Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
These are the previously published dates. Check the organizer for a new edition.
Check the organizer’s latest schedule ↗Cool Thursdays: Emerald City brings cross-decade dance hits to Dallas Arboretum
The fall lineup moves from Bee Gees Gold’s Bee Gees tribute on Oct. 29 to Emerald City’s broader, decades-spanning dance brief on Nov. 5. That shift gives the 29th-year Cool Thursdays finale a program defined by range rather than one artist’s catalog.
A broader brief for the final fall date
The Dallas Arboretum describes Emerald City as a Dallas party band and frames the Nov. 5 set around dance hits from several decades. The event page names no song titles or additional performers, so the listing gives a useful sense of the music’s scope without promising a particular setlist.
The concert is part of Cool Thursdays’ 29th year. The series places its fall shows on the Concert Lawn against the White Rock Lake setting; for this finale, the musical contrast with the previous week’s Bee Gees tribute is the clearest guide to what changes from one date to the next.
Further reading: Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
The closing-night bill
Emerald City is the named act, with the event listing describing a dance-hits set spanning multiple decades.
2026-11-05 · Concert Lawn
- Emerald City
Plan for the lawn and the evening
Thursday, November 5
Gates open at 6 p.m.; Emerald City is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. The Arboretum says the garden closes at 10 p.m.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Event ticket rates
The event page lists tickets at $40 for members, $50 for guests and $30 for children ages 2–12. Parking and food are separate costs; see the details below.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Preorder food, or check the concert-night options
The Arboretum says concert snacks and meals can be preordered at least 72 hours before the show. Food and drinks are also available for purchase on site, including beer and wine at a bar.
The Proof of the Pudding page for Cool Thursday Concerts currently shows examples such as a vegetable wrap, grilled-chicken orzo and a garden antipasto selection, but says its product listing is being updated. Treat those as menu-page examples, not a guarantee of what will be available on Nov. 5.
Guests may bring their own alcohol under the series’ $5 corkage fee per reservation per concert. The series says prepaying the fee can shorten the wait at entry.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Cool Thursday Concerts ↗
Pay separately and use designated parking
Parking is $15 per car, plus tax and fees. Members get complimentary parking for up to two vehicles registered in advance; extra vehicles and guest vehicles are subject to the standard fee.
Use designated parking areas rather than nearby residential streets, where tow-away signs apply.
Getting to the Concert Lawn
Destination and entrances
The concert is on the Concert Lawn at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218. The Arboretum lists Entry 1, the Main Entrance, at that address. Entry 3, at 8657 Garland Road, is within easy reach of the Concert Lawn. Entry 4 is the parking garage at 8720 Garland Road; an underground walkway connects the garage to the garden.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Parking | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Rideshare and accessible parking
For concert-night rideshares and passenger drop-offs or pickups, use Entry 3; the series says guests may be dropped off only there. It identifies this entrance as closer to the lawn for guests with disabilities and people carrying large items. The series lists handicap parking at Entries 1, 3 and 4; guest parking fees apply.
Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Directions and on-site travel
The Arboretum's map links can calculate directions from your starting point. Its published information does not specify bus or rail routes. Trams are not available on concert evenings.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Parking | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Before you make a plan
When do gates open, and when does the concert end?
Gates open at 6 p.m. Emerald City is scheduled for 7–9 p.m.; the garden closes at 10 p.m.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
What are the ticket prices?
The event page lists $40 for members, $50 for guests and $30 for children ages 2–12. Parking and food are separate costs.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Can I bring a chair or blanket?
Yes. Blankets are allowed in either lawn zone. Chairs no more than 4 inches off the ground go in front; taller chairs belong in the rear zone. Seating is first come, first served.
Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Where should a rideshare drop me off?
Use Entry 3 at 8657 Garland Road. The series says concert-night drop-offs and pickups are restricted to that entry.
Cool Thursdays Concert Series | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗ · Parking | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
How far ahead should I order concert food?
The Arboretum says to preorder snacks and meals at least 72 hours before the concert. Its catering menu page says the listing is being updated, so check it for current choices.
Cool Thursdays: Emerald City | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden ↗
Location & Google Maps
Concert Lawn, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.