The first weekend in May brings a lot to do around DFW including NASCAR, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Mayfest and Cinco de Mayo celebrations. KRLD’s John Liddle assembles the best things to do Around Town.
DSO: Jaap van Zweden Conducts Shostakovich and Mozart
Jaap van Zweden returns to Dallas for Shostakovich’s eloquent Fifth Symphony. Despite its grandeur and optimistic façade — huge climaxes, triumphant marches, exhilarating brass and percussion — a profound sadness cries out in the third movement, the spiritual center of the work. Yet, one critic says, “some shadow of Shostakovich’s indomitable spirit had seeped, surreptitiously, into the souls of attentive listeners.” Conrad Tao “ferociously talented” (TimeOut New York) joins our Conductor Laureate and the orchestra for Mozart’s elegant Piano Concerto No. 23. Opening the concert is Prokofiev’s charming Haydn-inspired “Classical” Symphony.
Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas
When: Thursday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $57 and up
Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations
Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is the electrifying smash-hit Broadway musical that follows The Temptations’ extraordinary journey from the streets of Detroit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It’s a thrilling story of brotherhood, family, loyalty, and betrayal during a decade of civil unrest in America. Set to the beat of the group’s treasured hits, including My Girl, Just My Imagination, Get Ready, and Papa Was a Rolling Stone.
Where: Winspear Opera House, Dallas
When: May 1-4
Cost: $39 and up
Avant Chamber Ballet in the Park
Avant Chamber Ballet will perform at Klyde Warren Park on May 4 at 3 PM. The show is family-friendly and welcomes all ages.
Where: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas
When: Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Billy Bob’s: Dylan Wheeler (Thursday), Chris Cagle (Friday), Kody West (Saturday)
Where: Billy Bob’s Fort Worth
When: Thursday at 9 p.m., Friday at 10 p.m., Saturday at 10 p.m.
Cost: $18 - $50
BloomFest Music and Arts Festival
It’s a season of renewal, community, and fun at Duncanville’s BloomFest Music & Arts Festival! This vibrant, family-friendly event celebrates the best local art with over 50 art vendors, live music featuring Emerald City Band, local food, activities, and community spirit.
Where: Armstrong Park Cultural District, Duncanville
When: Friday, May 2 at 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
A fascinating new exhibition of giant spiders, beetles, and butterflies is taking over the Heard’s nature trails—and these larger-than-life creatures aren’t just for show. They’re animatronic, meaning you’ll see them come to life, moving their limbs and fluttering their wings! The exhibit is included with general admission.
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, McKinney
When: March 15 - June 29
Cost: Adults - $15 / Child (3-12) - $11 / Seniors - $11
CityLine Live Music Series in Richardson
Enjoy a selection of free concerts on Fridays and Saturdays in April and May. This weekend it’s Helio Portales for Latin Music Night on Friday and Mariachi Amatitlan for some Traditional Mexican Folk on Saturday.
Where: CityLine, 1415 State St, Richardson
When: Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
World #1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the field. It will be a party weekend in McKinney…as 40,000 spectators turn out for each day.
Where: TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney
When: May 1-4
Cost: $75
For more than 50 years, Richardson’s Cottonwood Art Festival has showcased some of the finest visual art in the country. Held each spring and fall, the juried show selects over 240 artists from nearly 1,400 applicants to display their work in a wide range of categories—from painting and photography to ceramics, jewelry, fiber, and glass. In addition to the museum-quality art, the festival includes live music from local bands spanning genres like rock, jazz, blues, and folk, making it a lively destination for art and music lovers alike.
Where: Cottonwood Park, 1301 W Belt Line Rd, Richardson
When: May 3-4
Cost: Free
Dallas Arboretum: Black Heritage Celebration
This two-day celebration will showcase Black designers, artists, entertainers and businesses as they proudly display, engage and educate the community on the beauty and inspiration of Black culture.
