This week brings two big celebrations in our neck of the woods: Texas Independence Day and Mardi Gras weekend ahead of Fat Tuesday on March 4. There are parties for both on the docket featuring themed fare from king cake to crawfish and beignets to barbecue. (And a full list of Mardi Gras dining events can be found here.) Also make plans for a tasty mahjong night, two big wine dinners, and an entire festival dedicated to rum.

Wednesday, February 26

Chianti Classico Masterclass Wine Dinner at Radici
Wine expert Lorenzo Giappichelli of Vinifera Imports will guide attendees through a curated tasting of wines from several of the nine communes of Chianti Classico, showcasing the unique terroir of each. Guests will enjoy complimentary wines from Vinifera and other distributors, along with a family-style dinner at Radici, chef Tiffany Derry's Italian restaurant, featuring antipasti, pasta, and entrees including focaccia and wood-fired grill specialties. Tickets are $110 and the event begins at 5:30 pm.

Thursday, February 27

Mahjong & Meze Night at Nikki Greek Bistro & Lounge
Lovers Lane restaurant and lounge invites mahjong pros and newcomers alike to this elevated game night featuring authentic Greek cuisine. Enjoy a three-course dinner with choice of soup or salad, entrée, and dessert before partaking in a game of mahjong and half-priced bottles of wine. Menu highlights include crispy artichoke hearts with roasted beet whipped feta, Texas grilled beef with Greek feta butter & lemon potatoes, and orange custard cake. The three-course dinner is $40 plus tax and gratuity, and is available starting at 5 pm before a 7 pm mahjong start time. Tickets for mahjong start at $25 for open play, or $45 for a lesson first from a certified instructor. A glass of bubbly is included.

Duckhorn Wine Dinner at Le Meridien Dallas, The Stoneleigh
A four-course dinner paired with Duckhorn wines will be guided by wine expert Alina Walker. Courses include lobster risotto croquette with Decoy brut cuvee, grapefruit and haricot vert salad with Duckhorn sauvignon blanc, herb-crusted lamb and prawn duo with Migration & Calera pinot noir, and chocolate cake with Heath crunch, chocolate custard, chantilly cream, and Oreo crumble, paired with Decoy limited cabernet Paso Robles. Tickets are $116 plus tax and fee, and dinner begins at 6 pm.

Mount Eden Wine Dinner at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Mount Eden Vineyards owner Reid Patterson will visit Pappas Bros. to share his journey in viticulture at his family estate. A four-course dinner includes butter-poached Maine lobster tail with black truffle, poached egg in red wine sauce, and dry-aged New York strip loin with dauphinoise potatoes and Chioggia beets. Wines to be poured include eight vintages of chardonnay, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon. The event is $395, plus tax and gratuity, and begins at 6:30 pm.

Friday, February 28

Mixology Class with Maestro Dobel at The Exchange Hall
Kick off Friday night with a cocktail class featuring Maestro Dobel tequila. The $30 price includes light bites. There are two class times, 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and each will take place at the AT&T Discovery District at The Exchange Hall.

Saturday, March 1

Texas Independence Day at PGA District
The entertainment district located next to the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa will celebrate the Lone Star State's independence with live music, whiskey samples, a barbecue class, and cocktail class. Start the day with the Ultimate Pitmasters in the Making class ($99 plus tax and fee) which will focus on brisket, ribs, and smoked chicken. A cocktail is included and class begins at 10 am. At 1 pm there’ll be a hands-on mixology class featuring Garrison Brothers bourbon whiskey for $75 price (plus tax and fee) featuring two cocktails, light bites, and a gift. End the day with live music by a George Strait tribute band on the lawn and Garrison Brothers samples from 6–8 pm.

Mardi Gras on Main Street at The Village
The Village Main Street will transform into Bourbon Street as the district celebrates Mardi Gras with street entertainers, live music, a New Orleans brass band, beignets, custom hurricanes, and a 500-pound crawfish boil. The event is free to attend but tickets are required for the Hurricane Package ($25 for two hurricanes) and the Crawdaddy Package ($40 for a pound of crawfish, corn, and potatoes, and two hurricanes). Both come with beads and swag. Other Village restaurants and bars will have numerous NOLA-inspired specials. The good times will roll from 12–6 pm.

Western Son Distillery Re-Opening
Popular Pilot Point vodka distillery will celebrate its reopening for the season with a day-long party. Visit for live music, signature cocktails, local vendors, and food truck cuisine. The event will run from 12–7 pm and admission is free, although distillery tours are $15 and should be booked in advance.

Texas Rum Festival
It’ll be a rum lovers paradise during this second annual tasting event that will feature more than 100 different rums from 30 brands, to be held at 2616 Commerce St. event center in Deep Ellum. Ticket prices vary based on entry time but start at $65 (in advance) for a 4 pm arrival and unlimited tastings until 7 pm. Or attend the Daquiri Mania event starting at 5 pm and enjoy classic daiquiris and DJ music, too.

TexFest
The 10th annual celebration of Texas brews in historic downtown Carrollton features craft beer tastings, food vendors, and Texas music. Patrons can purchase a $30 beer tasting card good for 12 three-ounce pours from more than a dozen breweries, including Four Corners Brewing Co., Lakewood Brewing Co., Celestial Beerworks, and False Idol Brewing. Food selections range from Wagyu beef hot dogs to tacos, turkey legs, and Texas barbecue. The event will run from 3–9 pm and admission is free.