Your Month-by-Month Guide to Annual Events in DFW (2025-2026)

Annual DFW Events Calendar

Contents

Looking for something to do in Dallas–Fort Worth? You’re in luck—there’s always something going on. From major festivals and parades to quirky pop-ups and cultural traditions, DFW delivers year-round. Whether you’re a local or planning a trip, this guide breaks it down by month so you can catch what’s coming up and never miss a favorite event again.

Each listing includes typical dates, locations, and links to official event sites, so you can check schedules and plan ahead. Let’s start with January and work our way through the year.

January Events in DFW

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Established in 1896, this is Fort Worth’s largest and oldest event, celebrating the city’s Western heritage. The 23-day showcase includes livestock exhibitions, professional rodeo competitions, concerts, a wine showcase, a mariachi competition, and more.

  • Dates: Mid-January to early February (e.g., January 17 – February 8, 2025)
  • Location: Will Rogers Memorial Center & Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
  • Official URL: www.fwssr.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade (Dallas)

One of the largest MLK Day parades in the country, this event honors Dr. King’s legacy through a procession of floats, local marching bands, civic groups, and community leaders.

ZestFest (Irving)

A spicy celebration of bold flavors, ZestFest draws hot sauce lovers and chiliheads from across the region. It features cooking demos, taste tests, and spicy food challenges like the wing-eating contest.

  • Dates: Late January (e.g., January 24–26, 2025)
  • Location: Irving Convention Center, Irving
  • Official URL: zestfest.net

February Events in DFW

Dallas Blooms

The largest annual floral festival in the Southwest, Dallas Blooms features over 500,000 blooming spring bulbs including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and pansies. Themed weekends offer food, live music, and activities for all ages.

Mardi Gras Oak Cliff Parade

A colorful neighborhood celebration in the Bishop Arts District, this parade includes floats, music, beads, and a big crowd of costumed participants and spectators. It’s a spirited local twist on Mardi Gras tradition.

  • Date: Sunday before Mardi Gras (e.g., February 23, 2025)
  • Location: Bishop Arts District, Dallas
  • Official URL: www.mardigrasoakcliff.com

Cowtown Marathon

Held annually since 1978, this multi-race weekend offers something for all skill levels—5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, and ultra. Proceeds benefit children’s fitness and education programs.

  • Dates: February 22–23, 2025
  • Location: Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth
  • Official URL: cowtownmarathon.org

Quinceañera Expo

A showcase of everything related to planning a Quinceañera. Vendors include dressmakers, photographers, venues, DJs, and more, catering to families preparing for a major celebration.

Black History Month Events

Throughout February, museums, libraries, and cultural centers across DFW host lectures, exhibits, performances, and community programs that celebrate African American heritage.

March Events in DFW

North Texas Irish Festival

One of the largest Celtic heritage festivals in the U.S., featuring traditional music, dancing, food, whiskey tastings, storytelling, and Irish dog breeds. Hosted by the Southwest Celtic Music Association.

  • Dates: First weekend of March (e.g., March 1–2, 2025)
  • Location: Fair Park, Dallas
  • Official URL: ntif.org

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival (Dallas)

A major annual celebration with over 100 floats, marching bands, dancers, and green everything. Post-parade festivities include live music and food vendors along Lower Greenville.

  • Date: Saturday before March 17 (e.g., March 15, 2025)
  • Location: Greenville Avenue, Dallas
  • Official URL: www.dallasstpatrick.com

Deep Ellum Arts Festival

A street festival celebrating visual and performing arts, featuring over 200 artists, live music across multiple stages, and food vendors. Known for its eclectic and edgy vibe.

  • Dates: Late March or early April (e.g., March 28–30, 2025)
  • Location: Main Street, Deep Ellum, Dallas
  • Official URL: www.deepellumartsfestival.com

April Events in DFW

Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival

One of Texas’ most highly ranked art festivals, showcasing national and local artists, food vendors, and multiple music stages. Free to attend and family-friendly.

  • Dates: Mid-April (e.g., April 10–13, 2025)
  • Location: Downtown Fort Worth (Main Street)
  • Official URL: mainstreetartsfest.org

Dallas Art Fair

A major contemporary art fair attracting collectors and galleries from around the globe. Features curated exhibits from both emerging and established artists.

  • Dates: Mid-April (e.g., April 10–13, 2025)
  • Location: Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG), Dallas
  • Official URL: www.dallasartfair.com

EarthX Expo

A large-scale environmental expo that brings together nonprofits, innovators, businesses, and educators focused on sustainability and conservation.

