It’s summertime and, while the living may be easy, it’s anything but uneventful. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best of what’s happening in and around Downtown Dallas this June, July and August. Whether you’re craving a trip to the theater, opportunities to commune with flora and fauna, or even a live show featuring your favorite superheroes, Downtown has something to offer everyone — including those out-of-school kiddos.
First up is one of the city’s most popular seasonal kickoffs: the annual Reunion Lawn Party on June 23. Celebrating at the base of Dallas’ iconic Reunion Tower (300 Reunion Blvd. E.), this one-day outdoor festival starts at 6:30 p.m. and features live music, food trucks, plenty of craft beer and competitive lawn games. Set the tone for the rest of the summer by gathering your loved ones and closest friends for some heat-beating, hyperlocal fun.
Thanks to Dallas Summer Musicals, Downtown will also play host to several exciting Broadway shows over the next few months. First up is a must-see classic — The Lion King. This long-running adaptation of the beloved Disney animated feature has won countless Tony awards. Shows will run through July 7 at Fair Park’s Music Hall (909 1st Ave.), so make sure to reserve your ticket to witness this innovative and inspiring production. If you’re looking for something a little less kid-centric, DSM will next host Love Never Dies, the sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, which will run from late July through early August.
If watching singers and dancers in animal costumes on-stage isn’t enough for you, then why not see the real creatures up-close? You can if you stop by the Dallas Zoo (650 S. R. L. Thornton Fwy.) this summer. Not only does the warm weather bring out many of the zoo’s shyer residents, but the Safari Nights concert series is also making a comeback. Expect lively acts, including local favorites such as The O’s (playing July 14), covering a wide array of musical styles. Seats at Safari Nights concerts are included with the price of daily admission.
If you need a break from the soaring temperatures outside — and who doesn’t sometimes? — then take your explorations indoors to the Dallas Museum of Art (1717 N. Harwood St.), home to both a climate-controlled environment and a new exhibit you won’t soon forget. An Enduring Legacy: The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Collection of Impressionist and Modern Art is dedicated to the two largest benefactors in the DMA’s history and showcases career-defining works by Monet, Degas, Cezanne, Picasso and Renoir, among others. Admission is free.
Finally, once August rolls around, it’s time to get your summer blockbuster fix. Skip the crowded multiplex and head to the American Airlines Center (2500 Victory Ave.) instead to capture some Marvel magic. You and the kids can join The Avengers, Thor, Spiderman, the Guardians of the Galaxy and other larger-than-life figures as they go on a one-of-a-kind adventure in Marvel Universe LIVE! Age of Heroes, August 9 – 12. Get prepared to ooh and ah over aerialists, acrobats and movie-quality special effects — and to boo those super villains!
What activities do you have planned for the summer months? How will you be summer staycationing and daycationing here in Dallas? Share your itineraries with us on Facebook and Twitter — and make sure to keep cool out there!