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Annual Events

Greater Dallas hosts a powerhouse line-up of annual events from rodeos and sports extravaganzas to food, film and cultural festivals, art fairs, parades and more.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

January: College Baseball; From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what's oft called America's favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June.; North Texas Mean Green, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas Wesleyan Rams, UT Arlington Mavericks; Cotton Bowl at Fair Park; The Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl kicks off at Fair Park on New Year's Day as a partnership with the Big 12 Conference, the Pacific 10 Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and the Plymouth Holiday Bowl. Call (214) 634-7525 for more information.; Kid Film Festival; For better than two decades, USA Film Festival, Inc.'s Kid Film Festival has featured both the best new and classic children's films from around the world at various venues. Call (214) 821-6300 for more information.; Martin Luther King Birthday Parade; A march through streets of downtown Dallas celebrates the life and achievements of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Call (214) 670-8355 for more information.; Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show - Rodeo; With colorful history dating to 1896, western tradition becomes an art form at Fort Worth's annual rodeo with cowboy competition, commercial exhibits, auctions and entertainment galore. Call (817) 877-2400 for more information.; Texas Home & Garden Show; Big on Texas flavor, this expo at the Dallas Convention Center showcases new looks for homes, gardens and patios. Call (800) 654-1480 for more information.
February: Dallas Autorama; Collectors and hopefuls can take a spin around this expo at Dallas Market Hall in mid-February with hundreds of vintage and modern cars on display. Call (248) 293-1700 for more information.; Russian Festival; The Russian American Center presents a festival of traditions of ballet, music and art at SMU's McFarlin Auditorium. Call (214) 503-8435 for more information.; Fort Worth Bead Market; Also staged in November, vintage buttons, beads, gemstones, silver, jewelry, books, tools and more are at the Fort Worth Bead Market, featuring “all the beads you need" at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall in the Will Rogers Memorial Complex. Call (903) 734-3335 for more information.; West End's Mardi Gras Parade; The West End Historic District celebrates with a Mardi Gras parade king and queen, beads and more. Call (214) 741-7180 for more information.
March: Dallas Bloom, Dallas Arboretum Botanical Society; Gardens of the Dallas Arboretum bloom anew at a festival featuring more than 300,000 spring-blooming bulbs and 20,000 flowering azaleas. Call (214) 327-4901 for more information.; Dallas Spring Home & Garden Show; For upgrading domestic environs, the Dallas Spring Home & Garden Show has all the latest innovations. Call (800) 654-1480 for more information.; North Texas Irish Festival; More than 50 bands, street performers, storytellers, vendors, cultural events and exhibits converge on Dallas' Fair Park. Call (972) 943-4624 for more information.; Green Horse Days; Bring your horses, mules and wagons to Pilot Point Community Opera House where the parade begins at the field north of Pilot Point Post Office, followed by a trail ride to Lake Ray Roberts, a cowboy campfire, and live music. Call (940) 686-5072 for more information.; Greenville Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade; For more than a quarter century, this Dallas tradition has provided luck of the green frivolity for the entire family. Call (214) 757-9000 for more information.; Savor Dallas; Early in March, Savor Dallas is a feast for the senses which includes a Wine Stroll in the Arts District, celebrity chef cooking demos, and wine tasting seminars with the pros, plus an International Grand Tasting with more than 500 wines and 50 top chefs serving signature samples. Call (866) 277-7920 for more information.
