Vacant, District

Special Events Supervisor Arianna.bencid@cityofdenton.com (940) 349-8546

Special Events Coordinator Tori.hill@cityofdenton.com (940) 349-8272

Co Sponsorship

The City of Denton provides sponsorship funds to support non-profit and civic-minded programs and organizations which further a charitable cause, economic or community growth or serve a public interest. The use of sponsorship funds will be in the best interest of the general welfare of the City of Denton and ensure the City receives a return benefit. The application period is scheduled to open in June 2023 for events between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. Special Event Permit

Hosting a special event in Denton? Our staff are here to help event organizers through the city permitting process by providing necessary requirements and guidelines.

A special event refers to a temporary event, gathering, or organized activity, including but not limited to parades, bike races, fun runs, block parties, parking lot events, concerts, carnivals, or festivals involving 200 or more attendees.

Permit Process Includes: 1. Review the permit criteria and confirm your event 2. Secure event date 3. Submit a special event permit application 4. Application assesment and approval process 5. Application approval, denial, and/or revocation

For questions or inquiries call (940) 349-7275 or visit our website at www.dentonparks.com

upcoming special events

DECEMBER 9 Holiday Movie in the Park, Featuring Elf

Bring a blanket or chairs to sit on the lawn! Enjoy pre-show activities starting at 6 p.m. Food trucks will be onsite to purchase yummy treats. Quakertown Park (South) | 6- 9 p.m. Free to attend

DECEMBER 10 Breakfast with the Grinch

Children and parents come spend time with the Grinch for a wonderful wintry breakfast. Don’t miss the opportunity to take a photo with The Grinch. MLK Jr. Rec Center | 10 a.m.- Noon $5 entry fee (includes a photo and breakfast) $2 per extra photo

DECEMBER 17 Wreaths Across America Ceremony

This year Denton Parks and Recreation will participate in Wreaths Across America with the intention of remembering and honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms of this country. Volunteers will be placing wreaths on the graves of our veterans. Oakwood Cemetery | 11 a.m. Free to attend

DECEMBER 17 Cookie and Cocoa To-Go

Drive through event, serving up individually wrapped cookies and hot cocoa. This is a first-come, first-served event. Drive up, and we will hand you the goodies – no need to get out of the car! Denia Rec Center | 4 p.m. Free to attend

JANUARY 16 MLK Jr. Day Celebration

The program will feature a speaker from the DAVID Ministerial Alliance, presentation of the Catherine C. Bell Award, entertainment and more. This year’s theme is inspired by Dr. King’s writing, “Why We Can’t Wait”. MLK Jr. Rec Center | 3:30-6 p.m. Free to attend

FEBRUARY 6-14 Valentine Yard Card Delivery

Show love to your friends, neighbors or that special someone by scheduling a “yard card” delivery. Handwritten cards will also be delivered to reveal who this special delivery is from. For an additional fee, you can also send chocolates and balloons. Available to Denton residents only. Note: Yard card designs are chosen at random.

FEBRUARY 10 My Little Valentine Family Dance

This family dance is a wonderful chance to celebrate with the ones you love for Valentine’s Day. There will be a DJ, photo op station, themed activities, light refreshments, and a complimentary candy bar. Glow items and roses will be available for purchase. Also, check out the Sweetheart Ball on page 30 for Adpated Recreation! Denton Civic Center | 6-8 p.m. $10 per person, children under 2 free to attend

FEBRUARY 25 Black History Month Celebration

Celebrate Cultural Diversity in Denton. The national theme is “Black Resistance” and the keynote speaker is Patrick Powers, DISD educator and motivational speaker. Come enjoy the exploration of the triumphs of Africans/African Americans in our history while enjoying snippets of culture; such as music, poetry and more. MLK Jr. Rec Center | 10 a.m.- Noon Free to attend

partnered events

JANUARY 25-29 Denton Black Film Festival Hosted by Denton Black Film Festival Institute

Each festival, held annually in January, features Black cinema, music, art, spoken word, comedy, food, and fashion. The Denton Black Film Festival creates a space where a minority culture can be a majority experience, stories on the margins are given center stage, and the Black experience is valued, validated, and celebrated. www.dentonbff.com Denton Civic Center

MARCH 13-17 Shamrock Treasure Hunt in the Park

Can you find the treasure at the end of the rainbow? Each day, March 13 through the 17, we will go to a new park and hide pots of gold! Look for location clues on our social media pages, find the pots of gold and take them to the Denton Civic Center for a prize basket. Denton Civic Center Free to attend

APRIL 6 Teen Twilight Egg Hunt

Enjoy candy, prizes and a fun night with friends. Event begins at 7 p.m. with outdoor games, food trucks and more. Registration for the hunt begins at 7:45 p.m. and the outside hunt begins at 8 p.m. or sunset. Teens need to bring a flashlight and basket or bucket to participate. Denia Sports Complex| 7-9 p.m. Free to attend

APRIL 8 Easter Eggstravaganza & Egg Hunt

Hop on over for an Eggstravaganza of bounce houses, food vendors, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and over 40,000 eggs! Best of all, the Easter Bunny will be there for FREE pictures- just bring your cell phone or camera! Don’t forget to bring your favorite basket from home for the egg hunt! Quakertown Park & Denton Civic Center| 9 a.m.-Noon Free to attend

MARCH 9-12 Tejas Storytelling Festival Hosted by Tejas Storytelling Association

The Tejas Storytelling Festival features three-and-half days of stories that will feed your mind, heart, and soul. Featured tellers Elizabeth Ellis, Sheila Arnold, Bernadette Nason, Joe Hayes, and Colin Urwin! Performances include ghost stories, liars’ contest, story SLAM, sacred tales concert, story swaps, kids’s activities, music, workshops and more. www.tejasstorytelling.com/ Denton Civic Center

APRIL 15 Denton Dash for Public Schools Hosted by Denton ISD Council of PTAs

Join the Denton Independent School District Council of PTA’s for the 11th Annual Denton Dash 5K Run/Walk and help raise funds for Denton ISD Senior Scholarships. www.dentonisdpta.org South Lakes Park

APRIL 30 Touch a Truck Hosted by Explorium Denton Children’s Museum

Touch-A-Truck is a community wide event which involves public and private entities offering a unique opportunity to allow children of all ages to explore vehicles of all types: public service, emergency, utility, construction, landscaping, transportation and delivery trucks. Children will be allowed to touch, climb on and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment. www.exploriumdenton.org CH Collins Athletic Complex