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Rd, Dallas
When: May 3-4
Cost: Free (with garden admission)
The Cinco de Mayo Parade & Fiesta is taking place on Saturday, May 3, along historic Jefferson Blvd. in Oak Cliff.
Where: Oak Cliff Cultural Center, 223 Jefferson Blvd, Dallas
When: Saturday, May 3 at 8 a.m. (Welcome) / Parade from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Cost: Free
Dallas International Guitar Festival
The Dallas International Guitar Festival, the world’s longest-running event of its kind, returns with a massive marketplace for buying, selling, trading, or browsing everything from vintage guitars and amps to pedals, straps, and music memorabilia. With four stages and more than 50 bands performing throughout the weekend, the lineup features local, regional, and national acts, including headliners Ian Moore, Sonny Landreth, and Andy Timmons.
Where: Dallas Market Hall, Dallas
When: May 2-4
Cost: $30 and up
Darkfield: Séance, Flight, and Coma
The AT&T Performing Arts Center & Realscape Productions bring Darkfield, an immersive audio experience that blurs the line between reality and imagination. Staged inside custom-built shipping containers, Darkfield uses 360-degree binaural sound and sensory effects to transport audiences into unsettling, pitch-black worlds. Three experiences—Séance, Flight, and Coma—challenge perception in different ways. Séance places audiences inside a Victorian séance room where the unknown may be summoned. Flight replicates an airline cabin, exploring the Many-Worlds Interpretation of quantum mechanics, where two realities unfold simultaneously. Coma invites participants to lie down together in a mass experiment, blurring the line between waking and dreaming.
Where: Sammons Park, 2403 Flora St, Dallas
When: March 21 - June 22
Cost: $25 - $60
Cracking Art at the garden exhibit features 80 large animal sculptures made from regenerated plastic. Designed to captivate all ages, it blends creativity with a powerful message, inspiring joy and conversations about sustainability.
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth
When: Now - September 1
Cost: Adult - $15 / Child (6-15) - $6 / 5 and under Free
Giselle is a timeless ballet of love, betrayal, and redemption, told through graceful and emotionally rich choreography. After being deceived by her lover, Giselle descends into madness, but in death, she chooses forgiveness over vengeance. Artistic Director Tim O’Keefe offers his moving interpretation of this classic story.
Where: Bass Hall, Fort Worth
When: May 2-4
Cost: $25 and up
Lauren Yee’s The Hatmaker’s Wife is a whimsical, offbeat tale where reality blends with fantasy to explore themes of love, identity, and what truly makes a home. When a young woman moves in with her boyfriend, she begins to unravel the magical past of the house’s former tenants—a preoccupied hatmaker and his wife, who disappeared with his favorite hat. As walls begin to talk and time shifts, the story unfolds as a modern-day fable that’s equal parts ghost story and fairy tale, offering a humorous and touching look at connection and the longing for something real.
Where: Circle Theatre, 230 W 4th St, Fort Worth
When: May 1-3 / May 8-10
Cost: $40 and up
The Hope Starts Here 5K supports STA Foundation programs that provide care for donor and recipient families, inspire the community to honor the gift of life, and foster initiatives that advance transplant science.
Where: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas
When: Saturday, May 3 at 8 a.m.
Cost: $30 and up
Irving Taco & Margarita Festival
The Irving Taco & Margarita Festival brings together 2,500 food and drink lovers for a lively street party featuring some of the city’s best tacos, bold margarita flavors, and festive vibes. Entry includes large samples of tacos and margaritas—served over ice and crafted by top local bartenders—along with access to live DJ sets, street food vendors, frozen drinks, and a beer garden. Guests can also enter to win a trip to Mexico, and part of the proceeds benefit the Alexiam Foundation, supporting children’s charities.
