Must do Dallas events/festivals
Posted by Mr_Pangolin@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 85 comments
I will be moving away at the end of the year. I want to make sure I use my remaining time here experiencing the city to the fullest. Does anyone have any recommendations for annual events/festivals/experiences that I should make sure to put on my calendar?
Rakebleed@reddit
Addison Oktoberfest is always a good time.
FluidFisherman6843@reddit
I've been told I've had a great time at Oktoberfest in Addison
Rakebleed@reddit
allegedly
bsgothbitch@reddit
Much prefer Fort Worth’s over the Addison one
Rakebleed@reddit
much prefer not driving to ftw
bsgothbitch@reddit
Very fair, just sharing in case OP doesn’t mind a drive
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Good reminder. I heard about it last year, but I couldn’t make it
Make_shift_high_ball@reddit
McKinney Oktoberfest as well
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Is there one that’s better than the other?
david6588@reddit
Addison is a bit better with the atmosphere
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
LavishnessRich384@reddit
Comedy show!! https://www.prekindle.com/event/85297-is-this-a-date-dallas
Wayderrees@reddit
Cottonwood art festival in Richardson is next weekend, May 2nd & 3rd at Cottonwood Park. Lot of artists with their work available for purchase. Also plenty of alcohol / food.
Perfect_Evidence@reddit
Wildflower is also a cool fest Richardson throws.
_ze@reddit
The Wildflower Festival is absolutely the most underrated local music festival.
Perfect_Evidence@reddit
I missed young the giant last year 😭
_ze@reddit
Man...they were great.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Thank you! This one is on the list
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I will be out of town this next weekend, but hopefully others on the thread can take advantage!
thetokyofiles@reddit
I’ve never been, but have always wanted to check out Wassail Fest in Denton
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Oh, I leave in December, but I may still be around for this one
ParsonJackRussell@reddit
Chefs for Farmers at end of October
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I will check this out. I haven’t heard of this one before 😄
StrLord_Who@reddit
In my opinion if you do one thing off this list, it should be chefs for farmers. Absolutely worth the price, everything is incredible and it's run super efficiently so even at the booths with the longest lines you'll barely be waiting. Make sure you get there when it opens.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I appreciate the enthusiastic recommendation! I hoping to be able to get as many of these events in as possible. It’s gonna be an amazing year hahah
StrLord_Who@reddit
Also on July 3 Outlaw Music Fest is happening headlined by Willie Nelson. Avett Brothers, Wilco, Sheryl Crow and some others will be there.
If you like cheese, Dallas Mozzarella Company has a 2 hr cheese making class downtown that is super fun. I actually found out about it the first time I went to chefs for farmers. You get a tour of the little factory that's been there fir decades, you make different kinds of cheese and you get to take it all home (it's a LOT), and then at the end they set out a couple dozen of the cheeses they sell for you to try with some wine. It was lots of fun.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Dallas Mozzarella Company is a great time! I went last year and brought home so much cheese lol
StrLord_Who@reddit
There's a countdown on the site for when tickets go on sale (73 days and change). You have to buy way ahead of time because it sells out, and it sells pretty quick. Last year for the first time they added a second day, with different foods. I didn't go both days but one of my friends did and she said both days were equally good. It's seriously the best food festival EVER. The entry price covers everything, there's nothing to buy when you get in, just endless lovely little dishes to shove down your gullet. I don't drink but there's also lots of wine and champagne and spirits and things included in the ticket price. They give you a wine glass that hangs around your neck in a holder thing and you just fill it up at all the different booths. You're gonna be so full when you leave, omg. You tell yourself that you have to save room to try everything so you're just going to have a bite or two, but then you get something so good you have to finish it all.... and then it keeps happening! There is really no overstating how awesome it is.
DumbBitchByLeaps@reddit
A little warning it is a little expensive but my sons occupational therapist says it’s worth it
mathmagician9@reddit
Lots of things.
BwittonRose@reddit
State fair of course and I would catch the Dallas symphony orchestra if I were you
SadatayAllDamnDay@reddit
Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand is playing at the Meyerson Mid May. It's a pretty rare deal if OP's into classical music.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I will be going to the State Fair with a big work outing! The DSO is a good reminder. I will check their season lineup
OkComparison3641@reddit
Just want to add that there are free orchestra concerts downtown as well. NTSO to name one of them. They play at Moody Performance Hall.
Beautiful-View-8670@reddit
How does NTSO compare to DSO? I saw they're doing Stravinsky No 3, but wasn't sure if it's a junior symphony or what.
my_muffin_sparkles@reddit
I have a couple friends that play for the NTSO! They really are such a great orchestra and even though I'm biased, I highly recommend everyone check them out at least once! They play 3 times a year and the concerts are now free
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Good callout! Thank you
BwittonRose@reddit
I love the symphony and it’s super fun and festive at Christmas too.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
It’s great! I already had their concert in the park series on my list too hahah
Curious_Bicycle_@reddit
Are you leaving the state? Does Denton count? Are you a bot?
Lone Star Film Festival is all you’ll get out of me bot!
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I’ll be moving out of state! I’ve been in Dallas almost 11 years and every year I find out some event I haven’t heard of before. I can swing a Denton rec hahah.
Beep boop (thank you in bot 😉)
Curious_Bicycle_@reddit
Awesome! Hit the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival in September!
