What: Claws Exhibit Opening
When: Friday, April 22nd @ 10:00AM – 7:30PM
Where: Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium
3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy., Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Experience some of the world’s crabbiest creatures with the opening of Claws at SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium on Earth Day, April 22. The yearlong Claws exhibit features different crustaceans from around the world including mighty coconut crabs, unique porcupine crabs, lively land crabs and even lobsters. The exhibit will also feature Japanese spider crabs, the largest arthropod in the world, with legs that can reach 12-feet across when fully grown.
What: Earth Day TX 2016
When: Friday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 24th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Fair Park
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: This three-day festival offers an expanded slate of speakers, exhibits and fun related to preserving our planet. There are numerous outdoor experiences including live music, sustainable beer and food pavilions, electric bike test tracks, and many family activities There’ll be a Tiny House Village, a Lego building station, Green Speaker Series, Untapped Music & Beer Sustainable Garden, Bike Texas Kids Kup, Mini “Shark Tank” for environmental projects, Robotics competition, and a Solar Car Challenge.
What: WhoFest 3
When: Friday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 24th @ 12PM(Fri) and 8AM(Sat & Sun)
Where: Westin DFW Airport Hotel
4545 W. John Carpenter Fwy., Irving, TX 75063
Why: WhoFest, a festival for fans of Doctor Who, returns for a third year with celebrity guests and experiences from the world of Doctor Who. Scheduled to appear are Eve Myles (Gwyneth, and star of the Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood), Richard Franklin (Capt. Mike Yates), Wendy Padbury (Zoe Heriot), emcee Peter Pixie and more. Activities include panels, photo op sessions, Who Cares charity auction, costume and cosplay, video room and WhoKids programming.
What: Lone Star Vintage Show
When: Friday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 24th @ 12PM(Fri) and 10AM(Sat & Sun)
Where: Dallas Market Hall
2100 Stemmons Fwy., Dallas, TX 75207
Why: Shop 150+ booths – all quality antique, vintage and repurposed merchandise. Plan now for a genuine treasure hunt with dealers from across the United States. Items include jewelry, art, furniture, books, pottery, glass, clothing, architectural/garden pieces and more.
What: 10th Annual Dallas International Film Festival
When: Friday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 24th @ 4PM(Fri) and 11AM(Sat & Sun)
Where: Angelika Film Center & Cafe
5321 E. Mockingbird Ln., Dallas, TX 75206
Alamo Drafthouse Dallas
1005 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: The 2016 edition of the Dallas International Film Festival will feature 113 films (63 features, 50 shorts), representing 31 countries, including nine world premieres. Notable feature films include High-Rise with Tom Hiddleston and Sienna Miller; John Carney’s new musical romance, Sing Street; the Natalie Portman-directed A Tale of Love and Darkness; and the Centerpiece Gala Selection, Other People starring Molly Shannon and Jesse Plemons. Special events include a John Williams tribute at Dallas City Performance Hall, followed by a screening of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, with a Q&A with star Henry Thomas. Screenings will take place at Angelika Film Center Dallas, Alamo Drafthouse Dallas, and Klyde Warren Park.
What: Grand Prairie Main Street Fest
When: Friday, April 22nd – Sunday, April 24th @ 5PM(Fri), 9AM(Sat) and 12PM(Sun)
Where: Downtown Grand Prairie
200 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: The festival celebrates the fun, festive, family atmosphere of Grand Prairie with live music featuring Granger Smith with Earl Dibbles Jr., Prophets and Outlaws, the Tejas Brothers, Double Ace, Jolie Holliday, Matt Kimbrow Band, Cody Canada and the Departed, Los Lobos and more. Enjoy a spectacular variety of novelty entertainment, carnival rides, an arts & crafts area, business expo, Xpogo stunt shows, four entertainment stages, food and beer gardens, a kid’s zone and plenty of fun for all.
