Weekend Event Planner

These are the 9 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

UPDATE: This piece originally included the Art of Rap Festival at Gexa Energy Pavilion, which has been cancelled. Refunds for all tickets for the festival will be available at point of purchase.

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Fun events in theater, music, and art abound in and around Fort Worth this weekend. On tap are the start of one national and two local theater productions, two unique art events, movies in the museum district, and concerts that will take you back in time.

Below are the best options for your precious free time Thursday through Sunday. Don't like what you see? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, July 14

Performing Arts Fort Worth presents 42nd Street
Fresh off a stop in Dallas, the classic Broadway musical 42nd Street comes to Fort Worth. The production about a young girl looking to make it big on Broadway may seem like it has been around forever, but that's only because the musical, which debuted in 1980, is based on the 1933 movie. The national tour will stay at Bass Performance Hall through Sunday.

Amphibian Stage Productions presents Crossing the Line
Amphibian Stage Productions' third main-stage play of the 2016 season is Crossing the Line by Kieran Lynn. When a relaxing afternoon walk turns into a wacky international crisis, lovebirds Arthur and Olivia have no choice but to play by the absurd rules. The two must closely rely on each other to escape the consequences of a ridiculous new policy. The play runs through August 7.

Friday, July 15

Milan Gallery presents Ryan Spiritas: Organized Chaos
The work of artist Ryan Spiritas will be on view and available for acquisition at Milan Gallery. The exhibition is a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Fort Worth’s most creative and innovative new artists. Spiritas is a modern contemporary expressionist whose artistic style emotes a refreshing, yet twisted, portrayal of the 21st-century avant-garde, through an exploitation of color. Spiritas is making two special appearances at the gallery on July 15 from 6-9 pm and July 16 from 1-3 pm.

Sunset Cinema: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
As part of their Sunset Cinema Outdoor Film Series, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art is presenting the great Coen Brothers movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? on the museum’s lawn. You can enjoy the unique take on Homer's Odyssey, starring George Clooney, John Turturro, and Tim Blake Nelson, for free. The movie starts at 8:30 pm, but food trucks will be on site from 6–9 pm.

Magnolia at the Modern presents Therapy of a Vampire
Angst is more a plot device than a way of (undead) life in David Ruhm's Therapy for a Vampire, in which a bored bloodsucker in 1930s Vienna seeks help from Dr. Sigmund Freud. Help doesn't come from the couch but from a possible new love. The film, which is in German with English subtitles, screens six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Hip Pocket Theatre presents The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth
Hip Pocket Theatre continues its 40th season with The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth, a dramatic, spiritual journey through music and narration inspired by The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche. The play actually opened last week, but since it runs through July 31, there are plenty of opportunities left to see this new production.

Saturday, July 16

Sinaca Studios presents Ice Cream Social
At this special event, Sinaca Studios is serving up Melt ice cream, selling hand-crafted glass bowls, and offering Sand Casting Walkup Workshops, where molten glass is poured directly into an open-face sand mold to create a unique glass tile. Participants are encouraged to bring an object or use their handprints, which are a popular commemorative choice.

Sunday, July 17

Deep Blue Something in concert
If you were in high school or college in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the early 1990s, the band Deep Blue Something surely has meaning for you. The Denton band struck gold with their hit, "Breakfast at Tiffany's," but unfortunately, superstardom did not follow. After a 14-year hiatus, the band is back with an EP, Locust House; they'll play songs from that and other albums at Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Arlington.

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The national tour of 42nd Street is playing at Bass Performance Hall through July 17.

Photo by Chris Bennion

The national tour of 42nd Street is playing at Bass Performance Hall through July 17.

concerts movies galleries theater

Holiday fun

Cool new ice skating rinks slide into Dallas-Fort Worth for 2024 holidays

Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo Rink, ice skating, ice rink

Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Stockyards

The Fort Worth Stockyards Rodeo Rink is open through January 5, 2025.

