We're in the thick of the Dog Days of Summer, and while it might seem like autumn is ages away, you can cool off with a taste of summer at the 7th Annual Watermelon Festival.
celebrates the summertime fruit with a party over the weekend where you can experience all things watermelon.
Headlining the celebration are 15 varieties of Texas-grown watermelon for visitors to sample and purchase. Some popular varieties you might find this year include:
- Yellow watermelons. These have a soft texture and a flavor that's described as light and citrusy.
- Sugar Baby, a classic variety known for its small size and bright red flesh.
- Crimson Sweet, a dark green watermelon with light green stripes that is known for its sweetness
- Black Diamond, a Texas favorite, a dense, juicy and flavorful melon.
Besides tons of watermelons to eat or take home, there are lots of other activities. Here are a few you won't want to miss:
- A meet and greet with 2025 Texas Watermelon Queen, Bethany Boller.
- A watermelon cooking demo (that includes samples) from
- A tasting for Watermelon Agua Frescas.
- Live music throughout the day from , Jai White and
- A demonstration by Wichita Falls fruit carver Earl Carter Jr. as he transforms a watermelon into a piece of art.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a bag or wagon to load up on other market goodies from farms, ranches and artisan vendors.
Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dallas Farmers Market, 920 S. Harwood, Dallas. Free.
Here are five more ways to celebrate summer. Make sure to check out the calendar as new events are added often.
- , Aug. 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Grapevine Town Square Gazebo, 325 S. Main St., Free. grapevinetexasusa.com
- , Aug. 1-3, Angelika Film Center, 5321 E. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas. Tickets are $15- to $60. angelikafilmcenter.com/dallas
- , through Sept. 7, Spark!, inside Southside on Lamar, 1409 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas. Tickets are $20-$40. sparkdallas.org
- ,, through Jan. 4, Perot Museum, 2201 N. Field St., Dallas. Tickets are $8-$10. perotmuseum.org
- ,, through Sept.1, Gaylord Texan, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine. Tickets are $25-$35. gaylordtexan.com
The calendar is a partnership between 四虎影院 and The Dallas Morning News.
Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and 四虎影院.
This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, The University of Texas at Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and 四虎影院 retain full editorial control of Arts Access鈥� journalism.
