Food festivals in Dallas worth planning a trip around, by month.
Food festivals in Dallas worth planning a trip around, by month.
America's longest-running state fair: 2.5 million visitors, 200+ food vendors, Big Tex Choice Awards, Fletcher's Corny Dogs, and Texas BBQ at Fair Park each.
Tip: Buy tickets in advance for $3-5 savings. Arrive on a Tuesday or Wednesday for the shortest lines.
Annual celebration of Texas BBQ culture drawing competitive pitmasters and the city's best smoke operations for a weekend of tastings, pitmaster competitions.
Tip: Afternoon sessions tend to be less crowded than opening day. Bring cash for food tokens. Check the current year's venue as location rotates year to year.
One of the largest food festivals in the Southwest, bringing together 60+ Dallas restaurants for a weekend of tasting portions, cooking demonstrations.
Tip: VIP ticket holders get early access and exclusive restaurant access. General admission tickets sell out for the Saturday session; buy online in advance.
Oak Cliff's largest annual street festival, filling the Bishop Arts District with authentic Mexican food vendors, margarita competitions, live mariachi.
Tip: The street closes to traffic from N Bishop Ave to W Davis St. Arrive at 11am for the best vendor selection before crowds peak at 2pm.
Three-day free street festival in Deep Ellum with 80+ food vendors, live music across multiple stages, and food competitions. One of the most attended free.
Tip: Free to enter; food and drink purchased inside. Friday evening (6-10pm) is the least crowded of the three days.
Dallas's dedicated margarita and Tex-Mex festival, gathering the city's best bartenders and restaurant groups for competitive margarita judging and unlimited.
Tip: Buy the unlimited-tasting ticket tier; the value-for-money versus per-drink pricing is significant. Bring sunscreen; the venue is predominantly outdoor.
Annual soul food festival at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center gathering 30+ vendors from Dallas, Houston, Kansas and Arkansas for oxtails and BBQ.
Tip: Free admission. The convention center location makes parking easier than most Dallas food festivals.
National food festival at Fair Park with 200+ vendors: honey cones, milk bread sandos, brisket quesadillas, and a full live-music lineup each day.
Tip: Held at Fair Park in October, often the same month as the State Fair tail end. The milk bread sandwiches sell out by early afternoon.