Let’s go outside and play!
There are all kinds of parks in Arlington, Texas. There are parks with trails, and parks where your kids or dogs meet up with friends. There are parks with rides that take you up into the sky, and diamond-shaped parks where we love to hear the ump holler, “Play Ball!”
Then there’s our favorite park, conveniently located at the center of it all.
This park weaves together green spaces and colorful murals. Public art and mini-gardens tucked amongst architecture from kitschy to modern. Dozens of grid-patterned routes made for dog-walking, patio-hopping and 5Ks. Sounds of live music from inside local hangouts and outside in the night air. The vibe of a city center that’s not too big, not too small, but just right for meeting friends for a cup of coffee, catching a show, or taking a yoga class on the lawn.
This park is Downtown Arlington.
Downtown Outdoors is Downtown Arlington’s platform for discovering and experiencing the great outdoors in the heart of the city. Downtown Outdoors not only helps us see Arlington’s historical and cultural district differently, but creates opportunities to discover and engage with the district’s many outdoor spaces through creative new programming that’s open to all.
Use Your Outside Voice!
We’re offering new activities, live music, and inspiration for getting out of the house or office and into the great urban outdoors to meet new people and connect with the city you call home.
Downtown Impressions: A Community Plein Air Experience
Escape the confines of a traditional indoor studio and join us for “Downtown Impressions: A Community Plein Air Experience,” a recurring program where artists, regardless of experience level, are invited to join us in the heart of the city as we paint key locations in the downtown area.
Plein air painting is the art of freeing oneself from the traditional boundaries of a regular art studio, taking your canvas outside, and painting what you see all around you. This is the perfect opportunity to capture the energy and beauty of the city as it awakens from its winter slumber!
Thanks to our plein air program partner Catalyst Creative Arts for helping provide supplies and creative guidance to our artists.
October Session 1
Sunday, October 1st | 10:00am - 1:00pm | Gene Allen Park
Occtober Session 2
Sunday, October 29th | 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Parkdale Cemetery
November Session
Sunday, November 19th | 10:00am - 1:00pm | Knapp Heritage Park
Downtown Community Picnics
Join us once a month for a fun and laid back community picnic! Set up at a different parks in downtown, we will enjoy live music from a local band and takeout from any downtown business. Bring in whatever food and drinks you like, grab your friends, lay out a blanket, and savor the afternoon with some sweet tunes!
October Picnic
Wednesday, October 11th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Knapp Heritage Park
November Picnic
Wednesday, November 8th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | DREAM Park
December Picnic
Wednesday, December 6th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Gene Allen Park
Downtown Photo Walks
Film cameras are back, and we’re here to help you fall in love with what’s old is new again! Join Downtown Arlington and a guest photographer guide for a monthly Downtown Photo Walk. For each meet-up, we’ll start at a common location to hear a brief talk by our guest photographer. Then we’ll take off together (different directions each month) in search of inspiration.
October Photo Walk
Thursday, October 19th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Inclusion Coffee
November Photo Walk
Thursday, November 16th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Inclusion Coffee
December Photo Walk
Thursday, December 7th | 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Inclusion Coffee
Outdoor Movie Nights
In collaboration with UTA Excel's movie nights, we're bringing the cinema to you! Popping up at local parks to enjoy a movie under the stars and in the heart of downtown. Snacks will be sold by UTA Excel, but feel free to bring your own treats and a blanket to get comfy and enjoy the movie.
Coco Screening - Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
Friday, October 27th | 6:30pm - 10:00pm | Gene Allen Park
More movie dates TBD!
Downtown Arlington Coloring Books
We say, color OUTSIDE the lines! The Downtown Arlington Coloring Book includes over a dozen pages, illustrated by local artist Derek Thorne, featuring familiar cultural and heritage destinations throughout the district. Perfect for kids and adults! Get your free copy in the Downtown Library’s Children’s area while supplies last.
Thanks to our Coloring Book partners including the Downtown Library and artist Derek Thorne.
For Event Details
Visit the Events Calendar on our website for details about all Downtown Outdoors events.
What’s your favorite way to play?
Downtown Outdoors will seek to create even more public places to gather, ideas for spending time with family and friends, programs to support healthy lifestyles, and ways to stay connected with your community. What other ideas do you have for enjoying the great outdoors in the heart of your city? We’d love to hear from you.
Additional Resources
Northern Downtown Mural Walk
Star of Texas Walk