Here are our top picks for (mostly) FREE family-friendly events happening in the DFW Metroplex April 1-3, 2016. Check out the What’s Happening calendars for additional events, like free yoga classes, drum circles, story times and more.
Friday, April 1, 2016
Disco Kids at It’ll Do Dallas
Disco Kids is a group of kiddos and parents looking for a break from the routine playground & play date circuit to let loose from some pre-dinner fun. Disco Kids is a dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real DJs & sometimes the kids!
When: Fri, April 1, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Where: 4322 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75226, USA (map)
Cost: $5 for kids 13 & under, Free for parents
Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Six blocks of Main Street in the Deep Ellum entertainment district will be transformed into one enormous street festival. Featuring 200 top-notch decorative and visual artists, 100 original bands and singer/songwriters performing from four different stages, the renowned Pet Parade, and enticing foods and drinks. Festival attendees can stroll through displays of cutting-edge decorative arts and admire, commission, and purchase the works of sculptors, muralists, jewelers, painters, leather and wood crafters, and other specialized fine artists, some of whom will be creating pieces on the spot.
When: April 1 – 3
Where: 2900-3400 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226
Cost: FREE
Day Out with Thomas
Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for Day Out With Thomas TM, presented by Fisher Price. If your little ones love Thomas the Tank EngineTM, bring the entire family to enjoy this special opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine at regional heritage railroads across the country. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
When: April 1 – 3 and April 8-10
Where: 705 S. Main Street Grapevine, Texas
Cost: $17 – $25, Tickets are required for children 24 months and older.
Arts All Night
Stay up all night and celebrate community arts at this 12-hour party benefiting the Greater Denton Arts Council. Dance the night away with Brave Combo and Jessie Fryeand enjoy performances in the galleries, artist demos, family art activities, flashlight tours, films, storytelling, karaoke, food trucks and more.
When: Friday, April 1 at 6pm – 6am Saturday, April 2
Where: Patterson-Appleton Arts Center Galleries, 400 East Hickory St. Denton, TX 76201
Cost: Admission is $10, free for GDAC members and children under 12
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Grand Opening at National Video Museum
Come celebrate the opening of the National Videogame Museum on April 2nd! That’s right an entire museum filled with what we love the most about games! Relive old memories and bring along your kids so you can make new memories of the classic games we know and love! Tons of hands on activities including The Pixel Room, an 80’s retro themed arcade room filled with 40 playable arcade games! Life Size Pong! And most importantly gain knowledge of the history and future of gaming!
When: 10:00am-8:00pm
Where: 8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco, Texas 75034
Cost: $12 for adults, $10 for kids, All ages welcome
Mesquite Rodeo Parade
Horses, bands, and floats will wind through downtown Mesquite during the 59th annual Mesquite Rodeo Parade. The 2016 theme is Honoring Everyday Heroes. The Grand Marshal is Matthew Hernandez, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Silver Medalist in the 500 Meter Kayak Race.
The Rodeo Parade is a community wide event bringing together civic clubs, churches, community groups, sports teams, and schools. The parade will follow its traditional route starting on Belt Line at Newsom, proceeding through downtown Mesquite and ending on Galloway Avenue at New Market.
When: 10:00am
Where: Downtown Mesquite 150 W. Main St. Mesquite, TX
Cost: Free
Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Six blocks of Main Street in the Deep Ellum entertainment district will be transformed into one enormous street festival. Featuring 200 top-notch decorative and visual artists, 100 original bands and singer/songwriters performing from four different stages, the renowned Pet Parade, and enticing foods and drinks. Festival attendees can stroll through displays of cutting-edge decorative arts and admire, commission, and purchase the works of sculptors, muralists, jewelers, painters, leather and wood crafters, and other specialized fine artists, some of whom will be creating pieces on the spot.
When: April 1 – 3
Where: 2900-3400 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226
Cost: FREE
Day Out with Thomas
Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for Day Out With Thomas TM, presented by Fisher Price. If your little ones love Thomas the Tank EngineTM, bring the entire family to enjoy this special opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine at regional heritage railroads across the country. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
When: April 1 – 3 and April 8-10
Where: 705 S. Main Street Grapevine, Texas
Cost: $17 – $25, Tickets are required for children 24 months and older.
Family Day at Crow Collection of Asian Art
Spring has sprung at the Crow Collection of Asian Art with activities reminiscent of a Japanese garden. Start your day out with a relaxing calligraphy demonstration and Japanese fan dance then create your own origami butterfly mobile and floating lotus lantern to take to your own garden at home. Register online.
When: 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: 2010 Flora St. Dallas, TX 75201
Cost: Free
Family Festival – Ready, Set, Bloom!
This free afternoon event for all ages features creative art-making activities, storytelling in the galleries, family films, and a special musical performance of “Leopoldo the Frog” by the Hall Ensemble. Promotional support provided by American Airlines and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. No reservations necessary.
When: 1:00-4:00pm
Where: Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76107
Cost: Free
Target First Saturday at Nasher Sculpture Center
Bring the kids and enjoy free admission and fun family programming on the first Saturday of every month. Cultivate your children’s artistic talents and broaden their understanding and appreciation of the world. Bring out your children’s artistic talents and broaden their understanding and appreciation of the world. Target First Saturdays are designed especially for children in preschool to elementary school and feature a line-up of activities that encourage creative thought through a monthly “Big Idea.” Check the website for this month’s theme and art project.
When: 10:00am-2:00pm
Where: 2001 Flora St. Dallas, Tx
Cost: Free
Old Time Music Jam at Dallas Heritage Village (Old City Park)
Tap your toes, clap your hands and join in the Old Time Music Jam. Folks gather ’round to play old time tunes, a sort of acoustic, fiddle-infused precursor to bluegrass and country as we know it. Come join in the fun! This twice-monthly jam has their home base in Browder Springs Hall.
When: 2:00-4:30pm
Where: 1515 S. Harwood St. Dallas, TX 75215
Cost: Free with admission: $9 adults; $5 children 4–12.
Animal Exploration at River Legacy Living Science Center
Discover the habits and adaptations of one of our native animals during a live animal observation with a River Legacy Naturalist at River Legacy Living Science Center. Space is limited, please RSVP to 817.860.6752.
When: 2:00pm
Where: 703 N.W. Green Oaks Blvd. Arlington, TX 76006
Cost: Free; donations accepted
Sunday, April 3, 2016
Family Sunday Funday at Fort Worth Food & Wine Festival
This fun, picnic inspired day will be the only event that is for the entire family. That’s right…..bring the kiddos. The event will feature a combination of food trucks and chefs serving up family friendly foods. This event will also feature two chuck wagons, beverages for adults and kids, along with a fun games area.
When: 2:00-5:00pm
Where: Panther Island, 395 Purcy Street, Fort Worth
Cost: Admission is $50, Kids 12 and under are FREE!
Earth Party at Magnolia Green Park in Fort Worth
Celebrate the Earth in Fort Worth! Join the fun and celebrate all things sustainable at the fifth annual Earth Party. Enjoy great music, visit educational booths and exhibits, and discover city and regional sustainability initiatives that make Fort Worth a great place to live and work.
Learn about water conservation, air and water quality, waste reduction and recycling, nature, environmental issues, alternative transportation, healthy living initiatives, and much more. Activities and games for all ages.
When: 12:00-4:00pm
Where: 1201 Lipscomb Street, Forth Worth
Cost: Free
Deep Ellum Arts Festival
Six blocks of Main Street in the Deep Ellum entertainment district will be transformed into one enormous street festival. Featuring 200 top-notch decorative and visual artists, 100 original bands and singer/songwriters performing from four different stages, the renowned Pet Parade, and enticing foods and drinks. Festival attendees can stroll through displays of cutting-edge decorative arts and admire, commission, and purchase the works of sculptors, muralists, jewelers, painters, leather and wood crafters, and other specialized fine artists, some of whom will be creating pieces on the spot.
When: April 1 – 3
Where: 2900-3400 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226
Cost: FREE
Day Out with Thomas
Hop aboard the Grapevine Vintage Railroad for Day Out With Thomas TM, presented by Fisher Price. If your little ones love Thomas the Tank EngineTM, bring the entire family to enjoy this special opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine at regional heritage railroads across the country. Advance ticket purchase is recommended.
When: April 1 – 3 and April 8-10
Where: 705 S. Main Street Grapevine, Texas
Cost: $17 – $25, Tickets are required for children 24 months and older.
Leave a Reply