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Thank you!
thetokyofiles@reddit
Romanian Food Festival in Colleyville in October is good
StrLord_Who@reddit
Never heard of this one, thanks. Will definitely go this year. I know nothing about Romanian food, I'm excited to try it.
thetokyofiles@reddit
The only thing I know about Romanian food is from the festival. There’s some similarities to German food, but also some dishes that will seem quite different. And they serve a hot spiced wine, which I enjoyed.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I didn’t know this one existed! Thank you for sharing.
Legovida8@reddit
If you haven’t already visited the 6th Floor Museum, that is a must! Also visit the Perot museum. Dallas Summer Musicals at Fair Park. A concert at Dos Equis Pavilion (I think that’s what it’s called now- it’ll always be Starplex to me! LOL.) Summer concerts at the Arboretum. A show at The Majestic Theater downtown- my son & I just went to see Robert Plant last month. I’d forgotten how outstanding the acoustics are in there!
Go to the symphony at the Meyerson. The Meadows Museum at SMU. Visit the top of Reunion Tower. Hit up a Cowboys or Rangers game in Arlington. Six Flags, if you like rollercoasters! Go to the rodeo, preferably at the FW Stockyards or even Mesquite Rodeo. Galaxy Drive-In movies in Ennis. Heard Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney. Fireworks on July 4 at Dallas Country Club- everyone just parks outside the gates/sit on the grass outside the gate. Absolutely the best fireworks in town- even better than Kaboom Town, IMO!
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Thank you for these recommendations! I’ve done a good number of these, but there are others I’ll need to make sure to hit up
cramothmasterson@reddit
South by Southwest and ACL
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Trying to keep it to actual Dallas events ☺️
cramothmasterson@reddit
Yeah. The joke is that I don’t think there are any “must do” events in Dallas.
sighofthrowaways@reddit
Neither of the events you listed are mandatory or "must-do" either. It's not a "must-do" to spend money on entertainment in general, but it's nice for living as a human and socializing more.
cramothmasterson@reddit
I suppose almost nothing is “must do” except maybe breathing by that measure…
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I think there are lots of great events that happen in the city. Dallas just doesn’t do a good job at putting things in a consolidated place hahah
Fun-Level3018@reddit
Would really appreciate if someone had a list with the dates 😩
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I’ll try to share after I put the list together!
Fun-Level3018@reddit
Thank you so much!! 🙏🙏
nimjaa@reddit
Bastille Day in Bishop Arts. You can buy drink tickets or just show for free but it’s always a good time. Also subscribe to the do214 email list. They will let you know about all the big name concerts and events in the city.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I’ll look for that group too!
Educational_Mess_998@reddit
Cottonwood Art Festival and Wildflower Festival are both in Richardson and both coming up here in the next month.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I’ll be out of town for Cottonwood, but I can look into Wildflower! Thank you
SaltyCurrent4975@reddit
May 15 - 17 this year
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I have some free time those days!
gemlover@reddit
Not in Dallas - but you should definitely go to the Texas Steak Cookout in
Hico. About a 2 1/2 hr drive. May 16 this year. So much fun. So much food.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
If I ate meat, I’m sure I’d be all over this event!
Lola_Cacapipi@reddit
Swing Dancing at Sons of Herman Hall.
Swimming at the FOE or the Dive-In.
Burlesque at Sons of Herman.
Farmers Market dowtown.
The monthly group bicycle ride in dowtown.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I appreciate the recommended experiences!!
Away_Estate2405@reddit
Kaboom town on July 3 in addison. Fireworks and flight show. Idk if it's a must but u know it's Dallas culture
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I have a spot where I go to enjoy the Kaboom town show without the headache of parking/paying hahah.
I leave early December, so Tinseltown will likely be too late
CPLCraft@reddit
It sucks now that they charge for entrance. Before it was a completely free even if I got there a hour before the gates opened, but now I don’t go. Shame. I should find a good place to watch the fire works where I don’t deal with 2 hours of traffic. But I would go one more time if I knew I was moving
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
The air show and fireworks are fun to watch. I go to a fun craft and grilling event that’s in a space with a good view
CPLCraft@reddit
Is that a thing you do with friends or is it an open event?
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
It’s with one of the local businesses in the area. Don’t want to put the name out there since it’s a members event
CPLCraft@reddit
That’s fair. That’s why I wanted to ask if it was more of a private affair.
VillainousRepublic@reddit
deep ellum art festival is pretty cool if you into that scene
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Oh, I’ll check the date! Thanks
bellefroh@reddit
It was the first weekend of April.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Ah, I will remove it from the list then haha. I have the Oak Cliff Art Walk on the list that can be a substitute hahah
aggie82005@reddit
If you haven’t been to the Dallas Arboretum yet, it has several things going on during the year to choose from. Right now there’s cover bands on Thursday nights which would make a good date night. The big displays are Halloween and Christmas. You can combine that with hanging out at the lake if you want.
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
The Arboretum is great! I live right down the street from that area. I haven’t done the Halloween event. It’s probably time to check that off my list.
Isgrimnur@reddit
North Texas Irish Festival
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
Looks like this already passed, but it reminded me about the Greek Food Festival
Outrageous-Power5046@reddit
It's been a while since I've hung out in Dallas. Do they still do the Spillover Fest with bands coming to and from SXSW?
Mr_Pangolin@reddit (OP)
I hadn’t heard of this one! I’ll look into it