Because this is Dallas, though, it sure won’t stop feeling like summer anytime soon. To help you cool off, we’ve also made sure to include some pool parties in the mix – some of them held at our favorite places to go for a swim in North Texas. And because no holiday is complete without good food, you’ll also find that many events offer light bites and local vendors’ goods for purchase. Or, grab a summertime staple with one of the best hot dogs in Dallas to enjoy by the water and call it a weekend. This one is for taking it easy, after all.
Thursday, August 28
Labor Day Weekend Pickleball Social at the Dallas Farmers Market920 S. Harwood St. | 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Free admission.
Presented in partnership with Arti Pickleball, this free event is a great opportunity to test out pro-level paddles and gear from the brand while meeting new friends. Five nets will be set up in The Shed at the Dallas Farmers Market, with DJ Jetson Jaguar keeping the energy high. After your game, cool down with a cold plunge from Sweathouz and peruse a variety of wellness-focused vendors. Whether trying Texas-grown fruits from Kelley Produce, sipping on Sol Good Juice and Agiebabe Ginger Beer, or partaking in a mini flow with V12 Yoga, you’ll feel your best before the long weekend.
Friday, August 29
The Black Academy of Arts & Letters Riverfront Jazz FestivalFair Park | Aug. 29-31. Performance times and locations within Fair Park vary. Single-day pass, $95; three-day pass, $190.
The eighth annual iteration of this three-day-long festival will host renowned performers across jazz, blues, R&B, soul, neo-soul and pop music. Don’t sleep on the rising stars, though — students from local high schools will also appear in the festival’s Promising Young Artists showcase. Each day will bring different acts on three stages spread between Fair Park’s Automobile Building, Centennial Building and Women’s Building. For full schedule details, check out the lineup.
End-of-Summer Margs at the HALL Arts Hotel
1717 Leonard St. | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Free admission; drinks available for purchase.
Drinks will be served all afternoon by the HALL Arts Hotel’s rooftop pool, WAVES, so you can soak up the sun and sounds of a live DJ while taking in views of Dallas’ skyline. Toast the end of summer with the new Casa Dragones spicy passionfruit margarita, or take advantage of the rest of WAVES’ extensive traditional drink menu. This event is free and open to the public.
The Room Live with Greg Sestero at the Texas Theatre
231 Jefferson Blvd. | 8 p.m. $25.
Film buffs now have the chance to meet one of the stars of arguably the most infamous movie ever made. Greg Sestero, best known as Mark in the 2003 film, The Room, and as the author of The Disaster Artist, will host a special screening at the Texas Theatre, followed by a Q&A. Stick around in the lobby to get your autograph and selfie.
Saturday, August 30
Pool Party Concerts at The Village Country Club5670 Village Glen Dr. | Aug. 30-Sep. 1. $20. 21+.
Living at The Village is a rite of passage for many Dallasites, but the sprawling residential complex also boasts a swanky country club. This Labor Day Weekend, expect three straight days of fun at its huge pool. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday through Monday, enjoy half-priced bottles of champagne and opening DJs before headliners DJs Maddie Reese, CARLYLE and Joel Corry take the stage. Day passes are $20, but current Village residents get in for free.
SMU Football Home Opener vs. East Texas A&M
Gerald J. Ford Stadium, 5801 Bush Ave. | 8 p.m. $12-117.
The SMU Mustangs will kick off their 2025 season right here at home. Good thing this white-out themed game falls just before Labor Day – you won’t be committing a fashion faux pas while cheering on Kevin Jennings and company as they take on East Texas A&M.
Closing Day at the Texas Pool
901 Springbook Dr., Plano | 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. $10.
Plano’s beloved Texas-shaped swimming pool closes for the season on August 30. For $10, you can bring the family and take your last dip in its 168,000 gallons of saltwater. Pro tip: check out the shallower “South Texas” wading area if the diving board and two waterslides aren’t your speed.
Labor Day Weekend Pool Party at The Kimpton Pittman Hotel
2551 Elm St. | 12 p.m. - 9 p.m. $7.18.
Your ticket to the Labor Day festivities at downtown Dallas’ Kimpton Pittman Hotel includes all-day access to the pool, though arriving from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. is recommended if you don’t want to miss the live DJ. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase. If you want to splurge for the occasion, cushy cabanas and lounge chairs can be separately reserved.
Sunday, August 31
Jonas Brothers: JONAS20 Greetings From Your Hometown TourDos Equis Pavilion, 1818 1st Ave. | 7:30 p.m. $38+
Celebrate 20 years of the Jonas Brothers with a night out at Dos Equis Pavilion. If the setlist full of old fan favorites from the Disney Channel days doesn’t make you feel old, opening act Boys Like Girls is sure to jog your 2000s nostalgia. But JONAS20 isn’t all about the past – the setlist also features newer music from the boys’ solo careers, and Dallas is one of the ten lucky tour stops to get Marshmello on stage for the night, too. Also, this is Nick Jonas' hometown, so surely they'll have the stage burnin' up more than normal.
Steve Aoki at SILO Dallas
1340 Manufacturing St. | 9 p.m. $65.25-70.43. 18+
Prefer EDM to boy bands? You won’t want to miss Steve Aoki at SILO. The Design District’s industrial warehouse-turned-club venue serves as the ideal backdrop for the Grammy-nominated DJ and producer to play his biggest hits and then some. Early bird tickets are sold out, but you can still grab tiers 3 and 4 general admission spots.
Join the Squad Drag Brunch at Virgin Hotels Dallas
1445 Turtle Creek Blvd., 4th floor | 12 p.m. $50. 18+
Virgin Hotels Dallas hosts drag brunches with Jenni P on select Sundays each month, and this month promises a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders-themed performance complete with high kicks. Admission covers brunch, the show and the opportunity to win exciting prizes, but additional beverages and mimosa packages will also be available for purchase. It’s bound to be a brunch that even Kelli and Judy would approve of.
Monday, September 1
KASKADE at The Eye at The Joule1601 Main St. | 3 p.m. 21+
Yes, yet another DJ makes the list – but with the iconic Giant Eyeball as this afternoon set's venue, there couldn’t be a more Dallas way to celebrate Labor Day. Later, cross the street and check out The Joule’s underground cocktail lounge, Midnight Rambler, to keep the good vibes going. Tickets are sold out, but resale tickets are still available.
Dallas College Cooks, DeGolyer House Historical Tours at Dallas Arboretum
8525 Garland Rd. | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Take advantage of the long weekend to explore everything the Dallas Arboretum has to offer. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the onsite DeGolyer House opens for guided tours; make sure to reserve your spot for seated tea in the DeGolyer Tea Room if you think you’ll be in the mood for sweet treats and sandwiches. Or, opt for a seasonal dish at A Tasteful Place, prepared by Chef Daniel Alvarenga with Dallas College. Little ones can enjoy storytime or a puppet show in the Children’s Adventure Garden. View the full schedule of events here.
Labor Day Pool Party at Waterpoof at The Statler Hotel
1914 Commerce St. | 1 - 9 p.m. $25. 21+
If you decided to take advantage of being able to stay out late on a Sunday, but would rather remedy that choice with a little hair of the dog, you'll want to take a dive at Waterproof. The rooftop pool offers one of the best views of Dallas' skyline, which will surely have your summer fling feeling remorse for not hitting you up to celebrate. If you act fast, you can score 2-for-1 tickets.
