Top Things to Do in Dallas this Summer
Summer 2026 is expected to be one of the most exciting seasons Dallas has ever seen.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ is undoubtedly the biggest event of the season, but it’s only the beginning. The city will showcase its famous annual traditions with a wave of unique, one-time experiences. Concerts, family-friendly events, festivals, nightlife, you name it. There is something extraordinary waiting!
EVENTS
Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026™.
1818 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
Expect Fair Park to be the most popular place in Dallas to celebrate the World Cup this year, as it plays host to the official FIFA Fan Festival™ Dallas. From June 11 to July 19, this massive daily watch party will play every match on giant screens and feature live, food vendors, and interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy!
If you’d rather celebrate the tournament in a more intimate setting without losing an ounce of the atmosphere, head over to Peticolas Brewing Company (1301 Pace St, Dallas, TX 75207). Known for its passion for soccer, this brewery is aiming to become a unique and top-tier World Cup viewing spot.
What makes Peticolas stand out? The walls will feature exclusive photography from an official FIFA photographer, and the menu includes limited-edition drinks crafted specifically for the event.
Dallas Pride Festival
Main Street, Dallas, TX 75201
Big changes are coming to the Dallas Pride Festival 2026! The festivities are heading to Downtown Dallas, marking a fresh chapter as the event moves from its long-time home at Fair Park. On June 6, this year's event will light up the city with its first-ever Sunset Parade on Main Street. This free-to-attend parade features a set of more than 120 floats and musical groups.
Celebración del Día de la Independencia en el parque Klyde Warren
2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201
On July 4, Klyde Warren Park presents its Independence Day Celebration for the City of Dallas. This event, one of the biggest fireworks displays in the city, features live music performances, family-friendly activities, and plenty of food vendors. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the culmination of the event, an epic dual-rooftop fireworks show launched from both sides of the park!
CONCERTS
Centro American Airlines
2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
If you’re looking to catch the world’s biggest music artists while staying cool in the Texas heat, the American Airlines Center is the perfect spot. Dallas’s largest indoor entertainment venue offers an exceptional concert experience.
This summer’s calendar is filled with big names across a wide range of genres, including A$AP Rocky (June 18), Lionel Richie (July 29), Megan Moroney (August 14), and Santana (August 22). Late summer will also pack a punch, with performances by Tame Impala (September 17), Thomas Rhett (September 18), and J. Cole (September 19-20).
Pabellón Dos Equis
1818 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210
Dos Equis Pavilion, located in Fair Park, is the city’s ultimate outdoor concert experience. Their August calendar is arguably the most stacked, featuring a mix of 2000s nostalgia, classic rock, and well-known pop.
In just one month, Dos Equis Pavilion will feature The Pussycat Dolls (August 1), Kesha (August 7), Ne-Yo + Akon (August 8), Train (August 15), and Lynyrd Skynyrd (August 28)!
Like the AAC, late summer at Dos Equis won’t disappoint. As the peak summer heat begins to break, the sprawling lawn at Dos Equis will become the perfect evening spot to kick back and enjoy must-see performances by Tim McGraw (September 11) and Empire of the Sun (September 20).
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ATTRACTIONS
Museo Perot de Naturaleza y Ciencia
2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201
There’s always something new to see at the Perot Museum, and this summer, it’s their highly-anticipated “Soccer: More Than a Game” exhibit. The new exhibit breaks down the science behind soccer, from the physics of the sport to the game-changing technological enhancements that have taken place.
Acuario Mundial de Dallas
1801 N Griffin St, Dallas, TX 75202
Just minutes away from the Perot Museum, you’ll find the Dallas World Aquarium, another premier indoor escape. Families can trek through the Cloud Forest or wander through immersive water tunnels, getting up close with everything from playful penguins to giant manatees.
Dallas Wings Basketball
2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
Three times this summer, the Dallas Wings women’s professional basketball team will compete at the American Airlines Center. What a treat it will be to see league icons Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers take the court on August 20! Bueckers and the Wings will also take on the Chicago Sky on July 12 and the Golden State Valkyries on August 7.
NIGHTLIFE
Have a night out in Deep Ellum
Deep Ellum is the undisputed heartbeat of Dallas nightlife, serving as a massive urban playground for summer visitors. Whether you’re looking to catch a wave at Goodsurf (317 S Second Ave, Dallas, TX 75226) which features surfing and pickleball) or try the high-tech shuffleboard tables of Electric Shuffle (2615 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226), the variety here is unmatched.
You can also enjoy stand-up comedy at the Dallas Comedy Club (3036 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226), catch some live lmusic at The Bomb Factory (2713 Canton St, Dallas, TX 75226), and dance the night away at The Nines (2911 Main St, Dallas, TX 75226) or Ruins (2653 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75226).
Check out a hotel bar
Have a classy evening by visiting two of Dallas's most iconic hotel bars, located just steps apart. For a touch of whimsy in a high-end setting, head to Midnight Rambler at The Joule (1530 Main St STE 100, Dallas, TX 75201), which has become known for its playfully crafted Pokémon-themed cocktails. The French Room Bar at the Adolphus (1321 Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75202) is the perfect spot to unwind with a Manhattan or a Champagne Rosé in an intimate, relaxed atmosphere.