapped around the building’s exterior.

Details: The rink is open to the public and hotel guests alike, 10 am-10 pm daily. Tickets (starting at $18) can be purchased online or at the ice rink, for 60-minute sessions; skate rental included. A helpful FAQ about the ice rink can be found here.

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas, Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, November 22-December 29
A new immersive holiday event from the creators of the popular "Enchant" light maze turns Choctaw Stadium into a winter wonderland, and it includes an ice skating rink. Adults and kids will glide on real ice underneath dazzling lights. The event illuminates 55,000 square feet of holiday light sculptures featuring larger-than-life, interactive Coca-Cola-inspired vignettes to walk through and explore; plus a snow slide, falling snow, visits with Santa, caroling, seasonal treats, special themed nights, and more.

Details: Open select nights, as early as 4:30 pm and as late as 11:30 pm; check the calendar for specific dates and times. Ice skating tickets (including skate rental) are $9 for juniors and $13 for adults, in addition to event admission, $14-$35; free for kids up to 3. Skating session times are unlimited. Note: If bringing your own skates, make sure they have blade guards on at all times; skate bags must meet a Clear Bag Policy; more info here.

Skate under the twinkling lights at Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas in Arlington.Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas

Home for the Holidays: Christmastime in Southlake, November 27-January 1
The 25th-anniversary Southlake holiday celebration will include an outdoor ice rink for the first time. Although the city's Christmas tree will be lit at the big Home for the Holidays event on November 23, the ice rink will not open until November 27. The rink is in the heart of Southlake Town Square, and includes a spot for gourmet hot cocoa, a nearby Santa's Village, carriage rides, and more.

Details: Open 3-10 pm Sunday-Thursday and 12-10 pm Saturday-Sunday outside City Hall, 1400 E. Southlake Blvd. Tickets, timed every 15 minutes, are $15 for one-hour sessions and include skate rentals; walkups will be welcome, but reservations are recommended through the Geoji app.

Christmas Tyme in Aledo on Ice, December 6-January 5
The city of Aledo is debuting its first-ever outdoor ice rink, open for 30 days as part of the holiday festivities. Located in the city's downtown, the Aledo Ice Rink will be adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, with music piped in under winter skies and seasonal refreshments to refuel. The annual Christmas Tyme in Aledo event on December 7 will feature the city's tree lighting ceremony, vendors, visits with Santa, live music, food trucks, and more.

Details: The ice rink is at Aledo City Hall, 104 Maverick St. Open 4-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 4-10 pm Friday, and 12-10 pm Sunday. Tickets for one-hour sessions are $15 (plus service fee), and include skate rental.

Skate the Square, Frisco, November 22-January 6
Now 14 years strong, Frisco's Christmas in the Square event boasts the city's only real ice outdoor ice rink. "Skate the Square" is but one of the highlights of the holiday extravaganza, which includes one of the largest free choreographed lights and music displays in North Texas: nightly shows of over 180,000 lights, 200 dancing snowflakes, and festive music. There's also a Christmas tree lot, carriage rides, visits with Santa, and more.

Details: The Skate the Square rink is located along Main and Coleman. Open daily, but times vary (as early as 12:15 pm and as late as 10 pm); check the calendar for specific dates and times. Ice skating tickets are $20, with or without skate rentals. Private group bookings are available. Christmas in the Square runs nightly, 6-10 pm; the light show is free to attend.

Stockyards Rodeo Rink, Fort Worth Stockyards, November 21-January 5
For the third year, visitors to the historic Fort Worth district can "giddy up and glide" as part of the Stockyards' holiday festivities. The 4,000-square-foot professional ice skating rink has taken over the lawn of the Livestock Exchange Building (131 E Exchange Ave.) and includes a snack and beverage bar, fire pits, music, picnic seating, and more. The Stockyards will also host visits with Cowboy Santa, a tree lighting at Hotel Drover, rides on the North Pole Express train, a "Christmas in the Stockyards" event, and more throughout the season.

Details: Open at 11 am most days through the season. Five 90-minute skating sessions are offered Monday-Thursday, with an extra 9 pm session Friday-Sunday. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for kids ages 3-12, and include skate rental. A family four-pack is available for $80.

Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo Rink, ice skating, ice rink The Stockyards Rodeo Rink returns to Fort Worth for the holiday season.Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Stockyards

Peace Plaza Ice Rink, Grapevine, November 23-January 27
The 4,500-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink on Historic Main Street has become a favorite tradition in the "Christmas Capital of Texas." Skaters can jump and spin in the festive surroundings, including the 60-foot live Christmas tree, and the entire street decked out with Christmas lights. The ice rink's grand opening on November 23 will feature a performance by Olympic figure skater Ashley Cain, Team USA pair team Nick Traxler and Kristen Nardozzi, and more, beginning at 6:15 pm.

Details: Open daily, times vary (opening as early as 11 am with last entry as late as 9 pm); check the calendar for exact dates and times. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Location is Grapevine Main Peace Plaza, 815 S. Main St., at the train station outside Hotel Vin. Tickets are $20 for a one-hour session at 15-minute timed intervals; skate rentals included. Group ice rentals are available by the hour. (UPDATE 11-22-2024: "Unfortunately, Peace Plaza Ice Rink will not be open this weekend due to the warm temperatures," a spokeswoman says. New opening date TBA.)

Of course, no Dallas ice-skating list would be complete without the most famous rink of all ....

Galleria Dallas, November 22-January 5
The nation's tallest indoor Christmas tree (at 95 feet) will sparkle in the middle of the ice rink throughout the season. Public skating is available every day, but as usual, holiday festivities will really rev up on at 12 pm Black Friday (November 29) with the Grand Tree Lighting Celebration on the ice rink, featuring Olympic figure skaters and a fireworks finale starring Missile Toes, the famed ice-skating Santa. (The celebration will repeat at 12 pm November 30.) A Grand Holiday Ice Show, starring some of the best figure skaters and ice dancers in the world (Ashley Cain, Mariah Bell, Keegan Messing, Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker, Ryan Bradley, and Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre) will take place at 9 am December 8 and benefit Broadway Dallas; tickets are $150.

Details: Public skating hours are 10 am-9:30 pm Monday, Wednesday-Thursday; 10 am-9 pm Tuesday & Friday; 12-9 pm Saturday; 12-6 pm Sunday. Admission is $13, plus $5 for skate rental. Public skating is first-come, first serve; no reservations permitted. A full list of holiday events at the ice rink is here.

Mariah Bell, figure skating, Olympian Olympic figure skater Mariah Bell will be one of the featured performers at Galleria Dallas' Grand Holiday Ice Show. Getty Images

christmas capital of texas downtown dallas families family friendly galleria dallas holiday attractions ice skating rinks omni dallas hotel stockyards rodeo rink winter festivities holidays