Cottonwood Art Festival
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Raising a family in North Texas is an extreme sport. Between the heat dome, the traffic on Central Expressway and the constant demand from kids for “something fun to do,” parents deserve a medal. But if you thought 2025 was busy, buckle up. This year is shaping up to be the year Dallas lives up even more to the name “Big D.”
We are talking about a year where the World Cup touches down in our backyard, Frisco becomes the center of the theme park universe and we can finally experience Hogwarts without buying a plane ticket to Orlando. The calendar is packed, the hype is real and your Google Calendar is about to look like a game of Tetris.
To help you navigate the chaos, we’ve curated the definitive guide to family adventures worth planning ahead for in 2026. Whether you need to exhaust a toddler, entertain a moody teen or just find a place with decent air conditioning and wine for the adults, we’ve got you covered.
The Heavy Hitters: Theme Parks & Tech
If you aren’t already saving up for passes, start now. The entertainment landscape in North Texas is undergoing a significant shift this year.
Universal Kids Resort Comes to Frisco
It feels like we’ve been talking about this for a decade, but the highly anticipated Universal Kids Resort is finally ready to paint the town Minion-yellow, and rumblings suggest it could be opening as soon as May or June. Unlike the sprawling, calf-cramping parks in Florida, this resort is designed for the younger set. Think fewer terrified screams and more joyful giggles. It’s lush, it’s vibrant and it brings the magic of Universal’s biggest franchises to a scale that won’t require a marathon training regimen to navigate. Frisco is never going to be the same, and honestly, your kids won’t let you stop hearing about it until you go.
Six Flags Over Texas Unleashes “Tormenta”
For families who bond best while screaming at 87 miles per hour, Six Flags Over Texas is gearing up to debut the “Tormenta Rampaging Run” this spring. This isn’t just another loop-de-loop; it’s a record-breaking coaster that’s already altering the Arlington skyline. In fact, you can already spot the construction site, with its towering 90-degree drop teasing the thrills to come. While the little ones are meeting Shrek in Frisco, the daredevils can prepare for G-forces that might make you rethink your lunch. It’s loud, it’s fast and it’s three minutes of pure adrenaline to make you forget your inbox.
Wizardry in High-Def at Cosm Dallas
Cosm Dallas at Grandscape has been blowing minds with its “Shared Reality” technology, which is essentially an IMAX screen on steroids that wraps around your peripheral vision until you forget you’re in The Colony. In 2026, it’s playing the ace up its sleeve: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Following the massive success of their Matrix and Willy Wonka screenings, Cosm is transporting fans directly into the Wizarding World. This isn’t just watching a movie; it’s practically sitting in the Great Hall.
The World Cup Warm-Up
We all know the FIFA World Cup is the ball-dribbling elephant in the room for 2026. But you don’t need stadium tickets to get in on the action.
Soccer: More Than a Game at the Perot Museum
Leave it to the Perot Museum of Nature and Science to take the world’s most popular sport and make it brainy. Soccer: More Than a Game will be on display at the museum from March 7 through Sept. 7, just in time for the World Cup madness. This isn’t just about kicking a ball; it dives into the physics, the culture and the global impact of the sport. It’s the perfect excursion for kids who are glued to FIFA on their consoles but need a dose of real-world science.
Monster Jam: The “Other” Football
OK, it involves wheels instead of cleats, but Monster Jam remains the undisputed champion of loud, messy, high-octane family fun. It roars back into AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Feb. 14 to keep the adrenaline pumping in the massive venue usually reserved for touchdowns. If your kids prefer their sports with 12,000-pound trucks doing backflips, this is non-negotiable.
The Cultural Curators: Arts, Film and Festivals
Culture in Dallas doesn’t have to be stuffy. In 2026, it’s vibrant, loud and surprisingly kid-friendly.
