This article is a part of the 2024 Spring Travel Guide, a sponsored collection brought to you by our travel advertising partners. You can find more spring travel destinations and events here.

Mesquite’s prime location offers a unique experience with four minutes and eight seconds of totality — the total darkness that takes place when the moon blocks the sun from earth — making it one of the best spots in the DFW Metroplex to witness this historic event.

The Mesquite Rodeo Parade is a time-honored tradition.

Here’s what you can’t afford to miss during Solar Rodeo Weekend:

Saturday

Start the festivities with a time-honored Mesquite tradition, the Rodeo Parade. Join the excitement as the parade, a tradition that has stood for more than half a century, winds its way through Downtown Mesquite. Following the parade, head over a few blocks to the Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market at Front Street Station for a morning of shopping with artisans, enjoying food from local food trucks, and live music.

Shop with unique atisans at the Downtown Mesquite Farmers Market at Front Street Station.

As night falls, keep the party going in Downtown Mesquite with the Music and Moonlight Street Dance! Dance under the stars to live music and DJ beats while savoring bites from top-notch food trucks at the Food Truck Rodeo. Not a fan of dancing? Browse unique vendors and capture the magic of the evening with a souvenir photo from the PhotoBus! Don’t forget to take a look at the new mural by local artist Daniel Yanez.

Don’t miss Tejano Fest at Mesquite Arena.

Sunday

Are you a lover of Latin music? Don’t miss out on Tejano Fest at Mesquite Arena! Indulge in flavorful Mexican food and dance the day away to headliners Grupo Siggno and Jennifer Pena, alongside Grupo METAL featuring Chris Perez, Gary Hobbs, Marcos Orozco, and Los Garcia Brothers.

Prefer a more laid-back afternoon? Head over to the Mesquite ISD Russell Planetarium for an enlightening experience. Dive into a documentary-style film explaining the intricacies of eclipses and what to expect on the big day. Showings are available in both English and Spanish.

For some events, free Official Solar Rodeo eclipse glasses will be available (first-come, first-served).

Monday

Experience the eclipse at one of our official viewing locations scattered throughout the city:

  • Downtown Mesquite | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | FREE. Join the party at Front Street Station beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting through totality and ending at 3 p.m. Enjoy vendors, eclipse-themed art, food trucks, and live music. Official Solar Rodeo eclipse glasses are available at the Mesquite Visitor Center.
  • Mesquite Arts Center | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | FREE. Bring the whole family for activities including a screen printing T-shirt workshop, crystal wrapping, digital photography workshops, and more! A limited number of Official Solar Rodeo eclipse glasses will be available first-come, first-served.
  • Historic Mesquite | 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. | $35 Ticket. Seek out serenity at Opal Lawrence Historical Park, where you can enjoy wide-open skies, learn about early Texas living history, and listen to live music from traditional Texas cowboys. Ticket holders will receive FREE eclipse glasses.
  • Eclipse in the Park | 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. | FREE. Bring your picnic blanket for a cosmic experience featuring yard games, music, and more! A limited number of Official Solar Rodeo Eclipse Glasses will be available first-come, first-served.
  • Dallas Eastfield College | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | FREE. Are you an astronomy buff? View the sun and eclipse through a professional telescope and learn more about what’s happening above at the Astronomy Corner. Lawn games and arts and crafts will be available for younger viewers. Free solar viewers will be available first-come, first-served.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this historic event! Join us for a weekend of real Texas fun  in the Rodeo Capital of Texas.

For a complete schedule, lodging information, and other details, please visit TheSolarRodeo.com.