Things To Do In Denton, Texas: A Guide to Fun
Wondering what to do in Denton, TX? There are so many wonderful, interesting things to do in Denton, TX that it can be overwhelming picking just one event or attraction to start with! Luckily for you, we went ahead and picked some of our favorites attractions and activities in Denton to inspire you. This charming small city, which is located about forty miles north of Dallas, is known as the location of the University of North Texas, and also for its independent music scene, historic sites, recreational opportunities, quirky personality, and for being home to the largest community garden in the United States.
Tucked away in this northern Texas town is a hub of arts and culture as well as a place steeped in its own rich history. When looking for stuff to do in Denton, you have many choices including galleries, museums, quirky shops, live music venues, and much more!
Live Music
Denton has a thriving live music scene, thanks in large part to the excellent music program at the nearby University of North Texas which is nationally recognized for its excellent music school. Among the top free Denton events you won’t want to miss include the weekly lab band and jazz ensemble concerts at UNT. Check the free concert schedule and contact the University for more information.
Denton’s lively nightlife boasts a wide assortment of restaurants, bars, pubs, and live music venues. Music lovers looking for fun things to do in Denton can head to one of the many venues for live performances on Oak Street, McKinney Street or Hickory Street.
Outdoor Recreation
If you love the outdoors, there are plenty of fun places to go in Denton to partake in recreational activities and enjoy the area’s pleasant scenery.
Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center
The Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center at 3310 Collins Rd. has more than 2,900 acres of hardwood forest, prairie and aquatic habitats to explore. Check out their events calendar which includes guided hikes, nature yoga, and more.
Lewisville Lake
Water sports enthusiasts will appreciate the fact that Denton is just 15 miles from Lewisville Lake. Hidden Cove Park & Marina offers boat charters, standup paddleboards, bike rentals, and kayaking. You can also rent boats, hire a fishing guide, take wake boarding lessons, camp, hike, and play golf. Oh, and if you’re looking for romantic things to do in Denton, TX, be sure to enjoy the sunset from the outdoor deck at one of the restaurants bordering the lake. Options include Sneaky Pete’s, Charlie’s Lakeside Bar & Grill, Rockin’ S Bar and Grill, and Fair Winds Bar & Grill.
Shiloh Field Community Garden
Did you know that Denton, TX is home to one of the largest community gardens in the United States? Shiloh Field Community Garden has been a part of Denton’s history since 2009 and has been a favorite staple of the community ever since. It was recognized in 2020 for helping local non-profits and food banks during the COVID-19 pandemic, donating a staggering 40,000 pounds of produce to help those hit hardest. Shiloh Field Community Garden offers tours and opportunities to volunteer to help grow and distribute produce to those in need. The garden is currently open for volunteers on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. However, it’s important to note that the garden may close during inclement weather, such as when temperatures are below freezing.
The garden has faced some challenges recently, including high heat and rising costs, which led to scaling back production. Despite these challenges, Shiloh Field Community Garden continues its mission of growing fresh produce to feed hungry people in Denton County, having produced over 340,000 pounds of food in the past thirteen years.
Museums & Historical Sites
Denton Courthouse & Square
If you’re looking for historic places to see in Denton, TX, the downtown square is home to one of the state’s most beautiful old courthouses. The Courthouse Museum showcases the area’s local history through its special collections and rotating exhibits.
Denton County Historical Park
The County Historical Park is one of the best things to do with kids in Denton, TX. The park is a great place to see and learn the history of the area. The park houses several historical buildings that are open for tours.
The African American museum at the Quakertown House
Quakertown was a bustling African American community in the early 20th century that was displaced when the Denton City Council circulated a petition to purchase the area for a city park. A bond election passed, and the Quakertown residents were forced to move. Some moved their homes but many of them were destroyed in the process. The preserved house on display was built in 1904.
Bayless-Selby House Museum
The Bayless-Selby House Museum in Denton, Texas, is a beautifully preserved Victorian-era home located in the Historical Park. The house showcases turn-of-the-century life in Denton County with period furnishings and artifacts, including a music room and an old-fashioned doctor’s office. The property also features the Bayless-Selby Victorian Garden, maintained by the Denton County Master Gardener Association, displaying period-authentic herbs, flowers, and vegetables common in North Texas in the early 1900s.
Denton Community Market
One of the top Denton events to experience is the Denton Community Market, which is held at the historical park on Saturday mornings. Artists, farmers, vendors and entrepreneurs sell a wide assortment of locally made items at this thriving outdoor market. Enjoy the live music and free samples!
Denton Firefighters’ Museum
Located in the lobby of the historic Central Fire Station, this museum features firefighting memorabilia from the 1800s to the present day. It includes a hose cart from the 1800s, equipment from a 1935 ladder truck, fire extinguishers, helmets, uniforms, and Denton fire report logs dating back to the 1920s.