April: Major League Baseball; Nothing signals advent of spring more than baseball with a capital B, tightly meshed into American culture with historic firsts, icon performances, record-setting events, and traditions from hot dogs slathered in mustard to unexpected curveballs, and seventh-inning stretches. Books and movies about baseball are fine and dandy, but nothing beats Major League Baseball action, playing out each season from April through the World Series.; Texas Rangers - To book seats to root for your Texas Rangers, click here.; Major League Soccer; There's no end to the excitement each season as Major League Soccer teams from both the eastern and western conferences vie for glory in regular season matches, on to the play offs and cup finals.; FC Dallas - To get in on the action, and book seats for the FC Dallas, click here.; NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Samsung / Radioshack 500; The Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth is the site of this racing competition held in April.; To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.; Arbor Daze; Euless hosts a non-alcoholic, family oriented festival promoting tree planting, with nightly entertainment, a plant sale, business expo and rides for kids. Call (817) 685-1449 for more information.; Deep Ellum Arts Festival; Talent from throughout the region gathers in restored Deep Ellum to show their works. Call (214) 855-1881 for more information.; Air Power Expo; In the middle of April, the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels put on a spectacular show of aerial acrobatics, as part of Dallas-Fort Worth Navy Week, and local residents mingle with sailors and Navy pilots to learn more about the Navy's projects and community involvements. Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base at Carswell Air Force Base in northwest Fort Worth. Call (817) 782-3094 for more information.; Wine and Dine; In mid-April, the Dallas Observer hosts over 30 area restaurants, wine and spirit merchants, in an exposition of Dallas culinary talent, at the Fashion Industry Gallery, with proceeds to benefit the North Texas Food Bank. Call (214) 757-9000 for more information.; Grapevine New Vintage Wine & Arts Festival; Featuring the Blessing of the Vine and the Blessing of the New Release, Grapevine's festival at the Delaney Winery and Vineyards includes seminars and tours. Call (817) 410-3185 for more information.; Main Street Fort Worth Art Festival; The multicultural Main Street Fort Worth Art Festival features art, entertainment, a laser show and more. Call (817) 336-2787 for more information.; EarthFest; For more than a dozen years, the Downtown Dallas Improvement District has sponsored a free outdoor festival with live entertainment and exhibits at Pegasus Plaza themed for Earth Day. Call (214) 744-4819 for more information.; USA Film Festival; Dallas puts on an eight-day extravaganza of excellence in independent short and feature films from around the world. Call (214) 821-6300 for more information.; Prairie Dog Chili Cookoff; Festival-goers are urged to bring Texas-sized appetites and crackers to go with the granddaddy of all North Texas cookoffs, where chili is only part of the fun. Call (972) 647-2331 for more information.
May: Artfest; Memorial Day Weekend festivities at Fair Park include more than 300 artists from across the country, food, and music, with proceeds aiding area arts organizations. Call (214) 670-8400 for more information.; Cinco de Mayo Big Parade and Festival / Quinceanera Dinner and Dance; On the weekend following May 5, the streets of downtown Dallas host thousands of visitors at the annual parade and cultural festival along Jefferson Avenue between Cumberland and Vernon Streets in front of Casa Guanajuato, featuring marching bands, presentations by local schools and dance troupes, food vendors, specials in local restaurants, and more. Call (214) 650-8381 for more information.; Cottonwood Art Festival; Richardson's Cottonwood Park has more than 200 artists display fine arts and crafts, plus food and entertainment. Call (972) 744-4582 for more information.; Grapevine Heritage Festival; Grapevine celebrates its heritage and history with music, food and libations. Call (817) 410-3185 for more information.; Bank of America Colonial Golf Tournament; The nation's top golfers compete in this nationally televised tournament at Fort Worth's Colonial Country Club. Call (817) 927-4277 for more information.; Cross Timbers Classic Bike Ride; In mid to late May, the Flower Mound Rotary and the Northwest Metroport Chamber of Commerce sponsor a series of bike rides of varying length through the Northwest Metroport towns of Justin, Northlake, Roanoke, Trophy Club and Westlake, beginning at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, to benefit local charities and civic service projects. Call (817) 837-1000 for more information.; Mayfest; Beginning in late April, Fort Worth celebrates spring with arts and crafts and more at Mayfest. Call (817) 332-1055 for more information.; Taste of Addison; More than 50 of Addison's restaurants cook up some of their finest cuisine to offer sample-sized portions at reduced prices at the Addison Conference & Theatre Centre. Call (800) 233-4766 for more information.
