2009 and 2010 Events in the DFW Metroplex

If anything, the 2009 / 2010 social year for the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex looks to be even busier than the 2008 season. As I did for 2008, I’ll track the events for 2009 and 2010 month by month, and continue to add new events as I find out about them. I’ll attend and write about as many as I can, but of course there are certain times of the year when there’s just so much happening I just can’t make it to everything. That’s where the Skribit voting app on the top right side of the homepage comes into play. You can make suggestions for new events right there, and vote on the ones you’d like me to write about. For those instances in which two events overlap, I’ll pick the one with the most votes to attend.

As before, I’ll continue to add events as they appear and as the dates are firmed up, and occasionally I’ll do a round-up of the coming month or two to remind you of what’s happening. I’ll also insert new events into the calendar as they’re announced or as I find them, so please check back regularly. Don’t hesitate to inform me of the ones I’ve missed, so I can add them to the schedule.

I’m working on this first version in mid-September 2008, so as I get further into the year, the event dates (and whether or not some of them will happen at all, despite their annual status) become increasingly nebulous. That being the case, for the moment I’ll cut this calendar off at the end of August. But fear not — I’ll keep adding to it as things become clearer, and once 2009 rolls around, I’ll finish it up through the rest of the year. By then, most of the events should have been at least loosely scheduled.

And now (drumroll, please!), here’s the events list for the great year of 2009, as it exists thus far.

January

  • January 1-May 17. Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas. A once-in-a-lifetime exhibit of all the wonders of Ancient Egypt’s golden age. See Laura’s comments.
  • January 2. AT&T Cotton Bowl. Fair Park, Dallas. Dallas’ classic bowl game, featuring the No. 2 team from the Big 12 and the top team from the Southeast Conference. football-media, silvio canto, joymagnetism,
  • January 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30-31. Stockyards Championship Rodeo, Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth Stockyards. Rip-roaring rodeo entertainment every Friday and Saturday at the stockyards.
  • January 3. Arts District Stroll. Downtown Arts District, Dallas. An hour-long guided tour through the heart of the downtown arts district.
  • January 3-4. Dallas Gun and Knife Show. Market Hall, Dallas. One of five large knife and gun shows sponsored anually by the Dallas Arms Collectors Association.
  • January 9-11. Kurt Thomas Invitational Gymnastics, Dr. Pepper StarCenter, Frisco. An exciting competition for Level 7 to Elite gymnasts.
  • January 9-11. 8th Annual Dallas Home Show. Dallas Convention Center, Dallas. An exposition of just about everything you could ever want in terms of home furnishings and improvements.
  • January 16-18. 29th Annual Fort Worth Home and Garden Show. Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth. See above.
  • January 16-31. Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth. The 113th annual iteration of this most western of events.
  • January 17-18. TAAF Winter Games of Texas. Frisco Athletic Center, Frisco. An Olympic-style event consisting of 15 sporting competitions.
  • January 31-February 1. Lunar New Year “Tet-in-DFW” Festival. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A celebration of Vietnamese-American culture, including arts, food, and fireworks.

February

  • February 1. Lunar New Year “Tet-in-DFW” Festival. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A celebration of Vietnamese-American culture, including arts, food, and fireworks. Will firm up date as more information comes available.
  • February 1-8. Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth. The 113th stock show’s winding down by this point, but there’s still plenty to do.
  • February 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28. Stockyards Championship Rodeo, Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth Stockyards. Rip-roaring rodeo entertainment every Friday and Saturday at the stockyards.
  • February 7. Arts District Stroll. Downtown Arts District, Dallas. An hour-long guided tour through the heart of the downtown arts district.
  • February 18-22. Dallas Auto Show, Dallas Convention Center, Dallas. Forty-two car manufacturers, from Ford to Lamborghini, will be on hand to show off their new models.
  • February 20-22. ConDFW VIII. Richardson. Large literary science fiction and fantasy convention held annually in Dallas since 2002. Location has not yet been determined.
  • February 22. 7th Annual Krewe of Barkus Parade. Main Street, McKinney. A Mardi Gras-inspired afternoon of canine-related fun, including a parade and best-dressed dog contest. This year’s theme is Classic TV.
  • February 14-15. WOGA International Women’s Invitational. Frisco Conference Center, Frisco. A fan-friendly event where gymnasts from National Teams all over the world will meet to compete.
  • Late February/Early March. North Texas Irish Festival. Fair Park, Dallas. A three day celebration of everything Ireland, from music and dancing to good food and drink. Dates still TDB.
  • February 27-March 1. All Texan Garden Show. Arlington Convention Center, Arlington. A Texas-oriented gardening show, starring expert Neil Sperry.

