Best events in
University Park

There is no shortage of events and things to do in University Park, TX. The local scene is a unique mix of Southern Methodist University's cultural and athletic calendar and family-friendly community gatherings in its parks and plazas. While the area maintains a quieter, residential feel, its proximity to Dallas proper gives easy access to a wider range of entertainment.

Head to the walkable Snider Plaza, the city's commercial heart, for community celebrations like the annual Holiday Tree Lighting or to find a cafe before an evening event.
The Southern Methodist University campus is a hub for activity, hosting lectures at the George W. Bush Presidential Center and performances at McFarlin Memorial Auditorium.
Community traditions bring residents together, from the annual Park Cities parade to movie nights at the Holmes Aquatic Center.

autocomplete

Popular in University Park

Explore more events

2026 Christian Leadership Breakfast

Fri, Oct 16 • 8:30 AM

Moody Family YMCA

Check ticket price on event

2026 Public Scholar Lecture

Tue, Oct 20 • 12:00 PM

Fincher Building

Check ticket price on event

Bill McKibben on Heat, Climate and Clean Energy

Wed, Oct 21 • 6:30 PM

First Unitarian Church of Dallas

Check ticket price on event

Aya Medical Spa Provider Meet and Greet

Thu, Oct 29 • 4:00 PM

AYA Medical Spa Dallas - University Park

Check ticket price on event

The Fresh Challenge of Romans with N.T. Wright

Sun, Nov 1 • 6:00 PM

3933 Northwest Pkwy

Check ticket price on event

Mind & Machine at SMU: The Economics of AI

Wed, Nov 11 • 3:00 PM

Cox School of Business

Check ticket price on event

Dallas Housing Coalition 3rd Annual Housing Summit

Fri, Nov 20 • 8:30 AM

Highland Park United Methodist Church

Check ticket price on event

Holiday in Blue at Southern Methodist McFarlin Memorial Auditorium

Sun, Dec 6 • 7:00 PM

McFarlin Auditorium

Check ticket price on event

2026 Christian Leadership Breakfast

Fri, Oct 16 • 8:30 AM

Moody Family YMCA

Check ticket price on event

2026 Public Scholar Lecture

Tue, Oct 20 • 12:00 PM

Fincher Building

Check ticket price on event

Bill McKibben on Heat, Climate and Clean Energy

Wed, Oct 21 • 6:30 PM

First Unitarian Church of Dallas

Check ticket price on event

Aya Medical Spa Provider Meet and Greet

Thu, Oct 29 • 4:00 PM

AYA Medical Spa Dallas - University Park

Check ticket price on event

The Fresh Challenge of Romans with N.T. Wright

Sun, Nov 1 • 6:00 PM

3933 Northwest Pkwy

Check ticket price on event

Mind & Machine at SMU: The Economics of AI

Wed, Nov 11 • 3:00 PM

Cox School of Business

Check ticket price on event

Dallas Housing Coalition 3rd Annual Housing Summit

Fri, Nov 20 • 8:30 AM

Highland Park United Methodist Church

Check ticket price on event

Holiday in Blue at Southern Methodist McFarlin Memorial Auditorium

Sun, Dec 6 • 7:00 PM

McFarlin Auditorium

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Online Events

Explore more events

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thursday • 1:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Sat, Oct 24 • 11:30 AM GMT+4

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

HBR Book Webinar: Resilient Optimism

Thursday • 1:00 PM GMT+1

Check ticket price on event

Coming Together for Multilingual Children with DLD

Thu, Oct 22 • 6:00 PM GMT+2

Check ticket price on event

Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2026

Sat, Oct 24 • 11:30 AM GMT+4

Check ticket price on event

(ONLINE) Women on the Move with Ann Patchett

Tue, Oct 27 • 11:30 AM EDT

Check ticket price on event

Witch hunts and real lives

Fri, Oct 30 • 2:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

No Title, No Permission, No Problem: Harnessing the Power of Influence

Thu, Nov 5 • 1:00 PM GMT

Check ticket price on event

Lean Global Connection 2026

Thu, Nov 12 • 2:00 PM UTC

Check ticket price on event

Washington Crossing the Delaware / The Crossing - Film History Livestream

Sat, Dec 19 • 8:00 PM EST

Check ticket price on event

Explore more events

Business & Professional events

CEO SUMMIT/Luncheon Workshop

Monday • 12:00 PM

Maggiano's Little Italy

Check ticket price on event

PMI PMP® & CAPM® Certification Training With Exam in Dallas

Tuesday • 9:00 AM + 20 more

8117 Preston Rd Suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Lean Six Sigma Yellow, Green & Black Belt Training Program in Dallas

Tuesday • 9:00 AM + 22 more

8117 Preston Rd Suite 300

Check ticket price on event

PMP Certification In-Person Training in Dallas, TX

Mon, Oct 19 • 9:00 AM + 8 more

8117 Preston Rd suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Dallas CAPM Certification | 4-Day Exam Prep Bootcamp with Guarantee