June: Trinity Arts Conference; On a weekend early in June, the Haggerty Arts Complex at the University of Dallas in Irving hosts artists, musicians and writers who gather for mentorship, networking and integration of their work with their Christian faith. Call (469) 767-1077 for more information.; Chisholm Trail Round-Up; Street dances, Indian powwow, trail rides and more help celebrate Fort Worth's historic role as the last major stop in the Chisholm Trail. Call (817) 625-7005 for more information.; Juneteenth Celebration; Day-long activities start with a parade in downtown Fort Worth near the Fort Worth - Tarrant County Convention Center with other festivities at Fair Park in Dallas. Call (214) 353-4445 for more information.; Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games; A Kilted Golf Tournament, dance contests, athletic competitions and more unfold, with action centered at the University of Texas in Arlington's Maverick Stadium. Call (817) 654-2293 for more information.; Antique Auto Swap Meet; Auto collectors gather at Traders Village amid displays from more than 1,000 vendors of car buff collectibles. Call (972) 647-2331 for more information.; First Lady Conference; The National Ministry of Dr. Tony Evans stages this three-day event with workshops, plenary sessions, and worship in prayer and song. Call (214) 720-2020 for more information.
July: Dallas Video Festival; New works by regional, national and international artists are showcased at the Angelika Theater. Call (214) 428-8700 for more information.; Kaboom Town; Addison hosts a Fourth of July extravaganza of fireworks, food and historic warplane fly-bys. Call (800) 233-4766 for more information.; Old Fashioned Fourth of July; Brass bands, barbecue, pony rides and a parade are part of the patriotic fun for families. Call (214) 421-5141 for more information.; Shakespeare Festival; Blankets, picnic dinners, and appreciation for Shakespeare are what popularizes this annual festival at the Grand Amphi-Theatre. Call (214) 559-2778 for more information.; Taste of Dallas; The largest outdoor food festival in Dallas features multiple musical stags, restaurants and retail booths. Call (214) 741-7185 for more information.
August: Partyfest; Partyfest at the Dallas Convention Center gathers DJs, caterers and other party suppliers, with decorations, theme ideas and more all under one roof to help plan events. Call (214) 652-4300 for more information.; Elvis Run; Elvis may have left the building, but this 5K run hailing The King (and sponsored by the Hard Rock Café) lives on to aid the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Dallas. Call (972) 235-2513 for more information.; KRLD Restaurant Week; Metroplex area restaurants pitch in at the Westin Galleria for one of the most popular fundraisers in Dallas benefiting the North Texas Food Bank. Call (213) 330-1396 for more information.; Texas International Blues Festival; Blues musicians from Texas and elsewhere arrive for two full days of blues revelry at the Sons of Hermann Hall. Call (214) 823-3966 for more information.; Visions – Women's Expo; Dallas Market Hall hosts career, financial, health and personal tips to help women seeking to have it all. Call (214) 977-6019 for more information.; Viva Dallas! Hispanic Expo; This free event is designed to attract Hispanic consumers with entertainment, new products, family resources, and health services. Call (214)-521-6007 for more information.
