The Most Flavorful Festivals in Fort Worth

Reliant Lights Your Holiday

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"WOW, WOW, WOW! A spectacular annual event this is. Three hours of pure fun along with ooos and aahs with the coming of the Christmas and Holiday spirit within us all there at Sammons Park!The electrifying performances from Rae Lynn and En Vogue this year made the whole crowd with our blinking Reliant Santa hats clapping and dancing!The anticipation grew with the countdown to the magnificent lighting of a million lights to the trees, followed by a jaw dropping fireworks display!Worth the wait were the long lines for photo opt with Santa, to be photographed in front of a brilliant star motif, and for a couple glasses of wine in hand!My gratitude to those who sponsored this FREE event for our great city. Loved it. See u next year!CHEERS!"

Denton Arts And Jazz Festival

★★★★★ 4.9 (9)

"It was my first time visiting this fest. I enjoyed it even though it was really muddy that day. Other than that, it was fun having festival like this in and around the Dallas metroplex. We will be back next year!"

Keller Crawfish Krawl

★★★★☆ 4.4 (5)

"Crawfish, boudin, and beer YUM YUM.What a fun little festival. And of all of our Yelp friends that attended, I guess we were the only ones that got any crawfish. Sorry Eric and Marianne, I guess Doug and I ate them all.This was my first trip to Keller and boy did we have a great time. The Crawfish Krawl is on two blocked off streets. The street we were on was full of vendors, food, and beer. The other was the kids section. We tried to take a look but were turned away because we had a beer in our hands. I guess this is ok but seemed a little over protective to me. The line for the crawfish was really long but luckily we walked around for a bit and when we returned we walked right up and got our mud bugs and we enjoyed every one in our 3 pound tray.After we finished eating we walked around and looked at the vendor booths. One of which was selling some of the best cupcakes I've had in ages. Dang they were so good.We decided to have another beer and watch the band that started. It was a southern rock band and they were pretty good.We had a fun time and would not be surprised it we show up again next year."

Grandscape Wheel

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Not much to see, goes around 5 times. General admission, ages 12+ is $17 per person rounded up. They'll take a picture and print 2 for $21, add another one for $26. There was no wait and no line on a Sunday afternoon."

Plano Art Fest

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"This was a delightful art festival for a small town community. It was well organized with activities for all. The weather was cool and comfortable Friday night for walking around downtown Plano and checking out the numerous vendors. Since this event takes place in the spring the weather can be somewhat unpredictable, but it was lovely the evening we went. The main street in downtown Plano is closed for pedestrian traffic only. vendors line the center of the street. Stores and restaurants are open late too trying to take advantage of the increased foot traffic. Parking was free in nearby surface lots. If you get there early enough, you might find street parking.In addition to the main street, there is also a kid zone and a food truck area setup in a street lot. More artists and vendors can be found as you wander around Haggard Park. Let's talk about the art:-Artistic - real photographers, painters and crafts people had their wares on display. I enjoyed the dog silhouettes out of license plates, the lights made from car hub caps, chains and metal bits, and the digital light show put on by UT Dallas students at a warehouse on the main strip. -Unusual - artists spray painting large banners of what appeared to be plastic saran wrap strung between trees. The local maker space advertising some of the cool things that can be done at there 24-hour facility. One guy was making leather jewelry and giving it away to those who stopped by to chat. -Educational - attendees were invited to pick colored caps from a bucket and arrange them into a canvas with sectioned off walls to define the piece. It was visually interesting and educational as it was encouraging the reuse of plastic. Interactive - Invite your dog to have its paws dipped in paint and then run across a white festival shirt as your keepsake. -Dangerous - There was a blacksmith on site welding and shaping iron pieces. There was also a wood worker who was carving his sculptures with a chainsaw. The Usual - face painting, henna hand designs, jewelry vendors, the latest health massage technique hocus-pocus vendors, and size-zero, tie-died, flour sac type dresses, scarves, and bags for the rare young person with the money to buy it and body type that can wear it. This was a fun, free event for an evening out. It went on all weekend, so you could pick the day that worked best for you and your family. My hubby and I made it our Friday date night, and it was a success."

