Are you setting an intention of creating new traditions for your family? You don’t have to wait until the holidays. Every month of the year, families who live in and around Dallas will find these annual events—from kid-friendly festivals to live shows—worth adding to their calendar. Here’s what to expect—and what’s in it for the kids and the whole family.
For specific dates as they are announced and many more events around DFW, search our calendar for events closest to you.
January Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy USA Film Festival
USA Film Festival’s KidFilm
Where: Angelica Film Center, Dallas
Why go? Move over, Sundance. This film fest is just for kids. And it’s extra special because these short films are largely based on children’s books too. Every year features a different lineup of new animated and live-action movies made for kids, as well as a featured children’s book authors whose book has been adapted to film, and who will sign and give away free copies too.
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: The featured author/illustrators include some legendary names and are typically announced just a few weeks before the event, so don’t miss your chance to meet one of your own childhood idols too.
Plan your visit: usafilmfestival.com
Dallas MLK Day Parade
Where: Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Dallas
Why go? The spirit of Dr. King’s message of hope and philosophy of nonviolence lives on forever. To show solidarity with your fellow citizens, families are welcome to take part in and watch this 40-plus-year annual parade honoring the late civic rights leader on his birthday. Hosted by the City of Dallas and nonprofit H.E.L.P (Hope. Encourage. Love. Protect). This year, there’s some construction on the roads, so look online first for details about the new route.
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: Want to pay it forward throughout the year? Get involved by volunteering as a family with nonprofit Hope Encourage Love Protect (H.E.L.P.).
Plan your visit: help-dallas.org/mlk-parade
February Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Crow Museum of Asian Art of UT Dallas
Lunar New Year Festival
Where: NorthPark Center, Dallas
Why go? One of the biggest festivals around DFW is this one inside the luxury shopping destination, NorthPark, hosted in part by the Crow Museum of Asian Art. This big party stars not only a lively lion dance and other performances but also loads of kids activities, like origami crafts, and sometimes live animals, depending which zodiac animal represents that year.
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: For more Asian art and festivities, check out the Crow’s two museum locations, in the Dallas Arts District and at the UT Dallas campus
Plan your visit: northparkcenter.com and crowmuseum.org
Harlem Globetrotters
Where: Typically at both American Airlines Center in Dallas and Dickies Arena in Fort Worth
Why go? You ever tried to spin a basketball on your finger? These pros make it look like a piece of cake—and that’s far from the only trick they’ve got up their sleeves. Catch the Globetrotters exhibition basketball team when they visit both Dallas and Fort Worth every year like clockwork.
Cost: Seats generally start at the low $40s, and extra for other perks and experiences.
Parent tip: For the most fun on the court with the players, be sure to book the pre-game Magic Pass or the Celebrity Court Pass.
Plan your visit: harlemglobetrotters.com
March Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Dallas Camera Club
North Texas Irish Festival
Where: Fair Park, Dallas
Why go? Of all the entertainment—Irish step-dancing, live animal demonstrations—it’s really the storytelling that best captures kids’ imaginations. Bring your little kids to the Urchin Story Glen inside the Automobile Building to hear—among other stories—the epic, true story of Ireland’s real-life Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley.
Cost: Single-day tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for kids; under 6 free.
Parent tip: Half the fun here is the people watching, so feel free to go big with your own costumes if you’re feeling creative.
Plan your visit: ntif.org
April Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Henry B. Tipple National Aviation Education Center
Warbird Weekend
Where: Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center, Dallas
Why go? What does Darth Vader have to do with vintage airplanes? Well, we’re not sure either, but it’ll no doubt be exciting to witness light saber demonstrations from Star Wars reenactors at this annual flight fest. Admission gets you access to STEM activities in the aviation discovery zone and to special ride-alongs in vintage military vehicles.
Cost: Family passes available; children under 6 free.
Parent tip: If April’s too far away for your family’s history buffs, put a bookmark in November for the center’s Aviation Discovery Fest.
Plan your visit: commemorativeairforce.org
May Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Texas Ballet Theater
Texas Ballet Theater
Where: Winspear Opera House, Dallas
Why go? Have an older kid in their dance class era? DFW’s premier professional ballet company stages beautifully executed productions, always including The Nutcracker during the holidays. And I’ve noticed that it’s last show of the season in May that more often than not is a particularly whimsical, fairytale. Case in point, coming up in May 2027, is Coppélia, starring a mechanic doll come to life.
Cost: Tickets typically start at $25 in advance. And season packages are available for performances in both Dallas and Fort Worth.
Parent tip: Have a younger child who definitely can sit through an entire show (until intermission) but needs some help seeing over heads? Borrow a booster seat from guest services.
Plan your visit: texasballettheater.org
June Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Dallas CASA
Parade of Playhouses
Where: NorthPark Center, Dallas
Why go? How would your kids like to play in their own backyard castle? Ice cream shoppe? Or conservatory? Every year, you can get a shot at winning one of a dozen or so custom-designed playhouse designed by local architects. Go see them on display for several weeks.
Cost: Raffle ticket purchases benefit nonprofit Dallas CASA. They’re typically $5 for one or 5 tickets for $20.
Parent tip: Sadly, you cannot play inside and bounce off the walls inside these playhouses (they’ve got to stay pristine for their future owners), but it’s still worth the trip if you time your visit with the live kids entertainment at NorthPark (often on Wednesdays but check the schedule.) And of course, no visit to NorthPark is complete without letting the kids slide down the sloped planters, located near the indoor duck and turtle pond.
