One of my favorite niche DFW traditions officially kicks off this afternoon: Dallas Tiki Week.

It started as a celebration of tiki culture, cocktails, art, and community, but Dallas Tiki Week has grown into a full week of themed events spread across Dallas and Fort Worth. The festival blends classic tiki bar culture with local artists, musicians, makers, bartenders, and collectors — creating one of the most fun and delightfully niche events in DFW.

Tonight, you can kick things off with the Dallas Tiki Week Sip & Shop event at East Dallas Vintage from 4–6 PM — a perfect chance to browse vintage finds and get into the tiki spirit before the rest of the week’s festivities.

Later tonight, head to Bishop Arts for the Swizzle Pop-Up at La Reunion from 7 PM–midnight featuring Swizzle bites, Luna Azul cocktails crafted by Tsu, tiki tattoos by Hams Tattoos, boozy snow cones from Los Tlacuaches, and music from DJ La Taina.

So… what exactly is tiki culture?

Tiki culture first exploded in America after World War II, inspired by romanticized Polynesian aesthetics, tropical escapism, mid-century design, exotic cocktails, surf music, and over-the-top hospitality. Think bamboo bars, carved tiki mugs, vintage Hawaiian shirts, glowing lanterns, volcano bowls, and lush jungle vibes. While modern tiki culture has evolved quite a bit over the years, today it’s largely centered around cocktail craftsmanship, retro design, art, music, and community gatherings.

Dallas Tiki Week leans heavily into all of that — in the best possible way.

Throughout the week, you’ll find everything from pop-up cocktail events and live music nights to artist markets, educational talks, bus tours, vintage shopping, tiki flea markets, themed parties, and hands-on classes. Some events are ticketed, but many are free and easy to pop into, even if you’re completely new to the tiki scene.

*Dallas Tiki Week velvet painting class with the* *Boozy Doodler, 2025*

One of the things I love most about Dallas Tiki Week is how interactive it is. Last year, I took the velvet painting class with The Boozy Doodler, and I had so much fun. Painting velvet art while sipping tropical cocktails somehow feels both a little chaotic and therapeutic — I highly recommend checking it out. Tickets sell out fast, so you have to jump on them the second they’re announced. It ended up being one of my favorite souvenirs from the week.

2026 Dallas Tiki Week glass design by Nathanael Ross Smith

Don’t forget to grab the commemorative Dallas Tiki Week glass. Every year’s design becomes a collectible and a special addition to your tiki mug collection.

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As someone who moved here from Arizona — where Scottsdale transforms The Hotel Valley Ho into a full-on Tiki Oasis — I would absolutely love to see Dallas eventually grow into something similar. The Statler in Dallas would be the perfect venue for it. The mid-century architecture, pool deck, and retro vibe already feel halfway there.

You also don’t need to be a hardcore tiki collector to enjoy it. You can absolutely:

Pop into a themed happy hour
Dress up in your loudest aloha shirt
Shop vintage and tiki-inspired art
Try a classic rum cocktail (or tropical mocktail with some zhuzh!)
Listen to surf or exotica music
Learn about the history of tiki culture
Or just enjoy the pure escapism of it all without leaving the metroplex.

That’s probably why Dallas Tiki Week has built such a loyal following. It’s fun, a little campy, incredibly creative, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Even if you’re brand new to tiki culture, it’s hard not to get swept up in the energy of it all. Hope to see you there!

If you are interested in events like this checkout my Retro Events Calendar!

Thanks for being here and supporting this weird little retro corner of the internet. 💗