by Cheryl McCain  and Neil Lemons 

Do you think festival season is over? Think again. It’s just getting started!  DFW offers some of the most unique gatherings in the country. From local art to western films, from barbecue to craft beer, from swing dancing to comic cons, there really is a celebration for everyone in north Texas. The distinction between a festival, event, fair, community gathering and party can be somewhat hard to discern, but we’ll leave that for you to decide. In the meantime, here is a list of 100 Dallas-Fort Worth festivals for you to feast your senses. Also, let us know which ones we missed.

October DFW Festivals

Spirit of the Cowboy Western Festival
McKinney, Texas

Get out your banjo, the Spirit of the Cowboy Western Festival is a two-day western themed event that strives to honor the values and culture of the cowboy way of life. The event features live music, cowboy food favorites and trail rides. 2017 Details
VideoFest
Dallas, Texas

VideoFest is the oldest and largest video festival in the United States, and continues to garner critical and popular acclaim. Since 1986, VideoFest has specialized in independent, alternative and non-commercial media, presenting hard-to-find works rarely seen on television, in movie theaters, or elsewhere, despite their artistic excellence and cultural and social relevance. Even in a Web 2.0 environment where everything is seemingly available on the Internet, VideoFest provides curatorial guidance, a critical voice in the wilderness navigating the vast and diverse landscape of media, helping to interpret its cultural and artistic significance. The event provides a communal environment for real-time, face-to-face dialogue between makers and audiences. In the past, this event has showcased work from filmmakers such as Jim Sheridan and Michael Moore and had many notable guests including Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam, as well as television icon and actor Paul Reubens. 2017 Details

Canal Fest
Irving, Texas

Canal Fest returns for a second year of fun, food, music and culture. Set along the beautiful and unique Mandalay Canal, this festival includes a local art exhibit, cultural dance performances, family-friendly activities, live music and a variety of food and beverages. Admission is free for everyone.2017 Details

Lebanese Food Festival
Lewisville, Texas

Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church proudly presents its annual Lebanese Food Festival. The event features authentic Lebanese food, such as stuffed grape leaves, kibbi, falafel, tabbouli, kafta, baklava and much more. Don’t miss the raffle drawing for a chance to win prizes. Attendees can expect activities for children, door prizes, silent action and Lebanese souvenirs. Live entertainment includes musical performances and traditional folk-life dancing. Admission and parking are free. 2017 Details

State Fair of Texas
Dallas, Texas

Where do I start? I’m not even sure this Texas tradition needs any explaining at all, but here we go. This almost month long state fair features deep fried foods that even your wildest 10-year-old imagination couldn’t have dreamed up (a.k.a. fried Thanksgiving dinner, fried banana splits and fried beer), a small village of arts and craft vendors, college football, fair rides, Big Tex, corny dogs (worth the 10 minute line), auto shows, livestock, ostrich races, numerous state competitions, trade fairs, beer, wine, live music by major performers almost every night and more, much more. 2017 Details

Texas State Veggie Fair
Dallas, Texas

The Texas Veggie Fair is organized by locals who are passionate about the benefits of a plant-based diet, environmental causes and animal welfare. Attendees enjoy local food vendors and free food samples, music, arts and other family-friendly entertainment, while learning about a plant-based diet from notable speakers and chefs. 2017 Details

Blues, Bandits and BBQ
Dallas, Texas

Get ready for the annual Blues, Bandits and BBQ festival set right in the heart of Oak Cliff. The event features some of the best BBQ Texas has to offer and live music by local bands. 2017 Details

WorldFest
Addison, Texas

The Town of Addison and the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth proudly present the annual WorldFest, north Texas’ largest international festival. Addison Circle Park offers international music and dance performances, art exhibitions, markets, cultural foods and children’s arts and crafts. This two-day “getaway” celebrates such diverse regions of the world including Bulgaria, Ghana, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Serbia and Turkey. 2017 Details

Texas Beer Camp
Princeton, Texas

The annual Texas Beer Camping event celebrates craft beer and brewing. The intent of Texas Beer Camp is to bring together beer lovers, craft brewers and home brewers to share their passion, knowledge and brews. It’s all about fun and community, not competition. This is a BOYB and BOYTent event. 2017 Details

After Dark in the Park
Arlington, Texas

River Legacy Foundation’s After Dark in the Park is a family-fun fall festival featuring unique children’s games, crafts, a pumpkin patch, face painting, karaoke, bounce houses, concessions and more. Costumes are encourage for children. Park your car in the River Legacy Park and catch a free hayride shuttle to the event entrance. All proceeds from this event benefit the River Legacy Foundation’s environmental education programs at River Legacy Living Science Center. 2017 Details

Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering
Fort Worth, Texas

The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is home to the annual Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering and Western Swing Festival. The event features a wagon train and trail ride from Jacksboro, ranch rodeo action, chuck wagon camp and competition, trappings show, cowboy poetry and music, ranch cutting horse rodeo finals, youth poetry contest, youth fiddle contest, youth chuck wagon cook-off, Texas trail of fame, cowboy church, cowboy gospel concert and western swing dances. Yee haw! 2017 Details

November DFW Festivals

Chefs for Farmers
Dallas, Texas

The Chefs for Farmers event presents an outdoor food, wine and spirits festival bringing local farmers, chefs and purveyors together in Dallas. Attendees can enjoy bites by some of the most talented chefs in the state of Texas, top-notch wines and cocktails, music by local bands and DJs and BYO wine glasses and picnic blanket. Proceeds from the event benefit The North Texas Food Bank and Café Momentum. 2017 Details 

Lone Star Film Festival
Fort Worth, Texas

The Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF) in Sundance Square is the Lone Star Film Society’s signature event. This five-day festival takes place every year in Fort Worth and provides people with their first, and sometimes only, opportunity to see the most anticipated films of the year while interacting with the artists who made them. 2017 Details 

Beaujolais and Beyond Wine Festival
Irving, Texas

The Beaujolais and Beyond Wine Festival ticket includes unlimited food and wine tastings, commemorative wine glasses, live entertainment, music and dancing by DJ Jeff Hickock and silent auction. Enjoy an evening sampling signature delicacies offered by some of the area’s top chefs while savoring a large selection of French wines from Alsace, Beaujolais, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire Valley, Provence, Rhône Valley, as well as American wines from California, Oregon, Washington and Texas. Craft beers are available as well. 2017 Details

CliffFest
Dallas, Texas

CliffFest street festival is geared towards highlighting the best of what Oak Cliff has to offer. The event includes live entertainment, food from local restaurants, shopping and more. 2017 Details

Run Rock Dallas- 5K and Music Festival
Dallas, Texas

Support local music and run the liveliest 5K in DFW.  The Run Rock Dallas 5K course is lined with music to pump up the participants. Expect runners to stop mid-course for some dancing and socializing. The lights, sound and energy motivate the runners and the crowd. 2017 Details

Lakewoodstock
Dallas, Texas

Stroll, stride, push or pedal to Lakewood Village Shopping Center and enjoy Lakewoodstick. This event features live music on several stages, as well as shopping, food and drinks. 2017 Details

February DFW Festivals

Mardi Gras Oak Cliff
Dallas, Texas

Break out your beads, Oak Cliff’s annual Mardi Gras parade runs west to east down Davis Street and finishes in the Bishop Arts District. The event features live entertainment, crazy costumes, dancing and food trucks. 2017 Details Coming Soon

March DFW Festivals

North Texas Irish Festival
Dallas, Texas

The North Texas Irish Festival features top Irish musicians and dancers from around the world, as well as a variety of cultural presentations on over a dozen stages in Fair Park. Along with music and dancing, a handful of food vendors serve Irish inspired food and drinks, including Irish stew, shepherd’s pie and Guinness. Other attractions include whiskey tastings, blacksmithing demonstrations, archery in a Celtic village, Gaelic football and horse displays allowing attendees to experience Celtic culture. Keep an eye out for massive Irish Wolfhounds hanging out with their owners and a petting zoo with baby pigs. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Denton Music Festival
Denton, Texas

The Denton Music Festival is an annual four-day event held the week prior to SXSW in Austin, Texas. In the past, the music festival has featured many nationally and indie-known touring acts, such as the Pains of Being Pure At Heart, Local Natives, the Flaming Lips, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Midlake, Sarah Jaffe, Brave Combo, Riverboat Gamblers, James McMurtry and more. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Savor Dallas
Dallas, Texas

The Savor Dallas event includes four days of festivities celebrating wine, food, spirits and the arts. This event is without a doubt, the largest premium wine and food event in Texas. Expect over 60 of the area’s top chefs and more than 400 premium wines, spirits and beers being served throughout the weekend. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Texas Pinball Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Texas Pinball Festival features over 300 vintage and new pinball machines, classic arcade games and slot machines both on sale and set on free play. Attendees can enjoy a variety of adult and kid pinball tournaments throughout the weekend. Winners have the honor of taking home trophies and cash prizes. For enthusiasts and DIYers, there are vendors selling parts, supplies, equipment and memorabilia. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Dallas, Texas

Witnessing the Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Parade puts you in a quasi-fraternity of sorts. It’s a little like going to Mardi Gras and then again not so much.  This occasion is truly unique. The parade has become the signature event of the St. Patrick’s celebration for our fair city. Many Dallasites have attended and bared witness to the evolution of this neighborhood parade from about ten pickup trucks and a couple of flatbeds to the largest St. Patrick’s parade in the southwest. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Big Folkin’ Festival
Dallas, Texas