Mayfest

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (13)

"I finally made it to Mayfest...and it was amazeballs! I've been hyped up about this festival for quite some time now and it was EVERYTHING! So, I didn't realize how huge mayfest is. As we walked around we stumbled across several different things. on the outskirt/entrance area there is plenty of food and ticket booths to get you started off just right. There's even atm' s for those who tend to carry cards. So, as walked around I decided to get a funnel cake (half powdered and half chocolate and caramel) yummm. Afterwards, the hubbs got a turkey leg and I tried some of that too..it was good and so was the funnel cake. I contemplated rising some of the rides but didnt want the hassle of getting tickets THEN standing in line for a ride so I opted out and we walked the center of the fest. We stumbled across a young dance group, an elder dance group, a smaller kid dance group amsnthe main stage where the guest performer waa tearing it up. She was really good. So all of the dance stages looked as though they had families surrounded by them and so we assumed the center area was the kid/family area. We watched the shows, listened to some music a d really enjoyed a good time and some good company. I'll definitely be back next year."

Scarborough Renaissance Festival

★★★★☆ 3.9 (148)

"Improved greatly since last time. No smoking signs up and the majority of people were considerate to us non-smokers but there are always those who are self centered Food was good, steak on a stake was wonderful"

Fort Worth Alliance Air Show

★★☆☆☆ 2.2 (14)

"2012 was another great show at Alliance!!! I love the vibe, the planes, lots of families wandering around, and they keep you entertained with the show. At $20 a carload, it also is one of the better priced entertainment events. A great place for a Dad and Daughter afternoon....and the chololate-dipped cheesecake was off the HOOK!!! Great times! If you have never been, put it on your list for 2013!!!"

Wildflower Arts & Music Festival

★★★★☆ 4.2 (18)

"I am glad that I had a chance to check out the Wildflower Festival. Even on a Saturday there was a decent crowd, but it was fairly easy to get around. There were a lot of vendors selling jewelry, and art as well as a kids area with rock climbing and karaoke. There were several stages for live entertainment which were easy to view, and some well known artists which justified the entrance fee."

Pumpkin Nights

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (58)

"We had so much fun here!!!! Was glad to get there early right around 5:45PM and we were the first in line and had to wait til the gates opened at 6PM but it was fine and there were lots of staff who directed you to exactly where to park. We were fascinated by how literally everything was pumpkins!! So creative!! We chose to walk the path first and were pleasantly surprised by how long it was and how many different areas there were. We had the whole thing to ourselves for most of it as a lot of people chose to hang out first at the main area and shop or eat. We got some really great pictures and the staff was so nice and friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are some of the nicest portable potties I have ever seen in my life and plentiful. It was packed when we left so again happy to have gotten there right at opening and we really did not feel like it was too crowded at all. A nice add on thing to do if you are in Dallas during this time frame."

Savor Dallas Festival

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (19)

"This was my first year to attend Savor Dallas, and with complimentary press passes for the entire weekend (yes, FTC... I'm following your guidelines!), I was determined to make every single event. Sadly, I failed at my mission. But I still had a great time!Here are a few tips to make sure you get the most out of the weekend:- Arrive early to the wine stroll on Friday night, drink a bit, then leave. It gets packed and by mid-event, some vendors will start running out of wine. I overheard that they accidentally oversold this event, but the lines and crowds were out of control.- We missed the after-pARTy at Gables 17 due to poor planning. Le sigh. Be sure and double check (heck, even TRIPLE check!) the times on the website to make sure you arrive on time. - If you can only make one event, make sure it's the Reserve Tasting. The selection is impeccable, the lines are short and the crowd is small. It's a dressier and classier event for those who really enjoy wine to make the most of it. It was by far my favorite event all weekend.- The International Grand Tasting is a cattle call with massive crowds. However, they do a great job and keeping it as organized as possible. Either get there early to get in line, or make buddies with a sponsor so you can jump ahead. Once inside, hit the tables/booths in the back where no one is; you'll get the best food and drinks back there anyway. Whatever you do, just be patient. It's a popular event that keeps growing, and even with the crowds, I plan on going back next year!"

Water Lantern Festival

★★☆☆☆ 1.6 (39)

"SHAME ON YOU! Your festival left hundreds of battery-operated plastic lanterns in the river after the event in Bend. They've been seen sinking to the bottom through a wide range of the river from Riverbend Park to the White Water park. This is unacceptable and your "commitment to ensuring a sustainable event" is complete bullshit. I hope every city runs you out of town before you get a chance to trash their waterways, too!https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cv1Lj2wguJf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D"

Addison Oktoberfest

★★★★☆ 3.6 (65)

"PROST! Crowded it was this Saturday night. Long, long, long were the bier and food lines. Change of plan, strolled and shopped around. Stopped at all three music stages, clapping, dancing, and, learning polka the night away. Fun time. As we were leaving to grab a bite outside the festival, serenaded we were of "Sweet Caroline" with a polka beat. :))))))CHEERS!"

Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival & Chili Cook-Off

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"Quick look rating: 5/5 Food & Quality, 4/5 Service, 4/5 Experience.Fun event to book-mark. Hundreds of folks came out to hear some great bluegrass music.To Note: Bring out your folding chairs! Come early to taste the chili!They have a little cart / trailer to bring folks from adjacent parking lot.Come early, taste the chilies, stay for the cool music and getting "comfy"See you there!"

Greek Food Festival Of Dallas

★★★★☆ 3.8 (54)

"This is an excellent family friendly event to attend if you are a Greek food lover! I know, I know, how am I just reviewing this?! Well mark your calendars for the next one. There is so much culture, art and who knew that the Greeks even had solid (and strong) coffee!! I also loved being able to get a little history on the Greek orthodox church. The lines are insanely long for food though and everything requires a ticket so arrive early so you do not bake in the Texas heat. The music though is lively, the people are lively, the everything is lively! Just how you would expect it to be. Greeks of course do it big and they do it oh so well. I just really enjoyed going and being immersed in the culture. I will say it is like any festival though, be prepared for the crazy parking, the long walking everywhere, the cost of tickets etc etc. You are supporting something precious and special though. I can't wait to to back and bring family and friends. It was a lovely time indeed."

North Texas Irish Festival

★★★★☆ 3.8 (29)

"This year's North Texas Irish Festival (2018) was a great event to bring the family and I did; 5 family members plus a date. Parking was further out than I had seen from previous years (I didn't make it in 2017) but had for 16+. Only issue was it was somewhat rainy and we did get a wee bit wet on our second trip of the year. The first trip was right at opening on Friday night and the first hour was free admission. The entrance ticket window was a little bit slow at park opening on the 2nd trip. Add to that, they had a delay in opening and we had to wait a while (20 minutes or so). A tip on getting drink and food tickets: do so after you get further into the festival. The first ticket location next to the gate is usually crowded. On our 2nd trip, a few of the ticket booths were told to hold off for a bit. Thus I came to a conclusion they just were not ready to open on time that day.Once you are in and have tickets, enjoy yourself as we did for 2 days. The Irish stew in a bread bowl is good even if slightly expensive. I tried the crepes which I hadn't seen before and they were quite good (a ham and cheese plus a Nutella). I was stunned on the second day to learn they had sold out of Bushmills at the whiskey tasting area. How does THAT happen?? Plenty of other drinks were available. There is more food than one could want and of all varieties! Nothing says Irish Festival better than tacos and pizza! There were even corn dogs.The wares and trinkets for sale are absolutely worth looking at. The fine metal jewelry artisans always have amazing works to examine. The other artisans have spectacular items as well. I am very fond on the Celtic Store booth each year that Rick brings; he always has something that I find I need. The other booths have t-shirts, trinkets, fanciful swords, kilts, bodices, caps, candles, and many other fair type items. You can even get a subscription the the Dallas Morning News! The kids have plenty of activities to keep them busy and room to run. There are plays and music more to their liking. There are many stages with many musicians plus groups performing on the steps of the Hall of State Building. Bagpipes and drums can be moving in spirit and feet. If you have a favorite group, look up on line or grab a schedule at the gate or information booths. There are some famous ones.The North Texas Raptor Center always has a wonderful exhibit with plenty of gorgeous animals you normally don't get to see that close. This year was no exception. The staff is very friendly and welcome question no matter how silly or complicated.Lastly, the most interesting thing I see every year is the people who visit. You will see all kinds of costumes, kilts, and oddness. It keeps the fair interesting. Nothing screams Irish more than a Star Wars Storm Trooper in a kilt (the kids loved it!)."

North Texas State Fair

★★☆☆☆ 2 (4)

"Midway games....Food...Rides...Animals...Shows....what more do you want?"

