News
Apr 27, 2016
May Madness: Head Downtown for a month of fun that’s uniquely, authentically Arlington
May in Texas
There’s something about May, especially in Texas. Warmer weather has fully committed. Days are getting longer. Clothes are getting lighter. Kids are getting antsy for some serious playtime. Frankly, so are we. We suspect this has something to do with the U.S. Travel Association’s annual claim to the first week in May as National Travel and Tourism Week.
But here in Downtown Arlington, we say: Why stop at a week?
Throughout the month of May, get yourself caught up in a delightfully steady whirl of activity, all right here in Downtown. A highly anticipated exhibition by Vivian Maier, internationally heralded street photographer? Check. The first-ever tip off by Arlington’s newest professional athletics franchise? Check. Olympic torch run? Check. Students in caps and gowns? Check. Men in kilts? Check. Live music ranging from Blood, Sweat & Tears to Foghat to The Polyphonic Spree? Check, check, check.
And we’re just getting started.
Spread the word
There’s so much going on that we’re not just inviting you to get in there (although that’s our top priority). We’re asking you to help us brag about it. Post about it. Tweet about it. Talk about it at work around the Keurig machine. Because at the heart of it, we think the confluence of May Madness activities says a lot about what makes Downtown Arlington the real deal: our heritage and diversity, our aspirational spirit and sense of adventure, and our ability to innovate and create. We are, after all, the heart of the American Dream City.
As you’re attending activities and events in Downtown Arlington during the month of May, please use any combination of hashtags #MayMadness2016 @dtarlington #authenticallyArlington so we can follow the fun! From May 1-7, toss in #NTTW16 so the U.S. Travel Association will see how Arlington rocks National Travel and Tourism Week.
Save the date(s)
Grab your family and call your friends. Tell them to meet you in Downtown for the month-long throng of fun that’s uniquely, authentically Arlington.
May 1
Bark in the Park, UT Arlington Baseball vs Louisiana, Clay Gould Ballpark
Bark in the Park, UT Arlington Softball vs Troy, Allan Saxe Field
Arlington Visual Arts Association Regional Juried Exhibition (through May 27), Rooftop Gallery, Arlington Museum of Art
Six different star shows (throughout the month), Planetarium at UT Arlington
57 Sauce, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
May 2
Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition opening (through May 14), Gallery at UTA
Van Darien, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
May 3
UT Arlington Baseball vs Dallas Baptist, Clay Gould Ballpark
May 4
Open Mic Night hosted by Zack Coffey, J. Gilligan’s Bar & Brill
May 6
Food Truck Fridays 2016, Levitt Pavilion
My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra opening night (through May 29), Theatre Arlington
May 7
East Main Street Art & Music Festival, 601 E. Main Street
Via Dance presented by the Maverick Dance Company (through May 8), UTA Mainstage Theatre
Creative Arts Theatre & School (CATS) audition workshops (other dates throughout the month), Arlington Museum of Art
May 8
Dallas Wings vs Connecticut Sun (preseason game), College Park Center, UT Arlington
Legacy 4, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
May 9
Brad Hines, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
May 11
Open Mic Night hosted by Zack Coffey, J. Gilligan’s Bar & Brill
May 12
Symphony Arlington presents Daniel del Pino, Arlington Music Hall
UT Arlington commencement ceremonies (through May 14), College Park Center
May 13
Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games (through May 15), Maverick Stadium, UT Arlington
Food Truck Fridays 2016, Levitt Pavilion
The Kentucky Headhunters, Arlington Music Hall
Author event: Oveta Culp Hobby by Debra Winegarten, UT Arlington Central Library
May 14
Murderous Night at the Museum dinner theatre presented by CATS, Arlington Museum of Art
May 15
Rocky Lott, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
Ogle School graduation ceremonies, College Park Center
May 16
Devin Leigh, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
May 18
Open Mic Night hosted by Zack Coffey, J. Gilligan’s Bar & Brill
May 19
UT Arlington Baseball vs Texas State (through May 21), Clay Gould Ballpark
May 20
Food Truck Fridays 2016, Levitt Pavilion
Foghat, Arlington Music Hall
May 21
Vivian Maier photography exhibition opening (through August 21), Arlington Museum of Art
Dallas Wings vs. San Antonio Stars (inaugural game), College Park Center
Steampunk Saturdayz, Cosmic Crow Collective
May 22
Jim Bowies, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
Nolan Catholic High School graduation, College Park Center
May 23
Whiskey Bent Ramblers, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
May 25
Open Mic Night hosted by Zack Coffey, J. Gilligan’s Bar & Brill
May 26-29
Special Olympics Texas Summer Games, various venues, UT Arlington
May 27
Center Stage Music Festival presents The Polyphonic Spree with Pleasant Grove, Levitt Pavilion
Dallas Wings vs Atlanta Dream, College Park Center
May 28
Center Stage Music Festival presents Blood, Sweat & Tears with Reagan James, Levitt Pavilion
Donny Edwards’ tribute to ‘The King,’ Arlington Music Hall
Central High School, Fossil Ridge High School, Keller High School and Timber Creek High School graduation ceremonies, College Park Center
May 29
Center Stage Music Festival presents Bowling for Soup with Doug Burr, Levitt Pavilion
Dallas Wings vs Chicago Sky, College Park Center
May 30
Acoustic Hash, Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club
Schedule subject to additions and changes. Follow the links for up-to-the-minute information.
Know about another event going on in Downtown Arlington in May? Let us know in the comments below.
About Downtown Arlington
Ranked as one of the top urban districts in the country in 2016 by TripAdvisor Vacation Rentals, Downtown Arlington Texas blends a unique mix of activities, sights, tastes and sounds that attract visitors and locals alike. Within its less than a two-mile radius, Downtown Arlington is home to a top tier public university, prolific cultural arts institutions and live entertainment, exciting NCAA and professional athletics, one-of-a-kind dining and retail, and a supportive business climate. Downtown Arlington brings together a plethora of cultures and inspirations with a character all its own.