American Rodeo Championship Weekend
The American Rodeo Championship Weekend brings two nights of rodeo action to Globe Life Field, with a $2 million bonus on the line and live music after the competition. Midland performs Friday night, and Chris Young performs Saturday night.
When: Friday–Saturday, May 22–23
Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington
Cost: Tickets start around $41 all-in
Fleet Feet’s Big Run 5K brings runners and walkers to Oak Point Park for a Saturday morning race in Plano.
When: Saturday, May 23, 8–11 a.m.
Where: Oak Point Event Field, Plano
Cost: $45
Billy Bob's Concerts (Friday: Kevin Fowler / Saturday: Shenandoah)
When: Friday at 10 p.m. / Saturday at 10 p.m.
Where: Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth
Cost: $20 - $50
Boots & BBQ Fest at Legacy Hall
Legacy Hall kicks off Memorial Day weekend with a country-themed afternoon of barbecue, drinks and live music. The lineup includes Straight Tequila Night, Texas Whiskey & You and Buffett Beach.
When: Sunday, May 24 from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Where: Legacy Hall, Plano
Cost: General admission is $10
Bubble Planet has arrived at Grapevine Mills, bringing a walk-through, multi-sensory exhibit designed to be explored at your own pace. The experience features 12 interactive rooms — including highlights like the Hanging Balloons Room and the Kaleidoscope Room — blending infinity spaces, LED-lit undersea scenes, bubble-filled environments, and virtual reality elements. Most visitors spend about 60 to 90 minutes moving through the installation, which is designed to be engaging for all ages.
When: Daily through June 29, 2026
Where: Grapevine Mills - 3000 Grapevine Mills Pkwy, Grapevine
Cost: $18-$34
Some of the best golfers in the world are in McKinney for the PGA TOUR’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch. The tournament runs May 20–24, with competition days landing right in the holiday weekend window, and the field includes big names like Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Sungjae Im, Si Woo Kim and K.H. Lee.
When: Wednesday–Sunday, May 20–24
Where: TPC Craig Ranch, McKinney
Cost: Grounds tickets start at $50. Children 15 and under get free grounds access with a ticketed adult. Active-duty, reserve and retired military members can receive two complimentary grounds tickets per day Thursday through Sunday through GovX verification.
Carry The Load Dallas Memorial March
Carry The Load’s Dallas Memorial March gives families and communities a way to honor fallen service members over Memorial Day weekend. The event begins Sunday afternoon and continues into Memorial Day. There are also marches in Fort Worth, Flower Mound, Rockwall, Greenville, and Allen.
When: Sunday–Monday, May 24–25
Where: Reverchon Park, Dallas
Cost: Registration is free
Community Beer Co. Memorial Day Weekend
Community Beer Co. is stretching the holiday weekend with free live music, food, vendors and family-friendly brewery fun. Friday’s live music lineup includes KC Johns.
When: Friday–Sunday, May 22–24
Where: Community Beer Co., Dallas
Cost: Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase
McKinney’s Chestnut Square hosts one of the region’s major quilt events, with a large display of quilts, vendors and a VIP preview event before the weekend show.
When: VIP preview Friday, May 22, 6–8 p.m.; expo Saturday–Sunday, May 23–24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Where: Church Street Auditorium, McKinney
Cost: $25 general admission; $50 VIP
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs the score live as “Top Gun: Maverick” plays on the big screen at the Meyerson.
When: Friday–Sunday, May 22–24
Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas
Cost: Tickets start at $59
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra continues its Memorial Day tradition with a free outdoor concert and fireworks at Flag Pole Hill.
When: Monday, May 25, 8:15 p.m.; fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Where: Flag Pole Hill, Dallas
Cost: Free
Dallas Arboretum: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies
Hunt Slonem: Bunnies, Birds & Butterflies turns the Dallas Arboretum into an open-air art exhibition from April 20 through September 30, featuring 28 large-scale installations and more than 100 works by the internationally recognized neo-expressionist artist. Known for his bold color, layered texture, and recurring images from the natural world, Slonem places monumental sculptures of rabbits, birds, and butterflies throughout the garden, with additional pieces displayed inside the Historic Camp House. The exhibition is included with regular garden admission or membership, and select evenings from May 1 through September 27 will also feature Twilight Nights, offering a different view of the artwork as the garden shifts into dusk.
When: April 20 – September 30
Where: Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Dallas
Cost: Garden admission (around $26)
Dallas Arboretum Memorial Day Family Fun Weekend
The Dallas Arboretum celebrates the holiday weekend with family activities, country critters, cooking demos and garden time along White Rock Lake.
