January
Southwestern Bell Cotton Bowl - This is a traditional New Year's Day ritual, kicking off Dallas's partnership with the Big 12 Conference, the Pacific 10 Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and the Plymouth Holiday Bowl.
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show/Rodeo (Late Jan - early Feb) - Where else could you find an annual rodeo that has refined the Western rodeo tradition year after year? Some would go so far as to call it an artform. The rodeo features professional cowboy competitions, commercial exhibits, auctions, entertainment and more. This three week event marked its 100th anniversary in 1996 and is attened by up to a million people each year.
February
African American History and Heritage Festival - This festival highlights the contributions of the African-American community to Dallas in particular and the United States in general. It is located at the wonderful African-American History and Heritage Museum which is described in the 'Living In Dallas' section.
March
North Texas Irish Festival - The colorful festival includes street performers, storytellers, vendors, cultural events & exhibits. which celebrate Irish culture and history. It is located in Fair Park, which also hosts the prestigious State Fair of Texas in the fall.
Dallas Bloom, Dallas Arboretum Botanical Society (Early Mar - Mid Apr) - This show features an amazing number and variety of beautiful spring blooms.
April
The Deep Ellum Arts and Music Festival - A weekend of alternative art and live music on multiple stages throughout the Deep Ellum district - what could be more fun?
Main Street Fort Worth Art Festival - Taking place along Main Street in Fort Worth, this multicultural festival features art shows, entertainment, laser shows, and more!
Grapevine New Vintage Wine and Arts Festival - In typically practical fashion, this festival combines two focuses, featuring both the Blessing of the Vine and the Blessing of the New Release. Available during the festival are wine seminars and tours of the winery.
May
Mayfest - The city celebrates spring as so many other people and cultures do - with food and games. They also throw in arts and crafts and a few other odds and ends to keep life interesting.
Artfest - Since '--fest' activities are so much fun, one in a month is clearly not enough so after Mayfest at the beginning of the month there is Artfest on Memorial Day Weekend. In addition to the food and games typical to '--fests', this day includes over 300 artists and all proceeds from Artfest go to benefit local arts organizations.
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition - In 1958, a 24 year old Louisiana native named Van Cliburn became the first American to win the Tchaikovsky piano competition in Moscow. Today, he lends his name to the extremely prestigious competition, held every four years in Fort Worth in Bass Hall.
June
Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games - Having celebrated the Irish, I guess it only seemed fair (and fun) to celebrate the Scottish as well. One distinguishing characteristic of this festival are the dance contests and athletic competitions.
Chisholm Trail Round-Up - Historically, Fort Worth was the last stop on the Chisholm Trail. To celebrate this role, the round-up features a variety of activities including street dances, an Indian powwow, and trail rides to help transport participants back to the excitement that must have met weary travelers in reaching the end of a long road.
July
July 4th Parade - This parade runs through Arlington and more than 4,000 people typically participate.
July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza - This is a beautiful fireworks display, which is located at Lake Grapevine.
September
Dallas Airshow - This huge airshow is held at Love Field every September. Aviation buffs can wallow in this fantastic military plane display.
Texas State Fair - Dallas - This colossal fair is held for a month (late Sep - Oct) in Fair Park. The fair is a hundred-year-old institution and features buckets of barbecue, bronco busting rodeo and America's biggest ferris wheel, the Texas Star.
October
Fright Fest Pet Parade - This yearly ritual allows everyone's normally adorable animals to become demons (or anything else suitably scary) for a day. Dogs, cats, pigs, cows and any other animal long-suffering enough to be strapped into a costume can participate. There is a costume competition as well.
The Louise B. Raggio Endowed Lecture Series in Women Studies - The lecture series is named in honor of Dallas's first woman attorney and the goal is to honor women who are striving to make a difference. Past speakers have included Pat Schroeder and Gloria Steinem.
December
Six Flags Over Texas Holiday in the Park - Six Flags gets dressed for the season with elaborate decorations and hosts Christmas shows throughout the park.
Sources:
( http://www.eventguide.com )
( http://www.lonelyplanet.com )