
Major Events & Festivals in Dallas, Texas, United States
1. Dallas Arts District Opening Night
Annual event celebrating the vibrant arts scene, featuring performances, exhibits, and free admission to museums.
- Unique Venues: Showcases a diverse range of artistic venues within a compact downtown area.
- Community Participation: Encourages local artists and residents to showcase their work alongside internationally recognized talent.
- Free Admission: Offers free admission to museums, making the arts accessible to all visitors.
2. State Fair of Texas
Annual fair featuring food, livestock shows, midway rides, and daily concerts at Fair Park.
- Big Tex: Iconic 52-foot cowboy statue greeting visitors since 1952.
- Texas Farm-to-Fork Cuisine: Offers unique and enormous fried foods, such as the famous fried butter or fletcher's corny dog.
- Livestock Shows and Competitions: Showcases Texas agriculture with livestock competitions, animal exhibits, and educational demonstrations.
3. Dallas International Film Festival
Annual film festival showcasing a diverse selection of independent films from around the world.
- Industry Insights: Offers industry panels, workshops, and Q&As with filmmakers.
- Texas Filmmakers Showcase: Highlights up-and-coming Texas filmmakers and their work.
- Red Carpet Events: Includes red carpet events, film premieres, and award ceremonies.
4. Cinco de Mayo Dallas Festival
Annual celebration of Mexican culture with music, food, dancing, and a parade in the Oak Cliff neighborhood.
- Authentic Mexican Food: Features various authentic Mexican cuisine options from local restaurants.
- Live Music and Dancing: Offers live mariachi music, traditional Aztec dances, and salsa lessons.
- Cultural Activities: Includes educational workshops, art exhibits, and historical presentations about Mexican culture.
5. Dallas Pride Parade & Festival
Annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community with a parade, festival, and concerts.
- Unity and Visibility: Promotes unity within the LGBTQ+ community and raises awareness about LGBTQ+ issues.
- Entertainment and Activities: Offers live music, food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly activities.
- Diverse Participants: Attracts a diverse crowd of participants from all walks of life and fosters an inclusive environment.
6. Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Annual festival celebrating the arts in Deep Ellum neighborhood with music, visual art, and performances.
- Live Music Stages: Features multiple stages showcasing local and national musicians.
- Visual Art Exhibits: Showcases various visual art forms, such as paintings, sculptures, and installations.
- Performances: Offers dance, theater, poetry, and other performances throughout the festival.
7. Dallas Blooms at Dallas Arboretum
Annual festival featuring millions of blooming bulbs, flowers, and themed gardens.
- Beautiful Landscapes: Offers breathtaking views of themed gardens, such as the Dallas Blooms Railway, Butterfly Trail, and Rose Garden.
- Educational Programs: Provides educational programs about gardening and plant care for visitors.
- Family-Friendly Activities: Includes family-friendly activities, such as a children's area with rides and games.
8. Dallas Holiday Parade
Annual holiday parade featuring floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus.
- Holiday Cheer: Spreads holiday cheer throughout the city with festive decorations and performances.
- Community Participation: Involves local schools, organizations, and businesses in creating parade floats and marching bands.
- Santa Claus Appearance: Offers an opportunity for children to meet Santa Claus in person.
9. Dallas Museum of Art's Free Days
Occasional free admission days at the Dallas Museum of Art showcasing global art collections.
- Variety of Art Collections: Features a diverse collection of art from various cultures and time periods.
- Educational Programs: Provides educational resources and programming for visitors of all ages.
- Accessibility: Makes art accessible to a wider audience by offering free admission on specific days.
10. Dallas Comic Con & Fantasy Fest
Annual comic convention showcasing celebrities, artists, cosplay, and pop culture memorabilia.
- Celebrity Guests: Features appearances by actors, writers, and artists from popular movies, TV shows, and comic books.
- Artists Alley: Showcases independent artists selling original artwork and prints.
- Cosplay Contests: Hosts cosplay contests with cash prizes, costume workshops, and photo opportunities.
11. Dallas Black Dance Theatre's Nutcracker
Annual performance of The Nutcracker ballet featuring a predominantly African-American cast.
- Cultural Representation: Celebrates African-American culture and traditions by casting dancers from various backgrounds.
- Ballet Performance: Offers a professional ballet performance of The Nutcracker with live music.
- Community Engagement: Provides educational programs and outreach initiatives to engage the community.
12. Dallas Greek Food Festival
Annual event showcasing Greek food, music, and dance in a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Authentic Greek Cuisine: Offers traditional Greek dishes, such as moussaka, souvlaki, and baklava.
- Live Greek Music and Dance: Features live Greek music performances and traditional dance demonstrations.
- Community Engagement: Supports local charities, provides educational programs about Greek culture, and encourages cultural exchange.
13. Dallas Asian Festival
Annual event celebrating the richness of Asian cultures with food, music, dance, and arts.
- Cultural Diversity: Highlights the diverse traditions, art, and food from various Asian countries.
- Live Performances: Offers live music performances, dance demonstrations, and martial arts exhibitions.
- Community Engagement: Promotes cultural understanding and fosters connections between the Asian and Dallas communities.
14. Dallas St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival
Annual event celebrating Irish culture with a parade, music, dance, and green-themed activities.
- Irish Pride: Celebrates Irish heritage, traditions, and pride.
- Live Music and Dance: Features traditional Irish music performances and dance demonstrations.
- Family-Friendly Activities: Includes a children's area with activities, crafts, and games.
15. Dallas Taco & Music Festival
Annual event showcasing the best tacos from local restaurants and live music performances.
- Tasty Tacos: Offers a variety of creative and delicious taco options from local restaurants.
- Live Music Performances: Features live music performances on multiple stages throughout the festival.
- Tequila Tasting: Provides tequila tastings and educational seminars for visitors.