Dallas 2026 Thanksgiving Weekend guide: Cowboys vs. Eagles and more activities

Thanksgiving weekend in Dallas means Cowboys football, holiday celebrations and plenty of reasons to get out of the house.

This year, the Dallas Cowboys welcome their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles to AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, November 26. But football is only part of the long weekend. 

Whether you're visiting North Texas for Thanksgiving or looking for something to do with family and friends, here's your guide to the biggest games, concerts, holiday shows and local activities happening November 26–29, 2026.

Sports, concerts and shows in Dallas over Thanksgiving weekend 2026

From AT&T Stadium in Arlington to the concert venues of Deep Ellum and Fort Worth, Thanksgiving weekend offers something for just about every kind of fan.

Here's what's happening each day, with showtimes listed in Central Time.

Thursday, November 26, 2026

Thanksgiving Day belongs to the Cowboys, but this year's matchup comes with an extra reason to head to AT&T Stadium.

The Philadelphia Eagles visit Dallas for a highly anticipated NFC East showdown, and Miranda Lambert will headline the Thanksgiving halftime show as part of The Salvation Army's 30th annual Red Kettle Kickoff.

It's a rare opportunity to watch two division rivals battle it out and catch a Miranda Lambert performance without buying a separate concert ticket.

• Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys — AT&T Stadium, Arlington, 3:30 p.m. CT

SeatGeek is the Official Primary Ticketing Partner of the Dallas Cowboys, making it the place to purchase verified tickets directly for the Thanksgiving Day game.

Friday, November 27, 2026

Black Friday brings one of the weekend's busiest entertainment schedules, with everything from regional Mexican music and alternative rock to electronic music, country concerts and holiday productions.

One of the biggest shows is Intocable's Cultura Tour at Ariat Arena in Fort Worth. The Grammy-winning group's blend of norteño and Tejano music has made it one of the genre's most successful acts.

Rock fans have Blue October's Foiled 20th Anniversary World Tour in Irving, while Tamar Braxton brings her R&B catalog to House of Blues Dallas. Electronic music fans can head to SILO for Deathpact, and country singer Chase Matthews performs at Billy Bob's Texas.

• Intocable — Ariat Arena, Fort Worth, 8 p.m. CT

• Blue October — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, 8 p.m. CT

• Tamar Braxton — House of Blues Dallas, 7 p.m. CT

• Deathpact — SILO, Dallas, 9 p.m. CT

• Chase Matthews — Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth, 10 p.m. CT

• Gannon Fremin & CCREV — Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, Fort Worth, 9 p.m. CT

• Rene Vaca with That Mexican OT — Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie, 8 p.m. CT

• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical — Music Hall at Fair Park, multiple performances

• Texas Ballet Theater Presents The Nutcracker — Winspear Opera House, Dallas, 8 p.m. CT

• Stockyards Championship Rodeo — Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth, 7:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, November 28, 2026

Saturday is another day for live entertainment in the Dallas area.

R&B legend Charlie Wilson performs at Texas Trust CU Theatre in Grand Prairie alongside Jody Watley. Wilson's solo hits and decades of work with The Gap Band make this one of the weekend's standout concerts.

Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean also brings his solo Alexander James: The Better Man Tour to Fort Worth, while electronic music producer Deorro headlines SILO in Dallas.

For sports fans, the Dallas Stars host the Utah Mammoth at American Airlines Center. There's also more country music at Billy Bob's Texas, where William Clark Green performs, and Blue October returns to Irving for its second consecutive show.

• Dallas Stars vs. Utah Mammoth — American Airlines Center, Dallas, 7 p.m. CT

• Charlie Wilson with Jody Watley — Texas Trust CU Theatre, Grand Prairie, 8 p.m. CT

• AJ McLean — Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, Fort Worth, 8 p.m. CT

• Deorro — SILO, Dallas, 9 p.m. CT

• Blue October — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, 8 p.m. CT

• William Clark Green — Billy Bob's Texas, Fort Worth, 10 p.m. CT

• Flex, La Factoría & Makano — House of Blues Dallas, 7 p.m. CT

• Noodah05 — Cambridge Room at House of Blues Dallas

• Cure for Paranoia — The Echo Lounge & Music Hall, Dallas, 7 p.m. CT

• Texas Ballet Theater Presents The Nutcracker — Winspear Opera House, Dallas, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. CT

• Avant Chamber Ballet Presents The Nutcracker — Moody Performance Hall, Dallas, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. CT

• Stockyards Championship Rodeo — Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth, 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. CT

Sunday, November 29, 2026

Thanksgiving weekend isn't over just yet.

Metal band Trivium brings its Crown in the Grave World Tour to South Side Ballroom, with In Flames, Fit for an Autopsy and Frozen Soul also on the bill.

Electronic music fans have another opportunity to see Deorro, who returns to SILO for a second show on Sunday evening.

Families can finish the weekend with a holiday performance, including The Nutcracker or How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.

• Trivium with In Flames, Fit for an Autopsy and Frozen Soul — South Side Ballroom, Dallas, 6:35 p.m. CT

• Deorro — SILO, Dallas, 7 p.m. CT

• Texas Ballet Theater Presents The Nutcracker — Winspear Opera House, Dallas, 2 p.m. CT

• Avant Chamber Ballet Presents The Nutcracker — Moody Performance Hall, Dallas, 2 p.m. CT

• Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical — Music Hall at Fair Park, multiple performances

Looking for more options? Browse Dallas concerts, sporting events and theater tickets on SeatGeek.