Mid Autumn Festival

★★★★★ 5 (1)

"This annual event has been going on for 17 years now and you can definitely tell. There were plenty of food vendors, handmade knickknacks, trendy Asian stuff, apparel, drinks and a lot more for sale. They had dancing and performances on a stage and seating available for you to sit and eat your food. It is located at the Asian Times Square plaza so there was plenty of parking and other things to do if you don't want to partake solely in the festival. This was a pleasant surprise but if you're not ready to be in a large and loud crowd then steer clear because it was absolutely packed. Highly recommend if you are looking for a fun and free event to attend over the weekend. :)"

Our Lady of Lebanon - Lebanese Food Festival

★★★★☆ 4.3 (6)

"Who doesn't love a church fundraiser with music and dancing and wisecracking cooks and wonderful homemade Lebanese food and a market to explore? We certainly love the annual Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church Lebanese Food Festival. It's a pretty good drive out to Lewisville and the church; but well worth it, every time.Honestly it's up to you how much you want to "support" them. There is no admission fee. You buy tickets and exchange them for food. Crispy, perfect falafel. Kibbeh, Spanakopita, Meat Pies and Cheese Pies, Oregano Pizzas, Ribeye Beef Kabab, Garlic Chicken, Kafta, Hummus, Dolmades, Baklava, Cookies and Combo plates! It's all so good. So is the entertainment, even the church tour is enjoyable and educational. We look forward to this particular festival every year. It's well organized by a friendly welcoming church. Check them out in 2020!"

Vitruvian Lights - Magical Night Of Lights

★★★★☆ 4.3 (32)

"I'm SO far behind on my reviews. This is for Christmas time! Three or four Saturday's each year at Christmas, Vitruvian Lights has events. Food trucks, vendors, and live music fill the park, which is already bright with lights in every tree. And I do mean EVERY tree. It's gorgeous! Of course Santa is there. Last year, on the night we went, the band was wonderful. About half Christmas music, and half entertainment. Definitely 5 star. This year, not so much. There was a DJ, playing plenty of loud, top 40 music. We were there almost 2 hours, and never heard 1 Christmas song. Very disappointing. I'll give this year 3 stars. Next year, watch the Vitruvian Park website for dates of the events. It will tell you who will be playing music that night. If you have never been to Vitruvian Lights, it is a wonderful, glorious, fantastic night you will never forget. We will definitely go every year. It's a 3 hour drive for us, but it is so worth it. Check out the pictures on Yelp. Hope to see you next Christmas!"

Levy Event Plaza

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"A fabulous open space that is located next to beautiful Lake Carolyn. This venue has a nice large open field that can accommodate large crowds. On the side of the grassy area is a paved section that can hold concession stands and pedestrians seeking food and drink. It's a great place to watch fireworks, concerts, or any other festival type event."

Oktoberfest Fort Worth

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (14)

"We did the 20 mile bike ride which got us admission into the Oktoberfest so we enjoyed the festival after we finished the race. I always enjoy Fort Worth's Oktoberfest one reason is because it's closer to my house the other is because well Beer of course. We couldn't stay long but we did enjoy what we experienced."

Oktoberfest Granbury

★★★☆☆ 2.5 (2)

"It was a great place to have a party, the shaded area behind the Arts center had trees and a nice padio. The food trucks were very good. The vendors were showing and selling products from Germany and local. The music was good and the Brave Combo band had a good crowd by Saturday evening. Hope it is happening again next year, but I think in a few years it may have to move to the square if it gets bigger."

Deep Ellum Arts Festival

★★★★☆ 4.3 (74)

"The Deep Ellum Art Festival is an exuberayting 3-days festival filled with art and music. Celebrating its 25th year this year. My, how big it's grown!Of art, remembering when I first called this an amazing underground art festival years back. Now, not just local, but commercial art vendors from all over is here now, harder it is to find the diamonds in the rough amongst the purified art displays and vendors that I can also find at all the other art fairs!Of music, WOW, it's really something to behold. Different genres, different acts on what I counted of three large stages, and numerous scheduled street musicians along the blocks from 11am -11pm daily!And, of its location, fantastic it is for this event. While there's of course the standard food vendors at the festival, wonderful it is to venture out and try one of the eccentric local eateries in Deep Ellum!CHEERS!"

Trains At Northpark

★★★★☆ 4 (13)

"I remember going to see the trains when i was a kid at Northpark and i remember it being much bigger of a production back then. Although, i was a kid....I do feel like this is a great thing to do with the kids still but it is a smaller production now. It was fun to look at all the small trains and the artwork on the trains and around the setups. $10 per adult, kids under 2 are free.Santa is close by so if you want to add getting pictures with santa to the list, get there a little early so you can beat the crowd!"

