DFW’s top football games, beer festivals, and events in September

Texans take their football seriously, so it’s no surprise that as the season kicks off, some of the hottest tickets in Dallas-Fort Worth this September are football games. Not a sports fan? Don’t despair—there’s a beer fest and four concerts to keep you busy this month.

After spending years raising money and studying jazz festivals around the country, Curtis King, founder and president of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), is realizing his dream of bringing a world-class jazz event to Dallas this Labor Day weekend. In addition to securing some of the best local talent, King reached out directly to artists like Erykah Badu, Will Downing, and Najee in order to ensure a well-rounded lineup that covers a variety of genres from classical jazz to R&B and pop. Tickets start at $50 for a one-day pass if you buy in advance. Proceeds will help support TBAAL’s youth programs.

When: Sep 1 – 3, 1pm
Where: Texas Horse Park, 811 Pemberton Hill Rd, Dallas, TX

The college football season kicks off on September 2, and AT&T Stadium will once again be hosting the AdvoCare Classic. This year’s showdown between the Florida Gators and the Michigan Wolverines will be the first time the teams have faced off during the regular season. Access to the AdvoCare Classic Fan Fest is included with your ticket, so show up early and make a day of it. Pre-game festivities including live music and giveaways begin at 10am in the Miller Lite Plaza.

When: Sep 2, 2:30pm
Where: AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX

If you’ve ever fantasized about quitting your day job to become a brewmaster, you’re not alone. There are thousands of home brewers across the DFW area, and every year, 25+ of the most dedicated come together at Labor of Love to compete for top honors. Deep Ellum Brewing Company hosts the annual festival, and your $30 entrance fee includes three of their beers, a 5 oz. tasting glass, and unlimited homebrew samples. Three bands will keep the live music going all evening, and food trucks will be on hand to make sure that no one goes hungry. Kids under 17 are welcome, and the fest is dog-friendly so feel free to bring the whole gang.

 When: Sep 3, 5pm
Where: Deep Ellum Brewing Company, 2823 St Louis St, Dallas, TX

The Cowboys kick off the regular season on September 10 with a home game against long-time rivals, the New York Giants, and Dallas fans will no doubt be eager to see how the team fares without star quarterback Tony Romo who retired at the end of last season. The stakes will be high since the Cowboys and Giants have evenly split the games they’ve played this decade. The Giants have won the last 3 times the teams faced off, but if the preseason performance of Dallas QB Dak Prescott is any indication of what’s ahead, Cowboys fans don’t need to worry.

When: Sep 10, 7:30pm
Where: AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX

For the past 16 years, the Honda Civic Tour has been responsible for some of the summer’s best rock and pop concerts. This year, the multi-platinum OneRepublic will be headlining the 34-date tour. They will be joined by neo soul/dance pop band Fitz and the Tantrums and singer-songwriter James Arthur. The show hit the road in July, and Dallas is the second to last stop on the tour, so expect to see tight, well-rehearsed performances from all 3 acts. Single tickets start at just $23, and if you can recruit some friends to go in on a 4-pack of lawn seats, you’ll pay just $21 each.

When: Sep 11, 7pm
Where: Starplex Pavilion, 3839 S Fitzhugh Ave, Dallas, TX

When Janet Jackson cut her Unbreakable tour short last year to focus on motherhood, she promised fans that she’d be back to finish the job. This fall, she’s keeping her promise with 56 shows across North America, including the September 14 performance at the American Airlines Center. The singer has reportedly been spending up to 16 hours a day in rehearsals to perfect her choreography, so fans of Rhythm Nation may just be in luck. You won’t want to miss the chance to see this legendary performer who the Atlantic dubbed “the most culturally significant female artist of the 1980s.”

When: Sep 14, 8pm
Where: American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX

The Southwest Classic always showcases some of the best teams in college football, and this year is no exception. This year’s game will be between local favorites, the Aggies of Texas A&M, and the Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas. Since their first match-up in 1903, Texas A&M and Arkansas have been well-matched rivals; both teams have produced their fair share of NFL players. While the Razorbacks currently lead the series 41-29-3, the Aggies haven’t lost since 2011, and they’ll be looking to lock down their sixth straight win come September 23.

When: Sep 23, 1pm
Where: AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX

Arcade Fire will be about halfway through their world tour when they roll through Dallas at the end of the month. The Grammy-winning indie rock band is on the road in support of Everything Now, their fifth studio album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.  Over the course of the tour, the band will have a number of different openers including the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Grandmaster Flash. Fellow Canadians, Wolf Parade will be kicking things off at the American Airlines Center.

When: Sep 28, 7:30pm
Where: American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX

While football gets most of the attention as fall gets underway, if you’re anxious to get a jump on hockey season, the Stars have three preseason home games this month. With new coaching staff and a host of changes to the roster, there’s a lot of excitement about what’s in store for the team this year, so preseason games promise to be busier than usual this year. Plus, the Stars topped the list of Dallas-Fort Worth sports teams for “best fan experience” in a recently released J.D. Power study, so you know you’re in for a good time.

When: Sep 19, 25, and 26, 7:30pm
Where: American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave, Dallas, TX

With events centered on sports, music, and beer, September in DFW is packed with fun ways to fend off the end-of-summer blues.