There’s nothing quite like a Texas summer. Big blue skies, delicious backyard barbecue, even the sweltering temperatures—we’ll take it all in the name of summer. And with the start of the new season just one week away, we’ve rounded up the top city events you don’t want to miss, from free outdoor lawn parties to ticketed shows and festivals.
Up first is the Reunion Lawn Party series, an outdoor event held on the last Saturday of June, July and August at the base of Reunion Tower. The first event kicks off on June 22nd at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free for all. You can expect food trucks, craft beer and wine, live entertainment—DJ K Sprinkles and Emerald City’s The Party Machine Band are already lined up for June—and plenty of outdoor games. Bring a lawn blanket and enjoy a warm summer night right in the middle of downtown.
And it wouldn’t be a Dallas summer without taking advantage of the many free, outdoor summer movie series happening throughout the city. Klyde Warren Park will once again host its 2019 Summer Movie Series on Saturday evenings through June, July and August. This summer’s lineup hasn’t been announced yet, but past movies include family-friendly picks like Jurassic World, Captain America, Trolls and Inside Out. Another family-friendly option is Fair Park’s Summer Movie Series, held in Exhibition Plaza on Thursday nights throughout June and July. Upcoming movies include The LEGO Movie, Into the Woods and Paddington. Concessions will be available, and a food truck will be on site.
If you’re looking to enjoy a movie night with friends, then head to the Adolphus’ Summer Cinema Series, where the hotel’s iconic rooftop pool transforms into a swim-up theater every Wednesday night. This summer’s lineup includes classic flicks like The Sandlot, Weekend at Bernie’s and A League of Their Own. Light bites, concessions snacks and craft cocktails are available for purchase. West Village will also continue hosting its West Village Movie Night, which focuses on recent bigtime blockbusters and offers food and drink from nearby restaurants.
Last but not least: Make sure to close out the summer by attending the 3rd Annual Riverfront Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend. Held over three days across three different venues, this massive festival features world-renowned traditional and contemporary jazz, blues and soul musicians, as well as plenty of food, drink and vendor booths for attendees to browse between performances. General admission tickets start at $55, and this year’s acts include Raheem DeVaughn, Erykah Badu, Avery Sunshine and many more.
Still looking for more summer events? Don’t miss the Dallas Summer Musical’s 2019 lineup, with smash Broadway plays like Aladdin, Hello Dolly and Fiddler on the Roof. LeakyCon, a Harry Potter event that sold out months in advance last year, will also make its grand return to Dallas at the beginning of August. For any dino-obsessed kids, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science will host its second annual Dino Fest the weekend of August 31st. And don’t miss a very special performance this summer from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which will screen the 1980 Star Wars film, The Empire Strikes Back, while performing the score live in its entirety.
Which city event are you looking forward to the most? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
