Best Spring Festivals In DFW

Dates: April 29 through May 12

Now in its sixth year, Central Market's tasty two-week staycation brings the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the world to all of their stores for you to enjoy. Past trips have been to France, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Brazil. In this year's trip to Greece you can sample great cuisine, take a cooking class and purchase items specially imported from Greece.

Dates: April 30 through May 3, 2015

Ft. Worth's Mayfest is a family-friendly festival along a 33-acre tract of Trinity River at Trinity Park. The four-day festival offers a variety of activities including performing artists, carnival rides, paddle boats, rock climbing, zip-lining, live music, art and gift market, and children's activities. There is so much to see and do at Mayfest. There are over 40 performing groups scheduled on the three stages. Children will be thrilled with the bounce houses, sand pile, face painting and playground. The "Best of the Fest" Food Vendor Contest will be judged on Thursday and there is a food-crawl map so you can sample the entries. The art and gift market is a great way to pick up graduation and mother's and fathers' day gifts from one of the 60 different vendors. The vendors offer everything from clothing and furniture to handcrafted, one-of-a-kind pieces of art. There are 15 food vendors in three food court areas and nine beverage booths that feature soft drinks, beer and wine. Coupons are needed to purchase food and beverages and there are booths throughout the festival. Tickets for the festival are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors 60+ and children 3 through 12. Free for under the age of 2 and for all military. Free day for senior citizens is Thursday.

Dates: May 2 through 3, 2015

For over 40 years, the Cottonwood Festival has brought together some of the nation's top visual artists. This semi-annual event showcases juried art from 240 artists featured in 14 categories including 2-D, 3-D mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, metal, glass, wood, leather, fiber, drawing/pastels, painting, digital, photography and jewelry. Also a part of Cottonwood is the musical art performances by some of the best local blue, country, folk, jazz, rock and swing bands. There are art activities for children. Entrance and parking are free.

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Dates: May 15 through 17, 2015

Richardson's Gatalyn Park is the setting for Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival. Wildflower! showcases up and coming musicians from around the country. The Battle of the Bands gives local high school students an opportunity to strut their stuff by performing a 15-minute set and compete for cash prizes. There is also a songwriter's workshop. There are also arts and craft activities, a butterfly tent and petting zoo, plus food and beverages to round out your time at Wildflower!

Date: Sun. May 17, 2015, 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

This is an action-packed, family-friendly event. There is a Chinese Hacky Sack competition groups under age 15 and a pair's competition for people over age 15. If you don't know how to play a crash course will be given an hour before each event so you can quickly pick up the skills to compete. There is a kite flying class and flying contest. Classes to make your own kite are scheduled throughout the day and a mid-day contest to determine the most unique kite, the longest flying kite tail, the highest-flying kite and the largest flying kite. The dragon boat race is a fun group event. The 500-pound boat is about 40 feet in length and four feet in width and there are between 20-24 crew members on a team. The Texas Dragon Boat Association provides a steers person. If you want to participate, you must know how to swim and sign up prior to the event. There is a practice run the day before the race. There are classes to learn how to make lanterns and other art, plus plenty of food.

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