Things To Do in Dallas - September 7-13

1. Hispanic Heritage Celebration

Sept. 12 | Dallas Arboretum | Included with admission

The Arboretum invites the community to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a day and evening of culture, music, food, and the beloved Quinceañera Fashion Show. Two distinct sessions offer a fresh way to experience the garden surrounded by the beauty, tradition, and vibrant spirit of Hispanic heritage, with vendor markets and live entertainment running throughout.

2. Downtown Dallas Arts & Music Festival

Sept. 12–13 | Main Street Garden Park & The Statler | Free

The heart of downtown transforms into a celebration of art, sound, and connection for DDAMF's fourth year, bringing together rising talent, creative entrepreneurs, and music lovers from across the region. Expect live performances, visual art showcases including live painting on nine giant pop-up walls, food trucks, and local business collaborations at Main Street Garden, plus panel discussions and creative-industry conversations inside The Statler. A launch event kicks things off Thursday, September 10, at SPACE at Adolphus Tower.

3. Dani Rose Live at Wild Bill's Western Store

Sept. 10 | Wild Bill's Western Store, Downtown Dallas | Free

Country artist and songwriter Dani Rose plays an intimate live set inside the historic Western wear shop, a rootsy, low-key evening in one of downtown's most distinctive spaces.

4. Pilates in the Park

Saturdays | Griggs Park, Uptown | Free

Uptown Dallas Inc. and Pilates214 host an all-levels mat Pilates session right in the park — no RSVP needed. Bring a mat, some water, and good energy for a stretch-and-strengthen start to the weekend.

5. Still The King

Sept. 12 | Longhorn Ballroom | Tickets vary, 4 p.m.

Longhorn Ballroom and Ray Benson present the inaugural Still The King celebration, a honky-tonk lineup featuring Asleep at the Wheel, Ben Haggard, Summer Dean, Bob Wills' Texas Playboys led by Jason Roberts, The Waymores, Mallory Eagle, Nicky Diamonds, and special guests. Expect two-stepping, curated vendors, food, and games across the historic Ballroom and Courtyard, sponsored by Central Market and Turtlebox.

6. M.A.D.E. Dallas®

Sept. 11 | Dallas Farmers Market | Free, 6–9 p.m.

The 2026 season of M.A.D.E. Market rolls on with its favorite local night market — art vendors, ceramics, handcrafted gifts, vintage finds, and clothing all set up under the Dallas skyline. Held the second Friday of every month, this edition adds live music from Macy Pearl, happy hour specials, food trucks, yard games, and photo ops, making it a solid way to kick off the weekend.

7. AFRIMMA Music Fest

Sept. 12 | Annette Strauss Square, AT&T Performing Arts Center | Tickets vary, 12:30 p.m.

Big A Foundation presents one unforgettable weekend celebrating African music, fashion, and culture — born out of AFRIMMA's legacy as the premier awards show honoring African music's biggest stars. Multiple artists and DJs bring Afrobeats, Afro-fusion, amapiano, hip-hop, highlife, dancehall, and African pop to the outdoor stage, alongside a vendor marketplace serving African flavors and global eats, interactive culture and games, and curated photo experiences throughout the grounds.

8. 28th Annual Katy 5K

Sept. 10 | Reverchon Park | From $75, 7:30 p.m.

Billed as a giant party disguised as a 5K, this Katy Trail classic runs runners through Turtle Creek, Uptown, and the heart of the Katy Trail before dumping straight into the legendary Katy Picnic Party. Every registration includes a race shirt, finisher's medal, two Michelob ULTRA beverages, and free bites from more than 35 local restaurants, with DJ EJ keeping the party going; VIP adds a catered dinner, a beer and seltzer bar, and access to a VIP tent. All proceeds fund maintenance of the Katy Trail.

9. FAN EXPO Dallas

Sept. 11–13 | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center | Tickets vary

Three days of comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, and cosplay bring together fandom families 65,000 strong. Headlining celebrity guests include Nicolas Cage, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Karl Urban, Charlie Sheen, Emilio Estevez, and Kiefer Sutherland, plus a Lord of the Rings 25th-anniversary reunion event with the Fellowship's hobbits. Expect photo ops, autograph sessions, artist alley, Anime After Dark, and panels throughout. Show hours run Friday 4–9 p.m. (with a 2 p.m. VIP preview), Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

10. Viva Dallas 2026

Sept. 12 | Dallas City Hall Plaza | 5–9 p.m.

The 4th annual and official Mexican Independence Festival brings the city's official "Grito" ceremony and procession to City Hall Plaza, marking Mexico's independence with community celebration downtown.

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