What: Mayfest
When: Thurs., April 28th – Sun., May 1st @ 3:30PM (Thurs & Fri) and 10AM (Sat &Sun)
Where: Trinity Park
2401 University Dr., Ft. Worth, TX 76107
Why: Mayfest is Fort Worth’s premier family-friendly festival, with activities for the whole family in one of the best green spaces in town. It offers live music, festival food, carnival rides, bounce houses, free children’s activities, petting zoo, performing arts groups, paddle boats, rock-climbing, zip-lining, people-watching, art and gift market, 10K and 5K USATF certified runs, student art contest and more. It all takes place in Trinity Park, a 33-acre space along the Trinity River.
What: Dallas Cowboys Draft Days Party and Fan Fest
When: Thurs., April 28th – Sat. April 30th @ 5:00PM (Thurs & Fri) and 11AM (Sat)
Where: AT&T Stadium
1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011
Why: Join in the excitement of NFL Draft Day at a watch party on the Miller Lite West Plaza at AT&T Stadium. The event is spread over three days with free admission and parking each day, plus live draft feed, photo ops, meet and greets with Cowboy celebrities, Cheerleaders, and a kids carnival on Saturday. Presented by Miller Lite.
What: Dallas Children’s Theater presents Roald Dahl’s The BFG (Big Friendly Giant)
When: Thurs., April 28th – Sun., May 22nd @ 7:30PM (Thurs & Fri) and 1:30PM & 4:30PM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Dallas Children’s Theater
5938 Skillman St., Dallas, TX 75231
Why: In the much beloved tradition of Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), we join two misfits on an unforgettable odyssey. The job of this larger-than-life vegetarian is to blow magical dreams into children’s bedrooms. For a young orphan “human bean,” however, the sight of the giant is too much and she fears for her life when he takes her away to an enchanted land. The harmless, cheeky BFG ultimately shows that heroes can come in all sizes. See the play that inspired the new Steven Spielberg movie coming out July 2016. Recommended for ages 7 and up.
What: Dallas Summer Musicals presents Wicked
When: Thurs., April 28th – Sun., May 22nd @ 7:30PM and 1:30PM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park
909 First Ave., Dallas, TX 7521
Why: Wicked tells the story of what happened in the land of Oz, long before Dorothy dropped in. Two girls meet. One – born with emerald green skin – is smart, fiery, and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious, and very popular. How these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good makes for Broadway magic.
What: Dallas International Guitar Festival
When: Friday, April 29th – Sunday, May 1st @ 12:00PM (Fri) and 10:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Dallas Market Hall
2100 Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75207
Why: The Dallas International Guitar Festival is the largest and oldest guitar show in the world, blending musicians, fans, collectors and celebrities together into one huge musical extravaganza. Visitors can buy, sell, trade, or just browse among the thousands upon thousands of new and vintage guitars, basses, amps, banjos, mandolins, straps and strings, effects pedals, keyboards, music memorabilia and more. Enjoy live performances by more than 60 local, regional and national artists on the festival’s four music stages. Catch the best in new young talent at the Texas 10 under 20 contest finals. The festival features 800 booths and exhibits, where you can rub elbows with guitar legends and up-and-coming artists. Or get tips from the very best musicians at instructional clinics throughout the show. Also featured again this year is the Unplugged Room, especially for acoustic instruments.
What: Denton Arts & Jazz Festival
When: Friday, April 29th – Sunday, May 1st @ 5:00PM (Fri) and 10:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Quakertown Park
321 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201
Why: The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is a celebration of the arts in a community known for embracing and nurturing music, dance, drama and the visual arts. Held the last full weekend in April at Denton’s Quakertown Park, the event features seven stages of continuous music, fine art, crafts, and food, games and information booths in a beautiful outdoor setting. Musical acts include UNT One O’Clock Lab Band April 29 at 7 p.m., Patrice Rushen and Friends April 29 at 9 p.m., The Flatlanders April 30 at 7 p.m. and Brave Combo May 1 at 7 p.m
What: Texas Frightmare Weekend
When: Friday, April 29th – Sunday, May 1st @ 6:00PM (Fri) and 11:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Hyatt Regency DFW Airport
2334 N. International Pkwy., Dallas, TX 75261
Why: Robert Englund, George A. Romero, Rose McGowan, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, KISS musician Peter Criss, James Remar, John Carroll Lynch, Lance Henriksen, Tony Todd, cast members from MTV’s Scream: The Series and Halloween II, plus many more will make appearances at the Southwest’s premier horror-themed convention and film festival. Expect seriously creepy screenings, panels, autograph sessions, makeup demos and more. Individual day and weekend passes are available for purchase online.
What: Dia de la Familia
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Where: North Lake College South Campus
1081 W. Shady Grove Rd., Irving, TX 75060
Why: Where can you enjoy live music, play arcade games, go on a 1-mile fun run, and eat – all for free? Día de la Familia, of course. An annual community festival since 1989, Día de la Familia is sponsored by the the Dallas Community College District and is designed to encourage Hispanic participation in education at all levels through fun, informative activities that are free and family-focused. This year’s festivities will include informational booths, food, local entertainment, children’s activities and a fun run (register online).
What: A Texas Tradition Rodeo and Music Festival
When: Saturday, April 30th – Sunday, May 1st @ 9:00AM – 5:00PM
Where: Texas Horse Park
811 Pemberton Hill Rd., Dallas, TX 75217
Why: The Texas Gay Rodeo Association presents weekend rodeo action and live country music. Rodeo events starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Music Festival starts at noon on Saturday and Sunday featuring country music star Billy Gilman, Big City Outlaws, Time Machine Band, Cody del Akridge. Gilman will close the Saturday show.
