There’s no need to let a summer week go to waste when the calendar is packed with ways to stay entertained. From immersive museum nights to backyard-inspired festivals, the region is buzzing with experiences that promise a break from the usual. Whether it’s food, drinks, music or a quirky event you didn’t know you needed, there’s plenty to fill the days — and nights — ahead.
EBESU 6th Anniversary | Special Dinner Event - Day 1
When: July 14, 2025 | 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: Ebesu Robata & Sushi, 1007 E 15th St, Plano
Tickets starting at $221
Six years calls for a slice — or in this case, a whole Bluefin tuna. Guests can catch a live cutting show, indulge in a special multi-course dinner and try their hand at making their own nigiri, all in one celebratory evening. It’s not every day dinner comes with both a performance and a DIY project.
Tropics on the Tracks
When: July 17-20, 2025 | Times vary
Where: McCall Plaza, 998 E 15th Street, Plano
More info
Historic Downtown Plano is trading bricks for beach vibes during Tropics on the Track, a four-day island-themed bash at McCall Plaza. Expect live music, DJs, summer drinks and even a silent disco, all under the guise of shade and steel drums. Bonus points if your flip-flops double as dancing shoes.
Native Texas Butterfly House & Garden
When: Until Sept. 27, 2025 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney
More info
Butterflies do all the fluttering while visitors do the wandering at this immersive garden, where native Texas plants play host to a kaleidoscope of pollinators. Part nature walk, part photo op, the space is open year-round and always buzzing with seasonal beauty. Bring your camera, your curiosity and maybe a few garden ideas to take home.
Premium Wine and Hutchins BBQ Pairing Experience
When: July 15, 2025 | 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Lone Star Winery, 103 E. Virginia, McKinney
More info
Indulge in 5 deluxe 2 oz tastings of premium wines expertly paired with sample-sized selections of barbecue staples. Led by a WSET-certified instructor, this interactive session caters to wine novices and connoisseurs alike, offering insights into flavor profiles and textures that complement each pairing. With only 16 seats available, secure your spot for an enriching and flavorful evening.
“Bug Lab” Exhibition
When: Until Jan. 6, 2025 | 1 p.m.
Where: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas
More info and tickets
Bugs take center stage at the Perot Museum’s newest exhibition, “Bug Lab,” where larger-than-life models and interactive chambers reveal how insects inspire real-world tech, from swarm intelligence to surgical precision. Created in collaboration with New Zealand’s Te Papa and Wētā Workshop, the hands-on experience invites guests of all ages to test their reflexes, explore immersive habitats and rethink everything they thought they knew about creepy crawlies. It’s science, spectacle and six-legged genius all in one.
Thursday On Tap
When: Thursdays until Oct. 30, 2025
Where: Perot Museum of Nature and Science, 2201 N. Field Street, Dallas
More info and tickets
Science, snacks and skyline views come together at this adults-only night out where museum halls stay open late and the food trucks roll in. Guests can sip on drinks, play outdoor games and enjoy live music while exploring the exhibits — no kids, no crowds, just good times and curiosity on tap. It’s part date night, part science experiment and all the more reason to ditch your usual Thursday plans. Early tickets are encouraged; this popular evening tends to sell out.
MLB All-Star Game at Cosm
When: July 15, 2025 | 7 - 9 p.m, Doors open at 6 p.m.
Where: Cosm Dallas, 5776 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony
Tickets starting at $28
Baseball’s brightest stars take the field and Cosm brings the action to you in panoramic surround. With every pitch and crack of the bat amplified by 360-degree visuals, this immersive viewing puts fans closer to the MLB All-Star Game than any front-row seat could.
Corralejo Tequila Dinner Experience
When: July 16, 2025 | 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: Barrel & Bones The Colony, 2801 Plano Parkway #suite 140, The Colony
Tickets starting at $100
Tequila gets the white-tablecloth treatment at this multi-course pairing dinner showcasing Corralejo’s award-winning lineup. From silver to extra añejo, each pour is matched with a boldly crafted dish — think al pastor octopus, smoked beet salad and a tamale that pulls dessert duty. It’s a smoky, spicy and spirited journey through agave country, no lime wedge required.
The Big D - Comedy Dating Show
When: July 17, 2025 | 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Where: Mic Drop Comedy Plano, 7301 Lone Star Dr., Suite A-110 Plano
More info
Love might be messy, but comedy makes it entertaining at this matchmaking show designed just for divorced singles. Comics play Cupid as real participants get matched onstage, complete with speed dates, saucy prompts and a live audience vote. Cocktails and mingling bookend the night, making it part stand-up show, part group date and all-around fun.
Don't miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.