Fort Worth Stockyards Sign

Dallas–Fort Worth Events & Travel Guide

Heading into DFW for a game, concert, or special event? This page highlights some of the biggest reasons people travel to North Texas – and when it makes sense to reserve a rental vehicle with What-A-Rental.

Major Annual Events in DFW

2026 World Cup Matches – Arlington

World Cup Dallas Car Rentals

AT&T Stadium will host multiple matches during the 2026 World Cup. Visitors from around the world will be traveling into Dallas–Fort Worth, making Arlington one of the busiest destinations in Texas during June and July.

  • Expect extremely high hotel and transportation demand
  • Minivans and SUVs are ideal for families and groups
  • Reserve early to secure your vehicle

View the World Cup rental guide →

Dallas Cowboys Home Games

Dallas Cowboys Logo

AT&T Stadium hosts NFL games, college football matchups, and major stadium concerts. Parking is spread out, and many visitors prefer a rental instead of rideshare.

  • Great for tailgates and groups
  • Flexible arrival and departure times

Texas Rangers Games

Texas Rangers Logo

Globe Life Field in Arlington hosts MLB games and major concerts throughout the year. Summer weekends are especially busy in the entertainment district.

  • Easy travel between stadium, hotels, and restaurants
  • Great for groups attending weekend series

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Held every January and February at Will Rogers Memorial Center and Dickies Arena. One of Fort Worth’s largest annual traditions.

  • Hotels fill quickly
  • Local traffic increases across Fort Worth

Texas Motor Speedway Races

NASCAR and other racing events bring large crowds to North Fort Worth. Public transportation is limited in this area.

  • Great for groups traveling together
  • Consider SUVs or minivans for gear

Major Concert Tours

Dickies Arena, Globe Life Field, and AT&T Stadium regularly host major national tours and music festivals.

  • Late-night events often cause rideshare surges
  • Rentals provide flexibility for travel between hotel and venue

Fort Worth Highlights

Some of the most popular destinations for visitors renting vehicles in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Stockyards
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Fort Worth Water Gardens
Stockyards Walkway
Stockyards Walkway

Swipe or scroll sideways to see more Fort Worth highlights.

Arlington Entertainment District

The Arlington Entertainment District is one of the busiest event hubs in North Texas, home to AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, and major concerts, sporting events, and international events like the 2026 World Cup.

AT&T Stadium Arlington Texas
AT&T Stadium – Home of the Dallas Cowboys and a host venue for the 2026 World Cup

More Arlington highlights coming soon.

Dallas Highlights (Coming Soon)

We are currently adding Dallas photo highlights and travel tips including Klyde Warren Park, the Arts District, Deep Ellum, and the American Airlines Center.

Dallas photo gallery coming soon – we’re gathering fresh local images.

Current & Upcoming DFW Events

Spring & Summer 2026 Highlights

Dates and times can change. Always confirm details on the official event website before you travel.

  • March 13–15 – Arlington Grand Prix
    Arlington Entertainment District
    A major multi-day event weekend in Arlington that is expected to bring increased traffic, higher hotel demand, and heavier activity around the entertainment district.
  • March 19–22 – Disney On Ice
    Dickies Arena – Fort Worth
    Family event traffic can increase around the Cultural District and downtown Fort Worth, especially for weekend showtimes and evening performances.
  • April 3 – Texas Rangers Opening Weekend
    Globe Life Field – Arlington
    Opening weekend in Arlington usually draws strong crowds and increased activity in the entertainment district, especially when paired with restaurants, bars, and nearby events.
  • April 18–19 – Bruno Mars
    Globe Life Field – Arlington
    A major two-night concert weekend that can create high demand for transportation, parking, and nearby hotel rooms across Arlington and surrounding areas.
  • May 22–23 – The American Rodeo
    Globe Life Field – Arlington
    One of the bigger spring rodeo weekends in the area, attracting fans, families, and out-of-town visitors looking for flexible transportation around DFW.
  • June–July 2026 – World Cup Matches
    AT&T Stadium – Arlington
    The biggest event window on this page. With international visitors expected across Dallas–Fort Worth, this period may bring some of the highest demand of the year for rental vehicles, especially SUVs and minivans.

Planning to attend one of these events? View our vehicle classes or start a reservation. Spring and summer event weekends in DFW can book up quickly, so reserving early is the best way to improve your chances of getting the vehicle you want.

