McKinney Main Street is bringing a new piece of public art to downtown - and it carries a name the district has been using for years. At its August 20 meeting, the McKinney Arts Commission approved a $20,000 public art mural titled "Anything but Square" at 226 E Virginia Street, next to the parking lot at Doug and Linda's Ski Shop. The artist is Bryan Peterson, who created the original "Anything but Square" marketing campaign for Downtown McKinney - the campaign that celebrates the independent businesses making the Cultural District worth the drive.

Main Street is sponsoring the mural through the McKinney Downtown Business Redevelopment Board. Peterson's design will go up on the wall adjacent to the ski shop - putting it squarely in downtown foot traffic and right in the spirit of the street art scene that's been building around the Square for the past few years.

At the same meeting, the commission also discussed how to distribute its $175,000 Season Support Grant pool for FY2027. Those grants - capped at $20,000 per nonprofit - go to organizations running a full season of arts programs, performances, or events within the fiscal year. Final allocations were under discussion at the meeting. Andrew Jones, Director of the Cultural District, is the point of contact for both items.

Two things happening at once: a piece of permanent street art that will change the look of Virginia Street, and a wave of operating support headed to the organizations keeping McKinney's arts calendar full.

(Source: McKinney Arts Commission, August 20, 2026)

The Chicago-born sandwich shop known for oven-toasted subs and neighborhood energy is coming to Stonebridge Ranch. Local owners Barry and Remington Burke open the West McKinney location on Friday, September 4 at Eldorado Neighborhood Shops - serving Potbelly's signature subs, hand-dipped shakes, and fresh-baked cookies. A grand celebration with a Spin the Wheel and free-sandwich-for-a-year prizes runs September 19, 11AM-1PM.
Opening Sept. 4 | 3200 S. Stonebridge Dr., Suite 108 | 10AM-9PM daily

Mialetta Bakery is a home-based microbakery in Frisco offering baked goods using quality ingredients you can feel good about eating such as:

For more information, check out @mialettabakery on Instagram

& visit hotplate.com/mialettabakery

McKinney's new Safe Streets action plan - focused on eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on city roads - is open for public review. The draft identifies priority corridors and improvement strategies based on crash data, community input, and infrastructure evaluations. Read it and share your feedback by Sept. 13 at McKinneyTexas.org/SafeStreets.
(Source: City of McKinney)

The McKinney Farmers Market at Chestnut Square has been nominated for America's Farmers Market Celebration - a national recognition program. Voting is free and takes about 30 seconds. Cast yours at markets.farmland.org by Sept. 30.
(Source: City of McKinney newsletter, Aug 27)

🏠 Better Together: Community Conversation on Homelessness
City staff and a UTD research team are hosting an open community conversation about the root causes and local impact of homelessness in McKinney. Genuine, solutions-focused, open to all residents.
McKinney City Hall - Fitzhugh Event Hall, 401 E. Virginia St., Thu Sept 3, 6-8PM (Free)

🛒 Chestnut Square Farmers Market
McKinney's beloved weekly market brings together local farmers, ranchers, bakers, artisans, and makers every Saturday morning. It's nominated for national recognition this year - showing up is basically a vote of confidence.
Chestnut Square Historic Village, 315 S Chestnut St, 8AM-12PM (Free)

👗 ART MEETS FASHION Luncheon and Show
A runway show where local artists' works literally walk the room - fashions curated by HOME ON BISHOP and The Devi Collective, featuring original pieces from the American Sewing Guild. Lunch at 11AM, show at noon, pop-up shops after. Tickets and reservations at heardcraig.org.
Heard-Craig Center for the Arts, 306 N Church St, 11AM-2PM (Paid)

🖼️ MillHouse Summer ArtFest
A juried indoor art festival with 60 artists and makers set inside the historic Cotton Mill. Browse fine art, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, photography, and fiber art through three halls, with live music in the Atrium and coffee, wine, and pastries from White Box Roastery. Free admission. Continues Sunday.
The Cotton Mill, 610 Elm St, 11AM-5PM (Free)

🖤 Calm in Color: A Mindful Coloring Experience
DFW AfriCircle hosts an adult-only coloring and mindfulness gathering at SALOMAY - soothing music, Black-centered artwork and classic mandala designs, all materials provided. Ticket includes one drink from SALOMAY; BYOB limit one drink per person.
SALOMAY: Coffee - Wine - Crepes, 5121 Collin McKinney Pkwy Ste 100, 5-8PM ($13-21, 21+)