March

  • Early March. Six Flags Amusement Park, Arlington. The Lone Star State’s answer to Disneyland opens its doors for the year. Date TBD.
  • Early March. Festival de Primavera Musica. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A Hispanic spring music festival featuring food, fun, and the area’s best Mexican musical artists. Date TBD.
  • March 6-7. 5th Annual Savor Dallas. Downtown Dallas. An fine international experience of wine, food, spirits and arts, taking place in some of the most upscale localities in Dallas.
  • March 6-8. 30th Annual Dallas Home and Garden Show. Market Hall, Dallas. Everything you’ll need for the home and garden, packed into three eventful days.
  • Early March. Out of the Loop Festival. Water Tower Theater, Addison. A ten-day celebration of theatre, music, and the arts. Dates TBD.
  • March 7. Arts District Stroll. Downtown Arts District, Dallas. An hour-long guided tour through the heart of the downtown arts district.
  • March 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28. Stockyards Championship Rodeo, Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth Stockyards. Rip-roaring rodeo entertainment every Friday and Saturday at the stockyards.
  • March 7-April 12. 25th Annual Dallas Blooms. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Dallas. The largest outdoor floral festival in the Southwest – six full weekends of music, food, fun, and flowers.
  • March 13-15. 10th Annual Fort Worth Home Show. Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth. Fort Worth’s answer to Dallas’ annual home show.
  • March 13-15. All-Con. Crown Plaza North, Dallas. A large convention uniting fans of science fiction, fantasy, anime, mystery, arts, crafts, film-making and more, all under one roof!
  • Mid-March. Feria de la Que Buena. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. Another Hispanic spring music festival (this one offered by KESS 107.9 FM), featuring food, fun, and local Spanish musical artists. And clowns. Date TBD.
  • Late March. Best Southwest Bookfest. Cedar Hill. The area’s largest annual literary event. Includes panel discussions, author talks, book signings, and more. Date TBD.
  • Late March. Festival de la Primavera. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. Yet another Hispanic spring music festival (KDXX, 107.1 FM) featuring food, fun, and local musicians. Date TBD.
  • Late March: FC Dallas soccer. Pizza Hut Park, Frisco. Check out this soccer powerhouse at their first home game of the season. Date TBD.
  • Late March-Early April. AFI International Film Festival. A yearly event hosted by the American Film Institute, celebrating celluloid artistry.

