Unique North Texas events this weekend: March 4-5

Repticon – Grapevine

Learn about the wide world of scaly and slithery pets at the Grapevine Convention Center this weekend during Repticon. The convention, running until 4:00 p.m. on March 4 and 5, hosts a number of reptile vendors from around the state and beyond selling pets and supplies. There will also be demonstrations and seminars for those attendees interested in learning more about some of the reptiles on-hand. Full-day pass tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children ages 5-12. Children under 4 years old get in for free. Visit https://repticon.com/texas/dallas/ or the Grapevine city website for more information.

TEXFest – Carrollton

On the heels of Texas Independence Day, head to historic downtown Carrollton for a true Texas-themed celebration at TEXFest on March 4. From 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., grab food from one of more than a dozen area vendors and drinks from over 20 local craft beer vendors at the festival’s beer garden while enjoying a full slate of free live musical performances. There will also be a mechanical bull, yard games, a photo booth and Texas trivia among other activities. Head to the city of Carrollton’s website for additional information, including a full list of food and drink vendors.

Monster Jam – Arlington

The roar of some mighty and monstrous engines will emanate from AT&T Stadium when Monster Jam revs up for a night of massive motorsports action. On March 4, the popular monster truck series returns to Arlington with a dozen trucks, including the iconic Grave Digger and the brand-new ThunderROARus, among other popular fan favorites. The event begins at 2:30 p.m. with a Pit Party featuring inflatable slides, RC truck racing, a variety of photo opportunities and a chance to see how the monster trucks can withstand the tremendous trials of competition. Later that evening, trackside opens at 6:00 p.m. with driver interviews, giveaways and opening ceremonies before Monster Jam begins in full at 7:00 p.m. Pit pass tickets start at $40, while Monster Jam tickets start at $28. Race to the Monster Jam website to find out more.

Dragons and Mythical Beasts Live on Stage – Coppell

Take a mythical journey to a world of magic and legend at the Coppell Arts Center this weekend for “Dragons and Mythical Beasts.” The award-winning live stage show uses enchanting, practically larger-than-life puppetry to weave a tale filled with mystical creatures like unicorns, griffins, trolls and more. Tickets for the family-friendly show, which runs at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on March 4, start at $32 before fees. Journey to https://www.dragonsandbeastslive.com/ and etix to discover more.

Dallas Festival of Colors – Holi Mela – Parker

Head to the bright and beautiful Dallas Festival of Colors – Holi Mela at Southfork Ranch on March 4. There will be a number of stage performances, a live DJ playing chart-topping hits along with traditional cultural music and a variety of food and drink options. The festival has also brought in around 10,000 pounds of colored powder this year for the tosses themselves, scheduled for every half hour at the event. The Dallas Festival of Colors runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with presale general admission starting at $15 before fees. College students can also receive free admission with a valid student ID. Head to https://www.dallasfestivalofcolors.com/ for more information and check out the Collin-Denton Spotlighter’s feature story on the festival here.

North Texas Irish Festival – Dallas

Fair Park in Dallas hosts this year’s North Texas Irish Festival, a truly expansive celebration with everything from live Celtic music and dance to storytelling performances and live cooking demonstrations. The festival, hosted by the Southwest Celtic Music Association nonprofit, even includes whiskey tastings along with equestrian and sheep-herding performances. To learn more about all of the intriguing events happening at the festival, go to https://www.ntif.org/ where you’ll find a complete list of performers. Single-day tickets start at $15 for March 3 and $25 for March 4 or 5 and are available through the Fair Park ticket site.