What: Dallas International Guitar Festival
When: Fri. May 5th – Sun. May 7th @ 12:00PM (Fri) and 10:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Dallas Market Hall
2200 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. Listen to the best local and regional bands at the festival’s multiple stages. Enjoy performances by more than 60 local, regional and national artists performing on the festival’s four music stages. There will also be a Texas 10 under 20 stage all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, featuring bands under 20 years old. The festival features more than 800 booths and exhibits, where you can rub elbows with guitar legends and up-and-coming artists and 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: Mayfest
When: Fri. May 5th – Sun. May 7th @ 3:30PM (Fri) and 10:00AM (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 Trinity Park, a 33-acre green space along the Trinity River. Festival goers can enjoy live music, festival foods, carnival rides, free children’s activities, 7 entertainment stages including 3 dedicated music stages, paddle boats, rock-climbing, people-watching, art and gift market, 10K and 5K USATF certified runs, student art contest & more.
What: 1st Annual Loco-on-the-Lawn Cinco de Mayo Party
When: Fri. May 5th @ 4:30PM – 7:00PM
Where: Omni Dallas Hotel
555 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75202
Why: Dallasites and hotel guests are invited to join the first ever #LocoOnTheLawn Cinco de Mayo Party. Cafe Herrera and the Omni Dallas Hotel have partnered to bring the best Cinco de Mayo celebration in downtown Dallas inclusive of delicious food, beer, margaritas, live music, contests and raffles.
What: Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games
When: Fri. May 5th – Sun. May 7th @ 5:00PM (Fri) and 9:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Mavericks Stadium (UTA Campus)
1309 W. Mitchell St., Arlington, TX 76013
Why: Break out the kilt for a weekend filled with Scottish music, bagpipe bands, Highland dance and traditional athletic competitions. Highlights include an all-Scottish-breed dog show, tents representing clans and families, a Scotch tasting, fireworks and Scottish foods and ales.
What: 12th Annual Texas Frightmare Weekend: The Southwest’s Premier Horror Convention
When: Fri. May 5th – Sun. May 7th @ 6:00PM (Fri) and 11:00AM (Sat & Sun)
Where: Hyatt Regency DFW
2334 N. International Pkwy., DFW Airport, TX 75261
Why: The Southwest’s Premier Horror Convention and Film Festival returns for our 12th year. Meet your favorite celebrities from the world of horror films as they sign autographs and take photos with fans. Visit our twisted vendors and gear up with horror merch like movies, apparel, memorabilia, posters, t-shirts, action figures and more. Exclusive parties, movie premieres, celebrity Q&A’s, pro photo ops and more! Guests include Austin Amelio, Tom Payne and Pollyanna McIntosh from The Walking Dead, Freddie Highmore, Nestor Carbonell, Max Thieriot and Ryan Hurst from Bates Motel, director Dario Argento, wrestler Ric Flair, Tom Savini, Udo Kier, the cast of Rob Zombie’s “31,” Malcolm McDowell, WWE Hall of Famer Sting, Danny Lloyd from The Shining, the cast of John Carpenter’s The Thing including Wilford Brimley, the cast of 1985’s vampire classic Fright Night and more than 40 genre icons.
What: Bishop Arts Cinco de Mayo Mariachi March
When: Fri. May 5th @ 7:00PM – 11:30PM
Where: Bishop Arts District
700 W. Davis St., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at a progressive patio party that ends in second line-style Mariachi parade down Bishop Ave. Revelers will visit Bishop Arts businesses and private residences, enjoying adult beverages and snacks at each stop, and join in the parade. Tickets are $20 and include a collector’s cup, beer/margarita samples and snacks. Proceeds benefit the Bishop Arts Neighborhood Association.
What: Garland Cinco de Mayo Festival
When: Fri. May 5th – Sun. May 7th @ 7:00PM (Fri) and 11:00AM (Sat)
Where: Historic Downtown Garland
108 N. 6th St., Garland, TX 75040
Why: Two-day Cinco de Mayo festival features “grito” competitions, mariachi music, street tacos, margaritas and more. Contestants in the Grito Contest will literally shout it out to see who is the best at giving the traditional Mexican yell. Winners will receive gift certificates from Garland-based Resistol Hats. The free event takes place in Garland’s retro-cool downtown square with Tejano, country, norteño and cumbia bands and folklorico groups performing. A kids zone will feature crafts, games, bounce houses and face painting. Beer and margaritas will be available for purchase (21+)
What: North Dallas Toy Show
When: Sat. May 6th @ 9:00AM – 3:00PM
Where: Dallas Events Center
4343 Sigma Rd., Ste 600, Dallas, TX 75244
Why: The vintage toy show moves to a new, bigger location – the Dallas Events Center. Guests will still find all types of collectibles including Hot Wheels, Action Figures, Comic Books, Transformers, Matchbox cars, Star Wars, Batman, Marvel Legends, DC Comics, Star Trek, Pop Vinyl, Sci-Fi, Horror Trading Cards and more. More than 70 vendor tables to browse. Recurring 1st Saturday of every month.
