With the New Year comes many new opportunities. Among them are chances to explore all that Downtown Dallas has to offer. From a smashing Broadway hit show to the ever-changing Victory Park, our city’s cultural and economic vitality shows no signs of diminishing. These five must-attend 2018 events provide proof of that.
First up is the national tour of the breakout Broadway show “Hamilton,” which will finally grace the Dallas stage during 2018-2019 season. A major score for the Dallas Summer Musicals‘ 2018-2019 season, these local performances will be taking place against the unique, Art Deco backdrop of Fair Park’s majestic Music Hall. Although official dates have yet to be announced, tickets promise to be difficult to acquire. If you want to reserve a seat for this inspiring, hip-hop-influenced take on the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, it’s best to consider purchasing a season subscription.
Moving from history to the realms of fantasy, LeakyCon will also be heading to Dallas in 2018. This international convention is dedicated to all things Harry Potter. Special guests, spectacular performances and discussion panels will combine to celebrate the story of “The Boy Who Lived,” Aug. 10 to Aug. 12 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. The first two rounds of ticket sales have already sold out, but whether a wave of your magic wand snags you one or not, make sure to stop by and at least get a look at the costumes.
LeakyCon is relatively new to the city’s calendar. However, the AT&T Byron Nelson is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. And, coinciding with that occasion, this PGA tournament is moving much closer to Downtown Dallas — about 10 minutes away, to be exact. The Trinity Forest Golf Course will be hosting “The Byron” from May 16 – 20. If you’ve never attended, grab your favorite golf shirt and lock down your spot with a daily grounds ticket (cost: $45).
Once the kids are out of school, be sure to add the Perot Museum of Nature and Science to your list of summer destinations. Starting in late June and running through early 2019, the groundbreaking “Ultimate Dinosaurs” exhibit will showcase a new breed of dinosaurs that evolved in isolation across Africa, Madagascar and South America. Many of these fossils have never been displayed in North America. Adding to the excitement, “Ultimate Dinosaurs” will also feature hands-on activities and augmented reality technology that will help bring these strange, magnificent creatures back to life.
Finally, before the year’s finished, you have to make a trip to Victory Park — if for no other reason than to see if you still recognize the area. The Victory Park development is just now hitting its stride and has experienced massive growth over the last several months. It will be welcoming plenty of new tenants in 2018 as well. No less than eight restaurants are currently scheduled to start serving diners there next year, with one of them being a 24,000-square-foot eatery and entertainment concept created by 8020 Hospitality. Other highlights of the “new” Victory Park will include an eight-screen movie theater, office spaces, art installations and more.
There’s more to see and do in Dallas than ever in 2018, and it would be a shame to miss out on any of these opportunities to celebrate our great city. Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter and let us know what you’re most looking forward to doing and seeing in and around Downtown next year.