City Sponsored Events

The City of Denton provides sponsorship funds to support non-profit and civic-minded programs and organizations. These events help enhance the vitality of Denton, and enrich the quality of life for both locals and visitors.

Denton Arts & Jazz Festival

October 2022
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival Website
Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is a free community event featuring 3,000 artists on six stages, with music, dance, arts, crafts, children’s activities, food, and drinks!

Denton's Day of the Dead Festival

October 2022
Denton's Day of the Dead Festival Website
This multicultural, family-friendly festival pays homage to the goodness of the harvest, Dia de los Muertos, the Fall season, and all things Halloween! Coffin races, lantern-lit twilight parade, games and activities for all ages, a salsa cook-off, pumpkin patch, street performers, and vendor booths featuring local art, crafts, and food.

Denton Holiday Lighting Festival

December 2022
Denton Holiday Lighting Festival Website
The Denton Holiday Lighting Festival has been illuminating Downtown Denton and the Square since 1988. The annual lighting event features live music, dance performances, vendors, children's activities, photo opportunities, food, drinks, and more!

Denton Black Film Festival

January 2023
Denton Black Film Festival Institute Website
The Denton Black Film Festival shares stories of the Black community—its traditions, ideas, and experiences—in many ways. Each festival, held annually in January, features Black cinema, music, art, spoken word, comedy, food, and fashion.

Texas Storytelling Festival

March 9 - 12, 2023
Tejas Storytelling Association Website
Texas Storytelling Festival features three-and-a-half days of stories that will feed your mind, heart, and soul. Fostering an appreciation of storytelling as an oral tradition, performing art, and educational tool.

Denton Community Market

Opening Day, Saturday, April 1, 2023
Denton Community Market Website
DCM is a producer-only art and farmer’s market in downtown Denton. They feature live music, kids' activities, local farms, local artists, food trucks, food vendors, and more.

Denton Dash for Public Schools

Saturday, April 15, 2023
Denton Community Council of PTAs Website
The Denton Dash for Public Schools is a critical event not only to promote healthy living but to also support the Denton Council of PTAs' ongoing efforts to offer College Scholarships to Denton ISD High School Seniors and necessary support to PTAs in Denton ISD.

Touch A Truck

Saturday, April 22, 2023
Explorium Denton Children's Museum Website
Touch-A-Truck is a community-wide event that involves public and private entities offering a unique opportunity to people all over Denton County, allowing children of all ages to explore vehicles of all types: public service, emergency, utility, construction, landscaping, transportation, and delivery trucks all in one place.

Denton Juneteenth Celebration

June 16 - 17, 2023
Denton Juneteenth Committee Website
Denton Juneteenth is a celebration featuring a DJ spinoff, guest artists, a youth talent show, a softball tournament, and so much more. Experience cultural food, fun, and fellowship.

Denton Juneteenth Parade

Saturday, June 17, 2023
Juneteenth University Website
The Denton Juneteenth Parade is a partnership effort between Denton Juneteenth Committee and Juneteenth University, a Denton-based non-profit organization chartered to promote Texas Emancipation Day and National Juneteenth Independence Day.

Denton Kiwanis 4th of July Drone Show

Monday, July 3, 2023
Denton Noon Kiwanis Website
Part of the Denton Jubilee Celebration hosted by the City of Denton. 

North Texas Fair and Rodeo

August 18 - 23, 2023
North Texas Fair and Rodeo Website
The North Texas Fair and Rodeo is nine days of first-class rodeos, livestock shows, live music on multiple stages, kid & fun zones, carnival rides, food, games, vendors, and more.

Arts & Autos

Saturday, September 9, 2023
Denton Main Street Association Website
Denton Main Street Association's Arts & Autos will feature classic cars and hot rods, live music, a chalk art competition, and vendors in downtown Denton's heart!

Dog Days of Denton

Saturday, September 9, 2023
Denton Parks Foundation Website
A free family and pup-friendly event with vendors, food trucks, competitions, and educational opportunities. 

Denton Blues Festival

September 15 - 17, 2023
Denton Black Chamber of Commerce Website
The Denton Black Chamber of Commerce's 25th Annual Denton Blues Festival. A longstanding Denton tradition, the Blues Festival features live music, karaoke, arts and crafts, and more.

Looking for the 2023 fall and winter events? Check back later this year as the new fiscal year is adopted.

How does the City sponsor events? Through the Hotel Occupancy Tax Program or the City Sponsorship Program. During the City’s budget process, applications are reviewed by the sub-committee, and recommended funding levels are provided to Council for approval. Awarded sponsorships will be allocated funds during the City’s fiscal year once Council has approved an agreement or contract between both parties. For more information on event sponsorship, please visit the Finance webpage.