What: A-Kon 28
When: Fri. June 9th – Sun. June 11th @ 9:00AM – 9:00PM (Sun till 2:00PM)
Where: Fort Worth Convention Center
1201 Houston St., Ft. Worth, TX 76102
Why: A-Kon hosts anime fans and guests and offers other items of interest ranging from gaming to independent film, all in the quest to provide the best experience for the fans and bring the most engaging and educational entertainment to the anime community. A-Kon hosts anime fans and guests and offers other items of interest ranging from gaming to independent film, all in the quest to provide the best experience for the fans.
What: Oak Cliff Film Festival
When: Fri. June 9th – Sun. June 11th @ 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Where: Texas Theatre
231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: Oak Cliff Film Festival has established itself as a significant city-wide event, featuring the best of Oak Cliff’s theatre and art venues, restaurants, bars, and small businesses. OCFF showcases brave & independent filmmaking of all stripes in an atmosphere that encourages and fosters filmmaking in Dallas and beyond.
What: Birds & Brew
When: Fri. June 9th @ 7:00PM – 10:00PM
Where: Trinity River Audubon Center
6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217
Why: Join us for live birds from Windows to the Wild, craft brews, lite bites from Bolsa Mercado, artists, speakers, games, music and s’mores. Tickets include all food, 3 full-sized beers and all activities. Manhattan Project Beer Company will be on site.
What: SummerBlast Friday Night Fireworks and All- American Garage Party
When: Fri. June 9th – Fri. Sep 1st @ 7:00PM (Fri Only)
Where: Gaylord Texan
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Grapevine’s Friday Night Fireworks are back at the Gaylord Texan. Make your way to the 5th floor of the resort parking garage at 7 p.m. for music and great food as a live DJ hosts fun and games at the “All-American Garage Party,” all while you countdown to “Friday Night Fireworks” over Lake Grapevine at 9:30 p.m.
What: En Vogue Bell Biv Devoe
When: Fri. June 9th @ 8:00PM
Where: Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
1001 Performance Pl., Grand Prairie, TX 75050
Why: Relive the ’90s with this special throwback concert featuring Bell Biv Devoe, Guy, SWV, and En Vogue.
What: The Bacon Brothers
When: Fri. June 9th @ 8:30PM
Where: The Kessler
1230 W. Davis St., Dallas, TX 75208
Why: Long before Kevin Bacon launched his prolific stage and screen career, and before Michael Bacon became known as a go-to composer for film and television, they were just two brothers, born nine years apart, coming of age in Center City Philadelphia. By the late 1960s, Michael, already a professional musician, would gig with his band at the city’s famed Electric Factory with a young Kevin tagging along when he could. Their childhood hometown of Philadelphia is the brothers’ muse for their eclectic blend of rock and soul.
What: Dragon Boat Festival
When: Sat. June 10th @ 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Loyd Park
3401 Regland Rd., Grand Prairie, TX 75052
Why: Bring lawn chairs/blankets to view the spectacular boat races on the waters of Joe Pool Lake. Enjoy food and craft vendors, a beach area and playground for the kids, and live entertainment throughout the day.
What: Taste of Dallas
When: Sat. June 10th & Sun. June 11th @ 11:00AM – 7:00PM
Where: Fair Park
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: 31st Annual Taste of Dallas, benefiting the North Texas Food Bank, returns to Fair Park with foodie family fun for all. New this year is Live Fire: BBQ, Burgers & Brews, curated by Tim Byres of Smoke and presented by Napoleon Grills. You’ll enjoy some of the very best barbecue and burger joints around, including Hutchins BBQ, 18th & Vine, Cattleack, Meat U Anywhere, Bet The House, Billy Oake Acres, Bone Daddy’s, Good Union Urban BBQ and Addison Ice House. An expanded Family Fun Zone, presented by Direct Energy, will have indoor rides, games, inflatables and more.
What: Mesquite’s Summer Sizzle
When: Sat. June 10th @ 12:00PM – 9:00PM
Where: Paschall Park
1001 New Market Rd., Mesquite, TX 75149
Why: Kick off your summer with a day filled with families enjoying live music, food trucks, children’s activities, a mud volleyball tournament, washers tournament and more. Live music has an ’80s flavor. Fun contests include a Pet 80’s Costume Contest, Air Guitar Contest, Texas Roadhouse Rib Eating Contest, and an 80’s Costume Contest (for humans!). Be part of a world Record Setter attempt for the most people wearing a glow stick while dancing to “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Check out the free Texas-Sized Yard games, including Jenga, Pong, Cornhole and more! Kids activities include a Splash Zone, inflatables and rides. New this year is a Bark Zone, with a cooling pool for dogs, agility course and a leash free area. Summer Sizzle will end with a fabulous fireworks show set to music.
What: NorthPark Center presents ArtROCKS! featuring Jackson Pollock
When: Sat. June 10th @ 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Where: NorthPark Center
8687 N. Central Expy., Dallas, TX 75225
Why: NorthPark Center will present the work of Jackson Pollock, an American artist known for his major role in the abstract expressionist movement and his unique style of drip painting. Children will enjoy art projects with Artist DIY, Creative Arts Center, KidArt and Sour Grapes, as well as a Bookmarks scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, and walkSTEM tours.
What: 4th Annual Big D BBQ Battle
When: Sat. June 10th @ 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Where: Addison Circle Park
4970 Addison Circle Dr., Addison, TX 75001
Why: Eat all the fall-off-the-bone succulence you can take at Big D BBQ Battle, featuring teams vying for top prizes in categories such as best brisket, ribs, & beans. Ticket includes ‘cue from 40 cook teams, beer from local breweries, car show, midway, kids zone and live music. Benefits Café Momentum and Guns and Hoses.
What: Jimmy Buffet with Special Guest ZZ Top
When: Sat. June 10th @ 7:00PM
Where: Toyota Stadium
6000 Main St., Frisco, TX 75034
Why: JIMMY BUFFETT and The Coral Reefer Band performing for their annual summer-opening bash! Hundreds camp out in RVs in the parking lot for the weekend. In years past, some have partied in parked boats or set up elaborate stages for grass-skirted fans to dance and drink upon. This year, they bring special guest ZZ TOP for a night that’s not to be missed!
What: Night Out on 15th St.
When: Sun. June 11th @ 6:00PM – 10:00PM
Where: Downtown Plano
15th St. and K Ave., Plano, TX 75074
Why: Street party in historic downtown Plano’s art district includes a cocktail reception and seated tasting at a long table set in the middle of 15th St. Arts district chefs will prepare the culinary tasting with wine, beer and spirits pairings. Live music and a whiskey and cigar bar lounge are also part of the fun. Participating restaurants this year include Angela’s at the Crosswalk, Amazeballz, The Fillmore Pub, Lockhart Smokehouse Plano, Urban Rio, Urban Crust, Vickery Park Plano, Jorg’s Cafe Vienna and XO Coffee Company.
What: Downtown Arlington Center Stage Music Festival: Black Violin/ Dylan Chambers
When: Sun. June 11th @ 7:00PM
Where: Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts
100 W. Abram St., Arlington, TX 76010
Why: Black Violin is composed of classically trained violist and violinist, Wil B. and Kev Marcus, who combine their classical training and hip-hop influences to create a distinctive multi-genre sound that is often described as “classical boom.” Family friendly concert series features open lawn seating (lawn chairs, blankets) and free admission. Picnics, coolers and beverages (including beer and wine) are permitted. Concessions available for purchase.