April

  • April 3. Mesquite Championship Rodeo. Resistol Arena, Mesquite. The 52nd annual rodeo season kicks off at one of the oldest continuous rodeos in the DFW area. Shows will be held every Friday and Saturday from now until late September.
  • April 3-5. Deep Ellum Arts Festival. Deep Ellum District, Dallas. Over one hundred hours of art and fun in “the Metroplex’s most progressive and eclectic neighborhood.”
  • April 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25. Stockyards Championship Rodeo, Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth Stockyards. Rip-roaring rodeo entertainment every Friday and Saturday at the stockyards.
  • April 4. Arts District Stroll. Downtown Arts District, Dallas. An hour-long guided tour through the heart of the downtown arts district.
  • April 4-May 25. Scarborough Renaissance Festival. Waxahachie. Experience medieval life, crafts, and food at the premier renaissance festival in Texas.
  • April 5-12. Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup XXX. Pizza Hut Park, Frisco. A soccer invitationl including hundreds of teams from dozens of countries.
  • April 6. Texas Rangers baseball. The Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Take yourself out to the ballgame to see the Rangers’ first home game of the season.
  • April 10-13. 23rd Annual Texas Storytelling Festival. Texas Woman’s University, Hubbard Hall, Denton. A four-day storytelling session including workshops, field trips, and stories.
  • Mid-April. 34rd Annual Prairie Dog Chili Cookoff. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A free chili extravaganza that also features the World Championship of Pickled Quail Egg Eating. No, really. Date TBA.
  • Mid-April. Redbud Festival. Denton Civic Center, Denton. Another short spring festival including a gardening and Arbor Day show, as well as lots of food, fun, and kids’ activities.
  • April 16-18. North Texas Jazz Festival. Crown Plaza Hotel, Addison. A collaborative effort between the University of North Texas and the City of Addison, featuring top jazz artists from all over the country.
  • April 16-19. MAIN Street Arts Festival, Downtown Fort Worth. A four-day arts extravaganza, including a juried art competition, street performers, tasty food, and live concerts.
  • April 17-18. New Vintage Wine Trail, Grapevine. This event takes you on a tasting tour of nine local wineries.
  • April 17-19. Dallas International Guitar Festival. Dallas Market Hall, Dallas. The world’s oldest and largest guitar show, where you can buy, sell, or trade your guitars, and learn how to play from legends.
  • Mid-April. 58th Annual Bluebonnets Trail Festival. A classic festival celebrating over 40 miles (!) of mapped bluebonnet trails, along with arts, live music, crafts, and kid’s activities. Date TBA.
  • April 24. Euless Arbor Day Festival. Euless. A celebration of trees that draws an estimated one million people every year.
  • April 24-26. Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. Denton Civic Center Park, Denton. A free event featuring more than 1,000 musical performers on six stages, not to mention all kinds of artsy-craftsy stuff.
  • April 24-26. Real. Texas. Festival. Mesquite. Three days of rodeo, Wild West shootouts, paintball shoots, a car show, a barbecue competition (I’m there!), and live music.
  • April 25. 4th Annual Prairie Fest. Tandy Hills Nature Area, Fort Worth. A celebration of our natural world with music, art, and dancing. The best place in D/FW to see wildflowers, in a 160 acre site deep inside the city!
  • April 25-26. Dallas Gun and Knife Show. Market Hall, Dallas. One of five large knife and gun shows sponsored anually by the Dallas Arms Collectors Association.
  • Late April. Springfest. Broadway Park, Haltom City. A brief spring festival (just a few hours long) with music and fun. Date TBA.
  • Late April. Spring Onion Festival. Princeton. A celebration of everyone’s favorite root vegetable, including a craft show, music, a 5K Onion Run, a raffle, and even a beauty pageant. Date TBA.
  • Late April. Country Music Weekend. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. The Reggie Brown Band performs traditional country music and Texas Swing favorites from 12-4 PM. Date TBA.
  • Late April. Sixth Annual Russell Maryland Celebrity Golf Tournament. Bear Creek Golf Club, Dallas. A charity golf tournament benefitting the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. Date TBA.

May

  • May 1-3. Mayfest. Trinity Park, Fort Worth. Mosey down to banks of the Trinity River for a three-day celebration of Spring, featuring food, music, arts, and crafts.
  • May 1-3. Dallas Fine Mineral Show. Embassy Suites Hotel, 14021 Noel Road, Dallas. Dozens of fossil, gem, and mineral specialists descend upon Dallas for a must-see mineral show in an intimate setting. Attendance is free!
  • May 2. 22st Annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration. Quakertown Park, Denton. A festival honoring Mexican history and culture, including music, food, and a parade.
  • May 2. Cinco de Mayo Festival. Old Town, Lewisville. Lewisville’s version of this traditional celebration of Mexican culture and history.
  • May 2. Cinco De Mayo Festival. Grand Prairie. A celebration of Mexican history and culture.
  • Early May. Taste Addison. Addison Circle Park, Addison. A weekend of fun, music and especially food – you can try samplings from 50 local restaurants. Date TBA.
  • Early May. Mayfest. Kirby Creek Park, Grand Prairie. A fun-filled day of educational and entertaining activities, food, and goodies lasting from 9 AM – 3 PM. Date TBA.
  • Early May. Texas Frontier Forts Days. Fort Worth Stockyards. This gathering of re-enactors from all over the country demonstrates what life was like in frontier Texas. Dates TBA.
  • Mid May. 12th Annual Folklorico Festival. Latino Cultural Center, Dallas. A Bilingual event (in Spanish and English) that offers performances, workshops, and classes celebrating Hispanic folklore.
  • May 15-17. Main Street Days. Main Street, Grapevine. Grapevine’s 25th annual weekend of Main Street music, fun, food, and adventure.
  • May 15-17. Wildflower Arts and Music Festival. US 75 and Galatyn Parkway, Richardson. A huge music-oriented festival with plenty of great concerts. I saw Huey Lewis and the News there one year.
  • May 15-16. 12th Annual Cajun Festival. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A great excuse to eat boudin, jambalaya, and crawfish, and listen to some excellent Louisiana music.
  • May 16. Greater Fort Worth Herb Society Herb Festival. Fort Worth Botanical Garden Center. A one-day celebration of all things herbs, with vendors, lectures, and demonstrations.
  • May 17. Tutankhamen and the Gold Age of the Pharaohs, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas. Your last chance to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit of all the wonders of Ancient Egypt’s golden age.
  • May 18-24. EDS Byron Nelson Golf Classic. Four Seasons Resort, Irving. One of the top professional golf tournaments in the world, with a purse in excess of $6,000,000.
  • May 25-31. 63rd Annual Crown Plaza Invitational at Colonial Golf Tournament. Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth. Defending Champion Phil Mickelson will be on hand for a second try at the Colonial, which offers a total purse of $6.1 million.
  • May 22-June 7. Cliburn 2009. Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth. Like the Olympics, the Van Cliburn competition happens only every four years — so if you’re in town, take this opportunity to enjoy the talents of 20 promising pianists.
  • Late May. ArtFest 2009. Fair Park, Dallas. A rich artistic celebration, back for its 39th year, that includes hundreds of artists from all over the United States, along with food, entertainment, a children’s interactive area, and more. Dates TBA.
  • May 22-24. National Polka Festival. Ennis. The 43rd annual edition of a nationwide dance and music festival that celebrates Czech and Slovak heritage.
  • Late May. Founder’s Day Festival. Rockwall, Texas. Town historical celebration. Date and musical guests TBA.
  • Late May. Dog Days of Denton. Quakertown Park, Denton. A rain-or-shine day out with man’s best friend, including festival events, food, contests, and live entertainment.

