Special Events in Dallas

On New Year's Day, floats and marching bands kick off Dallas' year with the SBC Cotton Bowl Parade of Bands and the Cotton Bowl Classic football game, held at its Fair Park namesake. Fair Park also is home, mid-September to mid-October, to Dallas' other major event, the State Fair of Texas, which many Texans consider the biggest and best state fair in the country.

Spring is ushered in with Dallas Blooms, a festival of flowers held during March and early April at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Closing out spring is Dallas Symphony's free Memorial Day Concert at Flagpole Hill.

During the summer entertainers perform at Fair Park's outdoor Smirnoff Music Center and the bandshell. Another theatrical highlight is the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, which presents three plays during June and July in Samuell-Grand Park.

In November, Texas Stampede offers championship rodeos and country music performances.

Performing Arts
September through May Dallas echoes with the sound of music. The celebrated Dallas Symphony Orchestra performs at Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center across from the Dallas Museum of Art. Each April the symphony heralds the arrival of spring with free park concerts; phone (214) 871-4000.

Summer brings the Dallas Summer Musicals to the Music Hall at Fair Park and varied performers to Smirnoff Music Center. The Dallas Black Dance Theatre troupe can be seen during the year at Majestic Theater, 1925 Elm St. Reunion Arena, 777 Sports St., is the scene of concerts and sporting events. Stage plays are presented at Dallas Theatre Center, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.; phone (214) 522-8499.