Big Folkin’ Festival features live music by more than 25 bands. In the past, the main stage has featured independent and national folk bands such as Holy Moly, Quaker City Nighthawks, The O’s, Parallel, Play and Loyal Sally. Enjoy dancing, food trucks, drinks and more. 2017 Details Coming Soon

April DFW Festivals

Dallas International Film Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Dallas International Film Festival showcases over 180 films from all over the world. This 11-day festival features works by prominent filmmakers from America, Texas in particular, as well as the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa and France. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Dallas, Texas

The annual Deep Ellum Arts Festival transformed six city blocks of Main Street in the Deep Ellum into a spectacular visual and performing arts festival featuring 200 juried decorative and visual artists from throughout the country, 100 original bands and singer/songwriters and performance artists performing only original music from five different stages. This lively event offers a variety of local food and beverages. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Big Texas Beer Fest
Dallas, Texas

The Big Texas Beer Fest features over 100 breweries and over 400 beers. This event focuses heavily on the emerging North Texas craft beer scene. Food and live music are also included in this Texas sized beer fest. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas Art Fair
Dallas, Texas

Located at the Fashion Industry Gallery, adjacent to the Dallas Museum of Art in the revitalized downtown Arts District, the Dallas Art Fair features over 80 prominent national and international art dealers and galleries exhibiting painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video and installation by modern and contemporary artists. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Main Street Arts Festival
Fort Worth, Texas

The Main Street Arts Festival is an annual event stretching nine blocks in Fort Worth from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Convention Center. The event’s mission is to produce a free, high-quality, annual arts festival that promotes the diversity and vibrancy of downtown Fort Worth. The festival includes arts and crafts, live entertainment and street performers. 2017 Details Coming Soon

ChocolateFest
Grapevine, Texas

ChocolateFest is a fundraising event benefiting Travelers Aid Dallas/Fort Worth. The event consists of two parts: an evening of chocolate and wine at Delaney Vineyards and Winery and a day of chocolate and art at the Palace Arts Center in historic downtown Grapevine. Enjoy great wine, wonderful art creations, live music and chocolate from area chocolatiers, bakeries, restaurants, hotels and more. 2017 Details Coming Soon

North Texas Taco Festival
Dallas, Texas

The North Texas Taco Festival is an annual celebration of local taco diversity presented by Entrée Dallas and the Taco Trail, in association with the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas. The event is expected to host more than 6,000 people, as well as over 20 taquerias, restaurants and food trucks serving some of Dallas-Fort Worth’s favorite tacos. Activities include the Taco Throwdown cooking competition, special dinners, a pre-party and a chili pepper-eating contest. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Untapped Indie Music and Beer Festival
Fort Worth, Texas

The Untapped Indie Music and Beer Festival is designed by its organizers as an event equally focused on quality music and beer, a balance uncommon at music festivals and rarely found at beer events. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Earth Day Dallas
Dallas, Texas

Earth Day Dallas is a free, two-day festival in the historic Fair Park area. The event seeks to elevate environmental awareness and influence the way north Texans think, live and work by showcasing green technology, eco-friendly family activities and educational workshops. Come learn about the simple choices you can make to improve your family’s health, reduce your cost of living and have a positive impact on the environment. This event is free to the public. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Oak Cliff Earth Day
Dallas, Texas

The Oak Cliff Earth Day event features food vendors, educational speakers, a “Pooch Smooch” booth, “Mutt Strut” parade and more. Prizes are awarded to the dogs with costumes and personalities that best embody Earth Day. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
Denton, Texas

Denton Arts and Jazz Festival features live music, food vendors, art booths and more. The event is located in Quakertown Park on 20 acres of land in the heart of downtown Denton. This space provides the perfect setting for the two-day event with 2,700 artists, seven stages and live jazz music. This event is free to the public. The Denton Festival Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the City of Denton and the Dallas/Fort Worth American Federation of Musicians, produces the festival with support from individual and corporate sponsorships. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Munster’s Germanfest
Muenster, Texas

The annual Munster’s Germanfest is a three-day festival with German food and fun activities for adults and children. Muenster was founded by people of German heritage and Catholic faith. This local community throws one of the biggest German food and drink events in Texas and attracts thousands to taste German sausage, scrumptious apple strudel, hearty cheeses, homemade bread, cakes and pies. Be sure to bring a “guten apetit.” 2017 Details Coming Soon

