Free Stuff To Do in Dallas

Here's a smattering of free stuff to do in Dallas, Fort Worth, and the surrounding area for Oct 30-Nov 5:

Thu, Oct 30

• 7 p.m.-9 p.m., listen to guitarist Yoban at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street) in downtown Dallas.
• 7 p.m., the Highland Park High School Orchestra will perform their annual Halloween concert in costume at NorthPark Center.
• 8 p.m.-10 p.m., enjoy the view from the twenty-second floor of One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street) in downtown Dallas, along with a free glass of wine at their Thursday Night Lights.

Fri, Oct 31 -- Halloween!

• 10:30 a.m., new parents can get a free guided tour of the Amon Carter Museum in the Fort Worth Cultural District. This tour is recommended mostly for parents of children young enough to be strapped into a stroller. Refreshments are provided after the tour.
• 3 p.m.-7 p.m., the Women's Museum in Fair Park in Dallas is having a Fall Kids' Fest. Enjoy a candy hunt, cookie decorating, a costume contest, games, experiments, and at 5 p.m. a performance of “The Sorcerer's Apprentice” by the Dallas Puppet Theater. To RSVP, email emily.embry@thewomensmuseum.org or call (214) 915-0862.
• 4 p.m.-7 p.m., the whole family is invited to the Ice House Cultural Center (1004 W. Page Street in Dallas) for trick or treating and painting mini-pumpkins.
• 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., listen to St. Paul's Jazz Band at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street) in downtown Dallas.
• 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Treat Street in the Fort Worth Stockyards (130 East Exchange Avenue in Fort Worth) has trick-or-treating at the local stores, free hayrides, costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and more.
• 7 p.m.-11 p.m., watch E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind at Addison's Monster Movie Mash in Addison Circle Park (4970 Addison Circle Drive). Concessions will be available for purchase. Chairs, blankets, and coolers are allowed.

Sat, Nov 1

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nasher Sculpture Center is having their Target First Saturday with free admission, an art scavenger hunt, art activity, sculpture demo, tours, yoga in the garden at 11:30 a.m., storytime at 12:30 p.m., and more.
• 2 p.m.-10 p.m., the Main Street Live Festival continues at Pegasus Plaza (1500 Main Street at the corner of Akard Street in downtown Dallas) with The Burning Hotels (2 p.m.), Blowing Trees (3:20 p.m.), Homer Hiccolm & The Rocketboys (4:40 p.m.), The New Frontiers (6 p.m.), Black Tie Dynasty (7:30 p.m.), and Mae (9:15 p.m.). Admission is free before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., tickets cost $7.50.
• 2 p.m., Double Bubble the clown presents a Salute to America with puppets and magic at NorthPark Center.
• 5 p.m.-8 p.m., an artist reception for painter and sculptor Madeline Denaro is at HCG Gallery (1130 Dragon Street in Dallas).
• 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m., celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and Altares Opening at the Latino Cultural Center(2600 Live Oak in Dallas). Enjoy Latin American music selections and theatrical performances.

Sun, Nov 2 -- Daylight Saving ends, set your clock back one hour

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m., bands, clowns, jugglers, face painters and chalk artists will be on the Katy Trail for six hours of non-stop entertainment. The Katy Trail (map, pdf) runs from the American Airlines Center to just south of SMU near Central Expressway.
• 2 p.m., walk through the Connemara Meadow Preserve (Alma and Bethany Drives in Allen) with RJ Taylor and learn about watersheds and wetlands. Wear closed-toe shoes and maybe a hat and sunscreen. The trail is not paved.
• 3 p.m.-5 p.m., tour the Heritage House (303 S. O'Connor Road) in Irving's Heritage District. Ride the TRE to the South Irving station, turn right on Rock Island Road, left on Ohio Street, walk three blocks, and turn right on 3rd Street.
• 3:15 p.m., the Dallas Cowboys play the New York Giants on the big screens at the Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Avenue) in Dallas. Doors open at 2:15 p.m. Arrive twenty minutes before kickoff and the first beer is free. Parking is free on Sundays.

Mon, Nov 3

• 7 p.m., meet author Vince Flynn (Extreme Measures) at the Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Park (7700 Northwest Highway in Dallas).
• 7 p.m., meet children's author Jay McGraw (Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies) at the Barnes & Noble at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco.

Tue, Nov 4

• 2 p.m.-6 p.m., get a free crunchy seasoned beef taco at any Taco Bell. Google Maps says there are 1,331 Taco Bells near Dallas, so you'll surely be able to find one.
• 7 a.m.-7 p.m., vote!

Wed, Nov 5

• 10:30 a.m., Mr. Scott the Music Man will entertain the pre-school set with his high energy interactive music program at NorthPark Center.
• 7 p.m.-9 p.m., listen to St. Paul's Jazz Band at One Arts Plaza (1722 Routh Street).
• 7 p.m., meet Jamie Lee Curtis, actress and author of several children's books (Big Words for Little People) at the Barnes & Noble at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco.