There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Dallas each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's (national holiday) Third Monday in February: Martin Luther King Day (national holiday)A federal holiday in the United States, celebrating the life and achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. In recent years, it has increasingly been seen as a day of service, when Americans are encouraged to volunteer to help others less fortunate than themselves. In Dallas, it is also commemorated with a colourful parade marching through the streets, complete with musicians and dancers. It usually starts at the corner of Holmes Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
January/February: Chinese New Year (local)In Dallas, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with a large parade that includes processions, floats, traditional music and dances, singing and various shows.
July 4: Independence Day (national)National holiday in the United States, celebrating the Independence from Great Britain. The celebration consists of parades, barbecues and picnics, as well as a fireworks display when night falls.
Second Monday in October: Columbus Day (national)Commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World (October 12, 1492). Celebrated each year with numerous cultural events, exhibitions and parades.
October 31: Halloween (national)Halloween is celebrated each year by Americans of all ages. In the late afternoon and early evening hours, children don costumes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhoods to ask for treats, typically candy.
Fourth Thursday of November: Thanksgiving (national)Originally a Christian religious observance, for many years Thanksgiving has been a secular holiday in the United States, celebrated by Americans of all faiths. Families come together to prepare and enjoy a large feast at home. The meal typically includes roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce as well as various side dishes and ends with an assortment of pies (pumpkin, pecan, apple).
December 25: Christmas (national)Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | 3/37 | 14/57 | 63/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
February | 5/41 | 17/63 | 60/2.3 | Not the best period to go |
March | 9/48 | 20/68 | 83/3.2 | Good period to go
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April | 14/57 | 25/77 | 106/4.2 | Good period to go
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May | 18/64 | 29/84 | 113/4.4 | Good period to go
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June | 23/73 | 33/91 | 96/3.7 | Not the best period to go |
July | 25/77 | 35/95 | 70/2.7 | Not the best period to go |
August | 24/75 | 35/95 | 75/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
September | 21/70 | 32/90 | 68/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
October | 15/59 | 27/81 | 70/2.7 | Good period to go
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November | 9/48 | 20/68 | 68/2.6 | Not the best period to go |
December | 4/39 | 15/59 | 63/2.4 | Not the best period to go |
The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is located 30 kilometres (18 miles) west of Dallas.
The city has many parking lots, an excellent road network and good traffic flow: renting a car is a great option for discovering Dallas, as long distances make it hard to walk. Public transport, which is accessible and simple to use, is a good alternative for non-drivers.
Dallas is a very car-friendly city. You will find numerous parking lots throughout town at an affordable rate. You can rent a car directly at the airport, but note that in Texas, you must be at least 25 years old (some rental companies agree to rent vehicles to drivers aged 21 to 24 years, but at a higher price).
The city of Dallas is served by the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) network, comprised of more than 100 bus lines, covering the most important points in the city. They run daily, every 15 minutes at most, from 5:00 a.m. to midnight.
Lines 1-183 run local routes and cover the city centre. Lines 200 are express and do not make every stop or station (for more information, please visit www.dart.org/riding/expressbus.asp).
The fare in Dallas is USD 2.50 for all public transportation. You can get a ticket from the machines located on the buses or light rail, provided you have exact change. It is also possible to order online a transport card with a microchip or acquire a valid day card at a cost of USD 6. For more information, visit: www.dart.org/fares/fares.asp
The city of Dallas is served by four light-rail lines:
The Trinity Railway Express line (TRE) connects Fort Worth to Dallas in 70 minutes. Price for a single fare is USD 2.50 and USD 5 for a daily pass with unlimited travels.
Many taxis circulate on the streets of Dallas. You can hail them or take them from a station. Initial charge is USD 2.25, plus about USD 1.80 per kilometre.
Upon your arrival in Dallas, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Dallas Tourist Information CenterOffers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
Visit the USA, a public-private marketing entity, works closely with the travel industry to promote tourism in communities around the country. Its website offers excellent information on all US travel destinations, including Dallas.
The currency used in is the dollar (USD).
1 € = 1,11 $
1 $ = 0,90 €
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Dallas counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the United States.
For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no specific food safety risks.
Drinking waterTap water is safe to drink in Dallas.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens or nationals of several countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, whether for tourism or business.
For further information, see the Visitor Visa page on the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State:
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Dallas, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Tipping
In Dallas as in the rest of the United States, a service charge is not included in the bill and tips form a major portion of income for waiting staff. Prices on restaurant menus are indicated before taxes and tips. You are therefore expected to leave a tip (generally between 15 and 20 percent of the bill). Tipping less than 15 percent (or leaving no tip at all) means that you are very dissatisfied with the service.