What: Smokin’ Blues & BBQ Festival
When: Friday, April 22nd – Saturday, April 23rd @ 5PM(Fri), 9AM(Sat)
Where: Armstrong Park
200 James Collins Blvd., Duncanville, TX 75116
Why: Enjoy a weekend filled with the sweet and savory flavors of barbecue, Big Red and live blues band entertainment. The festival will feature a wide range of events including Big Red tastings, live blues music, a BBQ Cook-off Competition, a Kid’s Cook-off and a People’s Choice Tasting Competition, all benefiting the Lions Club Charities. Attendees can enjoy live music from the Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones Band, The Michael Lee Band, Mike Morgan and The Crawl, Larry Lampkin, and more.
What: Ghostbusters Pinball Launch Party
When: Friday, April 22nd @ 7:00PM
Where: Free Play Arcade
1730 E. Belt Line Rd., Richardson, TX 75081
Why: Play the new Stern Pinball Ghostbusters at a party that also features house-made Ecto-Cooler (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions available), photos with Video Bob from Bob’s Prop Shop’s Ecto-1 Movie Car Replica, movie replica proton packs, ghost traps, ecto goggles and more. The game will be set to free play, and the regular admission fee is $10 per person. Minors are welcome under the supervision of a guardian until 9 p.m. After 9, the arcade is 18 and older.
What: Tony Bennett
When: Friday, April 22nd @ 8:00PM
Where: McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
6405 Boaz Ln., University Park, TX 75275
Why: Play the new Stern Pinball Ghostbusters at a party that also features house-made Ecto-Cooler (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions available), photos with Video Bob from Bob’s Prop Shop’s Ecto-1 Movie Car Replica, movie replica proton packs, ghost traps, ecto goggles and more. The game will be set to free play, and the regular admission fee is $10 per person. Minors are welcome under the supervision of a guardian until 9 p.m. After 9, the arcade is 18 and older.
What: George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic in concert
When: Friday, April 22nd @ 8:00PM
Where: House of Blues
2200 N. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202
Why: Play the new Stern Pinball Ghostbusters at a party that also features house-made Ecto-Cooler (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions available), photos with Video Bob from Bob’s Prop Shop’s Ecto-1 Movie Car Replica, movie replica proton packs, ghost traps, ecto goggles and more. The game will be set to free play, and the regular admission fee is $10 per person. Minors are welcome under the supervision of a guardian until 9 p.m. After 9, the arcade is 18 and older.
What: Jamie Kennedy
When: Fri, April 22nd – Sun, April 24th @ 8 &10:30PM(Fri), 7 & 9:30PM(Sat),7:30PM(Sun)
Where: The Improv (Arlington)
309 Curtis Mathes Way. #147, Arlington, TX 76018
Why: Jamie Kennedy, a multitalented comedian-actor-writer-producer, is a true hyphenate. He may be seen acting in a film one minute and on stage doing stand up the next. Kennedy skyrocketed to fame with a groundbreaking performance and scene-stealing rants in Wes Craven’s “Scream” and “Scream 2”. His portrayal of Randy Meeks, the video-store-clerk-turned-horror-hero with a knack for pop culture, secured him a place in the annals of horror movie history. He has gone on to work with some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including George Clooney, Eddie Murphy, Steve Martin, and Will Smith.
What: 13th Annual Dallas Black Film Festival
When: Fri, April 22nd – Sun, April 24th @ 8PM(Fri), 10AM(Sat),1:00PM(Sun)
Where: Act of Change
3200 S. Lancaster Rd. #623, Dallas, TX 75216
Why: People with a Message Production Filmworks & Etc present the 13th Annual Dallas Black Film Festival. This year’s theme is “Black Music in Film.” The festival will spotlight black music in all genres and its importance in film. Events include a Q&A discussion on the film Black Music The Soundtrack and a special tribute to the late James Brown. Festival competitions include best feature and best short independent film, documentary and black foreign films. A children’s film festival and black classic films from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s will be screened, and a black cinema movie poster showcase will be on display. Other features include a movie trivia contest, black cinema music soundtracks, and more.
