Hot Fun with July Events in Irving

With summer travel plans in hand, we're ready to embark on destinations unknown for a fun-filled July. For those wanderers whose travel plans include Irving, or Irvingites who are looking to stay close to home, there is some firecracker hot fun to be found around town.

This month, we are excited to announce that Bill Maher, Koe Wetzel, Sebastian Maniscalco, Lindsey Stirling and 3 Doors Down are all coming to The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory. There's also a long list of local live music performers around town. And it wouldn't be July in America without an Independence Day parade and fireworks display, which are LIVE this year! 

Whether you like the outdoors, a small indoor gathering with friends or a fulfilling night on the town, come to Irving and experience it all. Take in the night life complete with live music, enjoy some weekend fun, get outdoors, visit the arts, or see what's going on at the Irving Convention Center, it's all waiting for you to explore.  

IRVING'S NIGHT LIFE

Tuesday Nights

Set aside your Tuesday nights to try your luck at Texas Holdem. Each week at 7 p.m., Spirit Grille invites you to sharpen your bluff face and test your card game skills. There's no cover charge and the food and drinks are awesome! Aunt Cissy's Kitchen holds a family-friendly Trivia Night from 7-9 p.m. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams. At Nosh & Bottle, play Music Bingo with friends and community socialites from 7:30-9:30 p.m. There's a chance to win a free prize with each game!

Wednesday Nights

Join the Green Gator gang from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesdays for fun and prizes with Melodies and Memories Trivia. Test your knowledge with your friends, or against your friends. It's free to play and drink specials will be flowing from the bar! 

Thursday Nights

No need to bring your money to this High Stax Poker table, The Green Gator at Toyota Music Factory offers free Texas Hold 'em games every Thursday. Play for prizes, meet friends or cheer on your favorite champion. Spirit Grille invites you to test your brainiac skills at Trivia Night each week at 7 p.m. Find out what knowledge is rolling around in the recesses of your mind, and have loads of fun with your friends. 

 

 

 

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Friday Nights

Every Friday night, Toyota Music Factory offers some DJ vibes to go with your dinner. DJ KJ scratches down at Green Gator from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Or reserve your seat at Reservoir for music with DJ Nana, starting at 10 p.m.  For more beats and eats, visit Blaze Brazilian Steakhouse with DJ Tommy Blaze on the patio on Fridays from 6 p.m. to close or Saturdays from 7 p.m. to close. Or from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., you can wet your whistle and deploy your pipes at Karaoke Night down the road at Spirit Grille. Good friends, great food and a fun time can be found around town in Irving.

Saturday Nights

On Saturdays from 8 - 11 p.m., Nosh & Bottle offers both Texas Hold 'Em poker games and Karaoke. For double the fun, great hand-crafted drinks, and a delicious menu, come to everyone's living room for a good time on Saturday nights.

July 2

First Friday Takeout in downtown Irving offers diners the choice to dine in or order dinner online from one of these participating restaurants on Main Street: Big State Fountain Grill, Di Rosani's, Villa's Grill, Sapp Sapp, and Glory House Catering and Bistro  (breakfast/lunch). Make it an intimate home date or bring your family and friends. Be sure to ask for their First Friday of the Month special.

July 3

The City of Irving is "Bringing Back the Spark" with a two-day event including an Independence Day parade and evening fireworks, with plenty of live music, food trucks, and loads of fun for the kids. The  annual community parade begins at 9 a.m. in Downtown Irving. Irving's Independence Day parade has been voted 'Best Community Event in Irving' for the past several years. It features entries by community organizations, businesses and families, including floats and custom vehicles.

July 4

With the recent addition of Levy Event Plaza, there'll be plenty of room to bring your lawn chair or a blanket and watch the City of Irving fireworks display. Beginning at 6 p.m., there'll be live music - Alex Aguilar and Downtown Fever - food vendors, a Kids' Fun Area, and Beer Garden, all topped off with a grand display of fireworks. Admission is free. Parking is complimentary at the Toyota Music Factory and includes a free shuttle to the Plaza.

 

 

 

 

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July 4

Speaking of the Toyota Music Factory, Mrs. Baird's Bread and KLUV invite you to their Red, White and Brave celebration where they'll recognize the essential workers that keep us safe and sound. The celebration will include a spectacular fireworks live stream at 9:30 p.m. from the Irving Independence Day Celebration and will include music by The Rockaholics before and after! Gates open at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory is one of the most expansive and comprehensive entertainment venues in the country. In fact, D-Magazine calls it the "Optimus Prime of live music venues." Surrounded by an incredible array of bars and restaurants, The Pavilion plays host to the best national and international touring live entertainment acts, arranged by booking powerhouse Live Nation. Listed below are their shows in July.

