Memorial Day weekend in Dallas offers a variety of cost-saving opportunities and community events for residents and visitors. Several local organizations, businesses, and cultural institutions provide complimentary admission, food, and entertainment to honor the holiday. The following guide details specific free offers available during the 2018 Memorial Day weekend, ranging from museum admissions to outdoor concerts and culinary experiences.
Cultural and Museum Free Admission
A significant component of the 2018 Memorial Day freebies in Dallas involves access to cultural institutions. The Blue Star Museums program, a nationwide initiative, offers free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families. Beginning Memorial Day weekend, four Dallas museums participated in the 10th summer of this program, which ran through Labor Day, September 2, 2019. The participating Dallas museums included the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance, the Frontiers of Flight Museum, the Museum of Geometric & MADI Art, and the Nasher Sculpture Center.
In addition to the Blue Star Museums initiative, military personnel and their families were eligible for free admission to four additional Dallas museums that offer free general admission to all visitors year-round. While the specific names of these four museums are not detailed in the source material, the participation highlights a broader commitment to honoring service members.
The Dallas Arboretum also extended a specific invitation to military personnel and first responders for the 2018 Memorial Day Weekend. Active duty members, veterans, and first responders received free admission to the main garden. To access this offer, military members and first responders were required to provide valid photo ID. The Arboretum complemented this offer with a program titled "For the Love of Music," featuring live music each afternoon from Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28. On Memorial Day itself, the venue offered face painting and a petting zoo in the Pecan Grove, along with two-dollar hot dogs and root beer floats.
Food and Beverage Promotions
Food-centric freebies were a prominent feature of the 2018 Dallas Memorial Day weekend. A notable event was a Pop-Up Barbecue held on Saturday, May 26, at White Rock Lake. This event was part of the North Texas Honda Dealers campaign "Random Acts of Helpfulness." The "Helpful Honda People" provided free food from One90 Smoked Meats, including sides such as potato salad and green beans. The event operated on a first-come, first-served basis at the White Rock Lake Stone Tables & Pavilion, scheduled to run until 3 p.m. North Texas Honda Dealers also announced plans to distribute free tanks of gas starting Memorial Day weekend and continuing through July 4. According to the source, there were "no strings attached" to these offerings.
Another culinary event, the 8th Annual Brew-BQ, was hosted by Deep Ellum Brewing Company on Sunday, May 27. While this event required attendance, it offered a combination of beer and barbecue. Attendees received three drink tickets to spend on Deep Ellum’s specialty, seasonal, and unreleased brews. Triple G provided the food for this community-centric event, which also featured live musical performances.
For those seeking variety, the Dallas Margarita Meltdown took place on Sunday before Memorial Day at the Dallas Farmer’s Market. Although this event involved the purchase of sampling tickets to try margaritas from competing top bartenders, it offered a unique competitive atmosphere with a $1,000 prize for the best margarita. Proceeds from the event benefited Oak Cliff Furry Friends, a non-profit organization supporting homeless pets in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Entertainment and Community Events
The Dallas Symphony Memorial Day Concert and Fireworks Display provided a major free entertainment option on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. The event began at 8:15 p.m. at Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake, specifically at 8100 Doran Circle, Dallas, TX 75238. The concert featured a performance by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, honoring veterans and first responders with patriotic tunes, culminating in a fireworks display. Picnic baskets were encouraged for attendees. A contact number, 214-849-4376, was provided for further information.
Other community-focused events included the Fur Fun Run, hosted by Noble Rey Brewing Company in the Design District on May 26. This event acknowledged the sacrifices of "furry friends" alongside military personnel. Additionally, the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery hosted a 2018 Memorial Day Service at 11:00 a.m. on May 28, offering a traditional venue for remembrance.
Conclusion
The 2018 Memorial Day weekend in Dallas presented a diverse array of free opportunities. These included free admission for military families at multiple museums through the Blue Star Museums program, a free symphony concert and fireworks display at White Rock Lake, and complimentary barbecue provided by North Texas Honda Dealers. While some events required the purchase of sampling tickets or offered food for purchase, the overall landscape provided significant options for cost-free entertainment and remembrance.
Sources
- Multiple Dallas museums offer free admission to military personnel and families
- Dallas Symphony Memorial Day Concert & Fireworks Display
- 5 Things to Do in Dallas This Memorial Day Weekend
- There's a free pop-up barbecue on Memorial Day weekend and you're welcome
- Free admission for military at Arboretum Memorial Day weekend
- Memorial Day in Dallas