Events & What’s Happening
A packed summer season of major touring acts at one of Dallas's premier outdoor amphitheaters, covering country, rock, pop, and more.
💡Lawn tickets are budget-friendly for families; check the performer's content beforehand and bring a blanket for comfortable lawn seating.
An outdoor food and music festival showcasing top Dallas restaurants, local breweries, live music across multiple stages, and family-friendly activities.
💡Head to the festival early in the day before heat peaks; look for the designated kids' activity zone near the main entrance.
One of the largest state fairs in the country, held at Fair Park, featuring Big Tex, fried food competitions, live entertainment, and the Cotton Bowl Classic football game.
💡Purchase tickets online in advance for a discount and arrive early on weekdays to avoid the longest lines at rides and exhibits.
A beloved fall tradition featuring thousands of pumpkins arranged into elaborate structures and displays, plus seasonal plants and family photo opportunities.
💡Go on a weekday to avoid weekend crowds and bring costumes for memorable Halloween photos among the pumpkin displays.
A dazzling holiday lights experience at the Dallas Zoo featuring millions of lights, illuminated animal sculptures, live entertainment, and seasonal treats.
💡Purchase timed entry tickets well in advance as popular nights sell out; bundle up as temperatures can drop significantly after dark in December.
A festive holiday experience at the Dallas Arboretum featuring decorated 12-foot Christmas trees, twinkling lights, live carolers, and seasonal garden displays.
💡Evening visits on weekdays offer a magical atmosphere with fewer crowds; the gift shop stocks unique holiday items perfect for stocking stuffers.
The largest floral festival in the Southwest, held at the Dallas Arboretum, featuring over 100,000 tulips and spring blooms across 66 acres.
💡Visit on a weekday morning for smaller crowds and cooler temperatures; the Children's Adventure Garden is a highlight for kids.
A free annual family event hosted by KERA public media featuring interactive PBS Kids characters, hands-on STEM activities, arts and crafts, and live performances.
💡This completely free event fills up fast; arrive at opening time to meet all character appearances and snag crafts before supplies run out.
A year-round open-air and indoor market in downtown Dallas featuring local produce, artisan foods, plants, and handmade goods from regional vendors.
💡Saturday mornings are the most vibrant with the most vendors; kids enjoy the prepared food stalls and sampling fresh seasonal fruits.
Free weekly programming at Klyde Warren Park in Uptown Dallas including children's story time, yoga, food trucks, lawn games, and live performances.
💡The children's park area with splash pad is open in warmer months; bring a picnic blanket and cash for the rotating food trucks.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers free admission on select Tuesdays for Dallas County residents, providing access to all permanent science and nature exhibits.
💡Check the Perot Museum website each month to confirm free Tuesday dates and arrive right at opening to experience all floors before crowds build.
Free weekly story time sessions offered at Dallas Public Library branches featuring read-alouds, songs, and crafts for children ages 2–6.
💡Programs vary by branch so check the Dallas Public Library website for your nearest location; sessions fill quickly so arrive 10 minutes early.
White Rock Lake Park buzzes on Saturday mornings with families cycling the 9-mile loop, fishing along the shore, paddleboarding, and enjoying the surrounding nature trails.
💡Rent bikes or paddleboards from vendors near the bathhouse early in the morning before equipment is fully booked; bring sunscreen and water.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The Perot Museum of Nature and Science offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month from 5-9pm as part of their 'Night at the Museum' event — book tickets in advance online as they fill within days of release.
- 💡DART's Green Line stops directly at the Fair Park station during the State Fair of Texas, which runs late September through mid-October — parking near Fair Park during the fair can take 45+ minutes, so riding the train from downtown Dallas saves significant time and stress.
- 💡The Dallas Arboretum's Dallas Blooms festival (typically late February through April) is best visited Tuesday through Thursday mornings before 10am when school groups haven't yet arrived — weekend crowds can make the Children's Adventure Garden nearly impossible to navigate with toddlers.
- 💡Klyde Warren Park hosts free family programming every weekend including storytimes, yoga, and live performances — check the park's event calendar at klydewarrenpark.org for the weekly schedule, as the children's area fountain is only active in warmer months and shuts off seasonally.
- 💡The Dallas Museum of Art has free general admission year-round and offers family backpacks at the welcome desk — loaded with scavenger hunts and art activities for kids — making it a genuine no-cost half-day activity in the Arts District.
- 💡Torchy's Tacos originated in Austin but has become a Dallas family staple — the menu rotates seasonal specialty tacos and kids consistently gravitate toward the Trailer Park taco. Locations in Lower Greenville and Uptown have faster lunch service than the Deep Ellum location.
- 💡If visiting in summer, the Perot Museum opens at 10am but the first floor dinosaur hall gets crowded by 11am — arrive at opening, go straight to the upper floors first, and work your way down to the most popular exhibits as crowds thin in early afternoon.
- 💡White Rock Lake's 9-mile paved loop is a free, shaded option for families with bikes or strollers — the north shore has the most shade cover and the Winfrey Point picnic area has restrooms and open lawn space ideal for letting young kids run freely.