Grapevine Main Street Fest

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Grapevine Main Street fest was a blast this year when I went on a Sunday afternoon! I surprisingly hadn't been before. I suggest if you can ride the texrail if coming from Ft Worth or NRH and you will get a discount on your tickets, also they have free admission Friday before 5pm. The have live music and had another street performer doing tricks when I went. Things can get a little pricey but it's still a fun event with some good food options. From carnival foods like turkey legs, to food trucks offering options, and there was a local pizza place operating a pizza slice spot taking tickets. There was a craft beer tent as well. They have a kids area that places like Legoland had a table set up and carnival rides that if you need to bring the kiddos there is something for them to do. When you are done you can escape to harvest hall for a cool down like I did!"

Interlochen Holidays Lights Display

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (15)

"Go before the official start date. You can Avoid the traffic and you still get to see a ton of beautiful/unique/interesting houses all decorated for Christmas! Some are tacky some are classy, it's fun to see them all!"

Park Peach Festival

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (5)

"I been going to the peach festival on and off for the last 8 years and I love going every chance I get. Always set on the first Saturday for July it tends to be hot but this 2023 year it was cloudy, windy and a little bit of drizzle making it perfect! My first suggestion is parking at one of the free locations provided by the city and from there they have free shuttles that take you to the entrance of the festival itself. General admission is $10 and you can purchase by cash or card the day of but I suggest purchasing in advance if possible. This year when I went their card reader was down and they were not able to take cars nor scan tickets already purchased so probably cash next time would be the best. Arrive early to beat the heat! Bring an umbrella to block the sun, wear long sleeve UV blocking dry fit clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Being neck fans and they do allow coolers inside the festival so bring plenty of water to drink. Don't worry if you don't because they are lots of places giving out free water to people. I see girls dress up trying to look cute but they are just so miserable wearing high school and their makeup melts off because of how much they are sweating. You will find lots of peach infuse food like ice cream, salsa, mint juleps, peach jam, peach lemonad and more! They do sell peaches by themselves but be prepared to bring cash because a lot of stands them are cash only. There is a farmers market outside the festival that also sells peaches but they are of similar price and quality. Parking over there is almost impossible so buy them where you can. Similar to the state fair you will find lots of fry food along with lots of shopping. There are so many great vendors selling handmade items and homemade food. Don't forget to stop by the local businesses that are open to find some one-of-a-kind items. The festival goes on all day so come early to beat the heat. There are porta potties in almost every corner but my suggestion is go to the first Baptist church and use the bathrooms there, they have AC and so much more room to be in. Plus you can sit inside their gym to cool off in the heat. What I wish they would be better is to have AC in all of their buses. At one point in the years past they had those older school busses shuttle people and the one I was on at the end of the day did not have AC so the windows were rolled down and it was not enough air. The best hit a curb and i bumped into the hot metal wall next to me and with my sweat, i heard a sizzle of just how hot it was. Now I don't think I've ever been in one of those shuttles without AC. Also, they need to install more cell towers so their card readers and scanner do not go out and make the lines to get in longer. Also, I understand inflation but they should bring down the price of admission to probably 7 or 8 $ with a student or senior discount. Large families may not be able to come in and spend over $50 to just enter."

Texas Veggie Fair

★★★★☆ 4.2 (21)

"Wonderful event for the health conscious...whether you are vegan, vegetarian or just like to dabble in the lifestyle from time to time...there's something for everyone! Excellent venue too in the scenic/shaded Reverchon Park. There were a ton of food vendors & even food trucks serving up samples & meals for purchase. My favorite booth was the Holy Kombucha! The cucumber Thai basil brew was so spectacular I bought a big jug to take home! They also had folks selling jewelry, natural soaps/lotions & some incense. Beautiful day for it too. And best of all it's free! Bring the doggies & fam. Looking fwd to returning next year. Arrive early for a decent parking spot."

