April is a great time to enjoy a festival in DFW.
March 31 and April 1: Third Annual Arts in the Square (Frisco)
The 3nd annual Arts in the Square on Saturday, March 31st 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 1st, 2012, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Arts in the Square is an annual, juried Fine Arts festival featuring the best national and regional artists who sell their original creations. The 3rd annual Arts in the Square is co-presented and hosted by Frisco Square Development, which maintains a reputation of bringing high end buying crowds to this event, and Frisco Arts, which manages the Frisco Discovery Center.April 6-8: Deep Ellum Arts Festival
What: Six blocks of Main Street in Deep Ellum transform into a super-sized street party with four outdoor stages and non-stop performances by 75 national, regional, and local original bands during this three-day festival. With more than 120 top-notch juried decorative and visual artists, muralist, the renowned Deep Ellum Pet Parade, and abundant food and drink, the Deep Ellum Arts Festival attracts a diverse audience and includes affluent art and music enthusiasts.
When: April 6-8, 2012. Friday, April 1 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, April 2 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, April 3 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Deep Ellum Entertainment District on Main Street between Good Latimer and Hall Street.
Cost: Admission is free.
April 7 - May 28: Scarborough Renaissance Festival
What: Also known as Scarborough Fair, it's a Renaissance-themed festival based on the year 1533, during the reign of England’s King Henry VIII. The festival began in 1981 and runs 8 consecutive weekends including Memorial Day each spring.
When: April 7 - May 28, 2012. Weekends and Memorial Day Monday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 2511 FM66 Waxahachie, TX 75167
Entertainment: 21 stages, 200 performances daily; 3 jousting performances daily, much more.
Food: Similar in some ways to the State Fair of Texas: Ginormous turkey legs and food on a stick. Eight pubs and taverns serving adult beverages.
Admission: There are many different ticket packages available. Children 4 and under are free.
Through April 8: Dallas Blooms!
What: Dallas Blooms, a festival of over 500,000 spring-blooming bulbs and botanical beauty in a 66-acre garden.
When: March 3 through April 8, 2012
Where: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218. 214-515-6500
If you miss the Easter bunny photographer, then BYOB: bring your own (stuffed) bunny along with your camera. The tulips, daffodils and azaleas are in full bloom and nature makes a colorful backdrop. The beautiful flowers make it easy for any photographer to look like a pro.
Admission: $12 adults; $10 seniors; $8 (ages 3-12) plus parking.
April 12-22: Dallas International Film Festival
What: The Dallas International Film Festival
When: April 12-22, 2012.
Where: Event takes place at various venues and theaters.
Admission: General admission tickets are $10 per screening; passes are $100 to $750. The main box office is at Hotel Palomar, 5300 E. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 150, Dallas. 214-720-0555.
April 14-15: Spring Fling at Traders Village
What: Spring Fling 2012 activities include a Food Truck Cookoff, live music with the Dennis Cavalier Band, face painting and an appearance by Spider Man. Food Truck lineup for the cook off includes Yum Yum Food Truck, Ssham (Korean BBQ), Jacks Chow Hound, Delizioso (Italian), The Butchers Son, Gandolfos (New York Deli), Caffee con Leche from the great American food truck race.
When: April 14-15, 2012
Where: Trader's Village, 2602 Mayfield Road in Grand Prairie
April 19: Jimmy Buffett's Concert and Festival
Jimmy Buffett will put on his annual event in Dallas this year. Anyone who has attended knows it's not just about the show -- it's about the beach party surrounding the event. It's definitely a festival atmosphere. You'll make friends, get beads, take photos with strangers, parade around on golf carts and have a great time at this tropical fest. 8 p.m. April 19, 2012.April 20-22: Dallas International Guitar Festival
What: April 20-22, 2012.
Where: Dallas Market Hall.
Headliners: Eric Johnson, Chris Layton (drummer with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble) and Scott Johnson will perform a special Jimi Hendrix set. Also, Andy Timmons, Rick Derringer, Point Blank, Quinten Hope, Maylee Thomas, Jimmy Wallace and the Stratoblasters, Lance Lopez and more.
April 20-22: Terrell Heritage Jubilee
It's the 31st annual Terrell Heritage Jubilee carnival, bbq cook-off, arts and crafts, 5K run, pig races, car and motorcycle show, pony rides, business expo and ranch rodeo. It's April 20-22, 2012 at Ben Gill Park. Terrell is approximately 25 miles east of Dallas on Interstate Highway 20 and U.S. Highway 80.April 21-22: 61st Annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival
© Angela Patterson
What: The 61st Annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. While in town you can visit the Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum, located at 105 NE Main, Ennis, TX. 972-875-1901
When: The Festival is April 21-22, 2012. The 60th Annual Bluebonnet Trail is April 1-30, 2012.
Directions from Dallas: South on I- 45, Exit 253 or 251-B.
Directions from Fort Worth, Midlothian, Waxahachie: East on US Highway 287, Exit Ennis Business 287.
