Top 10 Things To Do This Weekend In Plano, McKinney, The Colony And Beyond [Aug 8-10, 2025]

Sun’s out, jokes are sharp and the beer is hoppy — it’s shaping up to be a weekend worth writing home about. From tax-free shopping and marching bands to lawn chair concerts and cosmic views, Plano, McKinney, The Colony and beyond are serving up summer in all its quirky, back-to-school, laugh-out-loud glory. 

Whether you're chasing stars or chasing punchlines, consider this your permission slip to skip the chores and soak it all in.

Willie Barcena

When: Aug. 8-9, 2025 | 7 p.m.
Where: Mic Drop Comedy Plano, 7301 Lone Star Dr., Suite A-110 Plano
More info and tickets

Willie Barcena isn’t afraid to go there, diving into everything from family drama to politics with a mic in one hand and no filter in the other. With a Netflix special, twelve Tonight Show appearances and decades of stand-up under his belt, this comedy veteran brings the kind of laughs that sneak up on you... then hit hard. Just don’t bring your fragile ego.

$5 Admission Days 

When: Aug. 8-10, 2025 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary, 1 Nature Place, McKinney
More info

Sun’s out, deals are on — score $5 admission and splash into summer fun with pre-purchased tickets, speedy entry and plenty of hydration on hand. Just don’t forget the sunscreen, because the only thing that should be burning is your excitement.

Back To School Bash

When: Aug. 8-10, 2025
Where: Watters Creek Village, 970 Garden Park Dr, Allen
More info

School spirit meets shopping spree during this lively weekend filled with tax-free deals, band performances and fundraising fun in support of Allen High School’s Escadrille Marching Band. Guests can jam to live music, score sweet promos from local shops and help send the band to the 2026 Rose Bowl — one smoothie, scone or sparkly accessory at a time.

Sounds Of Summer: Champagne Yacht Club

When: Aug. 8, 2025 | 8-10 p.m.
Where: 5740 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony
More info

It’s anchors aweigh for a night of yacht rock grooves, cozy lawn lounging and good vibes as part of a free summer concert series that keeps the tunes sailing all season. With food spots galore and plenty of room to sprawl, it’s the perfect excuse to ditch the couch and catch some live music under the stars.

Vitruvian Salsa Festival - Zone D'Mambo

When: Aug. 9, 2025 | 6 - 10 p.m.
Where: Vitruvian Park, 3875 Ponte Avenue, Addison
More info

This Addison tradition brings the heat with live Latin music, professional salsa lessons and a crowd that’s ready to move. Set against the scenic backdrop of Vitruvian Park, the festival pairs spicy beats with savory bites from local food trucks and vendors. It’s free, festive and family-friendly, just don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Summer Movie Series

When: Aug. 9, 2025 | 8-10 p.m.
Where: The PGA District, 3255 PGA Parkway, Frisco
More info

Movie night gets a glow-up with lawn blankets, leashed pups and roaming beverage carts serving sips under the stars. Guests can catch Monsters University on the big screen while noshing on bites from nearby restaurants, just don’t bring lawn chairs or outside snacks unless you want to major in rule-breaking.

Frisco Starfest

When: Aug. 9, 2025 | 6 p.m.
Where: Frisco Commons Park, 8000 McKinney Road, Frisco
More info

Things are looking up (literally) during this monthly stargazing soirée where the Texas Astronomical Society sets up telescopes for a cosmic night under the stars. Held at Frisco Commons Park, this free come-and-go event invites space lovers of all ages to peer into the universe, swap constellation stories and maybe even wish on a satellite. Just bring your curiosity, a jacket and maybe a blanket — you’ll want to get comfy for liftoff.

Are You Funnier Than A "5th Grader"

When: Aug. 9, 2025 | 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Where: The Comedy Arena, 305 E. Virginia St. #104, McKinney
More info and tickets

Text-savvy tweens face off against tax-paying grown-ups in this fast and funny improv showdown where sass meets experience and nobody’s safe from a punchline. With Summer Comedy Camp kids bringing the heat and all-star comedians holding their ground, it’s a laugh battle for the ages.

IPA Fest At TUPPS Brewery

When: Aug. 9, 2025 | 6 - 10 p.m.
Where: TUPPS Brewery, 402 East Louisiana Street, Building 4, McKinney
More info and tickets

Bitter never tasted so fun at this hop-fueled celebration pouring more than a dozen IPAs across a 4-acre playground of beer bars, live music and grub. Guests can chase their flights with 90s and 00s jams on the lawn, nosh from a hot dog truck and raise a glass — or several — to the juicy, dank or downright weird.

Bug Lab

When: Until Jan. 6, 2026 | 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.

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