It’s our favorite time of the year: festival season. This April is jam-packed with family-friendly festivals celebrating everything from visual arts to Arbor Day. Mark your calendars for one (or all) of these fun- and food- filled events, because let’s face it, when are we not dreaming of festival food?
1. Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival: April 9–12
Lace up your walking shoes before roaming the 27 downtown blocks of the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival, open daily from April 9–12. Browse the work of 215 hand-selected artists, and save time to see a handful of the 120 live performances. Free water stations will be located throughout the festival. Free.
2. Denton Redbud Festival: April 18
Have you ever heard of a fashion show featuring up-cycled trash? See the phenomenon for yourself during the 22nd Annual Denton Redbud Festival from 10am–4pm on Saturday, April 18 at the Denton Civic Center. Listen to live music and eat festival foods, or post up in the Kid Zone for bounce houses and face painting. Free.
3. Frisco StrEATS Food Truck and Music Festival: Apr 18
If you can’t get enough of food served à la food truck, the Frisco StrEATS Food Truck and Musical Festival is where you want to be from 1–7pm on Saturday, April 18. Snack on fare from 17 different food trucks (including one of our favorites: The Butchers Son), see live music, and browse an antique car show. Free admission.
4. Main Street Fest: April 24–25
For high-flying fun, catch BMX and skateboarding street shows during Main Street Fest in Grand Prairie on April 24–25. You’ll also see musical acts, ride carnival rides and make arts and crafts. While you pay a visit to the beer garden, minors can enjoy face painting, games and entertainers in the KIDZONE, located in the Farmer’s Market. Free admission.
5. Real. Texas. Festival: April 24–25
If the name doesn’t give it away, the barbecue contest, live country music and rodeo will. Visit the Mesquite Rodeo Center April 24–25 for a taste of the Real.Texas.Festival. Cowboys- and girls- in training can visit the Kids Korral, featuring a video game truck, green screen photo booth, pony rides and petting zoo. For more fun, check out the carnival and car show. $15 in advance; $20 at the gate.
6. Prairie Fest: Apr 25
Skip the typical bluebonnet pictures and pose with wildflowers during Prairie Fest at Tandy Hills Natural Area in Fort Worth on Saturday, April 25. This solar-powered festival offers unique outdoor adventures for families, along with local food, nature-science hikes, live entertainment (think: belly dancers and Scottish Pipes) and trail-side storytellers. Free.
7. Art in the Square: April 24–26
Feast on fine art as you peruse the work of more than 150 renowned artists at Southlake’s Art in the Square, open daily in the town square from April 24–26. Check out continuous live performances on two stages while kids enjoy rock climbing, sugar art, games, face painting and more. Free admission and parking.
8. Denton Arts & Jazz Festival: April 24–26
If you’ve never been to the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival in Quakertown Park, you must be new to town. The festival, in its 35th year, features more than 2,000 jazz, pop and rhythm & blues performers, as well as a variety of dance, storytelling and theatre performances. Before you leave, be sure to visit the children’s art tent. Free.
9. Earth Day Texas: April 24–26
Celebrate the planet at Earth Day Texas at Fair Park, open daily through Sunday. See a NASA exhibit, visit the Eco-Expo, test out an Electric Bike Track, try tree climbing, hear live music and more. Download the Earth Day Texas App for a full event schedule and map. Free.
10. Spring Festival in the Japanese Garden: April 25–26
During this festival at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, kids of all ages can feed koi fish, try on a kimono, listen to Japanese storytelling, join in on Japanese games and create a traditional fish painting. While the kiddos play, parents can check out performances and shop from a variety of vendors. $6 adults; $3 children.
Want more? Visit our calendar for more festivals.
Updated April 2015
