Your Guide To

Dallas Kindness Festival 2025

One City. One Week. Infinite Good.

When: Saturday, November 15, 2025, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Where: Annette Strauss Square | Dallas Arts District

Parking

Parking options for the Dallas Arts District include numerous garages and surface lots with varying prices, as well as some metered street parking. See details below.

Public Transportation

DART: Pearl/Arts District Station

Who: Free & Open to All

Presented by The Thanks-Giving Foundation as the culminating event of Dallas Kindness Week (Nov. 9–15, 2025)

With Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors:

Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Jackie and Steve Waldman

Communities Foundation of Texas

Welcome!

On November 15, Annette Strauss Square transforms into the city’s most uplifting outdoor experience — a full day of music, movement, and shared humanity.

Come for the performances, stay for the joy, and leave with a renewed belief that Kindness Lives Here.

What You’ll Experience

The Kindness Festival is built like the best community festivals in North Texas — lively, family-friendly, and full of discovery. Here’s what you’ll find:

Live Stages & Performances

Two outdoor stages (Annette Strauss Stage & Sammons Stage) feature 30+ continuous performances from Dallas ISD schools, individuals, and community groups, among them:

  • Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy Jazz Orchestra

  • Woodrow Wilson Variations Choir

  • Adamson Dance Company

  • Griner Middle School Mariachi Los Únicos

  • South Oak Cliff Theater Arts

  • Pleasant Grove TAG School “Owl Band”

  • Richardson High School Desperados

  • Lake Highlands Ballet Folklorico

  • Duncanville Elementary Honor Choir

Spoken word, youth choirs, and cultural dance groups round out the lineup.

Storytelling Corner: students perform readings from The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse, exploring kindness and belonging.

Global Food Truck Market

Four curated food trucks will serve comfort classics and international favorites. Expect something kind for every palate.

Kindness Market

A curated row of local artists, makers, and nonprofits offering handmade goods, kindness-themed gifts, and volunteer opportunities. Includes booths from local partners such as animal shelters (with puppies for adoption!) and youth service organizations.

Family & Youth Zone

Designed for play and purpose:

  • Bounce houses & art walls

  • Putting green & game area

  • Face-painting & balloon artists

  • Kindness Take-Home Activities for families and classrooms

Interactive Kindness Experiences

  • Kindness Pledge Wall – Commit to daily acts of compassion using a digital QR code or handwritten note.

  • Pop-Up “Be Kind” Stations – Snap a selfie, write a gratitude note, or share your story.

  • Kindness Booth (Start Here) – Festival hub for info, maps, T-shirts, and the 365-Day Kindness Pledge.

Schedule Highlights

(Full performance schedule to be published November 10 — check back for updates.)

10:00 a.m.

Venue opens, DJ & welcome set, Performances begin on Strauss and Sammons stages. Opening ceremony at 10 am, performances begin at 10:15.

11:00 a.m.

Opening Ceremony & Kindness Invocation at Strauss stage

11:00 a.m.

Family Zone opens with kids’ activities

2:00 p.m.

Remarks by Kyle Ogden, President and CEO of Thanks-Giving Foundation, and Kindness Week Founders Dee Silverstein and Jackie Waldman

3:00 p.m.

Spoken Word & Community Recognition Ceremony

5:30 p.m.

“Kindness Lives Here” Declaration & Closing Celebration

Rain or shine — no alternate venue. Bring your spirit, not your umbrella worries!

Who It’s For

Everyone. Families, students, neighbors, faith communities, and anyone who believes in kindness as a force for good.

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful day out, a kid-friendly experience, or a way to reconnect with your city — Kindness Festival has a place for you.

How to Join

  • Just show up. No tickets. No barriers. Just bring your heart.

  • Sign the Kindness Pledge. QR-code stations across the festival grounds.

  • Get social. Tag your moments with #DallasKindnessWeek, #BeKindDallas, and #KindnessLivesHere.

  • Plan ahead. Take DART to Pearl/Arts District Station or take the M-Line Trolley

Parking available at Ross Avenue surface lots, AT&T PAC garages ($20), and St. Paul UMC Church lot.

Event Essentials

When

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Where

Annette Strauss Square, AT&T Performing Arts Center, 2403 Flora St., Dallas, TX 75201

Cost

Free entry; donations support year-round kindness programs

Accessibility

Fully wheelchair accessible; ASL interpretation for major stage segments; family rest zone near Hamon Lawn

What to Bring

Reusable water bottle, comfortable shoes, layers for fall weather, smartphone for QR pledge

Good to Know

Rain or shine. Visit the Kindness Info Booth near the main entrance for maps, volunteer check-in, and schedule updates.

Parking

Parking garages

Surface lots and other options

  • Lot 104: A surface lot at 2600 Ross Ave., with a starting price around $10.73.

  • Street parking: Metered street parking is available, but check signage for restrictions and time limits. Some meters are free for two hours, while others may be cheaper per hour.

  • St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1816 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201

  • Valet parking: Valet services are available at some hotels and venues, such as the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District. 

Tips for parking

  • Book in advance: Use apps like SpotHero and ParkWhiz to book a spot in advance, especially for popular events.

Why It Matters

Kindness isn’t fluff — it’s the foundation of a thriving city. Every act of generosity, no matter how small, becomes a ripple that strengthens the social fabric.

The Thanks-Giving Foundation created Dallas Kindness Week to make compassion visible, actionable, and unforgettable. The Dallas Kindness Festival is its grand finale — proof that Dallas is a city where kindness lives.

Keep the Ripple Going