10 Best Things to do in Dallas This Weekend — the Ultimate Chocolate Dinner, Rodeo Time, a Comedy Comeback 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. From an international food tour and film festivals to a chocolate dinner and redneck carnival, there are a lot of ways to keep cool this extra hot Dallas weekend.

Around the World Crawl

Start your weekend off early with the Dallasites101’s 2nd Annual Around the World Crawl on Thursday. From 6 pm to 10 pm, you’ll explore the international drinks and bites of Trinity Groves. A ticket gets you $3 to $5 drink specials at participating restaurants like Chino Chinatown, Beto & Son, and Souk Kebab House. Some spots are also offering food specials. You’ll also get a souvenir tote bag and access to a photo booth.

Tickets are available for $10 here.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Women Texas Film Festival

On Thursday, the Women Texas Film Festival also begins. It’ll start with an Opening Night premiere of CRSHD and follow with an Opening Night Party. The festival goes through Sunday and includes narrative and documentary features, shorts and panels. Celebrating female filmmakers, the fest features all women directors and writers. Closing Night will feature Emmett (Boy Genius). Check out our list of the top five films to see here.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Anime Fest

One of the largest conventions for fans of anime, manga, games and other forms of pop culture, AnimeFest 2019 will be at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel this Friday, August 16 through Monday, August 19. Organized by World Fandom, the four-day fest includes an art show, autographs, cosplay, charity auction, dances, panels and workshops, and more.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

North Texas Fair & Rodeo

Beginning this Friday, the North Texas Fair & Rodeo is nine nights of country music, rodeos, livestock shows, kid & fun zones, and attractions. The 91st annual event takes place at the North Texas Fairgrounds in Denton and goes through August 24. Gate admission includes the fair, rodeo events, concerts. Park McCollum, Easton Corbin, La Zenda Nortena, Jake Hooker & The Outsiders, Pat Green, Kody West, and more will be headliners throughout the week.

Tickets can be purchased here.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Dallas Comedy House Grand Opening

Dallas Comedy House is back and better than ever. The new digs feature a new restaurants, beer garden, and co-working space. To celebrate the opening of the new location, the comedy club is hosting a grand (re)opening party on Friday, August 16. The night will feature several shows such as the Big Friday Show, Date Night Improv, and Freestyle Friday. Food and drinks will be served throughout the shows from the new full bar and kitchen.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Truck Yard Redneck Carnival

This Saturday, Truck Yard Dallas is hosting a Redneck Carnival starting at 11 am. Backyard carnival games, watermelon kegs, cocktails,and a beer fountain will truly make this a unique experience. Truck Yards infamous watermelon keg cocktails will be served so bring your friends, as the drink contains an entire bottle of Espolon Tequila and serves four to eight. Or you can order a mini watermelon that serves two. Carnival game winners could go home with swag and gift cards so bring your competitive side.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Chocolate Dinner

Yes, you read that right. This Saturday from 7 pm to 10 pm, Dallas Chocolate Festival is hosting its 10th Anniversary Dinner at Fairmont Dallas. The multi-course dinner features fine craft chocolate, wine and spirits. You’ll also meet the chocolate makers. Craft chocolate will be incorporated into each course and served in the historic Venetian Room. A ticket to the five course dinner costs $150 a person.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Taste of Pan Africa

Another foodie event on Saturday is the Taste of Pan Africa Food Festival at Mar Thoma Event Center. From 1 pm to 9 pm, you’ll explore and taste food and drinks from East Africa, South Africa, West Africa, Brazil, Haiti and the Caribbean Islands. There will also be music, networking, shopping and philanthropy in the mix. General admission tickets cost $25 and a portion of proceeds benefit Hope For Us Charity.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

An Evening with Lyle Lovett

Grammy winner Lyle Lovett and his Large Band are performing at Winspear Opera House this Sunday evening. A singer, composer, and actor, Lovett has released 14 albums in the past three decades. Based in Texas, Lovett fuses Americana, swing, jazz, folk, gospel and blues. He’ll be performing with his acoustic group in Dallas for one night only.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing. 

Vampire Weekend

The Father of the Bride tour is coming to Toyota Music Factory this Sunday at 7:30 pm. The alternative rock band, Vampire Weekend, has been topping the charts with their most recent album and hits like “Harmony Hall” and “This Life.” Lead singer Ezra Koenig and band will stop in Houston the night before with an Austin show to follow on August 21. Special guest Christone “Kingfish” Ingram will open.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.