When: Saturday–Monday, May 23–25, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Dallas Arboretum
Cost: Tickets range from $10–$16; parking is $12 online or $15 at the gate. Military and first responders receive year-round buy-one-get-one-free admission with valid ID.
Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses
NorthPark Center becomes a showcase of imaginative custom-built children’s playhouses, all supporting Dallas CASA and its work with abused and neglected children.
When: Opens Friday, May 22, and continues through June 7
Where: NorthPark Center, Dallas
Cost: Free to view; raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.
Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony
The VA hosts a public Memorial Day commemoration ceremony at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery to honor service members who died serving the country.
When: Monday, May 25, 11 a.m.
Where: Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, DallasCost: Free
Illuminature transforms the zoo into a nighttime display of oversized lanterns, glowing sculptures, and nature-inspired installations created by Tianyu. The event is designed primarily as a walk-through experience, with immersive displays, hands-on activities, photo opportunities, a soccer-themed fan zone, and a full lineup of live entertainment at the Wonders of the Wild stage in ZooNorth. Throughout the night, visitors can catch performances including Sichuan Opera face-changing, contortion acrobatics, head balancing, and artistic hula hoop, all set against a backdrop of bright visuals, music, and shifting light effects while most of the animals are off habitat.
When: April 30 - June 28 (Thursday - Sunday nights)
Where: Dallas Zoo, Dallas
Cost: $16 - $24
The Dan Band brings its comedy-rock, movie-famous party show to Legacy Hall’s Lexus Box Garden.
When: Saturday, May 23, 7 p.m.
Where: Lexus Box Garden at Legacy Hall, Plano
Cost: $24 and up
DreamFest at Levitt Pavilion Arlington
DreamFest brings three nights of free music to Levitt Pavilion. The weekend lineup includes Martha and the Vandellas on Friday, Wade Bowen and Mike Ryan on Saturday, and Marcos Orozco with Grupo Pression on Sunday.
When: Friday–Sunday, May 22–24
Where: Levitt Pavilion Arlington
Cost: Free
Fort Worth Botanic Garden: Sean Kenney’s Nature POP!
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden opens Sean Kenney’s Nature POP!, featuring more than 40 bright, oversized nature-inspired sculptures made with LEGO bricks.
When: Opens Friday, May 22; continues daily through Sept. 7
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Cost: Included with garden admission; admission is $12 adults, $6 children, and free for children under 2.
The Holy Sepulcher: Treasures from the Terra Sancta Museum, Jerusalem
This extraordinary exhibition showcases more than sixty objects in silver, gold, enamel, and precious jewels, given by European monarchs and rulers to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, a site of Christian devotion and pilgrimage, where they have been used in religious ceremonies for centuries. Including dazzling reliquaries, crosses, candlesticks, chalices, and vestments representing the height of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century craftsmanship, many of these objects have no equivalent anywhere else in the world. Traveling to only two venues in North America, the exhibition represents the first—and possibly only—time these treasures will be seen in the US.
When: Through June 28
Where: Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth
Cost: $14-$18 general exhibition admission
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit bring two nights of Americana and rock to the Winspear Opera House, with Thursday’s show landing inside the holiday-weekend window.
When: Thursday, May 21, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Winspear Opera House, Dallas
Cost: Tickets listed from about $94
John Wayne Weekend at the Fort Worth Stockyards
The Stockyards celebrates John Wayne’s legacy with special weekend events, including meet-and-greets, book signings and guided museum experiences.
When: Saturday–Sunday, May 23–24
Where: Fort Worth Stockyards / John Wayne: An American Experience
Cost: Event prices vary by experience
Flower Mound’s Kids Fishing Derby gives young anglers a chance to fish a pond stocked with more than 500 pounds of catfish.
When: Saturday, May 23, 8–11 a.m.
Where: Rheudasil Park, Flower Mound
Cost: Free
Klyde Warren Park Movies in the Park: National Treasure
Bring a blanket and enjoy a free outdoor screening of “National Treasure” in the heart of Dallas.
When: Saturday, May 23, 7–10 p.m.
Where: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas
Cost: Free
Lone Star Park’s biggest racing day of the season features a loaded Memorial Day card, with gates opening at noon and the first live race in the early afternoon.
When: Monday, May 25; gates at noon; first race at 1:35 p.m.
Where: Lone Star Park, Grand Prairie
Cost: General admission is $10; general parking is free
MGK brings the Lost Americana Tour to Dos Equis Pavilion with special guests Wiz Khalifa and Beauty School Dropout.