What: Scarborough Renaissance Festival
When: Saturday, April 23rd – Monday, May, 30th @ 10:00AM -7:00PM
Where: Festival Grounds
2511 FM 66, Waxahachie, TX 75167
Why: For eight weekends each spring, a 35-acre site in Waxahachie houses a Renaissance village with its own monarchy, plus other colorful characters such as knights, villagers, fire jugglers, jousters, sword fighters and turtle racers. Seriously. Eat a giant turkey leg, buy a longbow or some jewelry at the shops, watch a game of human chess, or simply take in the sights. Special events include daily beer tastings, Mother’s Day brunch and a Memorial Day tribute to veterans.
What: Dallas Comic Show
When: Saturday, April 23rd – Sunday, April 24th @ 11:00AM
Where: Richardson Civic Center
411 West Arapaho Rd., Richardson, TX 75080
Why: Dallas Comic Show is a family-friendly event in the DFW area featuring exciting comic book and media guests, costumed characters, gaming and Anime content. Our mission is to bring back an affordable pop culture convention experience to the DFW area, something everyone can enjoy and embrace without breaking the bank. This is show run by fans and done for fans. The inaugural Dallas Comic Show will feature guests Sean Patrick Flanery, Kenn Scott, Taimak, Ernie Reyes Jr., Josh Howard, Ernie Wrightson, Brian Stelfreeze, Cully Hamner and more.
What: KWestival
When: Saturday, April 23rd @ 11:00AM – 5:00PM
Where: Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: See some of the best parts of Dallas at this new, one-day festival at Klyde Warren Park. Discover the flavor of 12 Dallas neighborhoods – including Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, Lakewood and Uptown – and see what each has to offer as you meet people who live or work there and sample foods from local restaurants and bakeries. You can even go on digital scavenger hunts using the Kwest iPhone app, though having the app isn’t required to enjoy the fest. Local musical talent including Mix Magyk, Nubia, Armstead, Sun Over Sea and Diamond Kings will perform throughout the day.
What: Off the Rails Country Music Fest
When: Saturday, April 23rd – Sunday, April 24th @ 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Where: Toyota Stadium
6000 Main St., Frisco, TX 75034
Why: See some of the best parts of Dallas at this new, one-day festival at Klyde Warren Park. Discover the flavor of 12 Dallas neighborhoods – including Bishop Arts District, Deep Ellum, Lakewood and Uptown – and see what each has to offer as you meet people who live or work there and sample foods from local restaurants and bakeries. You can even go on digital scavenger hunts using the Kwest iPhone app, though having the app isn’t required to enjoy the fest. Local musical talent including Mix Magyk, Nubia, Armstead, Sun Over Sea and Diamond Kings will perform throughout the day.
What: Date Night in the Park
When: Saturday, April 23rd @ 5:30PM
Where: Farmers Branch Historical Park
2450 Farmers Branch Ln., Farmers Branch, TX 75234
Why: Bring a date, a group of friends, or fly solo as you enjoy live music, dinner, and a movie under the stars! Choose from your choice of DFW’s most popular food trucks. Try out some local brews while listening to tunes and then stick around for the feature presentation.
What: Brewfest on Crockett
When: Saturday, April 23rd @ 5:00PM – 10:00PM
Where: West 7th
2900 Crockett St., Ft. Worth, TX 76107
Why: The craft beer and music festival returns for its sixth year Kick-off the day with the fast, fun & friendly-competition of the 2nd annual Brewfest Games. Bracket competition where teams of 4 make their way through obstacle course games including flip cup, water balloon toss, giant beer pong, ring toss, “Dizzy Lizzy,” and more. The festival also features Microbrews and great bites from a West 7th restaurants and sidewalk vendors. Live music from Poo Live Crew and other local bands. All portion of beer sales benefits Autism Therapy in Fort Worth.