  • Dates: Around Earth Day (e.g., April 25–27, 2025)
  • Location: Fair Park, Dallas
  • Official URL: earthx.org/expo

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

A 16th-century-style village with costumed performers, jousting tournaments, artisan vendors, and food like giant turkey legs. Runs weekends from April through Memorial Day.

  • Dates: Opens early April (e.g., April 5 – May 26, 2025)
  • Location: Scarborough Fairgrounds, Waxahachie
  • Official URL: www.srfestival.com

May Events in DFW

Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival

A three-day outdoor festival featuring national and local bands, art installations, food courts, and a battle of the bands for teens. Family activities and marketplace shopping also included.

  • Dates: Mid-May (e.g., May 16–18, 2025)
  • Location: Galatyn Park Urban Center, Richardson
  • Official URL: wildflowerfestival.com

Taste Addison

A celebration of food and drink with tastings from local restaurants, live music, cooking demonstrations, and activities for kids.

  • Dates: Mid-to-late May (e.g., May 30–June 1, 2025)
  • Location: Addison Circle Park, Addison
  • Official URL: tasteaddisontexas.com

Cinco de Mayo Celebrations

Parades, music, traditional food, and folklórico performances take place across the metroplex. Notable events are hosted in Oak Cliff and Grand Prairie.

June Events in DFW

Juneteenth Celebrations

Commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas, events include parades, concerts, historical reenactments, and community gatherings across the region.

  • Dates: Around June 19
  • Locations: Fair Park (Dallas), Evans Plaza (Fort Worth), Fred Moore Park (Denton)
  • Official URL: www.juneteenthdallas.org

Taste of Dallas

A large-scale food and entertainment event showcasing restaurants, chefs, food trucks, local artists, and interactive zones. Includes a dedicated area for kids and families.

  • Dates: Mid-June (e.g., June 13–15, 2025)
  • Location: Dallas Market Hall, Dallas
  • Official URL: tasteofdallas.org

Oak Cliff Film Festival

An independent film festival highlighting bold, unique cinema with screenings, panels, and parties held at historic venues across the Oak Cliff neighborhood.

  • Dates: Mid-to-late June (e.g., June 19–22, 2025)
  • Location: Texas Theatre and other Oak Cliff venues
  • Official URL: oakclifffilmfestival.com

July Events in DFW

Addison Kaboom Town!

A top-rated Independence Day fireworks show, known nationwide for its 30-minute display. Includes air shows, live music, food, and a watch party atmosphere throughout Addison.

Fair Park Fourth

Dallas’ official Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly attractions across the historic Fair Park campus.

Fort Worth’s Fourth

A free event along the Trinity River with kids’ zones, tube rides, live music, and one of North Texas’ largest fireworks shows.

August Events in DFW

Quinceañera Expo

An event focused on planning traditional Latin American coming-of-age celebrations. It features vendors for dresses, venues, photographers, DJs, and choreographers.

  • Date: Typically held in early August (check local listing for specific dates)
  • Location: Irving Convention Center, Irving
  • Official URL: www.quinceaneraexpos.com

Dallas Chocolate Festival (Preview Events)

Although the full festival is in September, some preview or tasting events take place in August. These feature local chocolatiers, sampling opportunities, and chocolate education.

  • Date: Mid-to-late August (pre-events)
  • Location: Varies by event
  • Official URL: dallaschocolate.org

Indoor Summer Art & Music Events

Smaller indoor pop-ups, gallery exhibits, and music nights are common across DFW during August due to high temperatures. Events are often hosted at The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas Contemporary, and local breweries.

September Events in DFW

State Fair of Texas (Opening Week)

A Texas tradition since 1886, the fair kicks off in late September with Big Tex, livestock shows, concerts, fried food competitions, carnival rides, and cultural exhibits.

  • Dates: Starts September 26, 2025 (runs through October)
  • Location: Fair Park, Dallas
  • Official URL: bigtex.com

Grapefest

The largest wine festival in the Southwest, Grapefest includes tastings from Texas wineries, grape stomping, live music, a family carnival, and artisan booths.

Plano Balloon Festival

Hot air balloons fill the sky alongside a weekend of live entertainment, fireworks, a kids’ zone, and a 5K run.

Mexican Independence Day Celebrations

Cities across DFW celebrate with parades, mariachi, folklórico dancing, traditional food, and flag-waving festivities. Oak Cliff, Grand Prairie, and Fort Worth host large events.

