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MLK Weekend 2025 in Dallas: 16 Best Things To Do With Kids

Build the ultimate family adventure at Brick Fest Live! Photo by Gina Ragland
Build the ultimate family adventure at Brick Fest Live! Photo by Gina Ragland
1/15/25 - By Gabby Cullen

Looking for the best things to do in Dallas and Fort Worth for MLK weekend 2025? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

With all the recent cold weather and snow days here in DFW, it might feel like your normal routine hasn't quite recovered Well, there's a three-day weekend ahead, so it might be a good idea to plan so you don't end up staying at home... again.  There are plenty of fun things to do with your kids for MLK weekend 2025, including several chances to honor the legendary civil rights leader. Attend the 43rd MLK Day Parade in Dallas or the 40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Rally in downtown Fort Worth. Check out the Step Team Showcase in Arlington, or spend time with fellow community members at the MLK Day of Service and Festival. 

Plenty of other iconic DFW events are happening during MLK weekend: The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo kicks off this week, and the Angelika Film Center hosts the 41st Annual KidFilm Family Festival. Happy long weekend, y'all! 

More Things To Do in Dallas-Fort Worth This Week with Kids:​

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Things to Do in Dallas This Weekend With Kids

North Texas Performing Arts Presents: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Plano
Thursday, January 16 - Sunday, January 19
Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, this charming musical revolves around six tweens who spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves. At least the losers get a juice box! READ MORE

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Opening Weekend!
Cultural District
Friday, January 17 - Saturday, February 8
This epic event puts the yee-haw in North Texas! For 23 days, DFW can enjoy all the rodeo, livestock and horse shows, kids' activities, live music, carnival games, and great food they can handle. Don't miss the All-Western Parade on January 18, 2024, and check out the schedule to see everything else happening! READ MORE

Preschool Party: Frozen Frenzy

McKinney
Friday, January 17
Twirl and spin like a snowflake in a winter wonderland dance session! Create shimmering snowflake crafts to take home. Explore snowy textures and colors in our sensory stations, and have a blast tossing soft “snowballs” for some chilly indoor fun! READ MORE

Texas Rangers Fan Fest

Arlington
Saturday, January 18
Celebrate North Texas' MLB team all day long! Get autographs from Rangers players and alumni, enjoy Q&A sessions with players and legends, visit the Baseball Card Show, run the bases, go deep in the Wiffle ball home run derby, and much more. The Grand Slam Team Store will also be fully stocked with Texas Rangers merchandise! Concessions will be open during Fan Fest. And parking is FREE! READ MORE

43rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Fair Park - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Celebrate the legacy of MLK Jr. at this annual downtown Dallas event. Participants include elected officials, high school bands and dance teams, car clubs, horses, local businesses, and other community organizations. READ MORE

Grand Prairie's Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Celebration

Grand Prairie - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Celebrate the life and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at this community event! READ MORE

Plano Public Library Celebrates 60 Years

Plano - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Celebrate 60 years of excellence at a fun carnival event! Think juggling, balloon animals, big games, and library goodies. Get there on time for the two-person circus show from The Ramazini's beginning at 11:00am. This is a free event, but you must have a ticket which are available 30 minutes before the event starts. READ MORE

Meet the Misfits: American Crows

Cedar Hill - FREE
Saturday, January 18
Did you know these wily birds are incredibly intelligent and are excellent parents? Learn all this and more at Dogwood Canyon Audubon, plus, try your hand at solving a puzzle that crows already know how to solve, and do some crow watching from Canyon View Area (if the crows decide to join!). READ MORE

MLK Step Team Showcase

Arlington
Saturday, January 18
Don't miss this epic celebration of rhythm, unity, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. READ MORE

Pancakes for Paws

Grand Prairie
Saturday, January 18
Come have a yummy pancake breakfast that benefits Grand Prairie Animal Services. If you sign up to eat between 8am and 9am, you and the kids can tour the facility after you eat! READ MORE

Dallas Area Train Show

Plano
Saturday & Sunday, January 18-19
Your Thomas enthusiast will be in 7th heaven at this family-friendly event! See model trains, and intricate displays, and even buy a new addition for their collection. READ MORE

Brick Fest Live

Downtown
Saturday & Sunday, January 18-19
Build the ultimate family adventure at Brick Fest Live! Explore massive, life-size brick displays, build mosaic art, participate in derby races, tackle the giant floor puzzle, and build in the glow zone. It's the perfect adventure for your budding master builder.  READ MORE

41st Annual KidFilm Family Festival

Park Cities - FREE
Saturday & Sunday, January 18-19
The oldest and largest all-ages film festival in the United States is back! This iconic family event features diverse new films for all ages and IRL appearances by beloved book author Aaron Reynolds, who will read Creepy Crayon! Screenings include films like The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Panda Bear in Africa, and more.  READ MORE

Mom & Daughter Golf Clinic

Frisco
Sunday, January 19
Led by PGA of America Golf Professional, Paige Holland, this 90-minute class is perfect for players at all skill levels, whether you're on the course for the first time or perfecting your swing. A great afternoon for moms and daughters, your fee includes equipment rentals. READ MORE

MLK Day of Service and Festival

Arlington - FREE
Monday, January 20
Spend your day off giving back to the community. Gather at the Mission Arlington-Mission Metroplex for your community assignment and stay for the festival once your tasks are completed. The first 500 volunteers get a free t-shirt, and awards will be given to the largest youth organizations and the largest overall organizations. READ MORE

40th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Parade and Rally

Sundance Square/Downtown Fort Worth- FREE
Monday, January 20
This family-friendly parade and rally will highlight community unity, the living hope of Dr. King’s Dream, and a commitment to justice for all humankind. Head downtown and watch classic cars, floats, and walking groups celebrate the legacy of Dr. King Jr. READ MORE

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About the Author

Gabby Cullen
Gabby Cullen has over 15 years of media experience, starting in public relations before moving to the editorial side in 2009. With a decade of expertise in parenting and lifestyle, she balances her work as an editor and writer while navigating life as a mom of two. An avid reader and true crime podcast fan, Gabby lives in Dallas, TX with her family. Find her on Instagram and Threads @gabbycullen.
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