Where: Toyota Music Factory, Irving
When: Saturday, May 3 from 12 - 6pm
Cost: $21 and up
Based on the imaginative, beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl, young James Henry Trotter's resilience is tested when he is sent off to live with his mean aunts, Spiker and Sponge, after a chain of unfortunate incidents. Life is no fun there until he accidentally spills some tiny green things on a tree, and…voilà, a giant peach! When James and his new oversized friends - Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybug, Earthworm, and Spider - snip the stem of the peach, the quest for happiness and great adventure lands them in New York City and at the center of attention!
Where: Dallas Children's Theater, 5938 Skillman St, Dallas
When: May 3-4 / May 10-11 / May 17-18 / May 24
Cost: $20 and up
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Those that know, know. Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo (The Trocks) are satirical, silly, skilled, slapstick, in tutus, oh and, all male. They own their own corner of the ballet world. The Trocks spoof ballet like none other. Long-time fans and newbies alike all laugh out loud, while marveling at the skill of these male dancers…en pointe. Pure entertainment, The Trocks take a historic dance form and find the funny. Come for a night of laughs, ballet and irreverence.
Where: Moody Performance Hall, 2520 Flora St, Dallas
When: May 2 at 8 p.m. / May 3 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $37 and up
The Lone Star Smokeout is a three-day festival of country music and barbecue, featuring top acts like Jon Pardi, Cody Jinks, Midland, and the Randy Rogers Band. Held in Fort Worth, the event also showcases standout Texas pitmasters from places like Dallas, Arlington, Lockhart, and San Antonio, offering everything from award-winning brisket to innovative barbecue fusions.
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: May 2-4
Cost: $73 and up
Mayfest returns to Fort Worth’s Trinity Park with four days of family-friendly activities spread across 33 acres along the Trinity River. The festival features live music, food vendors, carnival rides, bounce houses, free children’s activities, a petting zoo, and paddleboats. Visitors can also explore an art and gift market, see student artwork on display, and catch performances from local groups. Mayfest will have FREE ADMISSION on Thursday, May 1st.
Where: Trinity Park, 2401 University Dr, Fort Worth
When: Thursday, May 1 - Sunday, May 4
Cost: ADULTS (ages 13+): $12 / CHILDREN (ages 3-12): $7 / FREE on Thursday, May 1.
Only Murders in the Building Escape Room
Step into the world of the critically acclaimed, multi-Emmy award-winning series and put your detective skills to the test as you work to recover a stolen film reel in just 60 minutes. The adventure unfolds with hidden bookcase doorways, secret passageways, and immersive elements that reflect key aspects of the show’s beloved characters and storylines.
Where: The Escape Game, 3000 Grapevine Mills Parkway, Suite 604, Grapevine
When: February 8 - Limited Time
Cost: $40 and up
Step into the world of Peppa Pig at the new Peppa Pig Theme Park, where families can immerse themselves in the playful adventures of their favorite characters. Kids can ride their first roller coaster with Daddy Pig, take to the skies in a hot air balloon, or set sail for Pirate Island with Grandad Dog. The park features lively play areas, including the Fun Fair, Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena, and a “Muddy Puddles” Splash Pad for endless jumping fun. Live entertainment brings the magic to life with singalongs and performances at Mr. Potato’s Showtime Arena. Visitors can also stop by Mr. Fox’s Shop for Peppa Pig-themed toys, apparel, and exclusive souvenirs. And when it’s time for a snack, Miss Rabbit’s Diner offers tasty bites to refuel for more oinktastic fun.
Where: PEPPA PIG Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth, 8851 Blvd 26, North Richland Hills
When: Open 9a-5p daily
Cost: $28 and up
Rauw Alejandro: Cosa Nuestra World Tour
Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas
When: Saturday, May 3 at 8 p.m.
Cost: Sold out - Resale available (starting at $300+)
Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria caused when clean-cut kids fall prey to marijuana, leading them on a hysterical downward spiral filled with evil jazz music, sex and violence. Murphy “In terms of the tragedy, what is wonderful and unique about this country is the fact that you can poke fun at the institutions, at the ivory towers, and you don’t get thrown into prison and you don’t get shot and you don’t get ostracized from society.”
