It's a busy weekend in and around Fort Worth, especially if you're a rodeo fan. Choices include the national tour of a Broadway musical, three separate rodeo events, two festivals, screenings of a new documentary, a new local theater production, two country concerts, a symphony concert, a garden tour, and two new art exhibitions.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, May 15
Broadway at the Bass presents MJ the Musical
The unparalleled artistry of the greatest entertainer of all time is featured in MJ, the Tony Award-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 "Dangerous World" Tour. The production goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. It will run through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Professional Bull Riders World Finals: Ride For Redemption
The big week of Professional Bull Riders events in and around Fort Worth starts with Ride For Redemption, at which those riders eliminated in the first phase will have their chance to ride their way back into the Championship. The 25 eliminated riders from Eliminations will compete alongside up to 27 invited riders for the final five Championship berths. The event takes place at Cowtown Coliseum.
Friday, May 16
City of Grapevine presents 41st Annual Main Street Fest
The 41st Annual Main Street Fest is a family-friendly event featuring live music, craft brew and wine experiences, food and unique shopping. Visitors can enjoy the Carnival and Midway, explore the KidZone and experience Texan-sized fun all weekend long. Country star Neal McCoy will be the headlining performer for the festival, which takes place through Sunday in Historic Downtown Grapevine.
Magnolia at the Modern: Hung Up on a Dream: The Zombies Documentary
British Invasion icons the Zombies reflect on 60 years of their musical path in the band’s first feature-length documentary. Surviving band members Rod Argent, Colin Blunstone, Hugh Grundy, and Chris White share their story of navigating the tumultuous music industry and making one of the most influential albums of all time, 1968’s Odessey and Oracle. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Professional Bull Riders presents Kid Rock's Rock N Rodeo
The big PBR weekend continues with Kid Rock's Rock N Rodeo, a music-infused event that features Kid Rock live in concert. Six teams, each led by a legendary rodeo head coach, will compete head-to-head in bracket-style competition across barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, and breakaway roping. The event takes place AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Hip Pocket Theatre presents The Mad Dog Blues
Hip Pocket Theatre will take an adventure trip through America's mythology in The Mad Dog Blues, traversing through Sam Shepard's work like never seen before. Kosmo and Yahoodi travel and conjure dreams only thought to be fantasy. The production runs through June 8.
Scotty McCreery in concert
In the history of American Idol, there is a clear hierarchy for successful singers the show has produced. At the top is Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Adam Lambert. Tenth season winner Scotty McCreery is in the second tier, but his track record - five of his six albums have made the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts - shows he's no slouch. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his 2024 album, Rise & Fall.
Saturday, May 17
Tacos & Tequila Festival
The Tacos & Tequila Festival may sound like food and drinks are the only focus, but the headlining part is the huge live music showcase, featuring performances by Lil Jon, Timbaland, Pretty Ricky, Soulja Boy, Trina, Trick Daddy, Mike Jones, Frankie J, Petey Pablo, DJ Ashton Martin, and more. Naturally, it also includes some of Dallas-Fort Worth’s best taco chefs and restaurants, handcrafted margaritas, Lucha Libre wrestling, a chihuahua beauty pageant, exotic car showcase, salsa & hot sauce competition, and more. The event takes place at Panther Island Pavilion.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Symphony No. 39"
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra’s own Principal Clarinetist Stas Chernyshev steps to the front of the stage for Mozart’s clarinet concerto. An all-Mozart affair, the performance also includes the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro and Symphony No. 39. The one-night-only concert takes place at the Arlington ISD Center for Visual and Performing Arts.
Professional Bull Riders World Finals: Championship
Professional Bull Riders will present the climatic end of the battle for the 2025 PBR World Championship. Following four rounds of competition, the bull rider with the most world points will be crowned the World Champion, earning the $1 million bonus, and coveted gold buckle. The competition takes place on Saturday and Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Lee Brice in concert
Before Lee Brice started putting out No. 1 albums like 2014's I Don't Dance, he made his name writing hit songs for other stars like Jason Aldean, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, and Blake Shelton. He's doing just fine writing for himself now, releasing five albums, most recently 2020's Hey World, and scoring with hits like "Hard to Love," "Drinking Class," "Rumor," and "One of Them Girls." He'l play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, May 18
Hidden Gardens of Fort Worth Tour
The Hidden Gardens of Fort Worth Tour, now in its 21st year, will take place in six private gardens in the Park Hill neighborhood for its 2025 edition. The gardens will be open for viewing regardless of the weather. One hundred percent of proceeds from the tour benefit preservation programs at Historic Fort Worth, Inc.
Amon Carter Museum of American Art exhibition openings
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art will open two new exhibitions on Sunday. "East of the Pacific: Making Histories of Asian American Art," on display through November 30, explores the continuing artistic influence of people of Asian descent and their indispensable role in shaping American art and culture. It will feature artworks by more than 32 Asian American artists. "Richard Avedon at the Carter," on display through August 10, is presented four decades after Avedon’s "In the American West" and features 40 works from the series accompanied by behind-the-scenes archival material of Avedon’s acclaimed portraits. It will also include archival photographs captured by artist Laura Wilson.
