When it comes to listening to live music, there are a lot of great venues to see huge arena shows, and others that are great for small intimate shows. However, the DFW area also has a large number of amazing outdoor live music venues, and during the warm spring, summer and fall months, there isn’t anything much better than seeing a fantastic concert outside under the stars. Here is a look at the best outdoor music venues in the DFW area.
Strauss Square At AT&T Performing Arts Center
2403 Flora St.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 880-0202
attpac.orgFor a classy night out at an outdoor music venue, head on over to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and see a show at the Strauss Square. While the Winspear Opera House garners most of the publicity, Strauss Square offers some fantastic music under the stars with the skyscrapers of Dallas as a perfect backdrop. This venue holds over 2,000 people and is an amphitheater that will play some of the most entertaining and eclectic concerts in the DFW area. Most of the concerts at this venue are BYOB, which is another plus for fans wanting to see music under the stars.
2403 Flora St.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 880-0202
attpac.orgFor a classy night out at an outdoor music venue, head on over to the AT&T Performing Arts Center, and see a show at the Strauss Square. While the Winspear Opera House garners most of the publicity, Strauss Square offers some fantastic music under the stars with the skyscrapers of Dallas as a perfect backdrop. This venue holds over 2,000 people and is an amphitheater that will play some of the most entertaining and eclectic concerts in the DFW area. Most of the concerts at this venue are BYOB, which is another plus for fans wanting to see music under the stars.
Club Dada
2720 Elm St.
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-5105
dadadallas.comClub Dada is another indoor music venue with some great intimate shows almost every night that they are open. However, this Deep Ellum hot spot also has the back patio offering some of the hottest shows in the DFW area. These concerts are late night shows that any local music lover will enjoy seeing under the stars. Club Dada is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. The club offers great drink specials and is one of the best concert venues in Deep Ellum.
2720 Elm St.
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 748-5105
dadadallas.comClub Dada is another indoor music venue with some great intimate shows almost every night that they are open. However, this Deep Ellum hot spot also has the back patio offering some of the hottest shows in the DFW area. These concerts are late night shows that any local music lover will enjoy seeing under the stars. Club Dada is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. The club offers great drink specials and is one of the best concert venues in Deep Ellum.
Panther Island Pavilion
1098 W Peach St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 698-0700
pantherislandpavilion.comThe Panther Island Pavilion is in downtown Fort Worth, and the entire place feels like a breath of fresh air with part of the Trinity River actually flowing through the outdoor music venue. This venue holds some great music festivals throughout the year and offers both local acts and some of the bigger traveling national acts for festivals. If a person thinks that bringing an inner tube and floating in the river while listening to music is fun, this is a perfect destination for that. Don’t miss the Rockin’ the River music series each year.
1098 W Peach St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 698-0700
pantherislandpavilion.comThe Panther Island Pavilion is in downtown Fort Worth, and the entire place feels like a breath of fresh air with part of the Trinity River actually flowing through the outdoor music venue. This venue holds some great music festivals throughout the year and offers both local acts and some of the bigger traveling national acts for festivals. If a person thinks that bringing an inner tube and floating in the river while listening to music is fun, this is a perfect destination for that. Don’t miss the Rockin’ the River music series each year.
Related: Best Music Venues In DFW
Gexa Energy Pavilion
1818 First Ave.
Dallas, TX 75210
(800) 745-3000
gexaenergypavilion.netThis former Starplex is a giant concrete jungle that has general admission lawn seats for most concerts, as well as premium seats for those who want to pay a bit more. However, the Gexa Energy Pavilion is an outdoor music venue that has something none of the others possess. This venue is where the biggest concerts in Dallas arrive if they are just a little too small for the American Airlines Center. The Gexaplex is where fans can see performers like Marilyn Manson and Slipknot, Jason Aldean and the Dixie Chicks.
1818 First Ave.
Dallas, TX 75210
(800) 745-3000
gexaenergypavilion.netThis former Starplex is a giant concrete jungle that has general admission lawn seats for most concerts, as well as premium seats for those who want to pay a bit more. However, the Gexa Energy Pavilion is an outdoor music venue that has something none of the others possess. This venue is where the biggest concerts in Dallas arrive if they are just a little too small for the American Airlines Center. The Gexaplex is where fans can see performers like Marilyn Manson and Slipknot, Jason Aldean and the Dixie Chicks.
Levitt Pavilion
505 E Border St.
Arlington, TX 76010
(817) 543-4307
levittpavilionarlington.orgWhile the Levitt Pavilion is smaller and more intimate than a place like the Gexa Energy Pavilion, the venue is also much friendlier of an outdoor music venue for people looking for an amazing show. This pavilion holds about 3,500 people and has concert seasons in the summer and fall. Almost all the concerts here are free of charge, allowing fans to bring their own lawn chairs. The site is also BYOB to save even more money. There are even bigger national bands that play here, such as Soul Asylum, as well as more local regional acts. The Levitt Pavilion is probably Arlington’s best kept secret.
505 E Border St.
Arlington, TX 76010
(817) 543-4307
levittpavilionarlington.orgWhile the Levitt Pavilion is smaller and more intimate than a place like the Gexa Energy Pavilion, the venue is also much friendlier of an outdoor music venue for people looking for an amazing show. This pavilion holds about 3,500 people and has concert seasons in the summer and fall. Almost all the concerts here are free of charge, allowing fans to bring their own lawn chairs. The site is also BYOB to save even more money. There are even bigger national bands that play here, such as Soul Asylum, as well as more local regional acts. The Levitt Pavilion is probably Arlington’s best kept secret.
Shawn S. Lealos is a freelance writer who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism. He writes for a variety of national publications and has over 15 years of sports journalism experience. Follow Shawn on Twitter @sslealos. Examiner.com.