When: Sunday, May 24, 7 p.m.
Where: Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas
Cost: Tickets listed from about $27
McKinney Memorial Day Ceremony
McKinney marks Memorial Day with a community ceremony honoring those who died in service to the country.
When: Monday, May 25, 10–11 a.m.
Where: Corporal R.D. Foster Veterans Memorial Park, McKinney
Cost: Free
Memorial Day Pool Party at the Texas Pool
Plano’s historic Texas Pool opens the holiday with swimming, games, mermaid photo ops, temporary tattoos and a National Moment of Remembrance and flag ceremony.
When: Monday, May 25, noon–6 p.m.
Where: The Texas Pool, Plano
Cost: $10 admission; free for children under 2
National Medal of Honor Museum: Memorial Day Weekend
The National Medal of Honor Museum is marking Memorial Day weekend with both free and ticketed experiences, including the public Field of Flags and museum admission.
When: Friday–Monday, May 22–25
Where: National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington
Cost: Field of Flags is free; museum tickets are $45 adults, $40 seniors, $30 students ages 7–17, and free for children 6 and under. Active-duty military receive free general admission at the museum with ID.
Ennis celebrates Czech heritage with three days of music, dancing, food, costumes and small-town festival fun. The festival’s country concert includes William Clark Green and Alex Meixner.
When: Friday–Sunday, May 22–24
Where: Downtown Ennis and festival dance halls
Cost: Downtown activities are free; three-day dance-hall admission is $30. The country concert is separate, with GA at $60.
Pitbull brings his “I’m Back!” tour to Dallas with special guest Lil Jon for a high-energy Saturday night at Dos Equis Pavilion.
When: Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m.
Where: Dos Equis Pavilion, Dallas
Cost: $138 and up
Frisco’s weekly family-friendly SaturYAY series brings hands-on activities to the park, including arts and crafts, movement activities and music programming for kids.
When: Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m.–noon
Where: Performance Lawn at Kaleidoscope Park in Frisco
Cost: Free
Scarborough Renaissance Festival
Now in its 45th year, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival transforms its grounds into a 16th-century English village filled with period-style entertainment, performers, and attractions. It wraps up its season with its “Last Huzzah” weekend, including jousting, entertainment, artisan shopping and Memorial Day tributes
When: May 23-25
Where: Scarborough Renaissance Festival, 2511 FM 66, Waxahachie
Cost: Kids - $16 and up / Adults - $37 and up
Six Flags Over Texas Memorial Day Weekend
Six Flags Over Texas is open for the long weekend with coasters, rides and the start of summer-theme-park season.
When: Friday–Monday, May 22–25
Where: Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington
Cost: $39 and up; military members and veterans get free admission May 22–25 with valid military ID.
Cowtown Coliseum hosts classic Stockyards Championship Rodeo performances over the holiday weekend.
When: Friday, May 22; Saturday, May 23, including matinee and evening options
Where: Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth
Cost: $26 and up
Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros
The Rangers host the Astros on Memorial Day, with an All for Texas hockey jersey promotion listed for the game.
When: Monday, May 25, 6:05 p.m.
Where: Globe Life Field, Arlington
Cost: Resale listings show tickets starting around $27–$39
The Walt Disney Studios and World War II Exhibition
The Walt Disney Studios and World War II explores how the famous animation studio shifted into wartime service after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The exhibition features more than 500 artifacts, film clips, and historical materials showing how Disney artists created training films, public information shorts, and military insignia while also producing artwork used in wartime campaigns at home. It also highlights the role Walt Disney and his staff played in supporting the Allied effort, using familiar characters and animation to inform the public, boost troop morale, and promote initiatives like rationing, recycling, and war bond drives.
When: March 13 - September 10
Where: Dallas Holocaust and Human Right Museum, Dallas
Cost: $12 and up (free for students)
Wicked retells the story of Oz from the perspective of the two witches long before Dorothy arrives. At the center are Elphaba, a brilliant and misunderstood young woman with green skin, and Glinda, a charming and widely admired blonde whose early rivalry with Elphaba slowly grows into an unlikely friendship. As their lives move in different directions, the world around them begins to sort one into the role of “good” and the other into “wicked.” Featuring songs like “Defying Gravity,” “Popular,” and “For Good,” the musical reimagines familiar Oz mythology through friendship, conflict, and the forces that shape a person’s reputation.
When: May 7 - June 14 (no shows on Mondays)
Where: Music Hall at Fair Park, Dallas
Cost: $56 and up