🎭 Shakespeare Unscripted
The Comedy Arena ensemble improvises complete scenes in full Shakespearean style - iambic pentameter, dramatic asides, and all. Funnier and sharper than it sounds.
The Comedy Arena, 305 E Virginia St, 7PM (Paid)

🦇 Night Hike: Bat Chat
The Heard's naturalists lead you through the darkening trails for a guided look at local bat species - flight patterns, echolocation, and hopefully a few on the wing. Pack bug spray.
Heard Natural Science Museum, 1 Nature Place, 7-9PM (Paid)

🎨 Murals of McKinney Self-Guided Walking Tour
There's never been a better excuse to wander downtown. The self-guided tour hits major murals, 8 giant monarch sculptures, and over 80 Tiny Doors scattered across Historic Downtown.
Historic Downtown McKinney, start at the McKinney Visitors Center, all day (Free)

🖼️ MillHouse Summer ArtFest (Day 2)
The festival continues for its final day inside the Cotton Mill - 60 juried artists, live music in the Atrium, and White Box coffee and wine while you shop. Same free admission.
The Cotton Mill, 610 Elm St, 11AM-5PM (Free)

🎶 Crystal Bowl Sound Bath with Susan
A 75-minute sound bath at YogaSix North McKinney - crystal bowls, soothing tones, and actual quiet in the middle of a hot Sunday. Bring a yoga mat and blanket; no experience needed.
YogaSix North McKinney, 1620 N Hardin Blvd, 1:30-2:45PM ($54.30)

🎤 purpleMOSH presents LIVE COMEDY
Standup, gospel music, and a live DJ at Jim's Pizza on Sunday afternoon. Lineup: headliner Trey Mack, host Nadia Elle, DJ Elan Noire, and more. Bring your people.
Jim's Pizza, 2107 Eldorado Pkwy Suite 110, 2-5PM (Paid)

🌕 The Sturgeon Moon
An evening gathering at Leaf Café to mark the full Sturgeon Moon - henna, tarot readings, and easy Sunday vibes. Free RSVP gets you an intention bottle; add a tarot reading or henna for $20 each, or both for $34.
Leaf Café McKinney, 405 N McDonald St STE E, 4-8PM (Free RSVP / $20-34)

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🎸 The Grohl Models Live on the Lawn
Rock covers on TUPPS' outdoor stage - summer nights, lawn chairs, and cold beer. Named after every rock musician ever, roughly.
TUPPS Brewery, 721 Anderson St, 7-10PM (Free)

🎵 Maddie White Band
A long night of live music at the Lion & Crown McKinney - country-influenced and crowd-friendly, going well past midnight.
The Lion & Crown McKinney, 7951 Collin McKinney Pkwy, 8PM-midnight (Free)

🎶 Aaron Hendra
Singer-songwriter at McKinney's wine bistro on Virginia Pkwy. A glass of red and live acoustic is a valid Saturday plan.
Zin Zen Wine Bistro, 6841 Virginia Pkwy, 8-11PM (No cover)

🍀 River Driver
Celtic and folk at The Celt Irish Pub in downtown McKinney. Good for groups, great for a long Saturday night.
The Celt Irish Pub, 100 N Tennessee St, 8-11PM (Free)

🎓 School of Rock House Band
Student performers from School of Rock play through their summer set at TUPPS. Low expectations, high payoff.
TUPPS Brewery, 721 Anderson St, 11AM-12PM (Free)

Tucked in the northwest corner of McKinney, Myers Park is one of the city's larger outdoor spaces - sprawling grounds, covered pavilions, open fields, and enough shade to make August manageable. It's the backdrop for some of McKinney's biggest outdoor events throughout the year (4th of July, fall festivals, community gatherings), but the grounds are open and enjoyable any time you want a low-key outing. Bring a blanket, a frisbee, or just your lunch.

📍 Myers Park & Event Center, 7117 CR 166, McKinney, TX 75071

(Source: National Weather Service)

Sat Aug 29: ☀️ Sunny and hot, high 101°F

Sun Aug 30: ☀️ Sunny and hot, high 101°F

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