With the crisp spring weather just around the corner, there are many ways to enjoy nature as a family, with friends, or going solo.

Although. . . this is Texas, and we all know that to define the season of “spring” while living in a state with such varietal weather is at the least extremely difficult. It’s hard to know whether you should be prepared for tornadoes, ice storms, or beautiful sunny weather. It’s important to have an activity prepared for any type of weather because the patterns are so unpredictable, so I have also included some indoor activities.

On March 19, the Dallas St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival will travel a two mile route complete with marching bands, bagpipers and a substantial amount of green. The parade begins at the intersection of Greenville and Blackwell.

If you’re looking for something a little more unconventional or if you have developed an infatuation for pickles, The World’s Only St. Paddy’s Pickle Parade and Palooza is perfect for you! Look out for the pickle – eating, pickle-juice-drinking, and pie-eating contests on March 12 in Mansfield, Texas.

The Dallas Jazz Age Sunday Social at Dallas Heritage Village transports you back to the pinnacle of the jazz era – the 1920’s, decades before the invention of iPhones, video games or email. It is the largest vintage-inspired event in Dallas with traditional jazz, dancing, badminton, antique automobiles, food and more! Visitors are encouraged to dress in 1920’s day attire but it is not required. From 12:00 to 5:00 p.m., on March 13.

The Deep Ellum Arts Festival features more than 100 bands performing original songs on the festival’s five stages. Several streets will be closed to make room for more than 200 visual artists and craftsmen to set up in the heart of Deep Ellum. On April 1-3, along 2900-3400 Main Street. Admission is free.

Jousters and mermaids and wenches, oh my! Travel back in time, past even the jazz age, to the streets of a Renaissance village. Watch a game of human chess, eat a turkey leg or cheer on the jousters and fire jugglers. About 30 minutes south of Dallas in Waxahachie, the Renaissance Festival starts the first weekend in April and continues through Memorial Day Monday.

Back for its second year, the North Texas Teen Book Festival will hold keynote speeches, panel discussions and book signings by authors such as Sarah Dessen and James Dashner. Keep an eye out as they reveal the rest of the authors this week! At the Irving Convention Center on April 23.

Enjoy a relaxing day by the lake as you browse through work from over 240 artists at the Cottonwood Art Festival. With over 800 submissions, juries decide which artists’ work will be on display. May 7 and 8 at 1321 W. Beltline Road.

The Dallas International Guitar Festival is the oldest and largest guitar festival in the world, and with the lineup that includes Grammy nominees, these three days could be the a music lover’s paradise. More than 100 bands and 600 exhibitors will be performing April 29, 30 and May 1 at the Dallas Market Hall.