What: Cottonwood Art Festival
When: Sat. May 6th – Sun. May 7th @ 10:00AM – 7:00PM
Where: Cottonwood Park
300 S. Cottonwood Dr., Richardson, TX 75080
Why: Browse works by about 240 artists during the spring installment of this fest, which is held twice a year. You can also check out the ArtStop Children’s Area and plenty of local music
What: Plano AsiaFest 2017
When: Sat. May 6th @ 10:30AM – 5:00PM
Where: Haggard Park
901 E. 15th St., Plano, TX 75074
Why: Showcase of Asian cultures includes a fashion show, a wide variety of music and dance, booths, food, arts activities for kids and more
What: Kentucky Derby Day!
When: Sat. May 6th @ 10:30AM – 6:00PM
Where: Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie
1000 Lone Star Pkwy., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: Watch and wager as Lone Star Park simulcasts the 143nd running of the Kentucky Derby, the “greatest two minutes in sports.” Race Times: The Grandstand will open at 10:30 a.m. so you can catch the entire Churchill Downs race card. The first live Lone Star Park race will begin at 1:35 p.m. and the live Derby simulcast will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m. Live Music: Party band Incognito will perform live between races on the Courtyard of Champions stage from noon until 5 p.m. Derby Hat Contest: Enter the Kentucky Derby Hat Contest, with celebrity judging at 3 p.m. Family Fun Park: Bounce houses, pony rides and a petting zoo from noon until 5 p.m. on the lawn.
What: aTrolla Music Festival
When: Sat. May 6th @ 12:00PM
Where: Reunion Park
302 Reunion Blvd. E, Dallas, TX 75207
Why: The inaugural aTrolla Music Festival will celebrate the music from the decades and the fans who created the now popular music festival format. aTrolla will offer two stages, a smorgasbord of delicious food choices, a selection of specialty drinks, seated options, and VIP offerings. The inaugural aTrolla line-up will include Peter Cetera, KC & The Sunshine Band, Survivor, Dionne Warwick, Tower of Power, Grand Funk Railroad, The Spinners, WAR, The Romantics, The Zombies, Delbert McClinton, BJ Thomas, and Carolyn Wonderland.
What: Off the Rails Country Music Fest
When: Sat. May 6th & Sun. May 7th @ 12:00PM
Where: Toyota Stadium
9200 World Cup Way, Frisco, TX 75034
Why: The second annual Off the Rails Country Music Fest will feature performances from Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Justin Moore, Old Dominion, Tyler Farr, Rodney Atkins, CAM, William Michael Morgan, Tucker Beathard, Jessie James Decker, High Valley, and regional local artists.
What: Comic Book Day with Brooklyn Brewery
When: Sat. May 6th @ 5:00PM
Where: Flying Saucer Draught Emporium (Ft. Worth)
111 E. Third St., Ft. Worth, TX 76102
Why: In celebration of Free Comic Book Day, we will be joining forces with Brooklyn Brewery for a night you will marvel over! Our staff will be donned in costumes, so come in your superhero best. Brooklyn Brewery’s resident superhero, The Defender, will make a live appearance and will model for our Drink and Draw, with prizes being awarded for her favorite drawings. If competition isn’t your thing, don’t worry – we’ll also be giving away comic books, graphic novels and Brooklyn swag throughout the night in a series of raffles. In addition to The Defender, we will have several guests of honor making appearances throughout the evening, such as voice actors from your favorite animes. Come out, enjoy Defender IPA with us and embrace your inner comic book fan.
What: Safari Nights Concert Series
When: Sat. May 6th – Sat. July 15th @ 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Where: Dallas Zoo
650 S. R.L. Thornton Fwy., Dallas, TX 75203
Why: Original artists and tribute bands will fill the park with music during our Safari Nights Powered by Breeze Energy concert series on Saturdays. For 11 consecutive Saturday nights, May 6 to July 15, guests can embrace a blend of nature and live music on shady Cat Green. Bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the show, or reserve a private cabana that includes chairs and fans under a tent. Get close to stars of the Zoo’s Animal Adventures outreach program and catch a special presentation of Wonders of the Wild, presented by Kimberly-Clark, the dynamic, interactive wildlife show featuring birds and mammals from all over the world. Food will be available for purchase, along with soft drinks, cold beer and wine.
What: A Peep at the Coops
When: Sun. May 7th @ 11:00AM – 5:00PM
Where: Moss Haven Elementary School
9202 Moss Farm Ln., Dallas, TX 75243
Why: The 8th annual A Peep at the Coops is a one-day, self-guided tour of private urban chicken coops in East Dallas. The event features some of the most innovative coups for raising chickens in North Texas, and experts to answer all of your questions about urban chickens. The family-friendly event also features a Country Market with local artisan and food vendors, community information booths, live entertainment, food trucks and other activities that the whole family will enjoy. A Peep at the Coops is the largest fundraiser for Moss Haven Farm, a 501(c)(3) outdoor learning garden. Moss Haven Farm is entirely supported by community and corporate support.
What: 2017 Etsy Dallas Spring Bash
When: Sun. May 7th @ 10:30AM
Where: South Side Ballroom
1135 S. Lamar St., Dallas, TX 75215
Why: Etsy Dallas will present their annual Spring Bash, featuring more than 70 artists and crafters selling their handmade wares. Local artists and those from outside the DFW will offer 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.
