How to Find Festivals and Special Events in Dallas

The greater Dallas-Fort Worth area celebrates food, Latin culture and a variety of the arts in a year-round schedule of events and festivals. No matter what your interests - independent films, quality Shakespeare productions or 16th-century jousting - you're sure to find something fun to do in Dallas.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Local Newspapers

Spring/Summer

1. Visit the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, held in early April. The slant is New Age, and the music, which ranges from blues to reggae to pop to Latin, is fabulous. The celebration includes a pet parade, a 5K run and other events.
2. Grab your lord or lady and head over to the Scarborough Faire Renaissance Festival, held weekends from mid-April to early June. Continuous entertainment on 10 stages, staged jousts and artisans demonstrating crafts, are all part of the fun.
3. Attend the USA Film Festival in late April and early May. One of the most distinguished film festivals in America, the event features a variety of films accompanied by lectures, discussions with filmmakers and a Master Screen Artist Award and Tribute.
4. Don't miss the Dallas Festival of Arts and Jazz in early June. The celebration features jazz greats like Spyro Gyra and jazz pianist Bob James, plus local bands and visual arts. You can enjoy a variety of ethnic foods, beer and wine.
5. Take in the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, held in June and July. It is one of the most well-respected Shakespeare festivals in the country, with professional actors and directors. Best of all, the performances are free.
6. Build up an appetite for the Taste of Dallas, a three-day event held in July. The best restaurants in Dallas offer food for tasting, and you'll enjoy top-notch entertainment. This is one of the city's most popular events, drawing a quarter of a million people annually.
7. Put on your sombrero and head to the Gran Fiesta de Fort Worth, held in late July. For three nights, Hispanic culture is celebrated with a parade, cultural activities, dancing, puppet shows and concerts by Latin headliners.

Fall/Winter

8. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend Bedford Blues Festival and Art Fair. You'll hear the best in blues each night, with headliners such as Keb' Mo', Jimmie Vaughn, Chaka Khan and Bobby "Blue" Bland. Vendors provide food and drink to accompany the music.
9. Go to Fort Worth for the Fall Music Festival, held in October. You'll hear music - from rock to country - for three nights, and enjoy food, beverages and exhibits of historic memorabilia. The event is free, and dancing in the streets is encouraged.
10. Take the kids to the Kid Film Festival in January. Affiliated with the USA Film Festival, this event is reportedly the oldest and best-attended international film festival in the country. Films include beloved classics as well as new films made for children.

Tips & Warnings

• Tickets to some large events sell out early, so be sure to reserve ahead if possible.