June

  • June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Sounds of Lewisville Summer Concert Series. Old Town Lewisville. For the 20th consecutive year, Lewisville brightens up the summer with a series of Tuesday-night concerts.
  • Early June. 34rd Annual Auto Swap Meet. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A huge automotive swap meet featuring everything on wheels. Date TBA.
  • Early June. 13th Annual Great American Scrapbook Convention. Arlington. A convention celebrating scrapbooking and the preservation of personal and family histories. Dates and location TBA.
  • Early June. Old Tyme Barbecue Cook-off. The Village, Colleyville. A judged, nationally-sanctioned event benefitting Special Olympics. Dates TBA.
  • June 5-7. Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Maverick Stadium, Arlington. This three day festival of all things Scottish is one of the largest of its type in North America. Lay on, MacDuff.
  • Early June. Highland Village Days, Red, White and Blue Music Festival. Copperas Branch Park, Highland Village. Despite the name, a single-day even including a family fish-out, food, music, and fireworks.
  • June 12-20. Hunt County Fair. Hunt County Fairgrounds, Greenville. Nine days of exhibits, livestock shows, creative arts and entertainment, just northeast of D/FW.
  • June 12-14. 6th Annual City Arts Celebration. Arts District, Dallas. A free showcase of local culture, including music, performing, visual, and culinary arts.
  • June 13-14. Dallas Gun and Knife Show. Market Hall, Dallas. One of five large knife and gun shows sponsored anually by the Dallas Arms Collectors Association.
  • Mid June. Festival de Garibaldi Mariachi Festival. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. A mariachi musical event in which local bands compete for the coveted title of best local mariachi group. Date TBA.
  • June 15-20. Juneteenth. Various venues: Denton, Irving, Plano, Dallas. A celebration of Texas African-American culture. Includes beauty pageants, talent expositions, parades, a gospel extravaganza, barbecue cookoffs, and the Dallas Juneteenth Film Festival.
  • Late June. Philippine Republic Day Celebration. Trader’s Village, Grand Prairie. Join the local Filipino community as they celebrate the Independence Day for the Philippines. There’ll be plenty of cultural presentations, music, songs, food, and vendors on hand! Date TBA.
  • Late June. Neighborhood BBQ Cook Off and Small Town Saturday Night. City Hall Square, Cedar Hill. An all-day event full of food, fun, and small town charm. Date TBA.
  • June 25-28. 4th Annual Celina Balloon Festival. Old Celina Park, Celina. A family-oriented event located in the little town of Celina, just north of Frisco.
  • June 26-27. Celebrate Freedom 2009. Pizza Hut Park, Frisco. The largest annual free Christian music festival in the country.
  • June 27-28. Festival of Freedom. Pecan Grove Park, Rowlett. A weekend of musical entertainment and fireworks, celebrating Independence Day.
  • June 27. Allen USA Festival. Celebration Park, Allen. An annual music and arts festival that also includes balloon launches, a golf tournament, and fireworks.
  • June 27. Southwest USA Sports and Fitness Expo. Arlington. A full service sports and fitness expo including vendors, bodybuilders, etc. More info as it becomes available!