Plan your visit: dallascasa.org and northparkcenter.com
July Family Events in Dallas
Dude Perfect Facebook
Dude Perfect Tour
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
Why go? Sports meets comedy meets outrageous challenges in these live performances by trick shot kings Dude Perfect, whose headquarters are here in Frisco). For the last few summers, their annual tour has included stops here in their own backyard (in Dallas and Fort Worth), so this is your shot to see the co-founders and of course mascot Panda bring the action from their YouTube channel to these lives shows. Don’t miss their super silly and high-energy games on stage, and join in the fun at the preshow Fan Zone.
Cost: Tickets typically start in the $30s.
Parent tip: Want to try out some trick shots of your own? Head to the new Dig World in Grapevine, with an official Dude Perfect area with their construction-themed trick shots.
Plan your visit: dudeperfect.com
August Family Events in Dallas
Dallas’ Original Watermelon Day
Where: Dallas Farmers Market
Why go? If you’re looking forward to cutting open a seasonal watermelon anyway, head here to choose from more than 20 varieties from local farmers (and wow your kids by making it an orange or yellow one). Dallas Farmers Market goes all out for its annual Watermelon Day with a weekend of kids activities, balloon artists, live music and watermelon eating contests.
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: Be sure to come on Saturday when they’re offering mini tractor rides.
Plan your visit: dallasfarmersmarket.org
September Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy State Fair of Texas
State Fair of Texas
Where: Fair Park, Dallas
Why go? Howdy, readers! The Big Tex statue, fried foods, carnival rides—these are what the massive state fair is best known for. But there are way more activities than can fit on this page and most of it is included with your general admission. The 2026 festival kicks off September 25 and runs through October 18. When it’s available, be sure to give the schedule a thorough look for the performances and experiences you definitely don’t want to miss, and stay until after nightfall to experience the fireworks and light parades each night.
Cost: General admission is free for kids under 3. A variety of bundle options and discount days will be available.
Parent tip: You can bring your own food and snacks in a soft shell cooler from home, provided that it falls within their parameters (9-by-10-by12 inches, ice packs, etc.)
Plan your visit: bigtex.com
October Family Events in Dallas
Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival
Where: Dallas City Hall
Why go? You’ll see more sugar skull face painting here than any other spot in town at this fifth annual party in downtown. Come early to get your face painting or to scope out a spot for the best viewing of the stage performances. The fest runs from 2–10pm, and at 7pm, the parade steps off with folklórico dancers and more community groups.
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: Come super early to get your face painted, lest they run out of paint!
Plan your visit: ddlmusa.com
November Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Galleria Dallas
Grand Tree Lighting Celebration & Missile Toes
Where: Galleria Dallas
Why go? Each year, the Galleria assembles the nation’s tallest indoor Christmas tree, stretching up to the sky from its perch at the center of the ice rink. And for the lighting ceremony, they bring in the ice-skating star power to match: Olympic ice skaters and Santa himself, who backflips while his skates shoot fireworks.
Cost: Free to view from any level around the rink
Parent tip: While you’re there, don’t miss more fun around the Galleria, including SNOWDAY’s topsy-turvy rooms and a magical train ride to Santaland. Plus, if you’re looking at add some free entertainment any time of year, the Galleria hosts live entertainers every single Saturday on level three by the playground.
Plan your visit: galleriadallas.com
Dallas Zoo Lights
Where: Dallas Zoo
Why go? The only thing better than zoo animals, or Christmastime fun, is a blend of the two. See your kids’ most beloved zoo animals in the form of glowing silk lanterns and twinkling lights that number in the millions.
Cost/Parent tip: Now, remember that most of the animals go to bed after dark, so make the most of your trip by booking a combo ticket, which includes nighttime and daytime admission starting in the afternoon.
Plan your visit: dallaszoo.com
December Family Events in Dallas
Photo courtesy Klyde Warren Park
Klyde Warren Park Tree Lighting
Where: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas
Why go? Talk about bright lights in the big city. Here at “Dallas’ living room,” the expansive Klyde Warren Park, you’ll witness of one of the tallest Christmas tree lightings around, followed by a massive party with Santa photos, stories with Mrs. Claus, maybe even a movie screening. Go ahead and save the date for December 5, 2026. (It’s always on the first Saturday in Decemmber).
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: After dark, you’ll find even more winter fun right across the street at the Reliant Lights Your Holidays, which typically offers a real snow play area, a drone show and fireworks to boot.
Plan your visit: klydewarrenpark.org
Dallas Holiday Parade
Where: Downtown Dallas
Why go? Got a kid who’s gaga for balloons? Wait until they see these mega-sized holiday characters in balloon form floating heading down Downtown’s Commerce Street—not to mention the marching bands and dancers galore and other entries in this nearly 40-year tradition.
Cost: Free admission
Parent tip: No one wants to stand for hours on the sidewalk. If you have room in the budget, reserve bleacher seats for the best view of the floats.
Plan your visit: dallasholidayparade.com
Where: Majestic Theater, Downtown Dallas
Why go? This family-friendly rock concert has become a 20-plus year tradition, and it is a must-have holiday experience for fans of the Dallas-based psychedelic band fronted by Tim DeLaughter. It’s a whole experience, with face painting, photos with Santa, and even milk and cookies.
Cost: Book your seats online; tickets are already on sale for the 2026 concert on December 19. Kids 4 and younger are free if they sit on their parents’ lap. In-kind donations are welcome for the Toys For Tots and North Texas Food Bank.
Parent tip: You don’t have to already be a superfan of the band to enjoy this one-of-a-kind holiday concert.
Plan your visit: majestic.dallasculture.org