Salute To King Creole Crawfish Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Salute To King Creole Crawfish Festival invites attendees to “pass a good time” with Creole tastings, drinks and live entertainment. Enjoy all the creole-inspired dishes you can handle including a gumbo station, oyster station and an authentic crawfish boil station filled with farm-raised Louisiana crawfish gussied up with special herbs and spices. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas Comic Book Show
Dallas, Texas

Comic book collectors unite! Enjoy thousands of comic books and comic book collectibles available for your collection. The Dallas Comic Book Show caters to the comic con lover. The show features comics from the silver age to current, as well as comic book artists and writers that have helped shape the industry. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Festival of Chariots
Dallas, Texas

The Festival of Chariots has been performed in India for over 2,000 years and is celebrated today in over 100 cities around the world. Experience the cultural festivities at this annual event featuring food, drinks and music. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Carnaval de Salud
Dallas, Texas

Each year, UT Southwestern Medical Center holds a health fair benefiting students and families in the local Dallas community. Held at T.J. Rusk Middle School, United to Serve enhances awareness of important medical issues among high risk populations while engaging children to be active in learning about their health. Activities include medical health screenings, interactive presentations and demonstrations highlighting important health issues. The event is conducted as part of the UT System’s United to Serve campaign, in which all UT System schools participate in a day of service. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Real. Texas. Festival
Mesquite, Texas

Real. Texas. Festival. invites attendees to experience live music, car exhibits, BBQ contests, amusement rides and the Mesquite Rodeo. In addition, the event features a youth basketball tournament featuring a free clinic by Nancy Lieberman. 2017 Details Coming Soon

John Wayne Film Festival
Dallas, Texas

The John Wayne Film Festival is a four-day festival featuring screenings of some of Wayne’s classic feature films, Q&A sessions with Wayne family members and co-stars and parties celebrating the John Wayne heritage and legacy. All the proceeds from the festival benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
Denton, Texas

The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is a celebration of the arts, music, dance, choral, drama and visual arts. The free event features seven stages of continuous music, fine art, crafts, food, games and information booths. The Festival Foundation uses proceeds from booth rentals and concession sales to support the arts throughout the city of Denton. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Carnival of Steel Festival
Dallas, Texas

Richland College hosts their annual Carnival of Steel Festival. The event features live music including steel band performances by various Texas high schools, elementary schools and colleges. Vendors in music and Caribbean cultures are present with food, clothing and other items. This event is presented by Richland College in partnership with the Caribbean Association of Texas and Dallas West Indies United. 2017 Details Coming Soon

May DFW Festivals

Texas Frightmare Weekend
Dallas, Texas

Fangoria partners with Texas Frightmare Weekend, the Southwest’s premier horror convention. Attendees can expect film screenings, director Q&As and horror-related merchandise. Previous guests have included movie stars from cult classics, such as Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Candy Man, AMC’s The Walking Dead and Alien. Each year, the event offers an exclusive event poster available to a very limited number of event goers. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Suburbia Music Festival
Plano, Texas

New festival alert–the Suburbia Music Festival is a two-day music event featuring some of the best indie and eclectic artists around. This somewhat ironically titled event is held at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, which is sure to take attendees on a musical and geographic adventure. Don’t forget to the food; check out the food court featuring chicken and waffles, sushi, corn dogs and snow cones. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Prairie Jubilee
Plano, Texas

The Prairie Jubilee Festival offers live music, food and family fun in Plano’s Historic District, Haggard Park. This event is hosted by the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation and features live music, train rides, face painting, chalk art, cane pole fishing, stick horse races and cow roping, basically funday for the whole family. For all the train lovers out there, don’t miss the Interurban Railway Museum and RailCar 360 tours. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Food, Wine and Jazz Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Hilton Anatole hosts its annual Food, Wine and Jazz Festival in Dallas. Paying guests are treated to live music, a variety of domestic and international wines and gourmet food from the Anatole’s chefs. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Wildflower Arts and Music Festival
Richardson, Texas

The Wildflower Arts and Music Festival began in 1993 as a small community celebration in honor of the acres of wildflowers planted around the city of Richardson. Over twenty years later, the festival has become a notable DFW music event with annual attendance surpassing 70,000 people. Wildflower is produced by the City of Richardson and offers eclectic art vendors, six performance stages, the Wild Marketplace, the Taste of Texas food garden, Kidz Korner and a battle of the bands competition. 2017 Details Coming Soon

FW Opera Festival
Fort Worth, Texas

The FW Opera Festival includes two live performances at the Bass Performance Hall in downtown Fort Worth. A limited number of tickets are available. Performances vary from year to year. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Founders Day Festival
Rockwall, Texas

Founders Day is exactly that, a community gathering that celebrates the founding of Rockwall in 1854. This free festival is sponsored by the City of Rockwall and is produced by the Rockwall Parks and Recreation Department. The event offers vendors, kid-friendly activities, food and live music. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Wylie Jazz Arts Fest
Wylie, Texas

