Don Green for a Weekend of St. Patrick’s Day Shenanigans in Dallas

This weekend: Holi festivals, 5k runs, and an exorbitant amount of green beer.

green corn dog
Courtesy of Fletcher’s Corny Dogs
Courtesy of Fletcher’s Corny Dogs

There’s always something going down in the Big D. A look at the city’s offerings might leave you dizzy: record shops, vintage shops, museums, bar arcades, nerdy bookstores, restaurants, bars, brunches, sports aplenty, and a thriving music and arts scene.

Dallas, when you seek it out, has wonderful natural landscapes, too. Hiking, running paths, swimming—there’s a little something for everyone. And if you want to get out of town, there are plenty of beautiful places to explore.

With the sheer selection of things to do, we’re here to help guide you on your weekend adventures. This weekend guide will steer you in an always-fun direction, be it dancing to live music or cozying up for a film fest. Check back here each week for something new to explore (and subscribe to our newsletter for recommendations and the week’s top stories).

Food and Drink Events in Dallas

March 15–24
Various locations
Black Restaurant Week returns to Dallas for the fourth year to highlight Black-owned restaurants, bakeries, and food trucks. Visit the website to see the full list of local restaurants to support, as well as create a wish list for several other cities across the country.

March 16, 3–7 pm
Harwood District, $50
Crank up your Irish spirit at Happiest Hour’s second-ever St. Patty’s Day Beerfest. Tickets include unlimited beer tastings from more than a dozen beers and seltzers. Music, plus green food and beer specials keep the party going.

Green Fletcher’s Corny Dogs

March 16–17
Klyde Warren Park
The State Fair of Texas and St. Patrick’s Day will never occur at the same time, so indulge in the next best thing—green Fletcher’s Corny Dogs. Order any variety, pose for pics with Mr. Corny, and finish it off with funnel cake topped with magic marshmallows.

March 15, 7:25 pm
Grapevine, $42
All aboard TEXRail’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed Kiss Me I’m Irish Express, a 21-and-over experience showcasing Irish-style food, Texas craft beer, and Irish music for a two-hour journey along the tracks.

Participants take part in the annual Holi Festival of Colors at Oyster Creek Park Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, in Sugar Land. The Hindu religious festival marks the start of spring and is highlighted by the throwing of colored powder and water on participants. | Photo by Michael Paulsen/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images

Holi Festivals in Dallas

March 16
Coppell, $15 and up
The Sound at Cypress Waters explodes with the colors of Holi, a vibrant Hindu festival that celebrates the return of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Wear old clothes because you’ll be covered from head to toe in a rainbow of hues before the day’s over

March 16
Lewisville, $12.99 and up
Billed as “DFW’s Biggest Holi Festival Celebration,” this event takes over the Dew Event Center grounds for a day of joy, hookahs, food, and music from Bollywood DJs. The first 500 people to arrive receive free white t-shirts to be doused with color during the festival, but it’s a good idea to wear your own old white clothing just in case.

boston st patricks day parade
Boston, MA - March 19: Members of the Berkeley Preparatory School Pipe and Drum Corps perform at the 2023 St. Patrick's Day Parade. | Photo by Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

St. Patrick’s Day Events in Dallas

March 16, 11 am–6 pm
McKinney, $35
If you’d rather sleep in on Saturday instead of running a 5K, opt instead for a beer stroll through Historic Downtown McKinney. Meander from business to business to partake in samples of craft brews, ciders, seltzers, and if you’re really lucky some Irish whiskey.

March 16, 9 am–6 pm
Lower Greenville, $20 (cash only)
Stretching between Vanderbilt and Vickery, the Lower Greenville Avenue St. Patrick’s Block Party features three music stages, multiple cash-only beer tents, and food for purchase from seven fan-favorite Lower Greenville restaurants.

March 16, 9 am-3 pm (Parade starts at 11 am)
Lower Greenville, Free
In addition to the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the region, shenanigans include a tailgate party and festival. Accessing the festival via DART Rail (Park Lane Station, Lovers Lane Station) or rideshare services is recommended due to limited parking in the area for mega-crowds.

March 16, 6:30 am
Lower Greenville, $49 and up
Timed and untimed races help revelers start the day off on a healthy note before finishing up at a free beer garden with music by DJ Dame. Jason, the Lucky Leprechaun will be on hand, and participants can join the annual St. Paddy’s Day Spirit Tutu Contest or Donut Eating Contest for prizes and bragging rights.

March 16, 8–11 am
McKinney, $35
Head to the starting line at Towne Lake Park for a green-tinted timed 5K run with a post-race festival featuring green TUPPS Brewery beer. Costume contests, Irish music and dancing, and plenty of food and (more) beer await.

chris and paul
Courtesy of Chris and Paul

Live Performances in Dallas

March 15 & 16
Deep Ellum, $25
The Dallas Comedy Club welcomes comedian, writer, and actor Ryan O’Flannigan (New Girl, Tosh.O) for four shows over two nights.

March 15 & 16
McKinney, $25 and up
After a wildly successful set of appearances last year, the Chris and Paul Show returns to the Comedy Arena for four shows. In addition to the hilarious stage act, fans may also sign up for comedy workshops with the duo to hone their own joke-telling skills.

March 16, 7 pm
Victory Park, $45 and up
Winner of the 15th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, gorgeous and glamourous Sasha Colby brings her fierce talents to the stage at House of Blues Dallas for one night only.

Through March 17
Bishop Arts District, $18–$40
A collection of six short plays from local playwrights each explore the implications and societal costs of racism while looking for ways to collectively heal. Attend this closing weekend when on March 15th and 16th performances include author Heather McGhee and Dr. Gail Christopher participating in post-show conversations and book signings.

March 15–April 1
Frisco, $25 and up
Duck under the climate-controlled big top for a traditional circus featuring death-defying acrobats and plenty of clowns for multiple shows at Riders Field in Frisco.

bach in the subway
Bach in Subway performers. | Courtesy of Mockingbird Station®

Live Music in Dallas

March 21, 7 pm
House of Blues, $71 and up
Mexican singer/songwriter María Fernanda Blázquez Gil (known simply as Fey) brings her hits from nine studio albums to an intimate performance space inside House of Blues.

March 15–17
Dallas Arts District, $68 and up
Hollywood awards season continues for one final weekend—in Dallas—as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra fills the Meyerson Symphony Center with blockbuster movie music. Hear compositions from 10 Oscar-nominated John Williams scores, from Jaws to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

March 21, 7 pm
Mockingbird Station, Free
The worldwide tradition of performing Bach in public spaces continues on the second-level amphitheater outside Angelika Film Center. The outdoor stage bursts to life with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in this annual free concert from the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. Bring your own chairs or blankets, and enjoy free sandiwches from New York Sub in Highland Park.

Sporting Events in Dallas

March 21, 6 pm
Arlington, $40 and up
Matchups between four national soccer teams (U.S.A. vs. Jamaica; Panama vs. Mexico) turn AT&T Stadium into the battleground for the world’s other football sport. With back-to-back matches, it promises to be hours of adrenaline-pumping excitement.

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Steven Lindsey loves to explore, whether it’s sampling the best restaurants around Dallas-Fort Worth, hot air ballooning over the Arizona desert, or climbing a pyramid in Mexico. He contributes to Thrillist and a variety of online and print publications. He also founded Travel Like An Adult. His latest venture, The Spa Daddy, offers a man’s perspective on spa and wellness across the globe.