Where: The Art Centre Theatre, 1400 Summit Ave Suite E, Plano
When: May 2-May 4
Cost: $20 and up
A taxi driver gets away with having two wives in different areas of London because of his irregular working schedule. Complication is piled upon complication as the cabby tries to keep his double life from exploding.
Where: Richardson Theatre Centre, 518 W Arapaho Rd # 113, Richardson
When: May 2-4
Cost: $22
Savor at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa
The Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa hosts a four-day celebration of food, drink, and entertainment May 1–4. The weekend kicks off Thursday with the Masters of Taste dinner, an intimate evening for 100 guests featuring a multi-course meal from award-winning chefs and live acoustic music. Friday’s Fork & Fire Grand Tasting brings open-flame cooking, signature cocktails, and a live concert, with appearances from chefs like Stephanie Izard and Kwame Onwuachi. Saturday begins with the SAVOR Celebrity Golf Invitational on Fields Ranch West, pairing golfers with stars like Dennis Quaid and Kurt Russell, followed by the Best of Texas Grand Tasting featuring regional chefs, cocktails by Tony Abou-Ganim, and a performance from Midland. The weekend wraps with the Margaritas & Mariachis Celebrity Brunch on Sunday, a Tex-Mex celebration with music, mixology, and cuisine led by chef Aarón Sánchez. Ticket prices range from $195 to $550 per event.
Where: Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, Frisco
When: May 1-4
Cost: $195 - $550
Willie Clark and Al Lewis, once a legendary vaudeville duo, reunite after years of estrangement for a TV special. Their clashing personalities—grumpy Willie and laid-back Al—turn rehearsals into a comic battlefield as they struggle to revive their old act. This witty play explores friendship, aging, and the ups and downs of lifelong partnerships.
Where: Irving Arts Center, 3333 N MacArthur Blvd, Irving
When: May 2-4 / May 9-11 / May 15-17
Cost: $27
Embark on an immersive, interactive tour of the Titanic with vast, jaw-dropping recreations of the ship's interior and exterior. Visit the dock from where the Titanic first sailed, explore the galleries and boiler room, take a look inside a millionaire's suite, stroll the exterior promenade deck under a starry night sky, and see the Grand Staircase with your own eyes.
Where: Pepper Square, 14856 Preston Rd, Dallas
When: Through Labor Day
Cost: $30 and up
Ahead of her new album she’s releasing this year, Trisha Yearwood comes to Grand Prairie.
Where: Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie
When: Friday, May 2 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $69 and up
A new era of professional soccer is coming to North Texas. On Friday, USL Dallas will reveal its official club identity during a vibrant community celebration in downtown Garland. The brand reveal will feature live music, a fan parade, exclusive merchandise, and appearances by beloved local personalities. USL Dallas is expected to begin play in the USL Championship in 2027, with a new stadium development planned for Garland. This is the same night as Garland’s Music Made Here concert featuring La Nueva Estrategia.
Where: Downtown Garland Square 520 W State St, Garland
When: Friday, May 2 at 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Six Flags Over Texas celebrates spring with Viva La Fiesta, a vibrant event featuring live entertainment, traditional cuisine, specialty drinks, imported beers, and family-friendly fun. Guests can explore cultural traditions, enjoy festive music and food, and take in the energy of the season—all while experiencing the park’s full lineup of thrill rides, including the New Texas Giant. Whether it’s a day out with family or a fun date night, Viva La Fiesta blends culture and excitement for a memorable spring outing.
Where: Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington
When: May 2-4
Cost: $35 and up
NASCAR heads back to Texas Motor Speedway for a weekend packed with high-speed action. Friday kicks off with the SpeedyCash.com 250 from the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, followed by Saturday’s Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 in the Xfinity Series. The main event, Sunday’s Würth 400, brings the NASCAR Cup Series to the track. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to explore the FanZone, catch qualifying rounds, and take in the full race-day experience.
Where: Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth
When: May 2-4
Cost: $12 and up
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