The Wylie Public Arts Advisory Board and the City of Wylie present the JazzArts Fest featuring fine art and entertainment by professional jazz musicians, college ensembles and area high school jazz bands. Attendees can dine from a selection of gourmet food trucks while shopping for fine art and listening to the smooth sounds of jazz. The architecturally award winning Wylie Municipal Complex and its many public art installations serve as the perfect event backdrop. 2017 Details Coming Soon

National Polka Festival
Ennis, Texas

The National Polka Festival invites everyone to come help celebrate over forty years of Czech heritage. Held annually on Memorial Day Weekend, the National Polka Festival offers an abundance of activities to be enjoyed by the entire family in a small city atmosphere. The festival kicks off with an opening dance featuring polka music and the King and Queen Dance Contest, where participants and non-participants are encouraged to wear traditional Czech kroj (costumes). The Saturday morning parade includes polka bands riding on decorated floats and the sounds of the award winning Ennis High School Marching Band. Enjoy a weekend of live polka music, dancing and food. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Mayfest
Fort Worth, Texas

Mayfest began in 1973 as the Trinity River Festival – a celebration of the community’s efforts in improving the unsightliness that was left after the devastating Fort Worth flood of 1949. Since the beginning, local volunteers, business owners and community members have contributed to the event’s success. Mayfest attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year and features an art market, children’s play area, food, riverbank views, sports activities, the Mayfest Run and live entertainment on seven stages. From young to old, Mayfest offers something for everyone. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Arlington, Texas

Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games features top Scottish musicians, professional athletes and champion highland dancers. In addition, the event offered an array of food, merchandise, souvenirs and beverages from Scotland and Great Britain. In years past, this three-day event has hosted more than 40,000 people annually. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Cottonwood Art Festival
Richardson, Texas

Located in the scenic Cottonwood Park in Richardson, the Cottonwood Art Festival is a juried art show that typically features over 200 artists and over 1,000 entries. The museum-quality work is divided into 14 categories: 2D mixed media, 3D mixed media, cottonwood art, ceramics, digital, drawings/pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metalwork, painting, photography, sculpture and wood. Families can visit ArtStop, an interactive children’s area offering arts, crafts and activities for children of all ages. Although admission to the festival is free, some ArtStop activities require tickets. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Homegrown Music and Art Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Homegrown Music and Arts Festival is located in Main Street Garden Park in Dallas. Attendees can enjoy music by some of the most talented songwriters in the indie world, as well as art, food and drinks. The music line-up includes up-and-coming Texas bands mixed with national acts. 2017 Details Coming Soon

North Texas Beer & Wine Festival
Irving, Texas

The North Texas Beer and Wine Festival offers hundreds of craft, specialty and imported beers and wines to sample, home brewing classes, key note speakers, culinary demonstrations and live music in the beer garden. This is an all-inclusive event, so there is no additional charge to attend classes or demonstrations. Space is limited in some areas and handled on a first-come first-serve basis. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Fort Worth Music Festival
Fort Worth, Texas

The Fort Worth Music Festival celebrates Fort Worth’s deep musical roots. This 2-day music festival presents pop, indie rock, rhythm and blues and alt country sounds. In addition, the festival features artwork from local vendors. The event benefits the Fort Worth Community Food Bank. 2017 Details Coming Soon

 Taste Addison
Addison, Texas

Calling all foodies, this newly revamped event, Taste Addison, offers a tasty weekend focusing on local food and live entertainment. This intimate, two-day event brings together celebrated chefs, craft breweries, wineries and spirit makers. Addison’s chef-driven establishments and other special culinary-minded guests are spotlighted to create a casual, one-of-a-kind atmosphere, all while benefiting DFW’s nonprofit, Café Momentum. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Main Street Days in Grapevine
Grapevine, Texas

The annual Main Street Days features three days of family-friendly festival fun. Activities include the KidCave and the grillin’ competition at the Town Square Gazebo. Attendees can enjoy a variety of different stages featuring live music and kid stage shows. Make sure to visit the Carnival Midway and enjoy all of the shopping along Main Street. If that weren’t enough, this event offers excellent beer and wine! There is a separate ticketed craft brew experience on the festival grounds that offers a wide array of craft brews to taste. In addition, the premium wine areas include the new Texas Wine Terrace located in Liberty Park. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Asian Festival
Dallas, Texas

