Things To Do in Dallas - November 2-8

1. Chefs For Farmers Food & Wine Festival

Nov. 7–8 | Old City Park | GA $145, VIP $195 per day, 21+, 2–6 p.m.

The festival’s 16th edition culminates in its Main Event at Old City Park, bringing together more than 80 Dallas and Texas chefs, farmers, winemakers, distillers, and producers for all-inclusive bites and unlimited pours, plus a vote for the Best Bite. New this year is the Texas Smoke Show, featuring Tim and Trey Hutchins of Hutchins BBQ and Justin Fourton of Pecan Lodge, and the festival’s first-ever partnership with the James Beard Foundation. VIP entry starts at 2 p.m. and general admission at 3 p.m., with festival programming running Nov. 4–8 around the city and proceeds supporting the Seed Project Foundation.

2. Meat Fight

Nov. 8 | Dallas Youth Sports, 2524 W. Ledbetter Dr. | GA $75, VIP $150, GA entry 6 p.m., VIP 5 p.m.

Dallas’s meatiest nonprofit throws its 16th annual “funlanthropy” bash, with sixteen chefs competing in teams of four across brand-new categories: tacos on-a-stick, balls, and buns. Captains David Peña of Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House, Eduardo Osorio of Meridian, Rhonda McCullar of Uchi, and Jeramie Robison of The Thompson Dallas lead the teams, with a live auction billed as the event’s version of The Price Is Right, a Sweet Fight dessert lineup, and a Meat Midway with giant pig races. VIP guests get sliders from Easy Slider, brisket from Goldee’s BBQ and Slow Bone BBQ, and express beverage lines. Proceeds benefit Meat Fight’s MS Research Endowment with UT Southwestern, programs for people living with MS, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

3. 12th Annual Celebración del Día de Muertos

Oct. 17–Nov. 2 | Crown Hill Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 9718 Webb Chapel Rd. | Free

Hughes Family Tribute Center’s annual celebration builds on the custom of families visiting the cemetery on Día de Muertos, set around the historic Art Deco mausoleum, a City of Dallas Historic Landmark. The exhibition Pathways of Past Lives: The Persistence of Existence opens Oct. 17 and runs on select dates through Nov. 2, featuring a central installation by Josh Niccolai-Belfi, curated by artist Art Garcia. The Nov. 2 finale brings live music from Carolina Imperial and Grupo Pakal, a theatrical presentation by Teatro Dallas, Folklórico by Herrera Dance Project, mariachi bands, catrina face painting from Alfa de las Catrinas, family art activities, craft vendors, and concessions.

4. AURORA Biennial: States of Becoming

Nov. 4–21 | Dallas City Hall, Central Library & AT&T Discovery District | Free

The 7th AURORA Biennial, curated by Julia Kaganskiy and Tairone Bastien, spans three weeks across Dallas and Fort Worth under the theme States of Becoming, responding to the climate crisis, the rise of AI, and shifting democratic norms. A 23-event program of performances, talks, workshops, tours, and artist-led experiences runs Nov. 4–21, culminating in the signature free outdoor exhibition on Nov. 21 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. 27 artists, including Trevor Paglen, Josh Kline, Zach Blas, and Sasha Stiles, bring technology-driven work to Dallas City Hall, the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, and the AT&T Discovery District.

5. DIY CON

Nov. 6–8 | Fair Park | Tickets vary

A first-of-its-kind immersive event celebrating the creativity and community of modern DIYers, DIY CON swaps the traditional trade show for a “polished playground” of hands-on workshops, premium tools to try, interactive brand storytelling, and meet-and-greets with creators, TV personalities, and other stars. Makers of all skill levels, from beginners to pros, are invited to roll up their sleeves, learn from leading creators, and leave with the confidence to tackle their next project.

6. Overgrowth by Pegasus Contemporary Ballet

Nov. 6–7 | Dallas Contemporary, 161 Glass St. | $55

A new site-specific performance brings contemporary dance, electronic music, and visual art into dialogue, created by choreographer Elliott Ludovic with composer Sam Brukhman (performing as BRKHMN). Inspired by Iván Argote’s exhibition How to Move a Monument on a Tuesday Morning, the work explores history, memory, monuments, and transformation, moving between the gallery and an intimate performance setting with a live electronic score that adapts to the dancers on the spot. Capacity is limited across four showtimes: Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2, 7, and 9 p.m.

7. Veterans Day Walk

Nov. 7 | Reverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave. | Free, 8:30–11:30 a.m.

Veteran-run nonprofit Carry The Load hosts a free walk along the Katy Trail honoring veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. After check-in at 8:30, join the Adaptive Training Foundation for a warm-up class before the 3-mile route; individuals, families, and dogs are all welcome. Registration is required through Carry The Load’s Blackbaud page, and anyone who registered before Oct. 25 can pick up a shirt on the day.

8. Cool Thursdays: Emerald City

Nov. 5 | Dallas Arboretum, Concert Lawn | Members $40, Guests $50, Children (2–12) $30, gates 6 p.m., show 7–9 p.m.

Dallas’s favorite party band, Emerald City, closes out the fall Cool Thursdays season with a lively mix of dance hits from across the decades, a send-off for another season of music in the garden. Parking is $15 per car plus tax and fees (members get complimentary parking for up to two pre-registered vehicles), and concert snacks and meals can be pre-ordered at least 72 hours in advance.

9. Inwood Village’s Holiday Village Stroll

Nov. 7 | Inwood Village, 5300 W. Lovers Ln. | Free

Inwood Village kicks off the holiday season with an afternoon of festive fun, shopping, live entertainment, and creative activities for all ages. Register for a chance to win a $1,500 giveaway, try free holiday craft activations from Camp Crafty, and catch live music from We Them Grays starting at 2:30 p.m. Local artist Jan Riggins creates a 3D sidewalk art installation outside the historic Inwood Theatre, and highlights include a free tumbler painting workshop, bedazzling at Ulta, and block-print tea towel decorating at Rise No. 1.

10. ThriftCon Dallas

Nov. 7 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Exhibit Hall B | Tickets vary

Billed as “the greatest flea market you’ve ever been to,” ThriftCon gathers more than 120 premier vintage clothing and collectibles vendors, with finds plucked from the ’70s through the 2000s, in a buy-sell-trade format. Event hours are still listed as TBA on the venue’s page, so check thriftcon.co for tickets and entry times before publishing.

Check back next week for more of the best things to do in Dallas, because there's always something new to discover in Dallas.