Denton County Transportation Authority The Denton Black Chamber of Commerce will host its Denton Blues Fest this September at Quakertown Park. The event features music, a Blues Idol contest and Apollo Night for the children.
Oaktopia Music & Cultural Festival — September 2014 www.oaktopiafest.com This event is in just its second year, but the innagural festival — held in downtown Denton this past September — was an instant attraction for serious music fans and festival lovers. Oaktopia offers everything from live music to art, competitions and events and a wide assortment of community vendors. Canned Festival — October 2014 www.untappedfestival.com This is one of the newer festivals in the area and will take over the square for one day in October. Those who put on the event are passionate about great music and even better bear; the festival website says the event will feature over 30 breweries and 50-plus beers. Visitors will have the chance to sample a wide range of these amazing beers while listening to cool tunes and eating free barbecue. Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival — October 2014 www.dentondayofthedeadfestival.com Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival is typically held on the last Saturday in October on Hickory and Industrial Street. The event is a celebration of all things Halloween with music, a pumpkin patch, carnival games and a circus freak show to name just a few of the latest attractions. One of the biggest, however, is the coffin races. Competing teams race with
A-train
draw record attendance numbers. It is held during the last full week of April at Denton’s Quakertown Park and features over 2,000 professional and amateur performers on six stages and showcases continuous music, fine art, crafts, food and games. Headliners from the 2014 event were Al Jarreau, The Quebe Sisters Band, Asleep at the Wheel and Brave Combo.
soapbox cars shaped like coffins down Hickory Street. The event is free to the public and a portion of the sponsorships are donated to local charity. Holiday Lighting Festival of Denton — December 2014 www.dentonholidaylighting.co m Located on the Courthouse Square, this event includes the famed lighting of the Christmas Tree on the historic courthouse lawn, visits with Santa, horsedrawn carriage rides, a children’s arts and crafts area and live music. The Wassail Fest is also typically held in conjunction with the holiday festival.
Thin Line — February 2015 www.thinlinefilmfest.com Thin Line is a five-day documentary film festival and is the only one of its kind in Texas. This past year marked the first time festival officials incorporated music gigs into the traditional film schedule, staging events at multiple downtown venues — all within walking distance — in addition to daytime and early evening documentary
screenings at the Campus Theatre and the Fine Arts Theatre near and on the downtown square. The festival has become a popular attraction since its start in 2007 and brings together more than 60 documentary films, some of which are related to Denton and made by local filmmakers.
35 Denton — March 2015 www.35denton.com After taking a year off, 35 Denton returns in 2015 with its own colorful music blend of experimental, rock, pop, indie and hip hop. The four-day walkable music festival — which has gained international attention — has always set up shop in downtown Denton, but there is talk of possibly moving it to another site. Either way, it’s a must-see event and has featured groups like The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Mountain Goats, Best Coast, The Flaming Lips and Reggie Watts. Denton Arts & Jazz Festival — April 2015 www.dentonjazzfest.com This free event continues to
Denton Redbud Festival — April 2015 www.kdb.org This is another must-see event, even if it’s a bit longer walk to the Denton Civic Center. Denton is known as the Redbud Capital of Texas and this event happens to coincide with the blooming of the Redbuds. Visitors who are avid home and garden enthusiasts will love the shows, booths and educational programs held during this one-day event. Denton Cinco De Mayo — May 2015 www.dentoncinco.org or www.dentonparks.com This is a must-see celebration of the cultural traditions, songs, dances and food of the Hispanic community. The event is heading into its 26th year and is held at Quakertown Park on East McKinney Street, though the parade route flows thru the square. Activities include live bands, concession stands and picnic areas. Juneteenth Celebration — June 2015 www.dentonjune teenth.org For those who don’t mind a bit longer walk, the annual Juneteenth Celebration is a two-day event held at Fred Moore Park off Bradshaw and East Prairie Street. It features a live band, softball and basketball tournaments, a parade and a barbecue cook-off.
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