The largest gathering of Asian Pacific Americans in the DFW area is back and bigger than ever! This free family event features authentic Asian cuisine, cultural performances, unique products and artwork at the Asian World Market, children’s activities and games. Each year, the Asian Festival attracts thousands of people from all over north Texas. Activities showcase Asian cultural performances ranging from dance, martial arts, acrobats, dragon dances and hula dancers. Begin the festival with the Faces of Asia cultural procession and then stop by the Asian costume photo booth. Don’t miss the cooking demonstrations at the healthy living corner and get your free health screening. Children’s entertainment includes the “Passport to Asia for Kids” area. The event is free and open to the public. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas Comic Con
Dallas, Texas

The Dallas Comic Con is an annual three-day comic book fan convention celebrating comics, sci fi, horror, anime and gaming. In addition, the event focuses on comic book artists, writers and publishers. Convention goers can expect Q&A sessions, a dealer room and a variety of special guests signing autographs. The event is produced by C2 Ventures, co-owned by Ben Stevens and Philip Wise. Over 20,000 attendees are expected to attend. 2017 Details Coming Soon

BrewRiot in Oak Cliff
Dallas, Texas

Oak Cliff’s BrewRiot homebrew competition began in 2009 as a way to celebrate the art of brewing the world’s most famous beverage. Since that time, the event has brought together some of the region’s best and brightest hopmasters in an exciting outdoor street festival environment with live music, food, games and more. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas Margarita Meltdown
Dallas, Texas

The history of the margarita runs deep in Texas and no matter if it’s frozen or shaken, who doesn’t love a great margarita. The event features a margarita making competition between some of the best restaurants and bars in the Dallas area. Local food and beer vendors are available to all. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas International Festival
Fair Park, Texas

The DFW International Community Alliance presents the Dallas International Festival, an international bazaar with more than 100 booths, global cuisines pavilion, parade of nations, passport to adventure game, unity garden, children’s discovery center, demos by master chefs and a drum circle performance. Attendance is expected to reach 30,000 people from more than eighty-five cultures around the world. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Scarborough Renaissance Festival
Waxahachie, Texas

The Scarborough Renaissance Festival is a 16th century-style step back in time into the world of King Henry VIII. It was a time of music, merriment and mirth. Within Scarborough’s 35 acre re-created English village, visitors enjoy the thrill of full combat jousts and falconry demonstrations, Renaissance entertainment on 21 stages and the hundreds of costumed performers throughout the festival including King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn. Browse handmade crafts in over 200 village shops, experience the art of glassblowing, sword making and metal works. There are also many activities just for the kids, such as their daily Knighting Ceremony, renaissance rides, Amazing Maze and human chess match. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas International Guitar Festival
Fair Park Dallas, Texas

Get ready to rock! The Dallas International Guitar Festival is the world’s oldest and largest guitar festival celebrating musicians and fans. The event celebrates over 30 years of bringing together guitar dealers, manufacturers, collectors, celebrities and music enthusiasts. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Taste of Irving
Irving, Texas

Taste of Irving features more than just great food. Enjoy live musical performances throughout the day by Texas country and blues bands. Food, craft and expo booths are available to vendors. Free activities for children include face painting, airbrush tattoos, balloons, petting zoo and pony rides. Adult friendly fun includes a giant slide, two-story bungee and inflatable zip line. Irving restaurants sell sample-sized items from their menus ranging from international and traditional American cuisines to desserts and specialty beverages. Crafters offer unique jewelry, artwork, furniture, clothing and more. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Stars & Strings
Farmers Branch, Texas

The City of Farmers Branch announces “Stars & Strings,” a fairly new event featuring a concert by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra followed by a spectacular low level fireworks finale. The event honors our country and the men and women who serve her. The Farmers Branch Historical Park offers music, food trucks and a tribute to our nation’s heroes. Attendees can bring their lawn chairs and blankets and spread out in the meadow to enjoy an evening under the stars. Admission is free. 2017 Details Coming Soon

June DFW Festivals

Razzle Dazzle Festival
Dallas, Texas

Razzle Dazzle Dallas is an annual Oak Lawn street festival featuring local vendor booths, carnival games, food, beverages, dancing, live bands and a wide array of entertainment ending with a headliner act. The festival is underwritten by local business sponsors and all of the proceeds benefit several local service and community organizations. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Oak Cliff Film Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Oak Cliff Film Festival features the very best of the Bishop Arts District’s theatres, restaurants and bars. Check out work from some of the best independent filmmakers from Oak Cliff, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth and Austin, as well as the rest of the world. A portion of all tickets go towards the North Texas Food Bank. 2017 Details Coming Soon

A-Kon
Dallas, Texas

A-Kon® is the oldest continually running, anime-based convention in North America. For more than twenty years, A-Kon® offers anime fans items of interest ranging from gaming to independent film, all in the quest to provide the most engaging and educational entertainment to the anime community. 2017 Details Coming Soon

