It's such huge fest weekend that picking our top five was a challenge (seriously, just look at the other great contenders in our full festival list). But we ended up with marvelous options, including a celebration of the arts in Little D, Earth Day action and lots of Texas-themed fun.
DENTON ARTS & JAZZ FESTIVAL
The celebration of the arts, which runs Friday through Sunday, takes up 32 acres in downtown Denton. Kick back in front of seven stages with jazz, blues and cross-cultural music, including headliners the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band, Randy Brecker, Dr. John and Brave Combo. A juried art show will showcase works from more than 175 artists and crafters. Keep little hands busy with drawing, sculpting and more at the Children's Art Tent, as well as music-making in the Percussion Tent.
REAL TEXAS FESTIVAL
Have fun with a Lone Star flair and enjoy rodeo, live music, a carnival, barbecue competition and more at this festival on Friday and Saturday in Mesquite. The music lineup will include Kevin Fowler, Thompson Square, The Voice winner Craig Wayne Boyd, The Voice finalist Luke Wade and Wade Bowen. This year's rodeo will feature a new additions, mounted military cavalry drills from the Fort Hood Horse Cavalry and the free Rodeo Fan Zone with mechanical bull riding, roping, stick horse barrel racing and mutton bustin'.
EARTH DAY TEXAS
This outdoor festival with a focus on environmental awareness features an expo with more than 1,200 exhibits from green leaders in the corporate, academic and non-profit worlds. The free family-friendly event, which runs Friday through Sunday at Fair Park, will also include a Green Speaker Series, tours of a tiny house, an Eco Conference (on Friday), a NASA interactive exhibit, the kickoff of the National Parks Centennial and much more.
ART IN THE SQUARE
This free Southlake Women's Club charity fundraiser that runs Friday through Sunday will include a juried art show with more than 150 artists, as well as entertainment on two stages. Country singer Jo Dee Messina, the musical headliner, will perform Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
ARBOR DAZE
This Euless fest offers a free tree to each attendee. The Friday and Saturday event will also feature forestry demos, arts and crafts booths, entertainment, a Tongan Cultural Tent, a zipline, a rock climbing wall, the free Arbor Dazzling Kidz Zone, carnival rides for younger children ($5 per person for "all you can ride") and food for purchase.
