What: QuakeCon 2017
When: Fri. Aug. 25th – Sun. Aug. 27th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Gaylord Texan
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051
Why: Often described as the “Woodstock of Gaming,” QuakeCon is a four-day, non-stop celebration of games and the people who play them. Free to attend and open to the public, QuakeCon will feature North America’s largest Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC) LAN party.
What: North Texas Fair and Rodeo
When: Fri. Aug. 25th – Sun. Aug. 27th @ 6:00PM – Midnight – Fri (12:00PM – 1:00AM- Sat/Sun)
Where: North Texas Fairgrounds
2217 N. Carroll Blvd., Denton, TX 76201
Why: The North Texas Fair and Rodeo brings 9 days of great music, professional and youth rodeos, livestock exhibitions, midway rides, carnival food and one-of-a-kind attractions including the Peterbilt Kid Zone, Swifty Swine Swimming & Pig Racing Show, and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show. Rodeos to enjoy: PRCA rodeo, invitational ranch rodeo, 21 and under rodeo, bull blowout and mutton bustin’. Gate admission includes the fair, rodeo events, livestock shows and concerts.
What: Eddie Griffin
When: Fri. Aug. 25th – Sat. Aug. 26th @ 7:30PM & 9:30PM
Where: Improv (Arlington)
309 Curtis Mathes Way #147, Arlington, TX 76018
Why: A popular comedian turned actor who started his career on-stage as a dare, funnyman Eddie Griffin has built an ever-growing fan base since jumping onto the comedy scene in 1990.
What: McKinney Classic Film Festival
When: Fri. Aug. 25th – Sun. Aug. 27th @ 7:30PM (Fri), 3:00PM (Sat & Sun)
Where: McKinney Performing Arts Center
111 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069
Why: This year’s McKinney Classic Film Festival will showcase five MGM© films during the three-day festival, which offers great classic films, dynamic guests, activities, and plenty of popcorn, too, all in Historic Downtown McKinney. Fri: Gigi (1958), Sat: The Band Wagon (1953), Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Sun: The Pirate (1948), On The Town (1949)
What: Dine in Movie- Finding Dory
When: Fri. Aug. 25th @ 8:00PM(Gates), 9:00PM(Movie)
Where: Holmes Aquatic Center
3501 Lovers Lane, Dallas, TX 75225
Why: Join us for our Summer Dive in Movie Series, which wraps up the season with Finding Dory. Gates open at 8 p.m. Showtime is at 9 p.m.
What: Tulisoma: South Dallas Book Fair and Arts Festival
When: Sat. Aug. 26th @ 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Where: African American Museum
3536 Grand Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: Authors, poets and artists will be featured at the 14th Annual Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair and Arts Festival. The free festival promotes literacy and features black writers including Sonia Sanchez and Haki Madhubuti who have both advanced the Black Arts Movement. The two authors and activitists will be among 25 other writers and poets who will read from and sign their works during the book fair. There will also be workshops, author talks, a youth poetry slam and open mic.
What: Halloween & HauntFest Show
When: Sat. Aug. 26th @ 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Where: Mesquite Convention Center
1700 Rodeo Dr., Mesquite, TX 75149
Why: If you love Halloween, this family friendly convention is for you. You can learn how to throw the scariest Halloween party, make the coolest costume and have the best decorated home in the neighborhood. Pro haunters, dedicated home haunters and just plain old Halloween lovers will all find things to love at the show.
Enjoy the free demos, performances, seminars and characters in costume.
What: VolleyFest Volleyball Tournament & Party
When: Sat. Aug. 26th @ 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Where: Sandbar Cantina and Grill
317 S. 2nd Ave., Dallas, TX 75226
Why: Celebrate summer at VolleyFest 2017, a volleyball tournament and party at Sandbar in Deep Ellum. We’re closing out summer in style with live music, beats by DJ-B, cold beer and our last sand volleyball tournament of the season.
What: Reunion Lawn Party- Mavs Takeover/Petty Theft
When: Sat. Aug. 26th @ 6:30PM – 10:30PM
Where: Reunion Tower at Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Blvd E., Dallas, TX 75207
Why: The Reunion Lawn Party returns with more summer fun. Taking place on the lawn across from Reunion Tower, this free event features live party bands, food trucks, Nodding Donkey beer garden and lawn games. Dallas sports teams will be taking over the lawn each month with swag and more.
What: Mary J Blige: Strength of a Woman Tour
When: Sat. Aug. 26th @ 7:30PM
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park
909 1st Ave., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: R&B legend Mary J. Blige’s tour, featuring special guest Lalah Hathaway, features songs from her 13th studio album release of the same name, plus favorites from her nine-time Grammy winning catalog.
What: Lady Antebellum: You Look Good Tour
When: Sat. Aug. 26th @ 7:30PM
Where: Starplex Pavilion
3839 S. Fitzhugh Ave., Dallas, TX 75201
Why: Lady Antebellum and their big 2017 summer tour, the country trio tapped hitmaker Kelsea Ballerini and rising star Brett Young as opening acts. As fans may know, Hillary Scott considers Ballerini a close friend, and Lady A are looking forward to having the up-and-comer out on the road with them.
What: Deep Ellum Water Balloon Wars
When: Sun. Aug. 27th @ 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Where: Trees
2709 Elm St., Dallas, TX 75226
Why: Beat this heat with water balloon battles, dunk tanks, water slides, plus food and music. The end-of-summer splash fest will take place behind Trees. Bring your lawn chairs to hang out in the sprinkler section. Proceeds benefit Dallas-based mental health and addiction awareness organization Foundation 45.
What: Summer Sundaze: Beat the Heat
When: Sun. Aug. 27th @ 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Where: W Dallas Victory Hotel
2440 Victory Park Ln., Dallas, TX 75219
Why: Amp up your Sundays, at the W’s Wet Deck with curated summer cocktails, light bites, a DJ and panoramic city views and photo ops 16 stories above the Dallas skyline. But wait… there is more. We are also teaming up with Tequila Avion to celebrate National Tequila Day one day early. Enjoy hand crafted tequila infused cocktails by Avion Tequila and a bistro menu for your enjoyment all day long.
What: Big Tex Choice Awards
When: Sun. Aug. 27th @ 2:00PM
Where: Fair Park
1300 Robert B. Cullum Blvd., Dallas, TX 75210
Why: Be one of the first people to taste the food finalists in this year’s Big Tex Choice Awards food competition. Be part of the fun as a panel of judges decides this year’s three winners. All proceeds from event go to the SFT Youth Scholarship Fund.