The newest holiday attractions in Dallas-Fort Worth have families gliding gracefully through the season - or having fun falling down on their rumps. Ice skating rinks are gliding into the Metroplex as part of big holiday events and smaller community celebrations.

From a dazzling place to skate among the lights in Arlington to first-ever town ice rinks in Aledo and Southlake, here are the best new places to skate through the 2024 holidays, along with some favorites making their limited returns for the season.

Stockyards Rodeo Rink, Fort Worth Stockyards, November 21-January 5
For the third year, visitors to the historic Fort Worth district can "giddy up and glide" as part of the Stockyards' holiday festivities. The 4,000-square-foot professional ice skating rink has taken over the lawn of the Livestock Exchange Building (131 E. Exchange Ave.) and includes a snack and beverage bar, fire pits, music, picnic seating, and more. The Stockyards will also host visits with Cowboy Santa, a tree lighting at Hotel Drover, rides on the North Pole Express train, a "Christmas in the Stockyards" event, and more throughout the season.

Details: Open at 11 am most days through the season. Five 90-minute skating sessions are offered Monday-Thursday, with an extra 9 pm session Friday-Sunday. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for kids ages 3-12, and include skate rental. A family four-pack is available for $80.

Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas, Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, November 22-December 29
A new immersive holiday event from the creators of the popular "Enchant" light maze turns Choctaw Stadium into a winter wonderland, and it includes an ice skating rink. Adults and kids will glide on real ice underneath dazzling lights. The event illuminates 55,000 square feet of holiday light sculptures featuring larger-than-life, interactive Coca-Cola-inspired vignettes to walk through and explore; plus a snow slide, falling snow, visits with Santa, caroling, seasonal treats, special themed nights, and more.

Details: Open select nights, as early as 4:30 pm and as late as 11:30 pm; check the calendar for specific dates and times. Ice skating tickets (including skate rental) are $9 for juniors and $13 for adults, in addition to event admission, $14-$35; free for kids up to 3. Skating session times are unlimited. Note: If bringing your own skates, make sure they have blade guards on at all times; skate bags must meet a Clear Bag Policy; more info here.

Skate under the twinkling lights at Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas in Arlington.Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas

Home for the Holidays: Christmastime in Southlake, November 27-January 1
The 25th-anniversary Southlake holiday celebration will include an outdoor ice rink for the first time. Although the city's Christmas tree will be lit at the big Home for the Holidays event on November 23, the ice rink will not open until November 27. The rink is in the heart of Southlake Town Square, and includes a spot for gourmet hot cocoa, a nearby Santa's Village, carriage rides, and more.

Details: Open 3-10 pm Sunday-Thursday and 12-10 pm Saturday-Sunday outside City Hall, 1400 E. Southlake Blvd. Tickets, timed every 15 minutes, are $15 for one-hour sessions and include skate rentals; walkups will be welcome, but reservations are recommended through the Geoji app.

Christmas Tyme in Aledo on Ice, December 6-January 5
The city of Aledo is debuting its first-ever outdoor ice rink, open for 30 days as part of the holiday festivities. Located in the city's downtown, the Aledo Ice Rink will be adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations, with music piped in under winter skies and seasonal refreshments to refuel. The annual Christmas Tyme in Aledo event on December 7 will feature the city's tree lighting ceremony, vendors, visits with Santa, live music, food trucks, and more.

Details: The ice rink is at Aledo City Hall, 104 Maverick St. Open 4-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 4-10 pm Friday, and 12-10 pm Sunday. Tickets for one-hour sessions are $15 (plus service fee), and include skate rental.

Peace Plaza Ice Rink, Grapevine, November 28-January 27
The 4,500-square-foot outdoor ice skating rink on Historic Main Street has become a favorite tradition in the "Christmas Capital of Texas." Skaters can jump and spin in the festive surroundings, including the 60-foot live Christmas tree, and the entire street decked out with Christmas lights. The ice rink's grand opening event on November 30 (rescheduled from November 23 due to inclement weather) will feature a performance by Olympic figure skater Ashley Cain, Team USA pair team Nick Traxler and Kristen Nardozzi, and more, beginning at 6:15 pm.