View archive: Past event highlights

DFW Events – February 2026 (Archive)

This section is kept as an archive for reference. Event dates change year to year. Always confirm details on the official event website before you travel.

  • Early February – Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Finals
    Will Rogers Memorial Center & Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
    Final rodeo performances, livestock championships, and closing events wrap up one of Fort Worth’s largest annual traditions. Expect heavy traffic, full hotels, and strong rental demand near downtown and the Stockyards.
  • February – Dallas Stars Home Games
    American Airlines Center, Dallas
    NHL regular-season home games throughout the month bring in visiting fans from across Texas and neighboring states. Evening games often end after rideshare surge pricing begins, making a rental a convenient option.
  • February – Dallas Mavericks Home Games
    American Airlines Center, Dallas
    NBA matchups continue through February, including weekend games that attract regional visitors. Many fans book short-term or weekend rentals to combine games with dining and nightlife in Uptown or the Arts District.
  • Mid-February – Valentine’s Weekend Events
    Fort Worth, Dallas, Grapevine
    Valentine’s weekend consistently brings special concerts, comedy shows, and ticketed dining experiences across DFW. Couples often book two- to three-day rentals for weekend getaways and local sightseeing.
  • February – North Texas Auto Show
    Dallas Market Hall, Dallas
    Annual auto show featuring new vehicle debuts and family-friendly exhibits. Visitors from surrounding cities often prefer a day or weekend rental instead of coordinating multiple vehicles.
  • All Month – Fort Worth Stockyards Daily Events
    Fort Worth Stockyards
    Daily cattle drives, live music, rodeos, and Western shopping continue year-round, with February remaining busy due to rodeo spillover and winter tourism.

Planning to attend one of these events? View our vehicle classes or start a reservation online.

DFW Events – December 2025 (Archive)

This section is kept as an archive for reference. Event dates change year to year. Always confirm details on the official event website before you travel.

  • Dec 2 – 106.1 KISS FM Jingle Ball
    Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
    Big annual multi-artist holiday concert. Perfect for a one- or two-day rental if you’re flying in and staying near downtown Fort Worth or the Stockyards.
  • Dec 4 – Jonas Brothers “JONAS20” Tour
    Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
    National arena tour stop with special guests. A rental makes it easy to get between hotel, restaurants, and the arena without relying on surge-priced rideshare.
  • Dec 6 – Big 12 Football Championship Game
    AT&T Stadium, Arlington
    Major college football matchup that brings in fans from across the region. SUVs and minivans are popular for groups, tailgates, and gear.
  • Dec 14 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings
    AT&T Stadium, Arlington
    Prime-time NFL game. Expect heavy traffic and high demand around Arlington. Booking a rental early is recommended for out-of-town fans.
  • Dec 21 – Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Chargers
    AT&T Stadium, Arlington
    Another big home game just before the holidays. Great time to bundle a weekend rental with holiday shopping or Stockyards sightseeing.
  • Dec 21–22 – Pentatonix “Christmas in the City” Tour
    Dickies Arena, Fort Worth
    Two-night Christmas show that draws families and groups from across Texas. A crossover SUV or minivan is ideal if you’re traveling with kids and luggage.
  • Dec 31 – Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic
    AT&T Stadium, Arlington
    New Year’s Eve college football bowl game. Visitors often book multi-day rentals to cover both the game and New Year’s plans around DFW.

Holiday Attractions – December 2025 (Archive)

  • All Month – ICE! featuring Elf™
    Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine.
    Massive walk-through ice sculpture experience (2M+ lbs of ice), themed around Elf. Runs mid-Nov through Jan 4.
  • All Month – Christmas Capital of Texas®
    Downtown Grapevine.
    1,400+ holiday events over 40 days including drone shows, live music, Peace Plaza ice rink, and the North Pole Express™.
  • Dec 13–25 – Interlochen Lights
    Arlington, TX.
    One of the largest residential Christmas light displays in the country. Drive-through only; evenings get busy — perfect for families or groups.
  • All Month – Dallas Zoo Lights
    Dallas, TX.
    After-hours walk-through zoo holiday display with millions of lights, photo ops, and seasonal activities.
  • All Month – Radiance! & Frozen in Frisco
    Riders Field, Frisco.
    Drive-through LED light park + outdoor skating + tubing hills.

Planning to attend one of these events? View our vehicle classes or start a reservation online.