Mardi Gras Parade

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"Review #2 of 2023!!First time attending the parade but it wont be my last! I heard about this through a simple google search after hear something about it on the radio. Sure enough it seems legit so I made the drive from fort worth to Dallas. I left with early to find parking because I know one thing for sure is that Dallas is always short on parking. I did some research and saw a park not too far away from the parade route and decided that is where I would park. It was easy to find parking if you don't mind walking a bit. There was a soccer game going on so already there were lots of cars but when I got there I was glad to see people dress in mardi gras colors walking to the parade route!People brough their coolers and lawn chairs to enjoy the parade. I also thought about this but since it was just me it would be more of an inconvenience to carry them haha. There was a tent near the parade route that looks like it was headquarters for the 5k fun run for the parade. In that area they had food trucks, a variety of vendors and most important beer haha! There were also bouncy houses for the kids, a phot booth (free of charge) and plenty of porta potties! Inside the tent they had more vendors that were actually part sponsor of the parade so they had some freebies for anyone that stopped by their table. The weather was nice and it was not too hot but I did see some people bring their own umbrella stand for shade (smart). The parade itself was nice, lots of classic cars, high school marching bands, neighborhood associations, local musicians and plenty more. The parade was around an hour and a half so get here early for a good seat because the closer it got to kick off the more crowded I saw it get.After the parade was over I walked over to the bishop arts disctrict where the 'after party' continued and omg yall It was packed! You could hardly walk outside because it was so crowded! They blocked off the street and even then it was such a hassle, the lines for food were enormous that it discourage me from supporting the local restaurants there. Lets say you did get some food there were no places to sit down, inside or outside. I guess you have to get here before the parade is over so you can have a good seat to eat. I did enjoy the fact that they had a band and a DJ along the street and there were local artist selling their crafts. I saw some cool plant stuff but I resisted temptation and just keep swimming. Eventually I ended up leaving after checking out some of the other businesses that where right outside that main area. Everywhere you walked a restaurant seem to have some kind of festivities going on and I will keep that in mind next time I go. I suggest making it a day in Dallas if you go to make the best use of your time out here."

Denton's Day of the Dead Festival

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Love, love, love this yearly event! It's grown in the years and I'm glad people are finally noticing how great this event is. This year the event was the whole weekend, before it was only one full day. The coffin races are so unique! Local businesses build their drivable coffins to race down the street. Coffin races are all day so you'll have plenty time to enjoy them and attend the other activities in the day. These coffins are so creative and really adds personality to the business. It gives us a fun perception of the businesses. Winner takes trophy and bragging rights. There is a Pumpkin Patch kids area with bounce houses, face paintings and games. Cirque du Horror, Haunted Maze, Costume Contest, Twilight Lantern Parade are some of the scheduled activities. Lots of vendors with cool and unique goods. Food, popcorn, and beer tents. Live bands and the list goes on! It's usually held around the end of October.https://dentondayofthedeadfestival.com/"

Plano Balloon Festival

★★☆☆☆ 2.2 (94)

"Locals, like us, look forward to the Plano Balloon Festival!! Not many people know that this annual event was created to help non-profit agencies fundraise and bring awareness to their programs and services. Over time it grew into a huge family-oriented fun-filled event. They do a spectacular job!!I was blown away by the negative Yelp reviews. If you're expecting it to be the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta -- then yes, you're going to be very very disappointed. This is a small town affair and it's actually quite organized, safe, and impressive.This event traditionally is held over a long weekend sometime in mid-September. There is literally a fee for everything but keep in mind that this is one giant fundraiser. It's a very safe event to attend, there are dozens of police and security officers in general. They also have a special area set up if you need medical attention.Parking: There is a lot of parking across the street at the Plano Event Center ($10.00). There is limited parking at Collin College ($15.00). The VIP and handicap parking is the closest, follow the signs, I have no idea what those areas cost. FYI: If you need "handicap" parking, I can tell you it is a very long walk (a lot of uneven ground) just to get to the ticket booth.Tickets: Adults are $10.00 and it's $5.00 for those over 65. Children's tickets are discounted or free depending on their age. Keep in mind this is only an entry fee. If you plan to eat, drink, or enjoy rides -- those all cost extra. The prices were very similar to prices at the Texas State Fair.Entertainment: Every year they offer different kinds of music, shows and fireworks on different nights. Typically you can find that information on all of the promotional materials or on their website. The entertainment is included in your entry fee.Our evening was wonderful! In general, people brought chairs or blankets and found a spot to see the balloons light up, hear the music, and eat. It was a pet-friendly environment too! There were over 100+ vendors! Funnel cakes, fried pies, ice cream, BBQ, corn dogs, hamburgers, boba tea, beer, frozen drinks, as well as light up toys, t-shirts, candles, and homemade items to name a few. Dozens of companies promoted their products and had a ton of free swag to give away (or you could win bigger items with a spin wheel). There's also a Cornhole Tournament, a PBF marathon, The balloons were beautiful!! A lot of work goes into the setup and the night light show. These people love what they do and all they want is your appreciation for their time and energy."

