Dallas Arts District Fest Celebrates Music, Art, and Community During World Cup

As Dallas welcomes visitors from around the globe for FIFA World Cup 26TM,

the Dallas Arts District and its cultural partners invite residents and international guests

alike to experience Dallas Arts District Fest, a multi-week celebration of music, dance,

theater, visual arts, public art, science, and community taking place June 19 through July 9,

2026. The festival will transform downtown Dallas into a vibrant cultural destination

through free and ticketed events designed to showcase the creativity, diversity, and

welcoming spirit of the city.

Anchored by four signature events and the citywide public art experience RedBall Dallas by

internationally acclaimed artist Kurt Perschke, Dallas Arts District Fest offers visitors an

immersive opportunity to experience one of the nation’s premier urban arts districts during

one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.

“Dallas Arts District Fest is an invitation for the world to experience the energy, artistry, and

cultural richness that define Dallas,” said Jill Magnuson, Interim Executive Director of the

Dallas Arts District. “From performances and public art to music, museums, and community

celebrations, these events reflect the creativity and hospitality that make Dallas such a

dynamic global city.”

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

PRIDE Block Party | June 19 The Dallas Arts District’s annual PRIDE Block Party returns for its ninth year as the largest PRIDE celebration in Downtown Dallas. Presented in partnership with the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, and Crow Museum of Asian Art, the free event spans Flora Street and neighboring museums with live music, drag performances, DJs, dance, spoken word, immersive art experiences, food vendors, and family-friendly programming. Highlights include performances by Bruce Wood Dance Dallas and Uptown Players, the DMA’s Kiki Ball, and Nasher Sculpture Center’s special Cure for Paranoia, and Crow’s Open Mic night.

Flora Street Live | June 26 Flora Street Live transforms the Dallas Arts District into a walkable arts experience featuring performances, film, Broadway, dance, and community celebrations across multiple venues. Presented by the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND, the City of DallasOffice of Arts & Culture, and Dallas Arts District, the evening includes performances by Shakey Graves, Amanda Shires, and J. Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed in Strauss Square; Broadway Dallas’ production of Clue; Back to the Future in Concert with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra; and free programming throughout Sammons Park and Moody Performance Hall. Featured performances also include internationally acclaimed
vertical dance company BANDALOOP performing from the façade of the Wyly Theatre.

Independence Day Celebration at Klyde Warren Park | July 4 Dallas Arts District
Fest continues with a special Fourth of July celebration from 7–9:30 p.m. featuring summer treats from a variety of food trucks, live music from Emerald City Band, family fun programming and the grand finale — fireworks lighting up the Dallas skyline as Dallas joins the nationwide America 250 celebration. This event is free and open to the public, and seating is first-come, first-served.

Thursdays on Tap: Soccer Edition | July 9 The Perot Museum of Nature and Science
presents a special soccer-themed edition of Thursdays on Tap from 6–10 p.m. Guests
ages 21 and older can enjoy after-hours access to museum exhibitions — including
Soccer: More Than a Game — alongside live music, food trucks, craft beverages, outdoor
games, and interactive experiences inspired by the global excitement of the World Cup.

RED BALL DALLAS | JUNE 19–28
A centerpiece of Dallas Arts District Fest, RedBall Dallas marks the Dallas and Texas
premiere of artist Kurt Perschke’s internationally celebrated RedBall Dallas project. Over
ten consecutive days, the iconic 15-foot inflatable red sphere will travel throughout the
Dallas Arts District and surrounding downtown neighborhoods, transforming streets,
landmarks, and public spaces into moments of surprise, interaction, and shared discovery.
Presented during FIFA World Cup 26TM, RedBall Dallas invites residents and visitors alike to
engage with the city in unexpected and joyful ways.
Since its launch in 2001, RedBall Project has appeared in more than 50 cities worldwide and
has become one of the most recognized traveling public art projects in the world.

ABOUT DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT
The Dallas Arts District is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the nation, spanning
118 acres in the heart of downtown Dallas. Home to world-class museums, performance
venues, restaurants, parks, and cultural institutions, the district serves as a hub for
creativity, commerce, and community engagement. Ranked by USA Today as one of the
nation’s top arts districts, the Dallas Arts District continues to elevate Dallas as a global
cultural destination.

MEDIA CONTACT
Contact: Andrea Kim
akim@dallasartsdistrict.org | Phone: 214-744-6642