September: National Football League; If it's fall and you're ready for some football, count on the National Football League to deliver non-stop grid action, leading to playoffs, and the incomparable Super Bowl. The NFL has come a long way since its 1920 founding in Canton, Ohio at Ralph Hay's Hupmobile dealership. NFL action was first televised in 1939 when NBC broadcast within New York City. The NFL's Longest Day was on Christmas, 1971, in a playoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, and Miami's 17-0 Perfect Season unfolded the following year. But that's history, and prospects for new milestones start in September.; Dallas Cowboys - To book seats for cheering on your Dallas Cowboys, click here.; College Football; NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."; SMU Mustangs, TCU Horned Frogs, North Texas Mean Green, UT Arlington Mavericks; Southern Methodist Mustangs - To cheer on your favorites and book seats for the SMU Mustangs, click here.; TCU Horned Frogs - To book seats for the TCU Horned Frogs, click here.; Addison Oktoberfest; This Munich recreation celebration at the Addison Theatre Conference Centre features a lively weekend of German food, drinks and entertainment. Call (800) 233-4766 for more information.; BluesFest; Bedford's free outdoor BluesFest showcases national, regional, and local blues talent along with food and art. Call (817) 952-2222 for more information.; Dallas Dance Festival; Two spectacular evenings of dance in the heart of the Dallas Arts District feature emerging and professional dance companies. Call (972) 929-4500 for more information.; Greek Festival of Texas; Greek dancing, music, food, arts and crafts and more celebrate Greek culture in a feast for the senses. Call (972) 991-1166 for more information.; Dallas Blooms Autumn; Running through October, this festival at the Dallas Arboretum celebrates autumn's color while saluting the diversity of Dallas. Call (214) 327-4901 for more information.; State Fair of Texas; Running through early October, the State Fair of Texas in Dallas is a lively montage of midway rides, music, exhibits and live stock events. Call (214) 565-9931 for more information.; Texas Heritage Crafts Heritage Crafts Festival; Six Flags Over Texas hosts an old-fashioned country fair with homemade crafts, food, music and pageantry. Call (817) 640-8900 for more information.; ZestFest; Hosted by Chile Pepper magazine for bold, flavor-seeking food enthusiasts, Zest Fest features cooking demos by celebrity chefs, live music, interactive contests and food samples. Call (866) 844-0089 for more information.; Charity Car, Truck and Cycle Show; Lewisville City Hall hosts this magnet for car enthusiasts of all ages benefiting assorted charities with goody bags, door prizes, pig races, pony rides, and more. Call (972) 989-6616 for more information.
October: National Hockey League; The National Hockey League's rough and tumble world packs a motherlode of milestones, from 1917's NHL opener, to when Maurice Richard was first to score 50 goals in one season in 1944-45, to when Clint Benedict was the first goalie to put on a mask after a shot knocked him unconscious, to when Manon Rheaume made headlines in 1992 as the first woman playing in one of the four major sports leagues, goaltending for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues. From October on, it's non-stop action in the world of hat tricks -- three goals in a game by a player -- and sudden death overtime.; Dallas Stars - To book for the Dallas Stars, click here.; Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride and Concert; At the beginning of October, Texas blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughan is honored with a parade commencing from Hooters in downtown Dallas and traveling to the concert at Cowboys Dancehall in Arlington. Call (972) 971-6050 for more information.; Boo at the Dallas Zoo; The Dallas Zoo becomes a favorite haunt for Halloween, providing a safer environment for trick or treating. Call (214) 670-5650 for more information.; Butterfly Flutterby; Migration of the Monarch butterfly from Canada to Mexico is heralded by a Grapevine parade and celebration. Call (800) 457-6338 for more information.; Chili Pepperama; This free festival showcases all aspects of what's hot for use in cooking, decorating, medicine and more. Call (972) 943-4624 for more information.; Fright Fest Pet Parade; At Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, puppies, pigs, cows, cats and other pets become goblins for a day. Call (817) 640-8900 for more information.; Goth Ball; As one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in Texas, the Goth Ball benefits the Cancer Relief Fund. Call (214) 752-6759 for more information.; Haunted Symphony; The symphony takes an annual frolic into the world of spooky musical movie themes and other chilling classics at Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. Call (214) 692-0203 for more information.; Rescue Round-Up; Dogs and their owners mingle during a day of games and contests with prizes, food, and fun. A silent auction and gift basket raffle are staged, with proceeds used for veterinary expenses incurred by the Labrador Retriever Rescue of North Texas. Call (972) 480-LABS for more information.; SnowFest; Dallas Market Hall becomes a winter wonderland with a mountain for skiing, exhibits and opportunity to book dream ski vacations. Call (970) 259-3007 for more information.; Western Swing Festival; Fort Worth's Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival features cowboy poetry, campfire songs and other tastes of heritage. Call (800) 433-5747 for more information.