State Fair of Texas

★★★★☆ 3.9 (738)

"Wow! Big Tex does not disappoint! Come hungry and be prepared to be in awe. This event is very well planned! Parking is easy ($30 charged at the gate) and don't worry about walking far from your car to the entrance- the fair provides trams almost minute by minute. Yea... no wait for the tram. The food - there are endless varieties of everything you can shove in your pretty little mouth. You're not in a state fair if the food ain't fried or doused with hot Cheetos. Live a little. My vegan friends - they have vegan options. The drinks - I'm all over the strawberry lemonade but the cocktails are also perfect to complement the delicious food. A day is not enough to enjoy all the festivities- whether you like rodeos, concerts, dancing, exhibits. There's something to do for everyone. This is the cleanest state fair I've been to. No funky animal smell unless you're face to face with the swine. Definitely worth a visit every year! Get on the site and plan your trip well. There are so many different cool events featured - and everyday varies. Go Texas!"

Taste Addison

★★★★☆ 3.6 (54)

"We had a great time, especially at the Budweiser stage. I'm glad we finally checked it out!Frankly, I was surprised the festival didn't have a higher rating. Perhaps Addison took note of poor reviews several years ago and made changes, because I didn't see the same issues.Was it perfect? No. Some booths were super pushy, the heat and humidity almost ran us off, some of the offerings seemed skimpy- but none of that is directly the fault of the festival. Note, if you discover that any of the planners or sponsors directly control the weather, forward me their home address...Most of the people staffing booths were delightful, there were freebies, activities, a petting zoo, a family stage, tastings and a huge variety of businesses to check out. There were more than a dozen food vendors, most had $3 bites, and it was a great variety! It seemed like beer and wine were at every turn! Our favorite was seeing Spin Doctors on the Budweiser stage. We had so much fun! Though being up front by the speakers did impact my hearing and I think I may be talking too loud...that's my fault. I was surprised that Taste Addison had the pull to get so many great bands (read: music I listened to in high school) and wish I had the energy to stay and see them all!Note to the festival, we all understand you have staff taking professional pictures and recordings of the bands. I didn't dock for this, but it would be awesome if in the future they timed their appearances better to give the audience an opportunity to get pics or video. All my best footage of the performances or killer solos were ruined by staffers wandering in and blocking the view. Let us have a chance to show off that memory!Free parking is a bit of a walk from a parkng garage down the street on Arapaho and Spectrum. Handicap parking was a short walk from a lot at the corner of Quorum and Arapaho. When my husband asked if being a disabled vet qualified and showed id they allowed us to park there. Thank God because we were practically limping back to the car later.Tickets for adults start at $15, kids are $5 and under 5 years old gets in free. This is for Friday and Saturday, Sunday will be free. The park is a lovely venue that is large enough to accomodate and is well maintained. We arrived around 1pm because that's what worked with our schedule and the distance we travelled. I've learned from this and will most likely come later next year. I hardly ate because the scorching heat and humidity killed my appetite. I'll plan around the sun better and will probably have an even better time!This is worth checking out at least once!"

Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

★★★★☆ 4.2 (12)

"I'm shocked and saddened to see that Arts & Jazz hasn't gotten a 5-star review yet! I look forward to this weekend every year and can't imagine Denton without it! It's a staple and is a place you can really see the heart an soul of the city. This is one of the few festivals in the metroplex that is still free and allows you to BYOB/cooler (no coolers in the main jazz area, but that gets too crowded anyways). There's a wide variety of delish festival food- from fried green tomatoes (and beyond) to healthier options like smoked sweet potatoes. The vendors keep the food and beer pricing reasonable and the profits help keep the festival alive and kickin. There's all sorts of different arts and crafts set up at different parts of the park, which provide a nice a nice opportunity to walk around and see the sights. There's even a kids section with small rides and games. What's not to love?!As a seasoned Arts & Jazz goer, I always bring a full campsite of chairs, blankets, snacks, and beers every year and set up shop underneath a nice shade tree at the UNT stage. You're always guaranteed great music at this stage and it's nice having a consistent place to sit and relax away from the massive crowds. We explore, get food, and shop in shifts with friends and it works quite nicely. Some of the other stages may get more crowded, but that's the great thing- there are plenty to choose from!"