Other things to do in Dallas over Thanksgiving weekend 2026

Beyond the Cowboys game, concerts and holiday shows, there's plenty more to explore across Dallas-Fort Worth over Thanksgiving weekend.

Explore Dallas landmarks and holiday attractions

Between games and concerts, Thanksgiving weekend is a great opportunity to see some of Dallas' best-known attractions.

One of the biggest seasonal events is Holiday at the Arboretum, running November 11, 2026, through January 3, 2027, at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

This year is especially notable because it marks the final season of the garden's popular 12 Days of Christmas gazebos, which have been part of the holiday celebration since 2014. Visitors can explore the decorated displays, Christmas Village and holiday installations throughout the grounds.

The Arboretum is closed during the day on Thanksgiving but opens for its separately ticketed evening experience.

Another family favorite is Dallas Zoo Lights, which runs on select nights from November 13 through January 3. The walk-through attraction features more than two million lights, oversized lantern displays, holiday decorations and seasonal entertainment.

For something that doesn't require an evening reservation, consider the Dallas Arts District. Home to the Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center and several major performing arts venues, it's an excellent place to spend a few hours before heading to a concert or show.

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is another popular destination for visitors interested in Dallas history. Located inside the former Texas School Book Depository, the museum examines the life and assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

For shopping, dining and nightlife, spend some time in Deep Ellum or the Bishop Arts District, two neighborhoods with plenty of independent businesses and local restaurants.

Where to eat and drink in Dallas over Thanksgiving weekend

Dallas has plenty of options beyond the traditional Thanksgiving dinner, especially for visitors hoping to sample the city's barbecue, Tex-Mex and steakhouses.

For Texas barbecue, Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum and Terry Black's Barbecue are popular choices for brisket, ribs and other smoked meats.

If you're attending a concert at House of Blues Dallas or heading to American Airlines Center, consider exploring restaurants in Victory Park, Uptown or Downtown Dallas before the event.

Visitors heading to Fort Worth can spend time in the Stockyards, where restaurants and saloons offer plenty of opportunities to eat before catching a show at Billy Bob's Texas, Tannahill's or Cowtown Coliseum.

For a more relaxed afternoon, the Bishop Arts District has coffee shops, casual restaurants and independent stores worth exploring.

One thing to keep in mind is that many Dallas restaurants operate with reduced hours or special menus on Thanksgiving Day. Check holiday hours and make reservations ahead of time if you're planning to eat out on Thursday, November 26.

Don't miss these Dallas Thanksgiving traditions

Some of the area's most popular Thanksgiving activities don't involve stadiums or concert tickets.

Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot: The annual Thanksgiving morning race returns Thursday, November 26, for its 59th edition. Starting at Dallas City Hall, the event features 5K and 8-mile courses, with the main race beginning at 8:30 a.m. CT. Families can also participate in additional activities and costume contests.

Thanks-Giving Square: Located in Downtown Dallas, Thanks-Giving Square offers visitors a place to explore the city's dedicated space for gratitude and reflection. Its spiral-shaped chapel is one of the area's most recognizable landmarks.

Black Friday shopping: Thanksgiving weekend is also one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. NorthPark Center and Galleria Dallas are popular destinations for holiday shopping, while Highland Park Village offers luxury boutiques and restaurants. For smaller independent shops, head to the Bishop Arts District.

Take a day trip around Dallas-Fort Worth

If you have an extra day to explore, several destinations around North Texas are worth considering.

The Fort Worth Stockyards is one of the area's most popular attractions, with historic streets, Western shops, restaurants and the Fort Worth Herd's daily cattle drives.

For an especially memorable Thanksgiving weekend experience, consider attending the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum. Friday and Saturday performances give visitors an opportunity to enjoy a Texas rodeo without traveling far from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Cedar Hill State Park, which offers hiking trails and views of Joe Pool Lake, or venture farther to Lake Mineral Wells State Park.

Another option is Grapevine's Historic Main Street, particularly during the holiday season. Known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine hosts seasonal decorations and festivities throughout the area.

How to get Dallas Thanksgiving weekend tickets on SeatGeek

The only thing better than finding something fun to do over Thanksgiving weekend? Scoring great seats without spending hours searching for them.

Whether you're planning ahead or making last-minute plans, SeatGeek helps you find tickets that fit your schedule and budget.

Here's how to find your seats:

1. Visit SeatGeek's Dallas tickets page and explore upcoming sporting events, concerts and shows.

2. Select an event taking place November 26–29, 2026, and choose your preferred date or performance time.

3. Explore the interactive seating chart to compare available sections and ticket listings.

4. Use View From Seat, where available, to preview what the stage, court, ice or field will look like from different sections.

5. Check each listing's Deal Score to find tickets offering strong value compared with other available seats.

6. Use filters to narrow your search by price, section and ticket quantity. SeatGeek's All-In Pricing also makes it easier to compare ticket costs with mandatory fees included.

7. Complete your purchase, with qualifying orders backed by SeatGeek's Buyer Guarantee.

Thanksgiving leftovers can wait. With four days off and a city full of entertainment, you might as well make some plans worth leaving the couch for.