The Funky Town Card Show turns Friday night into hobby night in Arlington on July 24, 2026, taking over the Meadowbrook Recreation Center from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This free evening show has become one of the most distinctive fixtures on the DFW calendar precisely because of its timing — instead of fighting weekend crowds, collectors get a relaxed after-work session with 85+ vendor tables, food on site, and the kind of social, trade-heavy energy that evening shows are known for.
The collecting mix is one of the broadest in the area. Confirmed categories include sports cards across MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL, plus Pokemon, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Dragon Ball, and other TCGs. Beyond the cardboard, tables carry comics, toys, autographs, memorabilia, anime items, sneakers, video games, Disney collectibles, and more, which makes this as much a general collectibles night as a card show. Graded slabs, raw singles, sealed product, and bargain boxes all circulate, and because the crowd skews toward regulars, trading is a big part of the culture — bring a binder and you will get offers.
Hours are simple: one evening, Friday from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The first hour draws the buyers who want first crack at fresh inventory, while the last hour is famously good for deals as vendors decide what they would rather sell tonight than pack up.
Admission is free, with no tickets or registration needed. That, plus the evening hours, makes this an easy outing for working collectors who cannot burn a Saturday, and for families who want a low-cost weeknight-style activity — kids are welcome, and dollar boxes give young collectors plenty to hunt.
The Meadowbrook Recreation Center at 1400 Dugan Street sits in central Arlington just south of East Abram Street, with free parking on site. It is minutes from downtown Arlington and the entertainment district, and easy to reach from anywhere in the mid-cities via Highway 360, I-30, or Division Street. Plenty of dinner options line nearby Abram and Collins if the on-site food does not fill you up.
Who should come? Anyone who likes the social side of the hobby. The evening format attracts collectors who come to hang out, trade, and talk cards as much as to buy, so first-timers get an unusually welcoming introduction. Casual collectors can browse 85+ tables without spending a dime on entry, and serious buyers should not overlook it either — Friday-night shows are where sharp-eyed collectors find underpriced cards before the weekend shows begin.
Tips for the night: arrive near 6:00 PM if you are buying, stay late if you are bargain-hunting, bring cash since evening vendors love quick deals, and pack your trade binder because this is one of the most trade-friendly rooms in DFW. Grab food early, as on-site vendors can sell down as the night goes on.
For updates and future Funky Town dates in Arlington and around the Metroplex, check the listing on Card Show Dex or follow the Funky Town Card Show pages on social media, where the organizers post vendor lineups in the week before each show.