Jonathan Van Ness Gets ‘Fun & Slutty’ and FC Dallas Takes On Lionel Messi This Weekend

Your weekend guide to all the fun things to do in Dallas.

jonathan van ness
Jonathan Van Ness speaks onstage at the 2019 Clusterfest on June 22, 2019 in San Francisco, California. | Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for Clusterfest
Jonathan Van Ness speaks onstage at the 2019 Clusterfest on June 22, 2019 in San Francisco, California. | Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for Clusterfest

There’s always something going down in the Big D. A look at the city’s offerings might leave you dizzy: record shops, vintage shops, museums, bar arcades, nerdy bookstores, restaurants, bars, brunches, sports aplenty, and a thriving music and arts scene.

Dallas, when you seek it out, has wonderful natural landscapes, too. Hiking, running paths, swimming—there’s a little something for everyone. And if you want to get out of town, there are plenty of beautiful places to explore.

With the sheer selection of fun things to do in Dallas, we’re here to help guide you on your weekend adventures. This weekend guide will steer you in an always-fun direction, be it dancing to live music or cozying up for a film fest. Check back here each week for something new to explore (and subscribe to our newsletter for recommendations and the week’s top stories).

Live Performance in Dallas

January 20, 8 pm
Majestic Theatre, $39–$128
The outrageous and hilarious performer, and ⅕ of the Fab Five on Queer Eye, brings their comedy show to Dallas after two worldwide tours. Catch another side of JVN as he focuses on bringing joy to people—and bringing them together.

January 23–February 4
Music Hall at Fair Park, $30–$160
The story of how Tina Turner persevered through trauma to become one of the world’s most iconic rock stars on the planet. The jukebox musical features several of her top hit songs, as well as some that may be lesser known to more casual fans.

Through January 26
Dallas Auction Gallery, Free
With artwork starting at only $50, you could be the proud owner of original paintings, photographs, illustrations, and sculptures from some of the top artists of the Contemporary Street Art scene. Through January 26, catch an in-person preview of everything that will be auctioned live later that evening.

Courtesy ‘La Chancla’

Films in Dallas

January 24–28
Multiple locations, $39–$249
This year’s Denton Black Film Festival theme, “Share Joy,” celebrates the 10th anniversary of the fest celebrating Black culture. In addition to the film screenings throughout the five-day event, art, music, comedy, spoken word, technology, and dance parties round out the agenda.

January 24, 6:30 pm
Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley, $5–$10
Meet the cast and crew of Dallas filmmaker Israel Luna’s latest horror flick, all about a cursed flip-flop possessed by an evil witch. Filled with in-joke references that will delight many Mexicans and Latinos who grew up in fear of “La Chancla,” it’s as funny as it is scary.

FC Dallas fans cheer prior to the Leagues Cup 2023 Round of 16 match between Inter Miami CF and FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. | Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images

Sports Events in Dallas

January 22, 5 pm
Cotton Bowl Stadium, $78–$450
After last weekend’s highly disappointing football game, perhaps cheering on a futbol team will help fans forget the disastrous loss. FC Dallas returns to the Cotton Bowl for a preseason matchup against Inter Miami CF.

Elvis Costello performs at Eventim Apollo on March 13, 2020 in London, England. | Photo by Burak Cingi/Redferns

Live Music in Dallas

January 19, 8 pm
Majestic Theatre, $102–$495
If you can snag a resale ticket, you can catch the legendary Elvis Costello & The Imposters, along with Charlie Sexton for the 7-0-7 Tour, which kicked off less than two weeks ago.

January 20, 6:30 pm
Longhorn Ballroom, $28–$68
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Valerie June Hockett brings her unique blend of gospel, folk, country, and blues to the Longhorn Ballroom along. Special guest and fellow singer-songwriter Angel White joins her.

January 20, 8 pm
Lewisville Grand Theater, $25–$35
For more than 50 years, Jimmie Dale Gilmore has been writing and performing his unique style of country-meets-rock music. For this one-night-only performance in the theater’s Texas Tunes series, he’ll be accompanied by The West Texas Exiles.

Shopping Events in Dallas

January 20, 11 am–6 pm
Lee Harvey’s, Free
The patio at Lee Harvey’s transforms into Flea Harvey’s with dozens of local artists and vendors selling their wares, offering a diverse array of items from jewelry to clothing and leather accessories. Breakfast tacos and mimosas will be on the men, too, so bundle up and head over for a Saturday excursion in the fresh (frigid) air.

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Steven Lindsey loves to explore, whether it’s sampling the best restaurants around Dallas-Fort Worth, hot air ballooning over the Arizona desert, or climbing a pyramid in Mexico. He contributes to Thrillist and a variety of online and print publications. He also founded Travel Like An Adult. His latest venture, The Spa Daddy, offers a man’s perspective on spa and wellness across the globe.