Make back-to-school shopping a little more fun during tax-free weekend at The Shops at Park Lane. While parents stock up, kids can enjoy free crafts, giveaways, a live DJ, and Kona Ice. Saturday features pencil case and keychain decorating with Crafty Party Dallas, while Sunday offers hands-on sensory fun with My Festi Goodies. Free for all ages.
Where: The Shops at Park Lane, Dallas
When: Saturday–Sunday, August 9–10 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Cost: Free
Love, laughter, and mismatched newlyweds collide in Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park, a classic romantic comedy set in a cramped New York walkup. Free-spirited Corie and straight-laced Paul are fresh off their honeymoon when eccentric neighbors, meddling in-laws, and a chaotic dinner party put their young marriage to the test. Can their love survive leaky pipes, clashing personalities, and a walk barefoot in the park? Rated PG for suggestive dialogue and situations.
Where: McKinney Performing Arts Center, 111 N Tennessee St, McKinney
When: August 8-9
Cost: $22
Billy Bob's: Los Lonely Boys (Friday), William Clark Green (Saturday)
Where: Billy Bob's Fort Worth
When: Friday at 10 p.m., Saturday at 10 p.m.
Cost: $18 - $40
Bob Marley's Three Little Birds
Set in Jamaica and filled with Bob Marley's iconic songs, Three Little Birds at Jubilee Theatre follows young Ziggy on a journey of courage and self-discovery. With help from his friends, he learns to face his fears in this vibrant, feel-good musical celebrating love, hope, and unity.
Where: Jubilee Theatre, 3925, 506 Main St, Fort Worth
When: August 8-10 / August 15-17 / August 22-24 / August 29-31
Cost: $28
The Book of Mormon is a nine-time Tony Award®-winning musical comedy that follows two mismatched missionaries on a journey halfway around the world to share their faith. Known for its sharp humor and bold storytelling, the show has played to packed houses in London, on Broadway, and across North America. Please note: this production contains explicit language.
Where: Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth
When: August 8-10
Cost: $68 and up
Discover the magic of spring at the Dallas Zoo's newest attraction, I Spy Butterflies—a walk-through garden filled with fluttering wings, blooming wildflowers, and hands-on fun. Nestled in the newly transformed Wildflower Ridge, this colorful exhibit lets you wander through a lush, pollinator-friendly landscape where hundreds of live butterflies take flight around you. It's a feast for the senses and a chance to learn about these vital creatures from on-site experts. You'll also find a new nature-inspired play area and the charming Monarch Express mini-train nearby—all included with your zoo admission.
Where: Dallas Zoo, 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas
When: Daily through October 26
Cost: Included with general admission
Eataly After Hours returns Friday, August 8 from 8 p.m. to midnight for a late-night summer celebration packed with cocktails, chef-made bites, and nonstop entertainment. Guests 21+ can enjoy handcrafted drinks, live DJ sets from Steffi, Sober, and Blonde Beats, karaoke, games, and plenty of Italian-inspired snacks—all inside the cool, air-conditioned comfort of Eataly Dallas. It's a lively sendoff to summer, designed for a night of dancing, sipping, and late-night fun. Valid ID required for entry, and rideshare is encouraged.
Where: Eataly Dallas, 8687 N Central Expy #2172, Dallas
When: Friday, August 8 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $95
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
When Ren moves from Chicago to a small farming town, he's ready for high school culture shock—but not a town-wide ban on dancing, enforced by a strict local preacher. As Ren clashes with authority and falls for the preacher's rebellious daughter, tensions rise, setting up a story of grief, redemption, and the power of standing up for change.
Where: North Texas Performing Arts, 6121 W Park Blvd B216, Plano
When: August 7-10
Cost: $20 and up
Based on Tim Madigan's book I'm Proud of You, My Friendship with Fred Rogers, this delightful new play chronicles male friendship at its finest and most powerful.
Where: Theatre Arlington, 305 W Main St, Arlington
When: August 8-10 / August 14-17 / August 21-24
Cost: $40
Experience a one-of-a-kind theatrical journey with Life of Pi, the award-winning stage adaptation of Yann Martel's bestselling novel. This stunning production blends powerful storytelling with breathtaking visuals, masterful puppetry, and inventive stagecraft to bring Pi's epic tale of survival and hope to life. A hit in both London and New York, Life of Pi is a moving, visually unforgettable adventure for all generations.
Where: Winspear Opera House, Dallas
When: August 6-17
Cost: $41 and up.