48 Hour Film Project
Dallas, Texas

The 48 Hour Film Project features filmmakers from all over the Dallas area competing to see who can make the best short film in only 48 hours. The winning film goes up against films from around the world. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Filipino Fest
Dallas, Texas

Filipino Fest, hosted by local Filipino owned businesses, hopes to establish and promote Filipino culture throughout the DFW area. This free event is held in conjunction with the Deep Ellum Outdoor Market featuring live musical performances, a Filipino food contest and art vendors. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Shakespeare in the Park
Dallas, Texas

Shakespeare Dallas aims to create cultural programs for North Texas that are affordable and accessible to the community inspired by the quality and standards found in the works of William Shakespeare. The company serves a diverse community of adults, children and artists through year-round staged productions including its flagship outdoor performances, a unique touring education program and community outreach services. Attendees can bring food and beverages, including beer and wine for adults 21 years of age and older. 2017 Details Coming Soon

SolJazz Festival
Dallas, Texas

It has been said that soul music takes you back, hip-hop music keeps you grooving and jazz music soothes you. The SolJazz Festival offers a variety of musical entertainment for the whole family to enjoy. Event highlights include an all-star lineup of exciting performances from international, national and local musicians. 2017 Details Coming Soon

100.3 Jack FM’s Throwback Tribute Festival
Dallas, Texas

100.3 Jack FM’s “Jack’s Throwback” festival offers live music presented in partnership with Live Nation. The show is a virtual live mix tape of music from the past four decades with tributes ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Nirvana. Attendees can expect to see 15 bands rocking three stages, along with carnival games and prizes. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Concerts in the Garden Music Fest
Fort Worth, Texas

Time to break out the picnic basket and relax under the stars while listening to great music provided by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and friends. The 23rd annual Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival offers 16 nights of outdoor concerts on select weekends in June and July. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Dallas Indie Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Dallas Indie Festival is a huge multi-genre event celebrating local creativity. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to submit artwork. Some of the categories include painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, metalwork, digital, sculpture, fashion and wood. The event is set against the backdrop of the beautiful shoreline of White Rock Lake. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Juneteenth Cultural Festival
Dallas, Texas

Juneteenth Dallas is the ultimate festival experience in the heart of Fair Park in Dallas. This annual celebration features over 30 performances by musicians, dancers, poets and speakers. The event provides affordable entertainment for all ages and musical tastes, plus a variety of food, shopping and children’s activities. The festival celebrates diversity in music and the arts in the African American community and highlights local, regional and national performers in genres including gospel, reggae, blues, hip-hop and pop. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Best Little Brewfest in Texas
Lewisville, Texas

Are you ready to drink for a good cause? The Best Little Brewfest in Texas is a fundraiser benefiting Cloud 9 Charities. The event features some of the most sought after craft beers from local, national and international breweries. In addition, attendees can expect food from local restaurants, food trucks and live performances by Texas musicians. 2017 Details Coming Soon

July DFW Festivals

Willie’s Picnic
Fort Worth, Texas

Long before Lollapalooza and Coachella, there was Willie’s Picnic – an outdoor music festival that began in a small Texas town. Nearly four decades later, the event is still going strong. Willie’s 4th of July Picnic is a three-stage festival featuring some of the biggest acts in live music located outside of Billy Bob’s Texas. The picnic is one big celebration with easy access to all stages, food, services and more. You must be 18 and up with a valid ID to enter; under 18 are welcome with a parent or legal guardian. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Taste of Dallas
Dallas, Texas

Taste of Dallas is the area’s most sought-after culinary event, featuring over 70 indoor and outdoor restaurants, marketplaces and sweet factories. Throughout the three-day festival, dozens of Dallas’ top restaurants offer tastings from their menus for under $4. This family-friendly activities include a petting zoo, hands-on art activities, games and family safety exhibits. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Bastille on Bishop in Oak Cliff
Dallas, Texas

Vive la France! The annual Bastille on Bishop Festival is the largest French festival in north Texas. Star chefs, outdoor markets, wine tastings, music, dancing and more take over three blocks of the historic Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff. The event honors Dallas’ rich French history by promoting the arts, culture, history and spirit of a nation who helped to form Dallas’ early identity. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Asian Film Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Asian Film Festival Dallas was founded in 2001 and has grown to become the largest showcase of Asian and Asian American films in the southern United States. The Dallas-based festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting emerging and established Asian and Asian American filmmakers. AFFD also presents a variety of advanced film screenings. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Peach Festival
Weatherford, Texas

Take a trip back to yesteryear at the Parker County Peach Festival held in Weatherford’s historic downtown. Over 200 booths offer event goers art, crafts, food, activities and peaches. In addition, the event features live music, children’s activities and the Peach Pedal bike ride. 2017 Details Coming Soon

