The Ultimate Guide to Things to Do in DFW This August (2026)
August may be the hottest month of the year, but it's also one of the best times to get out and enjoy everything Dallas-Fort Worth has to offer. Whether you're looking for family-friendly activities, date night ideas, live music, sporting events, or ways to stay cool, we've rounded up some of our favorite things happening around DFW this month.
🎬 Catch a Movie Under the Stars
There's something special about watching a classic movie from a rooftop with the city skyline as your backdrop. Rooftop Cinema Club in downtown Fort Worth offers comfortable lounge seating, wireless headphones, great food and drinks, and an incredible lineup of films throughout August.
Some featured movies include:
- Grease
- The Notebook
- La La Land
- Interstellar
- The Dark Knight
Purchase tickets and view the full schedule here:
Rooftop Cinema Club Fort Worth
🍽️ DFW Restaurant Week
One of our favorite annual events returns this month.
DFW Restaurant Week runs August 10 through September 7, with many restaurants participating in a Preview Weekend beginning August 6. Enjoy prix fixe menus while supporting the North Texas Food Bank and Lena Pope.
Popular participating restaurants include:
- Al Biernat's
- Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
- Fearing's
- Monarch
- Chamberlain's Steak & Fish
- Knife
- Rye
- The Mexican
- 12 Cuts Brazilian Steakhouse
Browse participating restaurants and make reservations:
DFW Restaurant Week Reservations
Learn more about the event:
DFW Restaurant Week has become one of North Texas' signature dining events while raising millions of dollars for local charities.
💦 Beat the Heat at Epic Waters
Looking for a family adventure?
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie is one of the largest indoor waterparks in Texas and is packed with water slides, a lazy river, wave pool, surf simulator, and dedicated play areas for younger children.
Special August events include:
- Mermaid School
- Tiny Tot Time
- Seasonal family activities
- Summer ticket specials
Learn more:
🤠 North Texas Fair & Rodeo
Experience a true Texas tradition at the North Texas Fair & Rodeo in Denton.
August 21-30
Expect:
- PRCA Rodeo
- Carnival rides
- Live country music
- Fair food
- Livestock shows
- Shopping
- Family entertainment
Tickets and schedule:
North Texas Fair & Rodeo
🎶 See a Concert at Dos Equis Pavilion
Summer concert season is still going strong.
Some of this month's headliners include:
- Kesha
- Muse
- Train
- Avenged Sevenfold
- Jack Johnson
Browse the full concert schedule:
The venue continues to host major touring acts throughout August.
🏄 Paddleboard White Rock Lake
Need a relaxing Saturday morning?
White Rock Lake is one of Dallas' best outdoor escapes. Rent a paddleboard or kayak, enjoy the peaceful water, and take in beautiful skyline views while spotting local wildlife.
Learn more about the park:
White Rock Lake Park
🐂 Spend an Evening at the Fort Worth Stockyards
If you have visitors in town or simply want a classic Texas experience, the Stockyards are hard to beat.
Don't miss:
- Daily cattle drives
- Stockyards Championship Rodeo
- Mule Alley shopping
- Live music
- Billy Bob's Texas
- Incredible restaurants and steakhouses
Plan your visit:
⚾ Cheer on the Texas Rangers
Nothing says summer quite like a night at Globe Life Field.
August features several home series along with promotional giveaway nights throughout the month.
Purchase tickets:
Texas Rangers Schedule & Tickets
🌸 Visit the Dallas Arboretum
If you're looking for one of the prettiest places in Dallas, the Arboretum never disappoints.
August highlights include:
- Twilight Nights
- Dog Days of Summer
- Hunt Slonem art exhibition
- DeGolyer House Tours
- Cooking demonstrations at A Tasteful Place
- Weekend live entertainment
View the event calendar:
The Arboretum's August calendar includes daily exhibits, evening garden experiences, tours, and seasonal programming.
Make the Most of August
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway without leaving town, searching for your next date night, or looking for family-friendly activities before school starts, there's no shortage of things to do around Dallas-Fort Worth this August.
If you live in DFW or are thinking about making Dallas home, we're always sharing the best local events, neighborhoods, restaurants, and hidden gems to help you experience everything this incredible city has to offer.