The Man in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Shawn Barker brings Johnny Cash to life with his uncanny voice, look, and stage presence in this tribute show. Backed by a full band, Barker stays in character as he performs hits like "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "Hurt," and "Ring of Fire," tracing the legend's music through every era.
Where: Longhorn Ballroom, Dallas
When: Friday, August 8 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $45
Perot Museum – "Bug Lab: A Journey into the World of Insect Ingenuity"
What if the planet's smallest geniuses could share their biggest secrets? Bug Lab is a captivating exhibition exploring the remarkable genius of insects, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience the world from a bug's perspective. It's opening this weekend at the Perot Museum. Visitors can explore immersive bug chambers, test their reflexes at interactive adaptation stations, and examine real specimens in hands-on labs—all while discovering the incredible abilities, behaviors, and science behind the insect world.
Where: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas
When: Daily TFN
Cost: $15-$25
SPARK! Dallas presents Prismatic: Fantastical Realms, an immersive art pop-up created by local teens in partnership with Meow Wolf Grapevine. The exhibit features six vibrant, interactive spaces—from crystal caverns to underwater worlds—each themed by color. Open weekends through September 7, it marks SPARK!'s 10th anniversary and celebrates youth creativity.
Where: SPARK! Dallas, 1409 Botham Jean Blvd #004, Dallas
When: Weekends through September 7
Cost: $25 and up
SheDFW Arts returns with its second annual SheDFW Theater Festival, spotlighting women, trans, and non-binary playwrights from Texas and the central U.S. Held at the Studio Theatre on the UT Arlington campus, the festival will feature four new works: Omen, a reimagining of Shakespeare's heroines; Bl!nk, a musical comedy about friendship and tech; Camp Contrition, a play set in a Christian summer camp; and First, a drama exploring identity and politics at a conservative university.
Where: University of Texas at Arlington, 701 S Nedderman Dr, Arlington
When: August 6-10
Cost: $25 / $10 for virtual tickets
Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Filled with action, humor, and classic characters like Little John, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marian, Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood brings the timeless tale of a folk hero fighting injustice to life. From daring escapes to quick-witted banter, it's a fast-paced adventure you won't want to miss.
Where: Onstage in Bedford, 2400 School Ln, Bedford
When: August 8-10 / August 15-17
Cost: $25 and up
Step into a vibrant blue world at The Smurf Experience, an interactive indoor adventure spanning 13,000 square feet of fun. This immersive playground invites guests to shrink down to Smurf size and take on a mission to stop the wicked Gargamel. As you journey through Smurf Village, the Enchanted Forest, and the villain's hideout, you'll tackle obstacle courses, join scavenger hunts, dive into virtual reality, and meet your favorite Smurf characters along the way.
Where: Esports Stadium Arlington, 1200 Ballpark Way, Arlington
When: Daily through August 11 / Mon - Sun: 10:00am - 8:30pm
Cost: $30 and up
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
Quilt Plano is back with over 300 stunning quilts on display and dozens of vendors from all over Texas offering everything from fabric and thread to machines and must-have quilting tools. Alongside the colorful creations and shopping galore, guests can check out special exhibits, catch free how-to demos, win hourly door prizes, and even bid in a mini quilt auction. Whether you're a seasoned quilter or just quilt-curious, there's plenty to explore and enjoy.
Where: Plano Event Center, 2000 E Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano
When: August 8-9 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $15 and up
Gaylord Texan Resort and Warner Bros. Discovery present Universe of Light—a dazzling walkthrough attraction featuring over 1,000 glowing lanterns and 40 iconic DC Super Heroes and Villains. Created by artisans from Zigong, China, the display transforms the resort into larger-than-life scenes from Gotham City, Themyscira, and Metropolis. Guests can snap photos inside the Batmobile, witness Superman vs. Lex Luthor overhead, explore interactive areas, and meet DC characters—all open to resort guests and day visitors alike.
Where: Gaylord Texan, Grapevine
When: Daily through September 1
Cost: $25
Get ready to dance at the Vitruvian Salsa Festival, held every second Saturday of June through September at Vitruvian Park. From 6 to 10 p.m., enjoy live salsa bands, dance lessons, food trucks, and more. The featured band on August 9: Zone D'Mambo.
Where: Vitruvian Park Amphitheater, Addison
When: Saturday, August 9 at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Xdinary Heroes World Tour in IRVING
Where: Pavilion At Toyota Music Factory, Irving
When: Sunday, August 10 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $50 and up
