Things To Do in Dallas - July 27 - August 2

1. The 15th Oak Cliff Film Festival

July 30-Aug 2 | Texas Theatre & venues across Oak Cliff | Tickets vary

Dallas' beloved neighborhood film fest hits its 15th year with four days of screenings, Q&As, panels, and parties spread across Oak Cliff's theaters, bars, and small businesses. Festival co-director Ashton Campbell is skipping a fixed theme this year in favor of something more abstract as OCFF enters what he calls its "golden hour," reflecting on a decade and a half of film and community. Submissions hit a record 815 entries in 2026, with 28 features and 77 short films making the final lineup. The festival kicks off Thursday, July 30, with Dakota Fanning's "The Sun Never Sets" as the opening feature.

2. Sounds like Netflix: Bridgerton String Quartet

July 30 | Netflix House, Galleria Dallas | Free entry, event tickets vary

Queue up your summer soundtrack at Netflix House with live music from a rotating lineup of Dallas artists every Thursday night inside Netflix Bites, all summer long. It kicks off July 30 with a Bridgerton-inspired string quartet sure to impress the Ton. Netflix House itself is free to explore, with the Galleria Dallas venue also home to Squid Game and Stranger Things feature experiences, the Netflix Shop, and RePLAY arcade for those who want to make a night of it.

3. Dallas' Original Watermelon Day®

Aug. 1-2 | Dallas Farmers Market | Free

The Dallas Farmers Market's 8th annual celebration of Texas watermelon season brings more than 20 varieties of Texas-grown watermelons to view, sample, and buy straight from local farmers, from classic reds to unique heirloom types. The weekend rounds out with family-friendly activities, live music, demonstrations, and contests, including mini tractor rides, balloon art, jelly demos, and sets from bands like Liquid Chicken on the main stage. Saturday runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more programming continuing into Sunday.

4. Nature Printmaking for Beginners

July 28 | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | Member $89, Guest $99

Discover the art of relief printmaking with Iron Frog Press during this hands-on evening workshop at the Dallas Arboretum. Perfect for beginners and anyone looking to try something new, the three-hour session guides participants through designing, carving, and printing an original linoleum edition inspired by nature, taught by Matt and Sharon Bagley. No previous experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. Iron Frog Press is an East Dallas printmaking studio dedicated to making the art form accessible through workshops and community arts programs for artists of all experience levels. By the end of the evening, you'll leave with your own hand-printed artwork in one of Dallas's most beautiful settings.

5. Sueños Oak Cliff Mural Unveiling Block Party

Aug. 2 | J & E Express Auto | Free, 3–6 p.m.

Somos Tejas throws a block party celebrating its new Oak Cliff mural, the neighborhood, and the community that built it. Expect music, food, familia, and art all in one place, plus vendors, lowriders, and a free back-to-school giveaway. Mark your calendar, bring your people — this one's for the neighborhood.

6. Poolside Pilates with O2

Aug. 1 | The Adolphus Hotel | $52

O2 Dallas brings its rooftop pilates series back to Pool Adolphus for the whole season. Start the morning with a guided mat pilates class overlooking downtown, then stick around to lounge poolside with a Ritual zero-proof cocktail or mimosa in hand. It's a low-key way to work out and unwind in one trip to the Adolphus's seventh-floor sundeck, which also has a full pool bar, cabanas, and skyline views for anyone who wants to make a whole morning of it.

7. Hip Hop & R&B Meets Jazz on Canvas

Aug. 1 | Bonton Farms | Free

Local musicians and a visual artist create jazz on canvas live at Bonton Farms. Father-son duo Eric Willis and Josh Willis serenade guests with hip-hop and R&B-inspired jazz while visual artist LaShonda Cooks interprets their notes in real time with paint, with the resulting artwork raffled off at the end of the performance. It's the third installment of a summer series pairing live music from different genres with live painting at the South Dallas farm, sponsored by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and presented free to the public in partnership with Bonton Farms.

8. Art in Thirty: Gallery Talks

July 31 | Dallas Museum of Art | Free with museum admission

Curatorial Assistant Maria Yeye leads a quick midday deep-dive into two newly installed textiles from the design and decorative art collection, including Camille Nixdorf Phelan's National History Quilt, a piece representing all 50 states and 150 prominent American cultural and political figures. Part of the DMA's ongoing "Art in Thirty" series, it's a bite-sized way to get curator-level insight into the collection on a lunch break.

9. Family Fun Fridays

July 31 | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | Tickets from $33 , 18+

Girls' night gets a full glow-up at this women-only party inside The Loft at Gilley's Dallas. An all-female DJ lineup with Bee DJ Payyy, itshoney_t, and ilovekayyblendz keeping the dance floor moving from 8 p.m. to midnight, while a rooftop lounge delivers skyline views between sets. The night comes loaded with extras included in tickets like free drinks courtesy of sponsor Bloom Supps, a free photobooth, flash tattoos, tooth gems, and permanent jewelry pop-ups, plus a full-service bar for 21+ guests. Free parking is included, and it's the official kickoff to Bloom Weekend. No boys allowed.

10. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

July 31–Aug. 2 | Kalita Humphreys Theater | $20, benefiting charity

The Hopeful Theatre Project stages this magical retelling of the fairy tale about kindness, courage, and believing in a better world, directed by Jessica Holt. When kind-hearted Ella escapes her stepmother's cruelty for the royal ball, she captures the heart of Prince Topher, whose own arc follows his growing desire to build a more just kingdom. Rated G with a 2 hour 30 minute run time (one intermission), 75% of every ticket goes to the Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth and Dallas. Showtimes run Thursday–Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m., plus a pay-what-you-can preview Thursday night. Kids 13 and under can also add on a Cinderella Tea Party before the Sunday matinee, with snacks, a photo with Cinderella, character interactions, and a goodie bag for $75 (parents attend free).

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