10 Best Things to do in Dallas This Weekend — Zoo Beers, Pinterest Mania, a Music Legend and More

Dallas weekends are packed full of events, but how many of them are truly worthy of your time? PaperCity‘s new events calendar offers a curated look at all of the best things to do in North Texas. But everyone can still use an expert.

PaperCity‘s Weekend Expert Megan Ziots culls our calendar for your must dos in this regular weekly series. This weekend, drink brews at the zoo, art and craft your heart away, or try all of the wine in Grapevine.

Taste of Hall

This unofficial start to the weekend (Thursday), the new HALL Arts Hotel is presenting Taste of HALL. A celebration of the Dallas Arts District’s incredible culinary community, and a welcoming of the area’s upcoming restaurant Ellie’s, the event will include signature cocktails, HALL Wine tastings, chef meet-and-greets, entertainment and cooking from Dallas Arts District restaurants. There will also be two sneak peak dishes from former Oprah chef and new Ellie’s executive chef Eric Dreyer.

All proceeds from the event will benefit AWARE, an organization dedicated to helping individuals, families, and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s in Dallas and North Texas area. Tickets start at $75.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Brew at the Zoo

On Friday, head to the Dallas Zoo for the second annual Brew at the Zoo from 7 pm to 10 pm. At the event, you’ll sample beers and ciders from over 30 breweries, local and national, and stroll through the Wilds of Africa. Adults-only, the night will feature animal encounters, keeper chats, games, and music by DJ Natural Hiiigh. Proceeds from the event will support the zoo’s conservation efforts.

Tickets cost $55 for non-members and $45 for members of the zoo.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Phantogram

Electronic rock band Phantogram is coming to The Bomb Factory this Friday with special guest Bob Moses. New York-based Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel have been a duo since 2007. They first gained popularity with their hits “When I’m Small” and “Mouthful of Diamonds” and have since released three studio albums. The two have been friends since preschool and have had several of their songs featured on TV shows and movies like Skins, Roadies and Pitch Perfect. Their most recent hit is “Into Happiness.” Bob Moses is also an electronic duo consisting of Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance.

Tickets start at $35, standing room only.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Pinners Conference

This Friday and Saturday, the ultimate conference for Pinterest lovers is coming to Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. Pinners Conference includes two days of workshops, shopping, and more. Kid and adult friendly, the fest will have arts and crafts, DIY fashion, food arts, sewing, beauty and fashion. General admission is $10, while classes cost extra. The event will also host 300 local and national exhibiting shopping booths.

And to be a V.I.Pinner, limited tickets are available at $129 and include a VIP party the night before, early shopping, a full two-day class pass, and swag. You’ll also get full access to the in-show VIP Room and no waiting in line.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Dallas County Donation Station, Philanthropy Fair, and Family Festival

Head over to NorthPark Center this Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm for the Dallas County Donation Station, Philanthropy Fair and Family Festival. The free event is a collaboration between Communities Foundation of Texas and NorthPark as a run-up to this year’s North Texas Giving Day (September 19). The fair will feature more than 30 nonprofits hosting hands-on activities such as making kindness rocks with Children’s Craniofacial Association, face painting with Blue Caboose Children’s Fund, toy-making for pets, and assembling care packages for kids in foster care. There will also be music, dance and theatre performances.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Culinary Summit: México de Mil Sabores

Taking place at two locations over the weekend, this celebration of Mexican Independence will start at SMU on Friday and head to the Dallas Farmers Market on Saturday and Sunday. Hosted by the General Consulate of Mexico in Dallas, the free event will feature commercial, artistic, academic, cultural, and entertainment activities. And most especially gastronomic experiences complete with traditional and haute Mexican cuisine.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Tyler Shields

On Saturday evening, check out provocative American photographers Tyler Shields’ newest exhibit No Filter at Samuel Lynne Galleries. On view throughout the fall, the exhibition will feature photographs from his latest Fairytale, Lion and Chicago series, as well as a collection of floral still-life photographs inspired by Irving Penn’s work, and a collection of Shields’ personal favorites from his Dirty Side of Glamour and Provocateur series.

The event is free, but it’s recommended to register.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Glen Hansard

The Oscar Award-winning Irish artist who won our hearts in the drama film Once over 12 years ago is back on tour. Glen Hansard will be at Granada Theater for his This Wild Willing Tour on Saturday at 8 pm. The tour follows the release of his last album This Wild Willing which features songs “I’ll Be You, Be Me” and “Don’t Settle.” He’ll be joined by Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart of the band OHMME. And for every $49 ticket sold, one dollar will go towards assisting the homeless.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Lenny Kravitz

Following the release of his 2018 album Raise Vibration, Lenny Kravitz is stopping in Dallas on his 18-city tour. The four-time GRAMMY award winning artist and Hunger Games star will perform at The Theatre at Grand Prairie at 8 pm on Saturday. Known for hits like “Fly Away,” “Again,” and “Low,” the retro singer-songwriter also has quite the acting repertoire. Besides portraying Cinna in Hunger Games, Kravitz appeared in films Precious and Lee Daniel’s The Butler.

Tickets start at $59.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

GrapeFest

The 33rd annual GrapeFest is upon us. From Friday, September 13 through Sunday, September 15, all of Main Street will be closed down in Grapevine for the largest wine festival in the southwest. For $8 daily admission, you can sample wines and Champagnes, enjoy live music, food and family-friendly activities. Wine experiences are available, such as the People’s Choice Wine Tasting Classic ($25), Piedmont Region of Italy ($15) and Liberty Park Plaza Wine Experience ($15). There will also be carnival rides, artisan vendors and a film festival at the historic Palace Theatre.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.