Things to Do in DFW This Weekend: November 13-15, 2026
Things to do in DFW this weekend kick off the holiday lights season, with Dallas Zoo Lights and Holiday at the Arboretum opening, plus monster trucks indoors in Fort Worth, BBQ and blues in Oak Cliff, a 125-merchant gift market in Plano, a free art studio tour and a toy drive in McKinney, and a community parade in Frisco. Eight picks, all verified this week. Times and ticket prices can change, so confirm with the venue before you go.
DFW Weekend Weather: November 13-15, 2026
Friday is mostly sunny with a high near 68 and no rain. Saturday is mostly cloudy, high near 65, with rain expected late at 60 percent. Sunday is wet and cooler, high near 55 with rain at 80 percent, so lean on the indoor picks that day: Hot Wheels at Ariat Arena, Neath the Wreath in Plano, and the MAST studios in McKinney.
Things to Do in DFW This Weekend: The Full Lineup
Lights & Festival · Dallas
Dallas Zoo Lights
Opens Friday, November 13; select nights through January 3, 2027, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM · Dallas Zoo, 650 S. R.L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, TX
The Dallas Zoo holiday lights experience opens this weekend and runs select nights through early January. Most animals are behind the scenes in the evening, so plan on the lights, not the exhibits. Confirm your specific night before you go.
Tickets: From $19; parking $15 separate; under 3 free. Combo ticket +$10 adds daytime zoo entry from 2:30 PM.
Lights & Garden · Dallas
Holiday at the Arboretum
Opens Wednesday, November 11, through January 3, 2027. Daytime 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Holiday at Night 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM · Dallas Arboretum, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX
The 12 Days of Christmas gazebos return for what the Arboretum states is their final season in 2026. Daytime visits and the Holiday at Night experience run side by side, so pick the version that fits your schedule.
Tickets: Daytime adults $21.95 to $25.95, children 3 to 12 $17.95 to $21.95, under 3 free, members free daytime. Holiday at Night $35 to $40 ages 3+, members $20 to $25. Night Owl 8:30 to 10:00 PM $15 online only. Prices vary by date.
Family & Arena · Fort Worth
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire
Friday, November 13 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, November 14 at 11:30 AM and 6:30 PM; Sunday, November 15 at 1:30 PM · Ariat Arena, 1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, TX
Monster trucks with a glow and fire theme take the indoor Ariat Arena all three days. Because it is indoors, the Sunday 1:30 PM show is the wet-weather anchor of the weekend. The pre-show party is a separate ticket.
Tickets: Price not confirmed on an organizer page. Secondary resale listings ran about $33 to $48 get-in depending on the show, checked November 10. Do not treat that as a confirmed price; check the ticket page before you buy.
Food & Music · Dallas
Blues, Bandits, and BBQ
Saturday, November 14, noon to 4:00 PM. People's Choice sampling noon to 3:00 PM, awards 3:30 PM · Kidd Springs Park, 711 W Canty St, Dallas, TX
A Saturday afternoon of BBQ teams, live music, and a People's Choice sampling in Oak Cliff. Family and pet friendly. Bring a blanket or a chair. Daytime Saturday stays mostly dry, with rain expected late.
Tickets: General Admission food and drink ticket $45; kids admission food and beverage $15, per the Eventeny 2026 listing. Entry itself is not stated as ticketed; the $45 and $15 are food and drink tickets.
Market · Plano
Neath the Wreath Holiday Gift Market
Thursday, November 12 to Sunday, November 15. Thu 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Fri 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM · Plano Event Center, 2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX
The 31st annual Neath the Wreath market brings 125+ merchants to the Plano Event Center as a Junior League of Collin County fundraiser. It is indoors, so it holds up as a Sunday pick when the rain arrives.
Tickets: Admission listed as free in the Plano Moms guide; another secondary listing shows price to be announced. Treat as free but confirm at the door; no ticket price is published here.
Art · McKinney
McKinney Art Studio Tour (MAST)
Saturday, November 14, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Sunday, November 15, noon to 5:00 PM · Various artist studios across McKinney, McKinney, TX
The 17th annual McKinney Art Studio Tour puts artists in their own studios, creating during the event. It is the local McKinney pick of the weekend and it is free. Studios are spread across town, so plan a route before you start.
Tickets: Free, family friendly.
Parade · Frisco
Frisco Community Parade
Saturday, November 14, 10:00 AM. 4th Street Plaza activities 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM · Main Street, Rail District, Frisco, Main Street, 1st St to North County Rd, Frisco, TX
Frisco's community parade returns to Main Street in the Rail District after construction, themed America 250 and honoring veterans, schools, and community groups. Saturday morning is the driest window of the weekend, so this is the outdoor pick to catch first.
Tickets: Free to watch.
Community · McKinney
Merry and Bright Toy Drive
Saturday, November 14, noon to 4:00 PM · TUPPS Brewery, McKinney, TX
A free-entry toy drive at TUPPS Brewery in McKinney with a goal of 6,000 toys and $30,000 for DFW children's hospitals. Bring a new unwrapped toy. The afternoon includes free Santa photos, live reindeer, live music, bounce houses, face paint, cotton candy, and a silent auction.
Tickets: Free entry; bring a new unwrapped toy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the DFW weekend guide published?
Every Wednesday, covering events for the coming Friday through Sunday.
Are the event details verified?
Events are researched the week of publication. Times and prices can change, so confirm with the venue before you go.
Which picks are free or low cost this weekend?
The Frisco Community Parade and the McKinney Art Studio Tour are free to watch or attend, the Merry and Bright Toy Drive at TUPPS Brewery is free entry with a new unwrapped toy, and Neath the Wreath in Plano is listed as free admission.
Which events are in McKinney this weekend?
Two: the McKinney Art Studio Tour across town Saturday and Sunday, and the Merry and Bright Toy Drive at TUPPS Brewery on Saturday afternoon.
What is the weather this weekend?
Friday is mostly sunny with a high near 68 and no rain. Saturday is mostly cloudy, high near 65, with rain expected late at 60 percent. Sunday is wet and cooler, high near 55 with rain at 80 percent, so lean on the indoor picks that day.
That is your weekend. Things to do in DFW this weekend favor the dry Friday and Saturday daytime, then the indoor shows on a wet Sunday. Pick one anchor per day, confirm times before you go, and enjoy the first holiday lights of the season.