Wicked at Broadway Dallas
The green lady is back. From May 6 to Jun. 14, Wicked returns to cast its spell on Dallas at Music Hall at Fair Park. If you haven’t taken the kids to see this Broadway juggernaut yet, 2026 is the year. It’s an origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, packed with songs that have taken over TikTok, karaoke stages and literally everywhere in between. It’s a spectacle, it’s a history lesson in Oz politics, but above all, it’s a guaranteed hit for the theater kids in your life.
42nd Annual KidFilm Festival
The USA Film Festival’s KidFilm is a hidden gem in the Dallas family scene, and it’s back for its 42nd year. Taking place Jan. 17 and 18 at the Angelika Film Center, this is the oldest kids’ film festival in the city — and yes, it’s free. The lineup includes new animations, classic throwbacks and book-to-screen adaptations, making it the perfect, low-pressure way to introduce your kids to cinema beyond the YouTube algorithm. Plus, don’t miss a special appearance by The Pout-Pout Fish author Deborah Diesen, who will be signing the new Pout-Pout Fish Movie Storybook (free, one per family while supplies last).
The Festival Circuit
When the weather behaves (looking at you, April and May), the festival circuit is our collective backyard.
- Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival: Happening April 16 – 19 in Downtown Fort Worth, this festival is big and boisterous, and the street food alone is worth the drive west.
- Cottonwood Art Festival & Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival: Richardson’s dynamic duo of spring festivals is back this May. Cottonwood Art Festival takes place May 2 and 3 at Cottonwood Park, perfect for relaxing under the trees while kids enjoy crafts. Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival follows on May 15-17, offering the chance to hear legendary bands while the kids run free on the lawn.
- Family Arts Bash: Happening the second Saturday of each month from January through May at the Bath House Cultural Center, this White Rock Lake event always delivers a quirky, hands-on arts experience that feels authentically “Dallas” without the pretension.
The Great Outdoors (and Indoors that Feel Outdoors)
Sometimes you just need to touch grass — or at least pretend to.
Scarborough Renaissance Festival
Huzzah! The turkey legs are roasting, and the jousting knights are mounting up. Scarborough Renaissance Festival is the cosplay event of the season, running from April through May. It’s immersive history with a side of fantasy. Whether your kids want to see birds of prey, throw axes or just wear elf ears, this is the place to let your freak flag fly Old English-style.
The Heard Museum’s Prehistoric Takeover
If you have a child between the ages of 3 and 7, you are legally required to visit the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney. Happening now, their seasonal, annual “Dinosaurs Live!” exhibit features life-size animatronic dinos along the nature trails. It’s Jurassic Park without the liability issues. For a calmer experience, the Heard offers “Dinosaurs Quiet,” a sensory-friendly version of the exhibit where the dinosaurs don’t move or roar. This takes place on the second Saturday of each month from 8 – 9 a.m. Combine this with their Second Saturday Bird Walks, occurring later in the morning through June, and you have a wholesome day out that tricks everyone into exercising.
Klyde Warren Park Family Nights
The YMCA has partnered with Klyde Warren Park to offer family programming that brings the community together in the heart of the city. While the park is open year-round for family enjoyment, this special event is happening on March 14. It’s simple, effective recreation: open air, skyline views and activities that wear the kids out before bedtime. It’s the quintessential Dallas evening.
Museum Magic at the Kimbell & Carter
Fort Worth’s Cultural District continues to outshine everyone. On Jan. 11, the Kimbell Art Museum’s Fiesta de la Familia is a masterclass in how to make art accessible. We’re talking scavenger hunts, storytelling and art-making stations that actually engage kids rather than just telling them “don’t touch that.”
Over spring break (March 17-20), Fort Worth’s Amon Carter Museum of American Art invites you to focus your lens on photography. Spring Break at the Carter: Focus on Photos offers a slate of free activities, including gallery games and creativity challenges. These activities are inspired by both the Carter’s collection and the landmark images in the Black Photojournalism exhibition. While the event is free, we recommend booking your spot in advance by RSVPing.
Now, go make some memories.
