dallas events

Dallas EventsIn addition to its many cultural and historic landmarks, this destination hosts a number of outstanding festivals and events that may coincide with your visit.

In winter, Dallasites shiver in anticipation of the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic , held in early January at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Spring is ushered in with Dallas Blooms , a festival of flowers held late February to early April at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. During the first weekend in March, more than 70,000 Emerald Isle-loving revelers head to Fair Park for the North Texas Irish Festival , said to be the largest of its kind in the Southwest.

During early April's Deep Ellum Arts Festival , the sounds of Southern rock, blues, jazz and funk resonate through the streets of one of Dallas' most eclectic and storied neighborhoods. Nearly 100 musical acts on five stages and thousands of spectators take part in the 3-day street party, as do more than 200 juried visual artists exhibiting and selling their wares.

In late April the USA Film Festival draws A-list names like Benjamin Bratt, Jackie Chan, Jodie Foster, Quincy Jones and Gary Oldman. In late January the exposition's organizers also present the KidFilm Festival , when talking animals and smart, sassy tweens take center stage.

Vintage and specialty instruments draw dealers and collectors to the Dallas International Guitar Festival in early May. Held at Fair Park, the event includes rocking performances by regional and national bands. Closing out spring is Dallas Symphony's free Memorial Day Concert at Flagpole Hill.

During the summer entertainers perform at Fair Park's outdoor Gexa Energy Pavilion and the band shell. Another theatrical highlight is Shakespeare in the Park , which presents plays on select days from mid-June to late September at Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre.

The State Fair of Texas attracts more guests than any other state fair in the nation. At its core are agricultural exhibits and a livestock auction; plus, there are outdoor concerts, an expansive auto show and cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs. The Fair Park extravaganza lasts nearly a month from late September to late October, so you don't have to pack everything into a single, Texas-sized day.

From late September to late November, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden embraces fall colors during Autumn at the Arboretum: The Great Pumpkin Festival . Stroll through a sea of jack-o'-lanterns and long-necked gourds, or role-play in the pumpkin-filled fairy-tale village.

See all the AAA recommended events for this destination.