What: QuakeCon 2016
When: Friday, Aug. 5th – Sunday, Aug. 7th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Hilton Anatole Hotel
2201 N. Stemmons Fwy., Dallas, TX 75202
Why: FREE Celebrating its 20th year, QuakeCon — sometimes called the “Woodstock of Gaming” — is a free celebration of games and gamers. The fest offers North America’s biggest Bring-Your- Own-Computer LAN party, but those who don’t bring their own computers can participate in drawings and competitions. There will also be an exhibit hall with recent games and hardware, a tabletop gaming area, and plenty of entertainment. Attendees will also have the chance to try out some of Bethesda’s anticipated titles.
What: Revelry Bridesmaid Pop-Up Shop
When: Friday, Aug. 5th – Sunday, Aug. 14th @ 10:00AM
Where: Y&I Clothing Boutique
3699 McKinney Ave. #411, Dallas, TX 75204
Why: At the Revelry Bridesmaid Pop-Up Shop, guests can try on all of their bridesmaid dress styles with their Wedding Squad. Swoon over the Bridesmaid Collection featuring trendy, affordable and designer quality styles. They offer over 20+ colors in tulle, chiffon, and sequins.
What: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Circus Extreme
When: Friday, Aug. 5th – Sunday, Aug. 14th @ 10:30AM
Where: American Airlines Center
2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: Ringling Bros. and Barnum’s & Bailey’s Circus Xtreme has come for a two-week run that has stops in Dallas and Fort Worth. High-wire wizards, powerful strongmen, BMX trick riders, trampoline daredevils, inconceivable contortionists, a high-flying human cannonball, and a bungee aerial skydiving display provide thrilling entertainment for circus goers.
What: Infinicon
When: Friday, Aug. 5th – Sunday, Aug. 7th @ 11:00AM – 8:00PM
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel
14315 Midway Rd., Addison, TX 75001
Why: Infinicon celebrates geek, pulp, and pop cultures of all sorts and brings together a diverse group of fan communities. Weekend events include cosplay contest, console game tournament, art show, Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast, media and industry guests, interactions with artists, authors, vendors and clubs.
What: Hard Rock Cafe Dallas & Bishop Cider Co. present Brews & Views
When: Friday, Aug. 5th – Friday, Aug. 26th @ 6:00PM
Where: Hard Rock Café Dallas
2211 N. Houston St., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: Hard Rock Cafe Dallas and Bishop Cider Co. are partnering to present Brews & Views. Visit the Hard Rock Cafe Dallas every Friday night in August for a screening of a classic “Musicians in Movies” themed film, and enjoy limited-time ciders by Bishop Cider Co. (Purple Rain, Labyrinth, A League of Their Own and Moonstruck)
What: Dixie Chicks World Tour MMXVI
When: Friday, Aug. 5th @ 7:00PM
Where: Gexa Energy Pavilion
1818 1st Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: The Dixie Chicks will come back to Dallas as part of their first tour in 10 years, DCX World Tour MMXVI. They’ll be joined by opening acts Vintage Trouble and Smooth Hound Smith.
What: Culture Club in concert
When: Friday, Aug. 5th @ 8:00PM
Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
1001 Performance Pl., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: The reunited original lineup of Culture Club comes to Dallas in support of their new album, Tribes.
What: The Laugh Supper presents The Supper Olympics
When: Friday, Aug. 5th & Saturday, Aug. 6th @ 11:15PM
Where: Pocket Sandwich Theatre
5400 E. Mockingbird Ln. #119, Dallas, TX 75206
Why: The Laugh Supper will bring its popular short-form, game-based improvisational comedy back with a new show, The Supper Olympics. Through a series of lively, improvised scenes, the troupe will lead the audience through a set heavy on energy, laughter, audience suggestions and participation. The Supper Olympics is a celebration of patriotic athleticism as filtered through the lens of improv comedy. Suggestions, prompts and scenes will incorporate this theme into the evening’s proceedings.
What: North Dallas Toy Show
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th @ 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Where: Valley View Center
13331 Preston Rd., Dallas, TX 75240
Why: Find rare Pokemon cards (a flying Pikachu, anyone?), discover vintage Hot Wheels cars from the ’80s, build your Lego collection and unearth astonishing collectibles that will bring your childhood memories right to the surface. Featuring more than 50 vendors, the show takes place the first Saturday of the month on the first floor of Valley View Center.
