What: 30th Annual GrapeFest
When: Friday, Sept. 16th – Sunday, Sept 18th @ 10:00AM
Where: Downtown Grapevine
636 S. Main St., Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: The 30th Annual GrapeFest is a celebration of wine and family fun. Sample wines from Texas, California and Australia at a variety of tastings. Cast a vote in The People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic. Enjoy live entertainment on three stages, shop artisans booths in the Marketplace, taste delicious festival foods, & stomp grapes just like Lucy Ricardo. Beer lovers can visit the Craft Brew & Beer Pavilion. Kids can enjoy midway games and carnival rides, interactive fun at KidsWorld with pop-up stations from Legoland & animals from Sea Life Aquarium.
What: Supernatural Official Convention
When: Friday, Sept. 16th – Sunday, Sept 18th @ 10:00AM
Where: Westin Park Central
12720 Merit Dr., Dallas, TX 75251
Why: Supernatural’s Winchester brothers – Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles – are back in their home state for what Creation Entertainment says is the final Supernatural fan convention in Texas. Padalecki and Ackles will be joined by other cast members including Misha Collins. During the weekend fans can sit in on panel discussions with cast members, attend autograph and photo sessions, join in a costume parade and browse official merchandise from the show. There is also a free Friday night karaoke party with a Game of Tones cosplay theme. Saturday’s Louden Swain concert features lead singer and Supernatural’s own Rob Benedict who will be joined on stage by other Supernatural celebrity performers.
What: PARK(ing) Day/ PARK(ing) Night
When: Friday, Sept. 16th @ 11:00AM – Midnight
Where: Downtown Dallas
Main St. and Akard St., Dallas, TX 75202
Why: Organizations, businesses, artists and designers will transform metered parking spaces along Main St. in downtown Dallas into temporary public “Park” installations during the 6th annual PARK(ing) Day Dallas. From 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., these creative public spaces will host performances, art and fun displays. Just stroll down Main St. (between Field & Harwood) and enjoy the short-term showcases. The addition of PARK(ing) Night extends this event until midnight. Visit Main St. in Deep Ellum (between Crowdus & Pryor) from 6 p.m. until midnight to enjoy more creative spaces and entertainment.
What: Addison Oktoberfest
When: Friday, Sept. 16th – Sunday, Sept 18th @ 6:00PM (Fri) and 12:00PM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Addison Circle Park
4970 Addison Circle Dr., Addison, TX 75001
Why: Addison Oktoberfest features much of the same music, folk dancing, and sing-a-longs that is part of the Munich celebration, plus great German food and entertainment. Visit the fest’s 30,000-square-foot, air-conditioned Schloss Addison tent or stroll the festival grounds for German sausage, sauerkraut, strudel and giant pretzels. Kids can enjoy carnival rides, midway games and children’s entertainers. On Sunday, weiner dogs from across the area can join in a Dachshund Parade and Dachshund Races for fun and prizes. Guests can also make reservations to dine at the Chamberlain’s Brau Haus for a full-service dining experience featuring an exclusive three-course menu.
What: Irving Main Street Event
When: Friday, Sept. 16th & Saturday, Sept 17th @ 6:00PM (Fri) and 12:00PM (Sat)
Where: Irving Heritage Park
217 Main Street, Irving, TX 75060
Why: This annual street festival in the heart of the Irving Heritage District celebrates the hometown feel of Irving with attractions for all ages. Each year thousands of people attend this family affair, which offers live music, the Manifolds on Main Street Car Show, free rides and activities for children, great food and shopping. Admission is free on both days. Friday from 6-10 p.m.: Live music and free children’s activities. Saturday from noon-6 p.m.: Festival expands to include a car show and craft marketplace, offering a wide variety of vendors selling crafts, jewelry, décor, apparel and more.
What: 54th Annual National Championship American Pow Wow
When: Friday, Sept. 16th – Sunday, Sept 18th @ 6:00PM (Fri) and 10:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Traders Village
2602 Mayfield Rd., Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Why: DFW Inter-Tribal Association presents a two-day celebration of American Indian culture and heritage. The event is host to dozens of tribes from across the United States. Visitors are invited to wander through the tipi village for a glimpse of village life. During the weekend, dancers in full regalia will compete for prize money in 18 dance categories. Dance competitions take place Friday, 8:30-10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5:30 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5:30 p.m. Other highlights include artists, craftsmen and traders show and sale under the Green Expo, and a vareity of American Indian food including fry bread, Indian tacos and more.
What: Fall Block Party| Mexican Independence Day
When: Friday, Sept. 16th @ 6:00PM – Midnight
Where: Dallas Arts District
Pearl St. and Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Dallas Arts District is closing the streets for the Fall Block Party, a celebration of Diez y Seis de Septiembre (or Mexican Independence Day). The event includes live entertainment and dance perfomances; bites from 13-plus food trucks; cerveza, sangria and libations from Alamo Drafthouse. Pokémon GO inspired piñatas will be turned into into real world PokéStops and gyms. There will be more activities offered at the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Crow Collection of Asian Art.