Explorium Denton Children’s Museum
Looking for things to do in Denton with children that are fun and also educational? The Explorium Denton Children’s Museum in Denton, TX, is a non-profit organization committed to offering a fun and educational environment where families can learn and play together. It focuses on science, math, technology, and more for children 12 years and younger. The museum features hands-on, interactive exhibits.
The Explorium holds events such as “Toddler Take Over,” “Homeschool Enrichment Days,” and “STEAM Factory Friday” which allow children to explore, create, design, and problem-solve, focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and math concepts. “Sensory Friendly Mornings” on the second Saturday of each month are designed especially for children with sensory processing differences.
The Explorium also participates in city-sponsored events such as “Touch A Truck,” which allows children to explore vehicles of all types.
Things to Do In Denton: Annual Events
Denton Redbud Festival
The Denton Redbud Festival is an annual award-winning event that celebrates community beautification and Denton pride. The 31st annual festival will be held on May 4, 2025, at the Denton Civic Center and Quakertown Park. The festival features vendors selling trees, plants, gardening supplies, household items, and local handmade products. The festival also includes family-friendly activities and live, local music. This fun event in Denton traces its roots back to an annual Texas Woman’s University Festival from 1930 to 1981, celebrating beautification and tree planting. Keep Denton Beautiful revived the festival in 1994 to honor Denton’s designation as the “Redbud Capital of Texas”. The event is free for all to attend.
Fourth of July in Denton
Denton, Texas, celebrates the Fourth of July with a multi-day celebration including the Liberty 5K Run and Walk, the Yankee Doodle Parade, and the July Jubilee, which features live music, games, inflatables, rock climbing, face painting, a hot dog eating contest, and food vendors. The evening concludes with a drone show at Quakertown Park.
North Texas Fair & Rodeo
The North Texas Fair & Rodeo is an annual ten-day event held at the North Texas Fairgrounds in Denton that celebrates and promotes western heritage and values. The 90-year-old fair offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages, including live country music on multiple stages, rodeos, livestock shows, a kid zone, carnival rides, food, games, and vendors. The event usually begins on the third Friday in August.
Dog Days of Denton
Dog Days of Denton is a free annual event that celebrates dogs and their owners, uniting people through parks, play, and pups. Held annually in September at Quakertown Park and the Civic Center Pool in Denton, Dog Days welcomes friendly dogs and their owners; however, dogs must be on a leash and have proof of current vaccinations. The event features live entertainment, vendors, a pool party, agility courses, photos, and a canine couture fashion show.
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
When looking for things to do in Denton, TX with your kids, look no further than the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival. And if you want affordable, cool things to do in Denton, you’ll be glad to know this amazing yearly festival is free of charge. The event is one of the largest attractions in the whole state of Texas, and it draws jazz musicians and fans from around the world.
The 2025 festival is scheduled for October 3-5, 2025, at Denton’s Quakertown Park. The three-day event features six outdoor stages with various music genres including jazz, blues, folk, rock, and more. The festival showcases over 2,700 performers, offers fine arts and crafts booths, provides children’s art activities, and features food and entertainment for the whole family. It remains one of the largest tourist attractions in North Texas and Denton’s signature event, drawing over 200,000 people annually.
Scary Chairy Orchard
The Scary Chairy Orchard is one of the most unusual activities in Denton that you will find. It is an annual Halloween-themed event that pays tribute to the original Chairy Orchard, a beloved local attraction that permanently closed in June 2023 due to vandalism. The new event, organized by Keep Denton Beautiful and the City of Denton, invites community members to redesign and upcycle chairs into Halloween-themed art objects.
This creative exhibit is displayed at the City Hall courtyard throughout October, featuring chairs designed by individuals, groups, and businesses. The Scary Chairy Orchard aims to capture the whimsical spirit of the original attraction, which was a year-round installation created by two neighbors, Judy and Ann, who collected and arranged hundreds of chairs in various styles and colors between their homes. While the permanent Chairy Orchard is no longer accessible, the Halloween-themed event ensures that Denton’s unique “chairy” tradition continues, albeit in a new, seasonal form.
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival
The Denton Holiday Lighting Festival has been held on the downtown Denton square since 1988. Usually scheduled for the afternoon and evening of the first Saturday in December, the festival features live music and dance performances, horse-drawn carriage rides, children’s crafts, and a visit from Santa. The festival also includes a toy drive benefiting Cumberland Youth & Family Services, and the Denton Main Street Association’s Wassail Fest. The event culminates in the illumination of the Courthouse-on-the-Square lawn, capturing the spirit of a small-town holiday celebration.
Homes in Denton, TX
At Pecan Square by Hillwood in Northlake, TX, our homeowners love exploring all of these Denton attractions that are just a short drive away. If you’re looking for a new home community, we encourage you to start your homebuying search online with our homefinder tool then visit us at The Greeting House for a community tour! Our new construction builders have available homes, and many are offering incentives, so now is a great time to buy!