What: Dallas Comic Show
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th & Sunday, Aug. 7th @ 10:30AM
Where: Richardson Civic Center
411 W. Arapaho Rd. #102, Richardson, TX 75240
Why: The second Dallas Comic Show of 2016 is a family-friendly event featuring comic book and media guests, costumed characters, gaming and Anime content. Among the celebrities who will be on hand will be Peter Mayhew, Adam Baldwin, Barry Bostwick, Judge Reinhold, and Matthew Spradlin, as well as a variety of comic book writers and animator
What: Window to the Wild Inc. presents Braindead Beer & Birds
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th @ 1:00PM
Where: BrainDead Brewing
2625 Main St., Dallas, TX 75240
Why: Window to the Wild, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing personal interactions with the beautiful co-habiters of our planet. They work with local bird rehabilitation centers to take in birds that can not be released in to the wild due to human imprinting or injuries. They offer unique educational and entertaining programs with a variety of birds to schools and other educational facilities in the DFW area. Come meet some of their feathered friends and help support their non-profit organization by donating or purchasing one of their cool promotional items. Get up close and personal, even snag a photo with one of their Bird Ambassadors. Grab a bite to eat and one of Braindead’s incredible brews.
What: Family Day: Pokemon Go Edition
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th @ 1:00PM – 3:00PM
Where: The Samurai Collection
2501 N. Harwood St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Family Day at The Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Museum: The Samurai Collection takes place on the first Saturday of every month and features different themes and interactive activities each time. Join the museum on Saturday, August 6 from 1 – 3 PM for a very special edition influenced by the latest popular craze – Pokémon Go. Pokémon have taken over the museum and the team needs your help to catch them all. Test your skills as you learn about the “samurai” counterparts to your favorite Pokémon while capturing some for yourself. Not a Pokémon Go player? Join our “low-tech” scavenger hunt and find all the Pokémon hidden throughout the museum for a special prize.
What: Local Brews Local Grooves
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th @ 4:00PM
Where: House of Blues
2200 N. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202
Why: This recurring event showcases what Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer in terms of beer and music; after all, those two things pair swimmingly. The event features 18 bands (including Mingo Fishtrap, the O’s and Buffalo Ruckus) that play on the House of Blues’ multiple stages and suds from 16 breweries. A sampling wristband includes five four-ounce beer samples or food pairings
What: UDR presents Vitruvian Salsa Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th – Saturday, August 27th @ 6:00PM (Sat Only)
Where: Vitruvian Park
3966 Vitruvian Way, Addison, TX 75001
Why: Bring your dancing shoes to Vitruvian Park’s Amphitheater every Saturday in June and August for the Vitruvian Salsa Festival. Enjoy live bands, DJs, professional salsa lessons with Luis Delgadillo and gourmet food trucks each week.
What: Maks and Val Live on Tour: Our Way
When: Saturday, Aug. 6th @ 8:00PM
Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
1001 Performance Pl., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: Brothers Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy are bringing to life the show they have dreamed about since childhood, combining an honest and unfiltered narrative of their life story, with the world class dancing, creativity and passion they are known for. Collaborating with the greatest choreographers in the business and supported by a cast of fellow dance professionals, the show will surprise and delight with timeless elegance and steamy seduction.
What: Sunday Funday
When: Sunday, Aug. 7th – Sunday, Sept. 4th @ 12:00PM – 6:00PM (Sun Only)
Where: Panther Island Pavilion
395 Purcey St., Ft. Worth, TX 76102
Why: Laid back, family-friendly experience on the banks of, and in, the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion. Rent a tube or bring your own, try a variety of paddle sports, Stand Up Paddleboard yoga, disc golf and more. Bring blankets, chairs, games or anything else that would be fun in the sun. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. No outside coolers, food or drinks will be allowed on site. OK to bring pets on leashes.
What: W Dallas Victory Hotel presents Summer Sundaze
When: Sunday, Aug. 7th – Sunday, Sept. 4th @ 1:00PM (Sun Only)
Where: W Dallas Victory Hotel
2440 Victory Park Ln., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: Beat the Dallas heat at the W Dallas – Victory Hotel on their WET Deck. Sixteen stories above the Dallas skyline, guests can enjoy the hottest views in Dallas, sounds by DJ Lucius, and curated cocktails and bites at the WET Bar. Tables are available and can be reserved by purchasing a bottle deposit ticket. Deposit will go towards the amount of any bottles purchased (does not include tax + gratuity). Each table will comfortably fit five guests. All members of your party must be present upon entry.
What: Dave Koz & David Sanborn: Side by Side
When: Sunday, Aug. 7th @ 3:00PM
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park
909 1st Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: Saxophone greats David Koz and David Sanborn co-headline, with jazz singer Chante Moore.
