Free Things To Do in Dallas (and Beyond) This Weekend

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, April 17

Video Art Night
308 S Akard St.
The Dallas Art Fair is this weekend, but tickets are expensive. Lucky for you, the arts scene in Dallas knows no monetary limits and dozens of spillover events across the city this weekend bring arts appreciation opportunities to those who aren’t at the collecting phase of life yet. This night will bring video art to the large screen at the AT&T Discovery District. Pop a squat on the lawn and look at pretty things.

In Conversation with Gajin Fujita
2010 Flora St.
Gajin Fujita, a renowned muralist, will be in conversation with Delwyn Davis, curator of the Crow Museum of Asian Art. The free panel discussion will explore his artistic style and production process, as well as the greater context of asian art. Plus, the museum validates parking at the Trammell Crow Center garage. Registration is highly recommended.

Saturday, April 18

Flea Harvey’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Flea Market
1807 Gould St.
Lee Harvey’s, which is not named after the most famous assassin to ever live in Dallas (so they claim), puts on a damn good monthly flea market. Peruse old vinyl records, chachkis, vintage clothes and all the other things you might find at a flea market. Grab a drink and see what two beers before a shopping trip will do to your bank account.

Cocina Flamenca LIVE
2600 Live Oak St.
The Latino Cultural Center will bring world-class flamenco dancers to Dallas to celebrate all things Spanish. There’s a Spanish word for what an event like this is: fiesta.

Music Safari
What started as a pandemic project to boost the community is now an annual concert series in Oak Cliff. Six houses along a 1.5 mile loop in Kessler Park produce free concerts from local musicians on their front lawns. Most of the shows are from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., but an after-party this year will go late into the night.

Sunday, April 19

Oak Cliff Earth Day
300 E Colorado Blvd.
If you’re going to spend Earth Day in Dallas, you should do it in the greenest neighborhood in the city, Oak Cliff. Named for the oak trees that shadow the streets, Oak Cliff will celebrate Earth Day from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Sunday. There are vendors, live performances and prayers for the planet. The event is free, just remember to leave the park better than you found it.

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 to make it 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 postwar 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 Rogers 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 provide entertainment for Dallasites of all ages while year-round amenities like a dog park, playground, food trucks and 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 on top of an old railway extends over three 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 that include lectures, courses and live entertainment, many of which are also 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.