There’s always something going down in the Big D. A look at the city’s offerings might leave you dizzy: record shops, vintage shops, museums, bar arcades, nerdy bookstores, restaurants, bars, brunches, sports aplenty, and a thriving music and arts scene.
Dallas, when you seek it out, has wonderful natural landscapes, too. Hiking, running paths, swimming—there’s a little something for everyone. And if you want to get out of town, there are plenty of beautiful places to explore.
With the sheer selection of things to do, we’re here to help guide you on your weekend adventures. This weekend guide will steer you in an always-fun direction, be it dancing to live music or cozying up for a film fest. Check back here each week for something new to explore (and subscribe to our newsletter for recommendations and the week’s top stories).
April 19, 6 pm
Dallas Arts District, Free
Experience the incredible art at the Nasher Sculpture Center for this monthly free event that goes late into the night. Enjoy live music, a screening of Selena on the lawn, food and drink, plus all regular exhibits.
April 19–21
Ennis, Free
Explore more than 50 miles of mapped bluebonnet fields, then return to the official festival for live music, food, wine, kids activities, and vendors of every imaginable variety.
Through April 21
Online, Free
Meow Wolf Grapevine celebrates the fine art of garbage in their upcoming Trashion Show on July 11. If you’ve got what it takes to design a couture look for the runway out of nothing but discarded items, enter by Sunday for your chance to be part of local fashion history.
Through April 26
Mockingbird Station, Most events free
Hollywood legends Billy Dee Williams and Martin Sheen will be among the celebrities in attendance at this year’s USA Film Fest, featuring over 50 classic movies, new features, and short films.
Through April 21
Deep Ellum, $12 and up
This world premiere theatrical event at the Latino Cultural Center merges live music and dramatic interpretations to explore feminine archetypes and Mother Nature's majesty.
April 19, 8-10 pm
White Rock Lake, $12
The Bath House Cultural Center presents a live storytelling event with wild and colorful tales aplenty. Thanks to musical accompaniment from DJ Eternos, stories rise to new levels of entertainment.
April 20 & 21
Fair Park, Free
Artists, professional collectors and everyone in between gather this weekend at the African American Museum for two days celebrating Black arts. Workshops will be available for anyone looking to become a collector but may need help knowing where to start.
April 19–21
Dallas Arts District, $68 and up
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra provides a classical soundtrack for various gravity-defying acrobatic performances, classical dance, and contemporary theater. Think of it as Cirque du Soleil with a high level of sophistication.
Cedars, Free
One of the biggest artisan markets to ever hit Dallas returns this weekend for two days of shopping at Gilley’s Dallas. More than 200 artists and other makers will sell their works as live music plays and a cash bar turns the event into a real party.
April 19 & 20
Lakewood, Free
Get to the newly opened Sephora Hillside Village on Friday, April 19 at 11 am where the Henry Rose truck will be parked so you can learn more about Michelle Pfeiffer’s fragrance company. The first 100 attendees will receive a set containing the brand’s complete 12-fragrance collection, so it’s worth showing up early.
Irving, $15 and up
Texas-based alternative rock group Blue October takes over The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, offering incredible lawn seating prices. Hits from their 11 studio albums will keep the crowd grooving for hours.
April 21, 6:30 pm
Lewisville, $20
Singer-songwriter Angel White’s music merges pop, R&B, and country for a truly unique sound formed during his days playing tunes on Deep Ellum streets. Get a sneak peek at songs from his upcoming album, Ghost of the West.
White Rock Lake, $10 and up
Bring out your pups for a fun walk along the shores of White Rock Lake with food trucks and vendors galore. Adoptable dogs will be available, too, if you want to start or expand your pack.
Lowest Greenville, Lake Highlands, $12
Greenville Avenue Pizza Company cures the munchies for Dallasites each year with The Doobie, a wildly creative treat. It starts with a slice of pizza, which gets wrapped around a signature Pizza Crack-fried chicken breast, drizzled with ranch dressing, and sprinkled with Hot Cheetos.
April 19–May 5
Plano, $25
Back in the 1940s, a propaganda film aimed to make marijuana look terrifying to anyone who watched it, but it ended up becoming a cult-favorite comedy. Art Centre Theatre takes that a step further with its laugh-out-loud, satirical staging of Reefer Madness right in time for April 20 commemorations.
April 19, 3 pm
West Dallas, Free
Get ready to enjoy your Henry’s Majestic Era as you celebrate and listen to Taylor Swift’s latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” from start to finish at 4 and 6 pm. Themed cocktails, mocktails, and food specials will be on the schedule, along with Local Honey providing live-band backup to karaoke singers. The SPCA will be on-site with pets for adoption, too.
April 20, 5-7 pm
North Dallas, $12 (skate rentals $5)
Ice skate your way around the rink at Galleria Dallas to the beats of Taylor’s many eras. All attendees will receive a special gift and can enter a raffle for prizes.
April 20, 9 am-midnight
Addison, Free
Sip on special cocktails crafted with Delta-8-infused Hi Seltzers while satisfying your salty cravings via cheeseburger sliders and loaded sweet potato fries. Then, stick around for a sunset screening of Dazed and Confused.
Want more Thrillist? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.Steven Lindsey loves to explore, whether it’s sampling the best restaurants around Dallas-Fort Worth, hot air ballooning over the Arizona desert, or climbing a pyramid in Mexico. He contributes to Thrillist and a variety of online and print publications. He also founded Travel Like An Adult. His latest venture, The Spa Daddy, offers a man’s perspective on spa and wellness across the globe.
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