Your Vacation in Plano: Best Local Events

In Plano, you can savor culinary creations that reach far beyond Tex-Mex, tap your toes to the rhythm of local tunes or color your world with vibrant local works of art. Best of all, you're sure to find one-of-a-kind handcrafted souvenirs at Plano events that will bring back fond memories of your time in the city.

Gear Up for a Taste of Culture: Plano Art & Wine Walk

Rev up your fun meter on the second Thursday of the month from April through December at the Downtown Plano Art & Wine Walk. Enjoy live music and art exhibits as you browse the shops and galleries in historic downtown Plano. Buy tickets online and breeze through the express line at 34Events to pick up your passport, wine guide and commemorative wine glass for tasting. Keep track of the locations you visit on your passport, then turn it in at McCall Plaza at the end of the night for a chance to win gift certificates to local stores and restaurants.

Lap Up Local Flavor: Live and Local Concert Series

On the third Friday and Saturday night of each month—throughout the year—head to McCall Plaza for the Live and Local Concert Series to experience a wide range of musical styles. Bring a lawn chair to kick back and listen to the tunes or just dance along to the music. You might see Andrew Tinker, the renowned rock pianist from nearby Denton, whose song, "Nobody Knows (How to Say Goodbye)," is featured in the Disney film, "Pete's Dragon.”

Do the Boot-Scootin' Boogie: Texas Music Revolution

Feast your ears on Texas-style music at the annual Toyota Texas Music Revolution. Enjoy spring weather in late March at the Amphitheater at Oak Point Park as you listen to country, blues, folk, bluegrass and more. A staple event in Plano for more than 20 years, the outdoor concert tucks into the heart of the Oak Point Park nature preserve. Bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the music from the amphitheater's grassy terraces.

Say Hello to Summer: Plano Artfest

Immerse yourself in the arts at the Plano Artfest in late April. At this week-long event, you can browse the artist village centered in McCall Plaza and delight in on-stage performances by ballet dancers, symphonies, theater troupes and more throughout the one-day festival. When you need refreshment, check out food truck row and discover local favorites like New York-style Gandolfo's Deli and the Butcher's Son, specializing in heritage meat specialties. Go hands-on at the Apprentice Studio and learn how to sculpt, make pottery or paint while the kiddos create artwork in the kids crafts area.

Flying Autumn Skies: Plano Balloon Festival

Marvel as dozens of colorful hot-air balloons take to the Plano skies during the Plano Balloon Festival, held on the second to last weekend in September. The festival kicks off in Oak Point Park on Friday night with Balloon Glow, when pilots light their burners simultaneously, illuminating the balloons for a dramatic display against the night sky. This 3-day event includes balloon lift-offs in the morning and evening, as well as live music, and Saturday night fireworks.

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