July

  • Early July. Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration. Lone Star Racetrack, Grand Prairie. Two days of thoroughbred racing and family activities, capped off by patriotic fireworks displays in the evenings. Dates TBA.
  • Early July. Mimir Chamber Music Festival. Texas Christian University, Fort Worth. A gathering of premier chamber musicians from all over with world, with live performances open to the public. Dates TBA.
  • July 3. Kaboom Town! Addison Circle Park, Addison. A huge Fourth of July party featuring fireworks choreographed to music.
  • July 3. Sunnyfest. Town Center Park, Sunnyvale. A day of fun, food, and games, culminating in an exciting fireworks display.
  • July 3. Annual Farmer’s Branch Independence Day Celebration. Farmer’s Branch Historical Park, Farmer’s Branch. A day of food, fun, and, of course, fireworks!
  • July 3. Star-Spangled Fourth. Firewheel Town Center, Garland. A large Fourth of July Celebration complete with musical guests, food, fireworks, and fun from 10 a.m to midnight.
  • July 4. 4thFest. Bedford Boy’s Ranch Park, Bedford. Enjoy an old-fashioned flag-waving Independence Day celebration, complete with a concert, fun, food, and fireworks.
  • July 4. Liberty by the Lake Festival. The Colony. A city-wide celebration of Independence Day, including a parade, the Anything That Floats Regatta, concerts, a car show, a salsa shootout, and of course a fireworks extravaganza.
  • July 4. Eighth Annual Frisco Freedom Fest. Various locations, Frisco. A one-day, rain-or-shine event filled with patriotic food, drink, live entertainment, and fireworks.
  • July 4-5. Third Annual Trinity River Fiesta. West End, Dallas. A free, fun-filled holiday weekend celebrating Independence Day in the West End.
  • July 4, 11, 18, 25. July Jazz. Esplanade Park, Addison. Free live concerts from local jazz artists.
  • July 7, 14, 21, 28. Sounds of Lewisville Summer Concert Series. Old Town Lewisville. For the 20th consecutive year, Lewisville brightens up the summer with a series of Tuesday-night concerts.
  • Mid-July. 23rd Annual Taste of Dallas, West End, Dallas. Experience samples of the best food in Dallas, along with live entertainment. Dates TBA.
  • Late May. 10th Annual Gran Fiesta. A three day party featuring all the best in local Hispanic and Latin cultures, including food, family, art, dance, and music. Dates TBA.

August

  • Early August. Dallas Cowboys football. Cowboys Stadium, Arlington. Be on hand for the Cowboys’ first home game in their brand new stadium! Dates TBA.
  • Early August. Spikefest Volleyball Tournament. Five Star Sports Complex, The Colony. One of the nation’s largest amateur grass volleyball tournaments. Dates TBA.
  • August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Symphonic Saturdays. Esplanade Park, Addison. Free live symphony concerts, brought to you by Dallas Wind Symphony and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra.
  • Early-Mid August. 2009 Viva Dallas! Hispanic Expo. Dallas. A multi-faceted celebration of Hispanic culture, including cultural awareness initiatives, product samples, celebrities, food, live entertainment — you name it! Dates TBA.
  • Mid August. 2009 Hunter’s Extravaganza. The granddaddy of all hunting shows, including contests, attractions, and a hunter’s supermarket. Dates TBA.
  • August 14-16. 16th Annual Sports and Fitness Show. Dallas Convention Center, Dallas. Includes everything sports and fitness related, including prob bodybuilders and powerlifters, and everything they use to get there.
  • August 14-16. Lion’s Club Balloon Festival. Copperas Branch Park, Highland Village. A grand local tradition featuring three days of balloons, arts and crafts, and live entertainment.
  • Mid-Late August. 81st Annual North Texas State Fair and Rodeo. North Texas Fairgrounds, Denton. A yearly western extravaganza that includes a carnival, a rodeo, music, and a series of special events and attractions. Dates TBA.
  • Late August. Tulisoma South Dallas Book Air and Arts Festival. South Dallas. Local book fair celebrating African-American writers and culture. Dates TBA.
  • Late August. Annual Championship and Household Pet Cat Show. Arlington Convention Center, Arlington. A cat show including not just cat competitions, but vendors and an exhibition of new breeds. Dates TBA.

Remember, folks, there will be more to come as the social year develops!

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