October Events in DFW

State Fair of Texas (Continued)

The fair continues through most of October, featuring auto shows, fried food, livestock competitions, college football games, and live entertainment daily.

  • Dates: Through October 19, 2025
  • Location: Fair Park, Dallas
  • Official URL: bigtex.com

Autumn at the Arboretum

Known for its nationally acclaimed pumpkin village, this fall festival showcases thousands of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, with seasonal displays, themed activities, and special events for kids.

  • Dates: September 21 – October 31, 2025
  • Location: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
  • Official URL: www.dallasarboretum.org

Oktoberfest Celebrations

Several cities host German-style beer festivals with bratwurst, stein-holding contests, polka bands, and carnival rides. Major events are held in Addison, Southlake, and Fort Worth.

Día de los Muertos Events

Cultural celebrations of life and memory with ofrendas, altars, live music, sugar skull face painting, and traditional performances across DFW.

ArtsGoggle

Fort Worth’s largest outdoor arts festival dedicated to local artists, musicians, and food vendors. Live performances take place across multiple stages throughout the Near Southside.

  • Date: October 19, 2025
  • Location: Near Southside, Fort Worth
  • Official URL: artsgoggle.org

November Events in DFW

Lone Star Film Festival

A five-day festival showcasing independent films, documentaries, shorts, and industry panels. It draws filmmakers and audiences from across the country.

  • Dates: Early November (e.g., November 6–10, 2025)
  • Location: Downtown Fort Worth, Sundance Square
  • Official URL: www.lonestarfilmfestival.com

Dallas Holiday Parade (Prep and Preview Events)

Though the full parade happens in December, float previews, early performances, and behind-the-scenes tours begin in late November.

Lights All Night (Early Announcements and Pre-events)

One of the biggest EDM festivals in Texas, the main event takes place in December, but November typically sees pre-parties and lineup drops.

  • Dates: Pre-events in late November
  • Location: Announced closer to event (typically Dallas Market Hall)
  • Official URL: lightsallnight.com

Enchant Christmas (Opening Weekend)

A massive holiday light maze and village that opens just before Thanksgiving. It includes ice skating, food vendors, photo ops, and live entertainment.

December Events in DFW

Dallas Holiday Parade

A beloved tradition since 1988, this downtown parade features giant balloons, floats, marching bands, and appearances from Santa Claus. It’s broadcast live and attracts thousands of spectators.

  • Date: First Saturday in December (e.g., December 6, 2025)
  • Location: Downtown Dallas
  • Official URL: dallasholidayparade.com

Grapevine: The Christmas Capital of Texas

With over 1,400 holiday-themed events, Grapevine lives up to its title. Expect light shows, live performances, character meet-and-greets, vintage train rides, and a festive atmosphere citywide.

Prairie Lights

A drive-through holiday light experience with over 4 million lights, a holiday village, carnival rides, and Santa meet-and-greets. A walk-through light tunnel is a crowd favorite.

  • Dates: Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve
  • Location: Lynn Creek Park, Grand Prairie
  • Official URL: prairielights.org

The Nutcracker Performances

Ballet companies across DFW present traditional and contemporary versions of The Nutcracker, including Texas Ballet Theater and Avant Chamber Ballet.

Holiday Markets and Winter Fests

Local makers, food vendors, and musicians gather at seasonal markets such as Boho Market, Holiday Wonder, and winter festivals in Denton and McKinney.

Year-Round Attractions with Seasonal Events

Klyde Warren Park Events

This downtown Dallas park offers ongoing free programming including fitness classes, movie nights, food truck rallies, and seasonal events like trick-or-treating and holiday tree lighting.

Dallas Museum of Art Late Nights

Monthly evening events feature live music, artist talks, gallery tours, and art-making activities. Themes shift based on seasons and exhibitions.

AT&T Discovery District Events

The District hosts year-round pop-ups, live sports screenings, themed markets, and seasonal experiences like ice rinks and Halloween setups.

Fort Worth Botanic Garden Light Shows

The garden presents seasonal installations such as Lightscape in winter and family activities in spring and summer, including plant sales and art-in-the-garden events.

  • Location: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort Worth
  • Official URL: fwbg.org

Final Word

DFW has something going on in just about every season, whether you’re chasing fireworks in July, tasting your way through food festivals in spring, or enjoying twinkling lights in December. Use this guide as your go-to calendar and check back with official event sites for the latest updates and ticket info.

No matter your interest—art, music, food, culture, or just getting outside—there’s a weekend waiting for you.

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