July 11 - Bill Maher

Maher may best be known by his show on Comedy Central and then ABC, Politically Incorrect or his HBO show Real Time with Bill Maher. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49 - $89+

July 16 - Koe Wetzel

Wetzel explains his music best saying, "We live what we write, man. I don't make anything up." Show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42 - $70+

 

 

 

 

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July 17 & 18 - Sebastian Maniscalco

Forever able to seize the moment, never failing to speak his mind, always telling it like it is, Maniscalco is one man who isn't afraid to put it all out there. Show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $39 - $129+

July 23 - Lindsey Stirling

Sterling is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, and composer. She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her eponymous YouTube channel, which she created in 2007. Stirling performs a variety of music styles, from classical to pop and rock to electronic dance music. Show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 - $199+

July 31 - 3 Doors Down

With more than 30 million albums sold, 18 million digital single sales, billions of streams and 12 iconic hits combined, 3 Doors Down are inviting fans aboard The Better Life 20th Anniversary Tour this summer. It’s a big night of rock and roll with the band performing their most popular hits. Show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 - $89+

You can also find live music all over Irving. Check out these restaurants and bars, then click on the musician's name or the venue for additional information.

GET OUTDOORS

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 4:45 a.m. or 6:00 a.m., you can join Camp Gladiator who offers a challenging and personalized, as well as socially-distanced outdoor workout at the Texas Lottery® Plaza at Toyota Music Factory. Afterwards you can stop by Freshii for some refreshingly healthy Energy Bites.

Wednesdays

Commit to HIIT (High-intensity interval training) involves bursts of high-intensity cardio and strength exercises interspersed with brief periods of recovery. It's a 45-50 minute high energy workout with a live DJ. This class is held every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. on the Texas Lottery® Plaza at Toyota Music Factory. Refuel afterwards with a refreshing blueberry Super Fro Yo from TCBY.

Thursdays

Barks and Brews is a great way to spend time with man's best friend at Two Mules Cantina in the Texican Court hotel. From 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy special drinks and be sure to bring your furry friends to enjoy dog treats and fun in the courtyard. Complimentary admission, open to the public. The Irving Parks and Recreation invites you to join their Cornhole League at the Texas Lottery® Plaza at Toyota Music Factory at 6 p.m. weekly. It's a free, fun and socially-distanced game for players ages 18 and older. You can sign up as a team of three or individually where you'll be paired with someone else on the free agent list.

Fridays

Relive the joys of recess as you relieve the stress of the work week! City of Irving Parks and Recreation will be at the Texas Lottery® Plaza at Toyota Music Factory providing FREE game equipment rentals. Adult Recess will begin before Texas Lottery® LIVE! on Friday nights!

Saturdays

Yoga-na need to get to the Texas Lottery® Plaza at Toyota Music Factory for this free energetic Vinyasa Flow yoga class. Combining synchronized breathing with purposeful movements, Poses on the Plaza meets every Saturday from 9-10 a.m. with Instructor Sashi Wilson. Free and open to all ages. For a healthy snack afterwards, stop by Yard House for a Spicy Tuna Stack.

Sundays

There are so many fun and imaginative ways to get or stay in shape. This is one of them. Pound Fit Class provides you with drum sticks to sweat, sculpt and rock out at the same time. It's not just a workout, it's a fun way to spend Sunday mornings. Begins at 10 a.m. at the Texas Lottery® Plaza at Toyota Music Factory. 

Open Daily

Bring the kids to chill out in Irving's Spray Parks. Open daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., they're a splash of cool fun under the Texas sun. With onsite restrooms and picnic areas, the whole family can enjoy all that the park offers. Northwest Spray Park is at 2800 Cheyenne St. and Southwest Spray Park is at 2800 Shady Grove Rd. Admission is free. Learn More

WEEKEND FUN

SATURDAYS

Stop by the Las Colinas Farmers Market every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Lamberti's parking lot for some fresh produce, local honey, grass-fed beef, eggs, prepared cuisines, desserts, seasonings, woodcrafters and more. You can even pre-order items and pick them up at the market. CDC recommendations are followed.

 

 

 

 

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SATURDAY & SUNDAY

The brand new Irving Junction is an outdoor farmers market that offers a great location in south Irving to meet and greet, buy and sell, and help support small businesses at the Southern Junction. The market is open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Southern Junction parking lot. Come by to see artisan crafts, homemade food and farmer's ware. Admission is free.

July 10

Head on out to the Southern Junction for their First Annual Salute to the Military. Doors open at noon with live Country music all day beginning at 1 p.m., including Proud Country, Luke Wyldmon, April N. Smith, Alex Aguilar, Jon Hope, William Wallace and Jacob Armitage. There'll be silent auctions and raffles all throughout the day with a presentation by the VFW Post 2494. All proceeds go to the military. Admission is a $5 donation or free with military ID or VFW membership card.  

July 18

Every third Sunday of the month, Reservoir treats you to their Fly Queens Brunch from 1-4 p.m. Hosted by Liquor Mini & Kandy Aisle, there's local talent and a Queen from around the country who will delight you with a drag show and fun experiences! Brunch specials are available too.

VISIT THE ARTS

Mondays

From 7 - 10 p.m., longtime Irvingite "Mama" Amy Stevenson hosts Mama's Party featuring local, regional, and occasionally national talent. Normally held live at MainStage 222, due to the health concerns of their patrons, Mama's Party is currently featured online only. Viewing is free and tips are encouraged through Venmo, so tune in to watch this one-of-a-kind show. See the lineup.