Tue, Oct 20 • 9:00 AM + 5 more

8117 Preston Rd suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Discover Dispute Resolution

Sat, Oct 24 • 11:30 AM

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall

Check ticket price on event

Salesforce Administrator Training in Dallas with Trailhead and Practicals

Wed, Oct 28 • 9:00 AM + 2 more

8117 Preston Rd suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Mind & Machine at SMU: The Economics of AI

Wed, Nov 11 • 3:00 PM

Cox School of Business

Check ticket price on event

CEO SUMMIT/Luncheon Workshop

Monday • 12:00 PM

Maggiano's Little Italy

Check ticket price on event

PMI PMP® & CAPM® Certification Training With Exam in Dallas

Tuesday • 9:00 AM + 20 more

8117 Preston Rd Suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Lean Six Sigma Yellow, Green & Black Belt Training Program in Dallas

Tuesday • 9:00 AM + 22 more

8117 Preston Rd Suite 300

Check ticket price on event

PMP Certification In-Person Training in Dallas, TX

Mon, Oct 19 • 9:00 AM + 8 more

8117 Preston Rd suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Dallas CAPM Certification | 4-Day Exam Prep Bootcamp with Guarantee

Tue, Oct 20 • 9:00 AM + 5 more

8117 Preston Rd suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Discover Dispute Resolution

Sat, Oct 24 • 11:30 AM

Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall

Check ticket price on event

Salesforce Administrator Training in Dallas with Trailhead and Practicals

Wed, Oct 28 • 9:00 AM + 2 more

8117 Preston Rd suite 300

Check ticket price on event

Mind & Machine at SMU: The Economics of AI

Wed, Nov 11 • 3:00 PM

Cox School of Business

Check ticket price on event

From nearby cities

Afro Fest Dallas Tech Day

Fri, Oct 16 • 5:00 PM

University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management

Check ticket price on event

Dallas Soul Food Festival

Sun, Oct 18 • 12:00 PM

Lofty Spaces

Check ticket price on event

Bestselling Author Ana Huang In Conversation with Ali Hazelwood

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM

Half Price Books

Check ticket price on event

HAUNTED HOTEL MEGA HALLOWEEN BASH

Sat, Oct 31 • 10:00 PM

Aloft Dallas Love Field

Check ticket price on event

Nightmare on 1911 Street

Sat, Oct 31 • 9:00 PM

Stone Water Restaurant & Entertainment

Check ticket price on event

PlanNet Marketing Dallas 11 Year Anniversary

Sat, Oct 31 • 10:00 AM

Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria

Check ticket price on event

The Village Presents: Nightmare on Main Street Halloween Block Party

Sat, Oct 31 • 8:00 PM

The Village Dallas

Check ticket price on event

Grand Return of the Forest Theater

Sun, Nov 1 • 5:30 PM

1918 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Check ticket price on event

Afro Fest Dallas Tech Day

Fri, Oct 16 • 5:00 PM

University of Texas at Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management

Check ticket price on event

Dallas Soul Food Festival

Sun, Oct 18 • 12:00 PM

Lofty Spaces

Check ticket price on event

Bestselling Author Ana Huang In Conversation with Ali Hazelwood

Tue, Oct 27 • 6:30 PM

Half Price Books

Check ticket price on event

HAUNTED HOTEL MEGA HALLOWEEN BASH

Sat, Oct 31 • 10:00 PM

Aloft Dallas Love Field

Check ticket price on event

Nightmare on 1911 Street

Sat, Oct 31 • 9:00 PM

Stone Water Restaurant & Entertainment

Check ticket price on event

PlanNet Marketing Dallas 11 Year Anniversary

Sat, Oct 31 • 10:00 AM

Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria

Check ticket price on event

The Village Presents: Nightmare on Main Street Halloween Block Party

Sat, Oct 31 • 8:00 PM

The Village Dallas

Check ticket price on event

Grand Return of the Forest Theater

Sun, Nov 1 • 5:30 PM

1918 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Check ticket price on event

Frequently asked questions about University Park

Where can I find live music events in University Park?

The Barley House near the SMU campus is a reliable spot for live music in a relaxed setting. This bar and restaurant features a regular rotation of performers, making it a go-to for a low-key evening out without venturing far from the neighborhood.

What are some family-friendly things to do in the area?

University Park offers great family-friendly events, especially in its local parks. Look for the Children's Fishing Derby held twice a year in Caruth Park or the free Movie in the Park series hosted each spring by the city.

Are there free community events in University Park?

Yes, the community hosts several free public events. The Parks and Recreation Department's Movie in the Park is a popular free gathering, as is the annual Park Cities parade that runs through the neighborhood.

What is the nightlife scene like in University Park?

The local nightlife is generally relaxed, centered on happy hours and neighborhood bars like The Barley House. For more energetic late-night scenes, residents often head to adjacent entertainment districts in Dallas for a wider variety of options.

Which places host art and cultural events?

The SMU campus is the primary center for arts and cultural events in the area. The Meadows Museum focuses on Spanish art and offers public programs, while McFarlin Memorial Auditorium hosts a wide variety of concerts and lectures for the community.

How can I find date night ideas in University Park?

A classic date night could involve dinner in Snider Plaza followed by a performance. Check the schedules for McFarlin Memorial Auditorium for concerts or comedy shows, or look for lectures at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

What kind of outdoor events does University Park have?

Local parks are the best places for outdoor community activities. Williams Park and Caruth Park host recurring gatherings like movie nights and fishing derbies, while the Holmes Aquatic Center offers its Dive-In-Movies program.

Are events on the SMU campus open to the public?

Many events at Southern Methodist University are open to the wider community. Venues like Moody Coliseum, McFarlin Memorial Auditorium, and the Meadows Museum regularly host public performances, exhibitions, and speakers.