Halloween season has officially ended. That means a couple of things: all of the candy at the grocery store is on sale, and Christmas season has unofficially begun. Yes, Thanksgiving may be the weathered bastion of proper holiday observance, but it doesn’t sell Kias or iPads. While we wait for the inevitable breakdancing Santa to pop up on our TVs, check out the fun stuff happening around town this weekend. (P.S. Don’t try and buy tickets to Chef for Farmers on Sunday. Tickets are sold out. And don’t just show up expecting to get in!)
FRIDAY
Fort Worth’s new Sundance Square Plaza will be throwing an opening celebration that lasts all weekend, from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Be sure to stop by and check out all of the music, food from new restaurants like Del Frisco’s Grille and Taco Diner, and a brand new jet water feature. It’s free, so come and go as you please.
The 8th Romanian Food Festival will be going down at Saint Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Church from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday, 10 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. You can try a little bit of everything: ciorba, sarmale, mititei, carnati, mamaliga, cozonac and more. There will also be traditional folk dances, live music, and a children’s area where the kids will be able to pet furry creatures at the petting zoo, jump around in a bounce house, and get their mugs painted. Each day is a little different from the other, so take a look at the schedule and see what looks best.
SATURDAY
The first ever Chili on the Green competition will be held at Magnolia Green Park in Fort Worth from 9 to 5 p.m. Competitors will cook up lots of tasty bowls of chili from 9 to 1 p.m., and you’ll get to eat it from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s $10 for a taste and a vote. Food trucks Gypsy Scoops and Life is Sweet will also be on board to sell their sugary treats.
The Travel and Adventure Show looks to be an interesting event. Check it out on either Saturday or Sunday if you crave a trip, but not the ticket that comes with it. Attractions from around the world will make a cameo at the Dallas Convention Center, and you’ll have a chance to scuba dive, go rock climbing, and put your little kid on a camel. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids under 16.
Head over to taqueria La Ventana for a Dia de los Muertos celebration, going on all day from 10 to 10 p.m. The festival, honoring and celebrating those who have passed on, will feature plenty of delicious food to guide the dead back home. La Ventana will serve its Mexican street food along with a menu of tacos, burritos and elotes. You’ll also find lots of cervezas and margaritas. Don’t miss out.
The Dallas Wine Trail will be start at Times Ten Cellars and continue through Calais Winery, Fuqua Winery, and more as each establishment provides snacks and samplings from their stores. Tickets are $39.95, and it starts at 11 a.m.
SUNDAY
Asador in the Renaissance Dallas Hotel has created a superhero-themed brunch from 11-3 p.m., which includes dishes like “Spidey’s Chocolate Web Pancakes,” “Ninja Turtle in a Hole,” and “Poison Ivy Salad.” If you really want to blow away your kids, definitely take them. To make reservations, call 214-267-4815.
Jake Austin Medina is a D Magazine intern and a journalism major at the University of North Texas.