What: North Texas Comic Book Show
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 9:30AM – 5:00PM
Where: Doubletree Hotel
2105 Market Center Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207
Why: The North Texas Comic Book Show is home to thousands of comic books, toys, and collectibles. Nationally known artists and visual arts students from Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts will be featured guests. There is also a cosplay contest at 2 pm. Comic guests for this event include: Phil Hester – artist on Green Arrow and Wonder Woman, Jai Nitz – Bram Stoker Award winner and co-creator of the comic title El Diablo, Don Kramer – artist on Nightwing, JSA, and Wonder Woman, Alvin Lee – co-creator of Agent X and Deadpool artist, Brent Peeples – Dallas based artist, titles include Green Hornet and the Gold Key Alliance
What: Dallas Book Festival
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
1515 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: An expanded, revitalized Dallas Book Festival will welcome more than three dozen noted authors for a one-day literary showcase. The daylong, free event will include author presentations and panels, artistic and cultural performances, children’s activities, and signing sessions with the authors. Author panels will focus on topics including presidential history, writers’ transition from journalism to books, children’s book illustration, sportswriting, and African-American literature. A full list of authors and panels can be found at
What: 29th Annual Grand Prairie Cinco De Mayo Celebration
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Grand Prairie City Hall
317 College St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: A community parade gets the fun started at 10 a.m. (1405 Main St. near Graff Chevrolet) and festivities continue at City Hall, noon until 6 p.m. The celebration includes Grand Prairie ISD performers, mariachi bands, folklorico dancers and vocalists, Tex-Mex festival foods, bounce houses, an art contest and more.
What: Etsy Dallas Spring Bash
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 10:30AM – 5:00PM
Where: Gilley’s Dallas/South Side Event Center
1135 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215
Why: Etsy Dallas is pleased to announce the new line up of artists and crafters exhibiting at the 8th annual Spring Bash event. More than 75 artists and crafters will be selling their handmade wares. Come out to shop from the finest in handmade from categories such as accessories, art and photography, baby and kids, bags and purses, body care, clothing, housewares, jewelry, paper and stationary, and pets.
What: EdgeFest
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 12:00PM
Where: Toyota Stadium
6000 Main St., Frisco, TX 75034
Why: 102.1 The Edge radio presents the 26th Edgefest music festival with Cage the Elephant, The 1975, Bastille, Silversun Pickups, Chvrches, Foals, The Struts, The Joy Formidable, Good Charlotte, Blue October, XAmbassadors, JR JR, Nothing But Thieves, The Strumbellas. Doors open at noon and the show goes on rain or shine.
What: Boom 94.5 Music Festival: The Evolution of Hip Hop
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 2:00PM – 11:30PM
Where: Fair Park
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: The show will be carved into sections: The Reunion: A No Limit reunion of sorts, with Master P, Mystikal, Silkk the Shocker and Mia X (!) The Legends: Kurtis Blow; Whodini’s Jalil and Ecstacy; and Big Daddy Kane Women MCs: Da Brat; Lil Mo; and Yo Yo Texas talent: Mike Jones (“Who?”), who was in attendance; Lil’ Keke; and DSR (Big Tuck was at the conference, too) DJs: DJ Jubilee; and Big Daddie the DJ, who was also at the press conference. Local jazz man Don Diego will also play a hip-hop medley on his sax in his inimitable way to teach the audience about hip-hop’s roots.
What: Taco Libre! A Seriously Tasty Taco & Music Festival
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 3:00PM
Where: Main Street Garden
1902 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Taco Libre is a celebration of the region’s best taquerias. This year’s Taco Libre is April 30 the weekend before Cinco de Mayo. Come start the celebrations a week early. There will be 20 of the region’s best taquerias, which were picked by Taco Trail’s Jose Ralat.
What: Up, Up & Away! Festival of Flight
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 4:00PM – 8:00PM
Where: Prestwick STEM Academy
3101 Stonefield, The Colony, TX 75056
Why: Celebrating all forms of flight, the festival will feature kite flying, music, birding demonstrations, paper airplane making and contests, trampolines, parachute simulator, drones, plus food trucks and concessions. The festival winds down at 8 p.m. but everyone is invited to stay for an outdoor screening of Tangled and a floating lantern release. Admission is free.
What: A Salute to Prince: Purple Rain + Dance Party
When: Saturday, April 30th @ 9:00PM
Where: Texas Theatre
231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the man’s music and life with a screening of Purple Rain on brilliant 35mm and directly following the feature, deejays Gabriel, Travis Box and Michael J. Rox will help you dance the tears away with Prince’s hits, deep cuts, b-sides, rarities and related projects. $1 from each ticket will go to a very special charity (TBA).
What: Bugs & Brews
When: Sunday, May 1st @ 12:00PM – 7:00PM
Where: Granada Theater
3524 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75206
Why: “Bugs & Brews” is an outdoor festival that salutes Cajun-inspired culture, hitting on its two biggest exports: food and music. It doesn’t get much more Cajun than a traditional crawfish boil. While the food is certainly the main attraction, there’s also music by Rebirth Brass Band, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Roxy Roca, Rise and Shine, Mike and the Moonpies, The Freeloaders, Leopold and His Fiction, and Oil Boom.
