With endless booths to peruse, delicious fare to taste, live entertainment to enjoy and like-minded people to engage in conversation, festivals are a fantastic way to pass a weekend in North Texas. Check out the many exciting events you can choose from this spring.
For those who enjoy nothing more than a good brew, there’s no better place to be than the Big Texas Beer Fest at Fair Park, happening March 29 – 30. Known as Dallas’ original beer fest, this two-day event features rare beers, one-off offerings and special firkins, making it a paradise for any true aficionado of the sudsy stuff. Last year’s festival included representation from 100-plus breweries, with 500-plus beers to sample, and attendees can expect a similar spread this year. The beer list is typically released one week before the event, but make sure to purchase tickets now — the festival routinely sells out in advance.
If you’re interested in a free festival option, look no further than the annual Deep Ellum Arts Festival, held April 5 – 7. This massive street festival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019, welcoming over 200 visual artists who will take over six blocks of Main Street. Music-lovers can also enjoy 100 original bands and singer-songwriters performing on four different stages. For the snack-minded, there will be tons of food trucks and vendors to patronize. As past attendees know, this is one of the best art events in DFW. Consider the free price of admission an unbeatable bonus.
April 13 marks the return of the Homegrown Music and Arts Festival to Main Street Garden in Downtown Dallas. Now in its tenth year celebrating the diversity that defines Texas music, this year’s Homegrown lineup is probably most notable for its headliners: Toadies and Tripping Daisy, two of the most successful bands to emerge from the region’s alt-rock scene of the early 1990s. Houston soulsters The Suffers are on the bill as well, as is Marc Rebillet and Texas Piano Man Robert Ellis. Throw in live art demonstrations, a dog park, and local vendors selling art, wares, food and beverages and, yes, it’s more than fair to call this a festival. Tickets start at $49, with VIP access available for just an additional $40.
Farther north, and occupying a rather different downtown — Quakertown Park, a 32-acre space in the heart of Denton — area festival-goers will find the Denton Arts and Jazz Fest. This three-day festival (April 26 – 28) features nonstop music on seven different stages and is sure to satisfy the ears of any diehard jazz-lover. The festival is also a big showcase of the arts, and attendees can expect displays from countless artists and craftsmen. The festivities are family-friendly as well and include multiple activities for children. Food courts feature prominently on the grounds, too. Still, we saved the best news for last — this event is also free to the public.
Fort Worth’s Fortress Festival is another must for music-lovers in North Texas. Although the festival is celebrating just its third birthday, it’s already created quite a buzz, with Harper’s Bazaar deeming it one of 20 “Can’t Miss Music Festivals” in the country. This festival will be held the weekend of April 27 – 28 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Performers will include hometown legend Leon Bridges, CHVRCHES, Tinashe, Rae Sremmurd and more. Two-day general admission tickets start at $109.
Lastly, look out for KAABOO Texas, May 10 – 12, which will combine the best of live music and comedy for one special weekend at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium. Music-lovers can expect a diverse list of big-name performers including The Killers, Kid Rock, Sting, Little Big Town, The Black Eyed Peas, Alanis Morissette, Pitbull and many more. The comedy portion boasts its own impressive lineup with Dennis Miller, Brad Garrett, Whitney Cummings and Demetri Martin set to take the stage, among others. The fun doesn’t stop there though. The weekend includes plenty of dining options, art exhibits, a nighttime pool party (complete with live DJ) and even a la carte spa services. Three-day passes start at $299.
Which North Texas festival are you most excited for this year? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
