Every year, Dallas hosts a number of events that are completely free of charge. The majority of them are funded by the city’s budget, while others are supported financially by public activists and volunteers. Many citizens are drawn to such events since it is rare to be able to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere without spending all of your money. Learn more at dallaski.
Below, we have compiled a list of the most interesting annual festivals in Dallas that are free to attend.
The Boho Market
The tradition of hosting a yearly craft fair in Dallas was started by spouses Taylor and Jordon. For many years, the couple attempted to develop their business on their own, but had no success. They did not dare to give up the business entirely, but instead took the initiative to create an environment in which representatives from local small businesses could gather to talk about the activities of their enterprises. The Boho Market was first held in 2016. It quickly became one of the most popular events among Dallas residents.
Dozens of local business owners were able to promote themselves thanks to the Boho Market Fair, which allows participants to set up tents in the center of the city and display their finest goods for free. Citizens, in turn, can learn more about the products of local businesses without having to spend any money. The fair program is usually joined by craftsmen. They display their clothing, jewelry, tableware, carpets and other handcrafted things.
The Boho Market also received support from the city officials. Local governments believe that small businesses are an essential component of a successful community. Furthermore, its owners pay taxes, therefore the majority of the funds go toward the city’s well-being.
Women in Art – A Joyful Journey Exhibition
The Dallas festival Women in Art – A Joyful Journey Exhibition offers excellent opportunities for all representatives of the fair sex who want to advance in painting. First, the organizers provide a comfortable training environment and give them all of the necessary tools for work, followed by a public exhibition of their paintings in an actual gallery.
The exhibition is annually curated by Katherine Baronet, a Dallas-based artist. She personally instructs each citizen on how to prepare for the event, as well as provides further guidance. Women can also engage in sculpting, ceramics and photography. Some of the best works can be featured at the exhibition.
Before the festival, participants are asked to reflect on their life experiences and interesting stories that they would like to share during the exhibition. Typically, at meetings held as part of the event Women in Art – A Joyful Journey Exhibition, they aim to highlight both happy and tragic moments in women’s lives.
From the first day of the festival, Dallas residents can visit the gallery for free, communicate with the authors of works and engage in feminist discussions.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian Americans have significantly influenced Dallas’s historical and cultural development. The city features an array of Asian cuisine establishments, as well as several museums dedicated to Asian culture. Every year, locals organize a corresponding thematic event as an additional way to thank and honor their descendants. It usually starts at the end of May and lasts a whole month. During this period, Dallas residents and guests can participate in the holiday program completely free of charge.
One of the most interesting parts of the festival is the Samurai Exhibition. It features weapons, horse harnesses, helmets and other countless artifacts that are being installed in the Harwood district. The most ancient of these, according to historians, are 7th-century monuments. The exhibition, titled Iron Men, is entirely dedicated to samurai warriors.
The festival’s program also includes events at the Crowe Museum of Asian Art. It hosts screenings, research and historical presentations and other educational events. In 2023, hundreds of people gathered to see firsthand the exhibition Divine Spark: Kana Harada. Through depictions of Hindu pantheon gods, an unknown Dallas artist was able to instill townspeople with hope for a peaceful and bright future. It’s worth noting that many Dallas residents were worn down in spirit following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Dallas Memorial March
The Dallas Memorial March honors the memory of all fallen soldiers who fought for the country’s independence. Despite the march’s tragic historical context, locals believe that Memorial Day should be fun as this is exactly what the fallen warriors would want. After all, they fought for a better future for everyone.
The tradition of organizing a memorial march in Dallas started in 2016. The initial march, led by US Navy veterans Stephen Holley and Clint Bruce, lasted more than 20 hours. Then, hundreds of citizens marched with flags around White Rock Lake. The memorial march has grown in size over time, thanks to the inclusion of educational and entertainment events in the memorial procession. In honor of the fallen heroes and to encourage the community to celebrate Memorial Day with respect, the event features performances by notable political and historical figures, musicians and dozens of food trucks. The smallest citizens are involved as well. Adults tell them about the historical events of the country and thus instill respect for those military personnel who serve now.
Dallas Job Fair
The annual Dallas job fair is an event where not only do you not need to spend money, but on the contrary, you can learn about where to earn it. Dozens of managers from the city’s top companies gather to help job seekers. Also, even if you don’t need employment, the job fair promises to be an exciting experience for everyone.
Traditionally, visitors to career fairs are classified into two categories. Some people are actively looking for jobs, so they come to the event with resumes in hand and dressed in classic business clothing. Others are not interested in job openings at all but rather study labor market demand in order to be up-to-date.
Usually, the event takes place in Dallas hotels and conference halls.
Harmony in the NeighborHOOD Health Fair
In Dallas, the psychological health of citizens is given a lot of attention. It is considered that if everyone has a healthy mind, relationships between people will improve as much as possible. To teach society how to build relationships, it was decided to hold an annual Harmony in the NeighborHOOD Health Fair at no charge.
As part of the festival, Dallas residents gather in the city park for a variety of entertaining activities that involve communication, new acquaintances and teamwork. For example, at the event, you can participate in sports competitions or a tea ceremony. For the youngest citizens, additional play areas and a huge water park are installed.