August DFW Festivals

AnimeFest
Dallas, Texas

AnimeFest is designed to educate the public about animation, cinema, art, music, games, crafting, costume design, dance, and other forms of traditional and popular culture and art. The event is a Texas nonprofit corporation and 501(c)3 education charity. 2017 Details Coming Soon

Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival
Bedford, Texas

Blues and BBQ, two good reasons to attend Bedford’s premier festival. The two-day event features live musical performances by blues legends. The competition heats up when local pit masters face off for cash prizes. 2017 Details Coming Soon

September DFW Festivals

BrewFest (Formally Brew at the Zoo)
Dallas, Texas

BrewFest attendees enjoy over 300 beer samples from around the globe, as well as good food and live music in the event’s beer garden. Beer fans should keep an eye out for VIP tickets; they are well worth the extra money and have been known to sell out quickly. 2017 Details

Dia Del Los Toadies
Fort Worth, Texas

The Dia Del Los Toadies is an annual festival offering live musical performances, food and drinks. Music lovers can expect to hear some quiet acoustic stuff, some country-ish honkey-tonk stuff and lots of Texas rock and roll. 2017 Details

Addison Oktoberfest
Addition, Texas

If you can’t swing the cost of a plane ticket to Munich this fall, check out the Addison Oktoberfest celebration. Join more than 70,000 people for polka, German food and Paulaner Bier. Located in Addison Circle Park, this four-day event offers music, schnitzel, folk dancing, sing-alongs, children’s entertainment and more. Lederhosen are encouraged. 2017 Details

Grapevine Grapefest
Grapevine, Texas

GrapeFest is the place to discover new wines and even rediscover some of your favorite varietals. Along with celebrating the fruit of the vine, this four-day annual festival offers a variety of activities including the people’s choice wine tasting, grape stomping, vintners’ auction, champagne terrace, kid-friendly activities, culinary pavilion, GrapeFest Golf Classic, GrapeFest Tennis Classic and five stages offering live entertainment. 2017 Details

Greek Food Festival
Dallas, Texas

Are you in the mood for a little honey-drenched baklava? If so, check out Dallas’ own Greek island at the corner of Hillcrest and Alpha. The Greek Food Festival of Dallas offers a chance to “get Greek” for a food-inspired weekend. The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church community offers attendees hospitality, culture, authentic cuisine, live music, dancing and children’s attractions. In addition, the wide-ranging marketplace features imported goods and Greek-American artisans. 2017 Details

Steampunk Invasion
Dallas, Texas

Steampunk Invasion travels all over the U.S. attracting more revelers every year. While invading Dallas, attendees can experience a wide variety of activities, panel, and concerts throughout the three-day event. 2017 Details 

Irving Main Street Event
Irving, Texas

The Irving Main Street Event, located in the heart of the Irving Heritage District, celebrates the hometown feel of Irving with attractions for all ages. Each year, thousands of people enjoy live music, the Manifolds on Main Street Car Show, activities for children, art vendors and great food. 2017 Details

Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta and Duck Fest
Rockwall, Texas

The Rockwall Rubber Duck Regatta and Duck Fest offers fun for all ages. The event features games, food, a family fun run, 5K Duck Dash and the notorious rubber duck race. Support the Boys & Girls Club of Rockwall County and Meals on Wheels of Rockwall County by adopting a rubber duck for the big race. Attendees can expect thousands of rubber ducks racing to the bottom of the Harbor. Prizes are given to the fastest duck. 2017 Details

National Championship Powwow
Grand Prairie, Texas

The annual National Championship Indian Pow Wow features a colorful tribal dance contest, arts and crafts, cultural heritage demonstrations, teepees and authentic food. Sponsored by the Dallas/Fort Worth Inter-Tribal Association, the two-and-a-half-day event is free to the public. Several hundred Native Americans, representing dozens of tribes from across the United States, take part in this colorful celebration of culture and heritage. Dancers perform in traditional costumes made of feather, buckskin, beadwork and bells. 2017 Details

McKinney Oktoberfest
McKinney, Texas

Beer and brats, two good reasons to attend any Oktoberfest celebration. This celebration brings a taste of Bavaria to the historic downtown area of McKinney. The event offers family-friendly entertainment, as well as traditional German costumes, food, drinks and dancing that began in Munich over 200 years ago. 2017 Details

Index Music Festival
Dallas, Texas

The Index Music Festival is a two-day event that takes place in the historic Deep Ellum neighborhood. This fairly new festival aims to showcase the best of what’s next in indie music (indie next = ind ex), while highlighting the artists that dominate the personal playlists of the event organizers. In short, this event is simply about what people in Dallas are currently digging mixed with a few classics. 2017 Details