By Lindsey Shay | Staff Reporter
Spring is just around the corner, and you know what that means. Festival season! Best of all, many of our region’s best offerings are DARTable – that is, easily accessible using the DART System.
Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival. The giant party is a beloved tradition that typically draws more than 100,000 revelers and 100 floats. With little in the way of parking, you’ll want to take DART. The parade travels south along Greenville from Blackwell Street to SMU Boulevard. Afterwards, stick around to check out all the vendors and exhibitors.
When: March 11
Get there: Get to the fun by taking DART’s Red, Blue or Orange line to SMU/Mockingbird Station. Just look for the tens of thousands of people dressed in green.
Find out more: dallasstpp.com
Irving St. Patrick’s Run. One of the Irving Marathon’s most popular running events takes place on scenic routes through Las Colinas and surrounding areas. There are distances for all fitness levels. The races begin and end at the Toyota Music Factory; stick around afterward for a proper St. Paddy’s party. Walkers are welcome at this fun and festive event. Be sure to wear your favorite green outfit!
When: March 18
Get there: The Toyota Music Factory is walkable from Irving Convention Center Station on the Green Line.
Find out more: irvingmarathon.com
Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival. Downtown Fort Worth comes alive with nine blocks of food, music, and incredible art. The event features 200 artists of both local and national provenance. The full weekend of fun happens between Weatherford and 9th streets.
When: April 20-23
Get there: The festival is walkable from Fort Worth Central Station on the Trinity Railway Express (TRE), which departs from EBJ Union and Victory stations in Dallas, as well as Downtown Irving/Heritage Crossing and West Irving stations in Irving. The TRE does not operate on Sunday.
Find out more: mainstreetartsfest.org
EarthX Expo. At this free, family-friendly festival, hundreds of exhibitors gather at Fair Park to celebrate Earth Day and show how green lifestyle choices can lower your cost of living, create a healthier environment, and improve your health. There are food trucks, an electric vehicle and alternative fuel showcase, recycling, and compost demonstrations, and much more.
When: April 21-23
Get there: The Expo takes place in Fair Park, accessible by the Green Line’s Fair Park Station.
Find out more: earthx.com
Wildflower Arts and Music Festival. Wildflowers are a sure sign of spring, and the festival is a three-day celebration where fun flourishes. Check out a bouquet of musical acts; a profusion of exhibitors and vendors; an art guitar auction; street performers, acrobats, and magicians; craft beer and wine gardens; a kids’ zone; and much more.
When: May 19-21
Get there: Take the Red Line to Galatyn Park Station. The festival takes place in Galatyn Park Urban Center, as well as inside the Eisemann Center.
Find out more: wildflowerfestival.com
Taste Addison. A food lover’s paradise, this family-friendly event features scores of restaurants tempting festivalgoers with reduced prices, chef demonstrations, wine tastings and more. There is also live music, plus various other special performances.
When: June 2-3
Get there: The festival is at Addison Circle Park, a short walk from Addison Transit Center – served by DART Bus Routes 22, 200, 202, 229, 236, 238, 239, and 240.
Find out more: tasteaddisontexas.com
Dallas Pride. The weekend of fun honoring the LGBTQ+ community starts on Saturday with the Dallas Pride Music Festival, a family-friendly event with musical and dance performances on two stages, plus more than 200 vendors. There are also bounce houses, face painting, and the Pride Train ride in the Centennial and Automobile buildings at Fair Park. Following the festival is the Dallas Pride’s Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade on Sunday. The parade travels from the Fair Park Coliseum to the Hall of State with floats, costumes and performers all showing support for the community.
When: June 3-4
Get there: The entire weekend of festivities is easily accessible by Fair Park Station on the Green Line.
Find out more: dallaspride.org
To find out more fun things to do along the DART System, visit DARTable.dart.org.
