When a New Year begins and we think of ways to make our lives better, sometimes our thoughts turn to what we can do for others. I’ll be sharing some fun options for volunteering in another post, but for now, check out these social events based on a giving component. Unlike the many galas and large charity events, these are affordable (or even free) to attend!
There’s at least one annual Dallas area charity event with a social side every month of the year. Happy 2025!
Monthly Events
Feed the City – Monthly Sandwich Making (Tango Charities)
These events are about donating ingredients for lunches to hand out, and everyone takes part in assembling the lunches. There’s one every month!
Dallas 24-Hour Club Steak Night
Every year, this group provides safe, sober, transitional living for homeless men and women seeking a brand new life away from alcohol and drugs. Over 600 people a year find a safe place off the streets to begin their recovery
The first Saturday of each month, the club sponsors a Steak Night in their HubCap Cafe. For $15, you can enjoy a steak, beans, salad and baked potato. Some evenings include live music or speakers. Scheduled meetings follow. The Steak Night event is open to all in the community.
Follow Dallas 24-Hour Club on Instagram for the details in advance of each Steak Night.
Monthly Events
JANUARY
January 11 – MLK Fest (The Walls Project)
Details about the day’s events can be found on Eventbrite.
FEBRUARY
February 8 – Cupid’s Undie Run (The Children’s Tumor Foundation)
MARCH
March (date TBA) – Aids Walk South Dallas
APRIL
April 4 – May 3- Dwell with Dignity Thrift Studio
Admission is free, purchases benefit Dwell with Dignity. Preview and VIP opportunities are available on the Dwell with Dignity website.
April 12 – Fight for Air Climb at Reunion Tower
April 20 – Easter in Turtle Creek Park
April 25 – Strut Your Mutt at Fair Park
This annual fun run supporting SPCA of Texas welcomes around 2000 (people and pet) participants each year.
MAY
May 1-5 – Purple Party (The Purple Foundation)
Purple Foundation raises funds for local organizations that work to improve the overall quality of life, health, wellness, and future of the Dallas LGBTQIA+ community. Purple Party is a four-day fest with multiple parties and social events each day.
May 3 – Day at the Races at Turtle Creek Park (Turtle Creek Conservancy) – a Kentucky Derby watch party
Event details are TBA. Visit the Turtle Creek Conservancy website for updates.
May 10-11 – Swiss Avenue Home Tour on Mothers Day (Swiss Avenue Historic District)
Note: The days reflected here are the correct dates, but the website has not been updated with the 2025 event.
JUNE
June (Dates TBA) – Parade of Playhouses at NorthPark (Dallas CASA)
It’s free to check out the playhouses on display at NorhPark. Funds are raised with $5 raffle tickets to win one of the playhouses.
JULY
July 22 – McKinney Avenue Trolley Birthday (MATA)
Some year’s there’s a big birthday party to attend, but if there’s not one this year, it’s still a great day to drop off a donation. The McKinney Avenue Transit Authority trolleys are free to ride 365 days a year!
AUGUST
August (Dates TBA) – DFW Restaurant Week (NTFB, Lena Pope)
Dates haven’t been announced yet, but reservations open in July and the entire month of August restaurants will be participating in this special event. Visit the DFW Restaurant Week website to learn more about this annual event that’s entering its 28th year.
SEPTEMBER
September (Dates TBA) – Canstruction at NorthPark (North Texas Food Bank)
It’s free to view these amazing creations at NorthPark. Donation dollars equal votes for the winners. See last year’s entries and winners on the NTFB website.
Sept 19 – North Texas Giving Day
This annual day of giving and the days leading up to it provide matching funds for Dallas-Fort Worth area charities. While the big action takes place in September, this website offers resources year-round for people who are looking for a cause to support.
Use the Find a Cause page with Volunteer Opportunities selected as a filter, and you can find charities that will best match your interests and abilities.
Looking for a unique gift to give any time of year? Shop the goods from Dallas-area non-profits on this North Texas Giving Day website page.
Sept 25-27 – Chi Omega Christmas Market at Dallas Market Hall (mulitple beneficiaries)
If you love getting a head start on the Christmas season, this event is traditionally your first chance. Since 1978, this event has collectively raised $10.4 million dollars, including over a half a million dollars in 2023 to 13 non profit organizations and 10 collegiate scholarships.
Sept 26-Oct 19 – State Fair of Texas
With all the fun available to fairgoers, it’s easy to forget that the State Fair of Texas is a charitable organization with a mission promoting agriculture, education, and community involvement.
OCTOBER
October 24-26 – Susan G Komen 3-Day Walk
October (Date TBA) – St Andrew Cars for Community Car Show (The Storehouse Community Center, Plano)
Free (and fun) to attend with entry registration fees benefiting charity. Follow the church’s Instagram (linked above) for details when the date is announced.
NOVEMBER
November 1 – Zoo to Do (Dallas Zoo)
This annual fundraiser for the Dallas Zoo also brings out the best chefs in Dallas. It’s one of the pricier options on this list, but offers a lot of bang for your buck.
November (Date TBA) – Chefs for Farmers (The Seed Project Foundation)
Farmers and chefs, working together, serving up food and fun (plus drinks) at an all day event. No wonder it sells out every year. 2025 dates haven’t been announced yet, but this generally takes place in early November.
November 27 – Turkey Trot (YMCA)
Always on Thanksgiving morning, and always a wild and crazy time. (Participants and spectators have been known to dress as turkeys in very creative ways.) This link is for the Dallas Turkey Trot, but several other cities have their own.
DECEMBER
Look for dates and updates later this year.
Date TBA – Dallas Margarita Ball
Christmas Events at NorthPark Center
Trains at NorthPark (Ronald McDonald House)
Breakfast with Santa at NorthPark Center (Children’s Health)
Photos with Santa, etc. benefit a local charity.
Cocoa with Santa benefits Dallas Historical Society
December (Date TBA) – Holiday in the Highlands Home Tour Sip and Shop
December (Date TBA) Texas Toy Run (My Resources of Tarrant County and Metrocare Dallas)
