Explore Dallas in January: Museums, Staycations, Dining, and Cultural Highlights
2024 is here! Masks, social distancing, and virtual programming continue to shape our new normal, yet Dallas still brims with engaging ways to discover the city.
Featured Museum Exhibits
Kick off the year with standout collections at the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and the Meadows Museum. The DMA showcases Contemporary Art + Design, featuring paintings, jewelry, and design objects from 11 countries, and Moth to Cloth: Silk in Africa, an immersive look at silk production in Ghana, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
The Meadows Museum’s Alonso Berruguete: First Sculptor of Renaissance Spain (closing Jan. 10) presents six drawings, three paintings, and 24 sculptures—its first major U.S. exhibition dedicated to the Spanish sculptor.
In the Design District, Kaleidoscope: Zhuang Hong Yi offers a solo show of new works by one of China’s most influential artists. The exhibition opens Jan. 9 and is available by appointment through Laura Rathe Fine Art.
Staycation Spots
With travel still unpredictable, a local staycation could be the perfect retreat. The newly renovated Beeman Hotel boasts a heated indoor pool, on‑site barbecue, and pet‑friendly rooms. Meanwhile, Thompson Dallas offers luxury in downtown, featuring a boutique spa, fitness center, three dining venues, and 52 unique suites.
Dining Highlights
New culinary gems opened last year and keep popping up across the city. Try Palmer’s Hot Chicken in East Dallas for authentic Nashville Hot Chicken, available fried or oven‑roasted with adjustable heat levels. Heim Barbecue recently expanded near Dallas Love Field, serving the city’s best barbecue. For Vietnamese fare, LaVui—run by the chef behind Oiishii—offers creative spring rolls, Banh Mi, Pho, and more.
Other January Events
Dallas Museum of Art: Arts & Letters Live Series – starting Jan. 12, this 30th‑season series blends literature, visual arts, music, and film with a full lineup of virtual programming.
TITAS/DANCE UNBOUND 2021 Season – opening Jan. 15, the season spotlights only American dance companies, celebrating resilience and artistic renewal. The first show features Ballet Hispanico at the Winspear Opera House.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week – Jan. 15‑23. The City of Dallas and the MLK Community Center host a week of events, including a Candle Lighting Ceremony and an Equity Symposium.
38th Annual Black Music and The Civil Rights Movement Concert – Jan. 17. Presented by The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, this award‑winning concert dramatizes the Black Lives Matter movement and the 1960s Civil Rights era, available for home viewing.
Dallas Mavericks and Stars 2021 Season – The teams return this month. Read about fan‑experience plans and how the Mavs and Stars are welcoming supporters back safely.
