THINGS TO DO

A veteran fan’s guide to attending March Madness in person
by Joey Held
basketball | Community | CULTURE | ENTERTAINMENT | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | local | Local news | locals | March Madness | OPINION | recreation | SPORTS | STATE | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO

Meet the Texas teams playing in March Madness
by Joey Held
central texas | Community | CULTURE | East Texas | FAMILY | family friendly | HARDGATE | HTX | LIFESTYLE | Local news | News | North Texas | recreation | south texas | SPORTS | STATE | TEXAS | Texas A&M | Texas Tech University

Here’s why the Frisco RoughRiders attract so many fans (& why you should become one!)
baseball | Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW-hardgate | ENTERTAINMENT | frisco | Frisco RoughRiders | LIFESTYLE | SPORTS

The 8 coolest sleepaway summer camps near DFW are filling up fast!
by Sydni Ellis
DALLAS | denton | DFW | DFW Lead Story | DFW-hardgate | EDUCATION | FORT WORTH | fun | graford | granbury | North Texas | outdoor recreation | outdoors | paradise | people with disabilities | Rocksprings | sleepaway camps | summer camps | tyler | Van

It’s National Blood Donor Month: Here’s where to give blood in DFW
by Sydni Ellis
| January 20, 2026
Addison | Allen | Arlington | Community | DALLAS | denton | DFW | DFW Lead Story | DFW-hardgate | donate blood | frisco | give blood | HEALTH | irving | LIFESTYLE | McKinney | National Blood Donor Month | nonprofits | plano | THINGS TO DO
Discover where to give blood in Dallas-Forth Worth during National Blood Donor Month in January (and beyond!).

Budget-friendly grocery stores worth knowing in Dallas–Fort Worth
by Stacy Rounds
| January 15, 2026
Affordability | DFW | DFW-hardgate | food | food & drink | food resources | grocery | GROWTH | SNAP | TEXAS
When times get really tough, we are lucky enough to have a number of money-saving grocery stores spread across DFW. Here are some budget grocery stores worth checking out.

Locally owned grocery stores that support Dallas–Fort Worth communities
by Stacy Rounds
| January 15, 2026
Affordability | DALLAS | DFW | DFW-hardgate | FAMILY | food and drink | grocery | GROWTH | shop local | SNAP
These five locally owned grocery stores and small chains across Dallas–Fort Worth share a commitment to serving our North Texas communities.

Dallas’ Starship Bagel takes breakfast to another planet
by Joi Louviere
| January 12, 2026
Award-winning bagels in Dallas? Who would have thought it?

How & where to give back on MLK Day in DFW
by Sydni Ellis
| January 12, 2026
Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | EDUCATION | FAMILY | family friendly | HARDGATE | HOLIDAYS | MLK Day | North Texas | THINGS TO DO | volunteering
Volunteer your time, donate money, and learn more about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this MLK Day in North Texas.

The history of HALL Park (+ the top 7 sculptures you’ll find there)
by Joey Held
| January 12, 2026
CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | ENTERTAINMENT | frisco | HALL park | LIFESTYLE | public art | sculpture | TEXAS HISTORY | THINGS TO DO
Spanning 162 acres, there’s plenty to see at HALL Park, including hundreds of impressive sculptures and works of art from local and national creators.

7 Texas organizations to support during National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month
by Joey Held
| January 9, 2026
austin | central texas | Community | CULTURE | FAMILY | FORT WORTH | HARDGATE | LIFESTYLE | SAFETY | TEXAS | THINGS TO DO | volunteers
National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month seeks to bring awareness to a very real problem. Here’s how Texans can make a difference.

Music to the ear: Your ultimate guide to Texas music festivals
by Sierra Rozen
| January 8, 2026
austin | houston livestock show and rodeo | live music venue | music | state fair of texas | TEXAS | Texas Lead Story | THINGS TO DO
As a state bursting at the seams with different cultures, it’s no wonder that Texas music festivals are so diverse when it comes to genres. From the thumping bass of EDM to the guitar twang found in folk, there’s a festival for every ear and every type of music in the Lone Star State.

Plano native Amber Glenn carries hometown hopes into Olympic qualifiers
by Sam Cohen
| January 7, 2026
2026 winter olympics | amber glenn | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW Lead Story | DFW-hardgate | ENTERTAINMENT | figure skating | LIFESTYLE | plano | SPORTS | TEXAS
26-year-old Amber Glenn has her eyes set on the 2026 Winter Olympics. She’s due to compete in qualifying events in St. Louis.

9 spring & summer festivals in DFW to look forward to
by Sydni Ellis
| January 7, 2026
Community | CULTURE | DALLAS | DFW | DFW-hardgate | ENTERTAINMENT | FAMILY | food and drink | FORT WORTH | HOLIDAYS | LIFESTYLE | music | outdoor recreation | outdoors | TEXAS
With beautiful flowers, delicious food, wonderful music, and fantastic fireworks, you won’t want to miss these 10 upcoming festivals in DFW.

Trying out Dry January? Find a mocktail at one of these 14 Texas spots
by Sierra Rozen
| January 6, 2026
Did you know that Dry January, the alcohol-free phenomenon that takes the world by storm at the beginning of the year, started across the pond in the UK?

Arlington’s annual Christkindl Christmas market is now open
| December 23, 2025
Texas honors the famous Christmas markets of Germany with this Christkindl pop-up, each year in Arlington. The market is open daily, now through Dec. 23, with evening visits promising festive lights and even a chance of snow.
You’ll find spiced nuts, candles, jewelry, delicious flower wine, (yes! No grapes, just flowers) and more ornaments than you’ll know what to do with.
There’s free parking in a Texas Rangers lot and no entry fee. It’s an easy yes!





