10 Best Things to do in Dallas This Weekend — Major Music and Comedy Stars Take Center Stage

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. Concerts, comedy rock and the Cattle Baron’s Ball are all on the docket this weekend, along with foodie competitions and water lanterns.

Music & Comedy Rock

British Indie pop band Bastille is coming to South Side Ballroom this Thursday night. Formed in 2010, the group began as a solo project by lead singer Dan Smith. Known for hits like “Pompeii,” “Good Grief,” and “Quarter Past Midnight,” the band recently released its latest album Doom Days. At 8 pm, the group will be joined by New-York based indie rock band Joywave. Tickets start at $45.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

On Friday, singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers is headed to The Bomb Factory to perform hits from her debut album Heard It In A Past Life. The album debuted as No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200 and No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart. The 25-year-old’s most recent hits are “Light On” and “Burning.” Nigerian soul singer Jacob Banks will open for Rogers. Tickets start at $45.

Or if you’re more into rap, head over to Toyota Music Factory on Friday night for Logic’s Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Tour. AKA Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, the Cali-based rapper is stopping in Irving at 7:30 pm with J.I.D. and YBN Cordae. Last year, he was nominated for Grammy awards in both Song of the Year and Best Music Video for “1-800-273-8255.” His newest album’s first single was “Keanu Reeves” and also includes the title track “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.” Tickets for the show start at $25.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

Also at The Pavilion at Toyota this weekend, Blue October will make a stop on their I Will Follow You Tour this Saturday. Originally from Houston, the alternative rock band will perform songs from their latest album, I Hope You’re Happy, as well as hits like “Into the Ocean” and “Hate Me” from 2006. They’ll be joined by LA-based New Dialogue, an up and coming indie band. Purchase tickets starting at $25.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.

On Saturday, Julia Michaels is coming to House of Blues on her Inner Monologue Tour. Beginning as a pop music songwriter for stars like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Shawn Mendes, Michaels released her first single “Issues” in 2017. She’s held the spot as opening act for the past few years, most recently for P!nk’s Beautiful Trauma World Tour, but this will be her first headlining. Tracks will come from her most recent albums, Inner Monologue Part 1 & Part 2. Tickets are available for $25 and up.

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Jack Black and Kyle Gass are appearing at The Bomb Factory this Saturday for their Tenacious D show. The two are a comedy rock duo who formed in L.A. in 1994. Prior to the group’s 2001 debut album, the two had a three-episode TV series on HBO. In 2006, the duo also starred in their own film Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. Now, Black and Gass are on tour to perform some of their hits like “Tribute” and “Wonderboy.” Tickets start are sold out, but available for re-sale.

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On Sunday evening, American rapper NF will be at Toyota Music Factory on his The Search Tour. Accompanied by special guests KRD The Band, Nathan Feurestein will play songs from his recently released album, The Search, as well as hits like “Let You Down” and “Lie.” The rapper got started almost 10 years ago with a self-released album and quickly gained popularity in 2017 when Perception debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. Tickets start at $29.50 for the Verizon Lawn.

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Cattle Baron’s Ball

One of the biggest charity events of the season is featuring one of the biggest acts in country music on Saturday night — Keith Urban. The world’s largest single-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, the ball will take place at Gilley’s Dallas. Travis Tritt will headline the VIP Party, and Professor D will provide after-party entertainment. Since 1974, the event has raised more than $81 million for cancer research with the majority conducted in DFW. There will also be a live auction, silent auction and raffle.

Individual tickets start at $1,000, tables from $8,500.

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World Food Championships

The largest competition in Food Sport, the World Food Championships are coming to Dallas this Wednesday through Sunday. Grand champions of previous events meet up for a chance to win the ultimate food crown and a share of hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money. Taking place on the Reunion Tower lawn, the event includes tastings, demos and competitions. As a way to put up and coming chefs and bakers in the spotlight, the event chooses winners in categories ranging from BBQ and dessert to seafood and burgers. For general admission, purchase tickets starting at $10.

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Water Lantern Festival

This Saturday, release a floating lantern at Mark Holtz Lake at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Water Lantern Festival is a family-friendly event that includes a floating lantern, drawstring bag, marker, wristband, lantern retrieval and water cleanup. There will also be food trucks, music and design your lantern station. The lantern launch will take place from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Go to the full PaperCity events calendar listing.