Tuesdays - Saturdays

The Irving Arts Center, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, is a 10-acre complex featuring two fully-equipped theaters, four galleries, and a beautiful sculpture garden. The Irving Arts Center alone hosts approximately 1,400 events annually, including 200+ performances and 25+ exhibitions, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors.  The galleries rotate varied art exhibits throughout the year. Current exhibits include:

• Lonesome Dove: Photographs by Bill Wittliff —Larry McMurtry’s epic novel of two aging Texas Rangers who drive a herd of stolen cattle 2,500 miles from the Rio Grande to Montana to found the first ranch there—truly captured public imagination. The Lonesome Dove miniseries, which first aired on CBS in 1989, lassoed an even wider audience. | March 6 through July 11, 2021

 

 

 

 

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• Signal from Noise - Signal from Noise presents selections from contemporary artist Sol Hill’s signature digital alternative process camera based artwork. Hill utilizes the artifacts that occur in the digital image making process produced from the influence of energies a sensor sees that the human eye does not. Hill’s interest is in exploring and expanding the visual repertoire of the medium of digital imaging and in exploring the intersection of art, science and spirit. Ever interested in juxtaposed contradictions, Hill’s finished works are presented in ways that blur the boundaries between photography and painting. | March 20 through July 24.

• Texas & Neighbors Regional Art Exhibition - Main Gallery - The Texas & Neighbors Exhibition is an annual collaboration between the Irving Art Association and Irving Arts Center. For 36 years artists from Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas and Oklahoma have participated in this prestigious, juried exhibition. To learn more, visit TexasandNeighbors.com. | May 15 - July 10

• Amy Werntz: Portraits - Focus Gallery - Amy Werntz is an artist obsessed with time, of the fear of its passing and the feeling of not living in the correct moment. This passion plays out in her art which seeks to capture the seemingly insignificant moments of everyday life. | May 15 - July 10

• Robert Batson: New Works (2019-2021) - Courtyard Gallery - Robert Batson is an artist and retired architect with a degree in architecture from Texas Tech University and a Masters degree in art from the University of Dallas. He splits his time between Texas and New Mexico, with residences in the Taos Ski Valley as well as in Irving.  He loves the landscape and architecture of northern New Mexico and has been painting and drawing it since he first started visiting the area.  When home in North Texas, you’ll often find Robert at Irving Arts Center, where he is very active, serving as a volunteer docent and summer camp art instructor. | June 12 - September 25

• Join the Lunch & Learn Zoom group each week on Tuesday from 12-1:30 p.m. for an informal adult education program discussing art topics that tie into current exhibitions at Irving Arts Center galleries. Videos, lectures, peer presentations and guest speakers are some of the activities offered. 

Wednesdays - Saturdays

The Irving Archives and Museum announces its new hours this month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $25 for groups up to 10. Reservations are required. "A History of Walls, the Borders We Build" is a temporary exhibit about the walls we build and why we build them. On view from June 12 to August 14, the exhibit explores the history and future of several of the world's major geopolitical barriers.

July 11

The Academy of Bangla Arts and Culture (ABAC ) presents Kanak Chapa in concert.  Chapa is an award-winning artist who has received the Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer four times. Irving Arts Center, 5:30 p.m. Admission is $20 - $50.

July 23 - August 7

A star-struck Elizabeth Fuller’s dream came true when the legendary Bette Davis came to dinner at her Connecticut home. Four weeks later, as the hotel strike in New York dragged on, she was still there. Me & Jezebel is an intimate, funny and true story of a Hollywood legend and her most ardent fan. See website for dates and times at the Irving Arts Center. Tickets are $21 - $28

AT THE IRVING CONVENTION CENTER

The innovative and highly flexible Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas hosts a multitude of varied events throughout the year. Check the events calendar often, there's sure to be a show or conference to suit your fancy. The following are events taking place in May.

July 9-10

Have you ever been curious about the cannabis and hemp industry, what the law entails, its costs and profitability? The Lucky Leaf Expo focuses on everything you need to grow your business—suppliers, mechanicals, attorneys, growers, distilleries, and lighting companies. Get acquainted with edibles, laws, the agriculture process, and so much more. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $35 - $119

July 11

The Quinceañera Expo focuses on everything a future Quinceañera will need for her event. The celebration is the most anticipated event for teenage Latinas and the Quinceañera Expo will help them make their dreams become a reality. Hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 - $15.

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July 11

The Sneaker Exit is the ultimate sneaker trade show. Highlighting sneakers and the streetwear culture, this is the premier stop for your sneaker journey. The Sneaker Exit is a fun environment for you to conduct transactions of footwear, clothing, and accessories. Hours are 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $22.94 incl tax & fees.

July 17-18

At the Wellness Expo, there are over 80 exhibitors featuring products and services for mind, body and spirit. Shop for energized jewelry & stones, experience bodywork, Reiki, reflexology & intuitive readings. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door, children under 12 and adults over 65 are free.

After all this, there are additional area happenings.  Just visit our website at www.irvingtexas.com/events. Be sure to tag us with your posts. #VisitIrving #IrvingRocks