Audio By Carbonatix
This list is refreshed every Thursday. Bookmark this page for weekly updates on free weekend arts and culture happenings in Dallas.
You don’t need us to tell you that everything is more expensive these days: Groceries. Housing. Even the State Fair of Texas. And because this is a city known for being business-minded, opulent and doing everything bigger (or at least pretending to — they don’t call them $30k millionaires for nothing), it’s not surprising that Dallasites are more concerned about rising costs than the average American.
There’s never a shortage of things to do around here, but sometimes your wallet needs a break. Besides, we’d never judge you (in this economy?!) for scoping out all of the ways to have fun while staying fiscally responsible. So, we’ve put together a list of ways to spend your weekend without having to spend a dime:
Friday, July 10
Drone Soccer Cup
The Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave.
If you didn’t know, drone soccer is a thing. This cup is the end celebration of a STEM camp for children. The future engineers of our society will pilot a soccer-ball-shaped drone through various obstacles, including cages similar to a goal. We’re skeptical, too, but the drone shows that have replaced fireworks always end up really cool, so we have high hopes for this. The cup is free with museum admission.
Spain v Belgium Watch Party at FIFA Fan Festival
Fair Park, 3809 Grand Ave.
The host site for the Texas State Fair is hosting Texas sized watch parties on megascreens, and Friday’s 2 p.m. quarterfinal game will be a real riot. The Fan Festival is produced by FIFA in conjunction with the city. The major screenings are at the Dos Equis Pavilion, but smaller screens are scattered across the grounds with activation zones. The amphitheater will open an hour before the game begins and close an hour after the end. Since Belgium just demolished the U.S. Men’s National Team, we’ll root for Spain.
Saturday, July 11
Deep Vellum and Music and Literature Festival
Various locations
Dallas literature institution, Deep Vellum, has launched its inaugural music and literature festival. The event, which features a long roster of laureates, authors and artists alike, is a series of readings and performances at Deep Ellum venues. Most of the event is free, but not all of it, so make sure to check the website to plan your literature affairs.
Mini Horses at the Library
Dallas West Branch Library, 2332 Singleton Blvd.
This one is pretty self-explanatory and an easy sell. They’re bringing miniature horses to the library. The event will teach children how to be kind to animals and show them how small horses can get. All of the horses are ambassador therapy animals, so there’s no fears of exploited ponies forced to carry 40 pound children in circles.
Slow Flow in the Park
Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Downward dog right after the sun rises, and before it gets too hot. Free yoga in the park is a luxury we have in Dallas, and it’s one you should take immediate (and, again, free) advantage of.
Sunday, July 12
Wimbledon Men’s Final Watch Party
Klyde Warren Park, 2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Did you know sports other than soccer have been happening? Hard to imagine, but the top tennis tournament, Wimbledon, will end on Sunday after two weeks of matches. There’s a couple watch parties across the city, but the best will be at Klyde Warren Park.
Dallas Spraygrounds
Various Locations
Dallas has tons of spraygrounds, which are a nice, safe reprieve from the scorching sun. They are often underrated and underutilized amenities that the city pours tons of resources into, and kids love ’em! The spraygrounds officially opened Memorial Day weekend, and they’ll stay splashy until the last weekend in September. Unlike public pools, spraygrounds are completely free, and they’re a good way for kids to burn off some energy without major safety concerns. Dallas has more than a dozen spraygrounds across the metroplex, so check out the official website for more information.
Ongoing
Dealey Plaza Historic District
4000 Main St.
The 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy looms large over Dallas’ reputation, but at least the so-called City of Hate got a solid afternoon of things to do out of it. Despite its dark history, Dealey Plaza is a public area that many Dallasites drive through every day on the way to work. At all hours of the day, visitors can walk over the infamous “grassy knoll,” stand on the spot where Kennedy was shot and observe the still-standing book depository where Lee Harvey Oswald pulled the trigger. We encourage visitors to stay mindful of both oncoming traffic and conspiracy theorists.
Karaoke at Round Up Saloon
3912 Cedar Springs Rd.
There’s a reason we named this Oak Lawn favorite among our 2025 Best of Dallas awards for Best Karaoke Spot: not only is it free, but it happens seven days a week. Heads up, though: Round Up Charges a cover from 10 p.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday, so get there early or make it your last stop of the night if you want it to be truly free. If you’re lucky, you might run into someone like Kacey Musgraves here. But if you’re not so lucky, you might have to be the act who has to follow her.
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 N. Harwood St.
Dallas’ premier art museum is the perfect place to get lost with friends, family or a really cool date. Entry is free and includes access to several long-term exhibitions, such as the Keir Collection of Islamic Art and the post-war and contemporary art galleries. Access to some of the rotating exhibitions is ticketed, though the entire museum is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month. More information can be found on the DMA’s website.
Klyde Warren Park
2012 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
In addition to being a pleasant green space in the city’s densest part, “The Town Square of Dallas” is always abuzz with activity. Live music, movies, parties and holiday programming give the 5.4-acre park entertainment for Dallasites of all ages, while year-round amenities like a dog park, playground, food trucks and an interactive water feature make the park a vibrant, kinetic spot to spend any day. More information can be found on Klyde Warren Park’s website.
The Giant Eyeball
1601 Main St.
This fiberglass statue by artist Tony Tasset, officially titled “Eye,” is one of the most eye-catching and eye-conic spots in Dallas. Snap an Instagram photo in front of this ocular oddity and you can eye-ssentially guarantee that all eyes will be on you. Did we mention it’s an eye?
Katy Trail
Uptown
This scenic trail built atop an old railway extends for 3 miles from Victory Park to the campus of Southern Methodist University. It’s shady, protected from traffic and passes by ample dining and shopping. Dallas is not known for being a particularly walkable city, so the Katy Trail is your best bet to see a large chunk of the city while getting your steps in.
The African American Museum
3536 Grand Ave.
This Fair Park museum houses one of the most expansive collections of African American art and artifacts in the country, ranging from African folk art to more contemporary pieces. There are also frequent events, including lectures, courses and live entertainment, many of which are free of charge. More information and programming can be found on the African American Museum’s website.
Thanks-Giving Square
1627 Pacific Ave.
Here’s a community space we can all be thankful for. Featuring lush green spaces and a beautiful chapel adorned with stained glass, Thanks-Giving Square was founded and built on the principles of gratitude and community. Off the top of our heads, we’re grateful for architecture, stained glass and gardens. We suspect you might feel the same way.
John Neely Bryan Cabin
600 Elm St.
This wooden cabin, nestled in the heart of Downtown Dallas, is a recreation of the home of Dallas’ founder, John Neely Bryan. The original cabin was built around 1841, but was swept away in a flood in the 1930s. The version that stands today was built shortly after, which still makes it old enough to be haunted (according to legend). It’s a must-see for history buffs, and conveniently enough, it’s a short walk from Dealey Plaza.