November: National Basketball Association; Toronto, Canada was the site of the National Basketball League's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, with the Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. Thirteen original rules were drafted by Dr. James Naismith, creator of basketball. Pro basketball suffered in popularity in the early 1950's, but one rule change -- that of the 24-second clock -- transformed the sport from a dull, stalling game to an exciting, offensive showcase. Icons along the way, from Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, have immortalized what's now the National Basketball Association's game, creating long-standing rivalries from coast to coast.; Dallas Mavericks - To book seats to root for your Dallas Mavericks, click here.; College Basketball; First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there's no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships.; TCU Horned Frogs, North Texas Mean Green, SMU Mustangs, Texas Wesleyan Rams, UT Arlington Mavericks; TCU Horned Frogs - To book seats for the TCU Horned Frogs, click here.; NASCAR Races - Texas Motor Speedway; The Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth is the site of several NASCAR races held in November.; To make reservations and purchase tickets, click here.; Interstate Batteries Texas Stampede; Country music's biggest stars mix with championship rodeo competition including saddle bronc riding, barrel racing and bull riding at American Airlines Center. Call (214) 520-8874 for more information.; Chi Omega Christmas Market; This quarter century old market attracts more than 125 merchants for holiday shopping opportunity combined with special events. Call (214) 890-8131 for more information.; Fort Worth Greek Festival; In mid-November, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church hosts a festival featuring authentic Greek cooking supplied by local families, folk dancing and live music. 2020 Northwest 21st Street, Fort Worth. Call (817) 626-5578 for more information.; Holiday at the Arboretum; Through early December, Holiday at the Arboretum features Christmas fanfare at the DeGolyer house and gardens. Call (214) 515-6500 for more information.; The Nutcracker; Majestic Theatre hosts the classic Nutcracker ballet on a vibrant set with a peace and harmony theme. Call (800) 320-1733 for more information.; Trains at NorthPark; Running quite literally through January, more than 35 “0" gauge toy trains have been a holiday tradition enchanting children and other toy train lovers since 1987 at NorthPark Center. Call (214) 361-6345 for more information.; Fort Worth Bead Market; Also staged in February, vintage buttons, beads, gemstones, silver, jewelry, books, tools and more are at the Fort Worth Bead Market, featuring “all the beads you need" at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall in the Will Rogers Memorial Complex.; Turkey Trot; Thanksgiving morning brings the annual Turkey Trot, an 8M - 5K event running for nearly 40 years through streets of Dallas. Call (214) 954-0500 for more information.; Dickens of a Christmas; Downtown McKinney transforms into an old fashioned Christmas scene, with horse-drawn carriages, strolling carolers, Christmas tree lighting, seasonal music and food, and lots of activities for the kids. Call (972) 954-0500 for more information.
December: Blue Yule Art Sale; Holiday shopping gets easier with MAC's Blue Yule bash including artists' hand-made ornaments up for auction at the McKinney Avenue Contemporary. Call (214) 953-1212 for more information.; Christmas Boat Parade & Bonfire; Decorated boats light up the lake at Grand Prairie's Lynn Creek Park during an evening beginning at dusk, capped by fireworks. Call (817) 640-4200 for more information.; Cotton Bowl Parade of Bands; High school bands from across the nation strut their stuff at this Cotton Bowl parade sponsored by Southwestern Bell. Call (214) 670-8400 for more information.; Dickens In Historic Plano; Historic Downtown Plano transforms into a Charles Dickens winter wonderland with holiday music by choirs, carolers and bands at intervals throughout the month. Call (972) 941-7250 for more information.; Celebrity Cutting; Sports, music, and media icons ride horseback at Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum, followed by the famed after-party celebrity concert, sumptuous buffet and silent auction, all to benefit Careity Foundation and NCHA Charities. Call (817) 871-8150 for more information.; Capital One Bank Adolphus Children's Christmas Parade; Held during the first week in December and sponsored by Capital One and the Adolphus Hotel, fabulous floats, marching bands, and Santa make this parade with reserved bleacher seating a big part of Dallas. Call (214) 456-8795 for more information.; Starbucks Jingle Bell Run; This annual 5K run - walk at the Dallas Convention Center features Santa Land for kids, a costume contest and a post race party. Call (817) 412-5500 for more information.

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Greater Dallas Annual Events

Greater Dallas
Annual Events