What: Oak Cliff Flamenco Festival’s Bishop Arts Barrage
When: Friday, Sept. 16th @ 8:30PM
Where: Wild Detectives
314 W. Eighth St., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: As part of the Oak Cliff Flamenco Festival, flamenco musicians will perform at 10 locations in Bishop Arts at the same time for an event called the Bishop Arts Barrage. The Wild Detectives will host a Cante show. Cante means singing in Spanish, and it’s the purest form of Flamenco. It encompasses different styles – from happy and festive – Bulerías – to heartfelt and soulful – Seguiriyas – in which Flamenco singers express the ancestral pain of the gypsy exodus with intense, throat-breaking singing; Quejío is called, meaning literally lament. Vicente Griego will perform his cante accompanied by Chuscales on Spanish guitar and Abejorro on percussion. After the show, artists taking part in The Bishop Arts Barrage will be jamming in WD’s backyard.
What: Ecofest
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th @ 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Where: Founders Plaza
100 W. Abram St., Arlington, TX 76010
Why: Learn ways to be more environmentally friendly while enjoying free fun for the whole family. Take a picture with EcoMan, learn about composting or Texas Perennials during a class and take home a free tree. More than forty vendors will showcase their green products and services. Classes and demonstrations on environmental awareness will take place throughout the day. Ecofest Arlington will also have many children’s activities including games, crafts, and educational presentations..
What: Plano Artfest
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Downtown Plano
15th Street and K Ave., Plano, TX 75074
Why: Get creative at the all-new Plano Artfest coming to McCall Plaza in historic Downtown Plano. Activities include an artist village of craftsmen and makers, performances from local arts groups, free family chalk art, kids crafts, graffiti art exhibit, film screenings, and a young artists learning lab. Food trucks will be on site with a variety of tasty bites. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.
What: Peace Day Dallas: International Fun Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th @ 11:00AM – 3:00PM
Where: Dallas City Hall
1500 Marilla St., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: This is the third annual recognition of Peace Day Dallas, which was established in 2014 to help celebrate the United Nations’ International Day of Peace observed annually every September 21.Peace Day Dallas will host a variety of events using the universals of fine art, music, sports, food and dance as a mechanism for connectivity. Each event will showcase the efforts of individuals, groups and organizations that work to make Dallas a place of peace. Peace Day Dallas activities, Sept. 16-24, continue with a family fun party with music by DJ Nikki Nicole, Maverick’s Basketball Skills Camp, Mavs ManiAACs and dancers, Gaelic football, bocce tournament, Irish hurling, zumba, food trucks, entertainment booths, international dancers, international food and face painting.
What: 18th Annual Denton Blues Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th – Sunday, Sept 18th @ 1:00PM
Where: Quakertown Park
321 E. McKinney St., Denton, TX 76201
Why: The Denton Black Chamber of Commerce presents the 18th annual Denton Blues Festival featuring music, food and kids’ events. Announced performers include blues guitarist and vocalist Toronzo Cannon and rising bluesman Selwyn Birchwood. Admission is free.
What: Festival en Duncanville
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th @ 4:00PM – 10:00PM
Where: Armstrong Park
100 James Collins Blvd, Duncanville, TX 75116
Why: The Festival en Duncanville is a celebration of Art, Culture, Food and Family. The festival celebrates Duncanville’s diversity by highlighting our local artists, musicians, cuisine and Hispanic heritage. Come join us for an evening of great fun and activities for every age.
What: YO! 90s Hip Hop Party w Vanilla Ice!
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th @ 8:00PM
Where: Bomb Factory
2713 Canton St., Dallas, TX 75226
Why: The Festival en Duncanville is a celebration of Art, Culture, Food and Family. The festival celebrates Duncanville’s diversity by highlighting our local artists, musicians, cuisine and Hispanic heritage. Come join us for an evening of great fun and activities for every age.
What: Canelo vs.Smith: WBO Junior Middleweight World Championship
When: Saturday, Sept. 17th @ 8:00PM
Where: AT&T Stadium
1 Legends Way, Arlington, TX 76011
Why: AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, will give a big Texas welcome to former two-division world champion Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33 KOs) and WBO Junior Middleweight World Champion Liam “Beefy” Smith (23-0-1, 13 KOs) as it hosts their world championship showdown.
What: The Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic
When: Sunday, Sept. 18th @ 10:00AM
Where: SMU Tennis Center
5669 N. Central Expwy., Dallas, TX 75205
Why: Dirk Nowitzki has conquered basketball, sold out charity baseball games, and will now show off his skills on a different court. With racquet in hand, the NBA All-Star and Dallas Mavericks legend returns to his first love, hosting the inaugural Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic. The roster of all-stars joining Dirk for the round-robin competition will include: Andy Roddick, Ben Stiller, Benjamin Becker, Mark Knowles, Boris Kodjoe, J.J. Barea, Harrison Barnes, and Mitchell Krueger. Proceeds benefit the Dirk Nowitzki Foundation, which awards grants annually to organizations focusing on children’s wellbeing, health and education
What: Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade/ MIller Lite Festival in the Park
When: Sunday, Sept. 18th @ 12:00PM – 7:00PM (2PM Parade)
Where: Reverchon Park
3505 Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: Now in its 33nd year, the Dallas gay pride festival and parade is a celebration of “Solidarity Through Pride.” The Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade starts at 2 p.m. traveling down Cedar Springs from Wycliff to Turtle Creek Blvd, then west on Maple to Reverchon Park. The parade is free for spectators. The Miller Lite Festival in the Park features music on the main stage by dance music singer/songwriter and TV personality Erika Jayne, Mi Diva Loca, Big City Outlaws and more. Festival hours are from noon until 7 p.m. at Reverchon Park (Maple at Turtle Creek Blvd.) and will have vendors and a family fun zone.