Details: Open daily, times vary (opening as early as 11 am with last entry as late as 9 pm); check the calendar for exact dates and times. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Location is Grapevine Main Peace Plaza, 815 S. Main St., at the train station outside Hotel Vin. Tickets are $20 for a one-hour session at 15-minute timed intervals; skate rentals included. Group ice rentals are available by the hour.

Skate under the lights at Peace Plaza Ice Rink in Grapevine. Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau

Gaylord Texan, Grapevine, through January 5
As part of the massive "Christmas at the Gaylord" event, the Grapevine resort rolls out a 6,000 square-foot ice skating rink made with real ice. That's not the only way to get up close with ice, though. At ICE!, guests can experience their favorite scenes from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer brought to life in the walk-through winter wonderland. ICE!, kept at a chilly 9°F, features two million pounds of ice sculptures hand-carved by 35 artisans from Harbin, China; six ice slides; colorful ice sculptures depicting the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; and an ice sculpture scene of the Nativity.

Details: The ice rink is open daily in the Christmas Village; times vary. Tickets are $23. Admission to ICE! runs $19.99-$41.99.

Omni Dallas Hotel, downtown Dallas, November 22-January 5
The downtown Dallas hotel known for its trademark sculpture of giant-sized Christmas-tree red ball ornaments is upping the ante this year. As part of its seasonal celebration called "Ice, Lights & City Nights," the hotel is introducing downtown's only outdoor ice skating rink on Pegasus Lawn. Visitors of all ages can twirl and spin beneath the glow of holiday lights, then warm up with at a hot chocolate bar, kids can ride the Elf Express train, and adults can make spirits bright at Blitzen's Bar. Every night at 7:30 pm, Omni Dallas will host holiday light shows with 4.1 miles of LED lights wrapped around the building’s exterior.

Details: The rink is open to the public and hotel guests alike, 10 am-10 pm daily. Tickets (starting at $18) can be purchased online or at the ice rink, for 60-minute sessions; skate rental included. A helpful FAQ about the ice rink can be found here.

Skate the Square, Frisco, November 22-January 6
Now 14 years strong, Frisco's Christmas in the Square event boasts the city's only real ice outdoor ice rink. "Skate the Square" is but one of the highlights of the holiday extravaganza, which includes one of the largest free choreographed lights and music displays in North Texas: nightly shows of over 180,000 lights, 200 dancing snowflakes, and festive music. There's also a Christmas tree lot, carriage rides, visits with Santa, and more.

Details: The Skate the Square rink is located along Main and Coleman. Open daily, but times vary (as early as 12:15 pm and as late as 10 pm); check the calendar for specific dates and times. Ice skating tickets are $20, with or without skate rentals. Private group bookings are available. Christmas in the Square runs nightly, 6-10 pm; the light show is free to attend.

Of course, no Dallas-Fort Worth ice-skating list would be complete without the most famous rink of all ....

Galleria Dallas, November 22-January 5
The nation's tallest indoor Christmas tree (at 95 feet) will sparkle in the middle of the ice rink throughout the season. Public skating is available every day, but as usual, holiday festivities will really rev up on at 12 pm Black Friday (November 29) with the Grand Tree Lighting Celebration on the ice rink, featuring Olympic figure skaters and a fireworks finale starring Missile Toes, the famed ice-skating Santa. (The celebration will repeat at 12 pm November 30.) A Grand Holiday Ice Show, starring some of the best figure skaters and ice dancers in the world (Ashley Cain, Mariah Bell, Keegan Messing, Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker, Ryan Bradley, and Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre) will take place at 9 am December 8 and benefit Broadway Dallas; tickets are $150.

Details: Public skating hours are 10 am-9:30 pm Monday, Wednesday-Thursday; 10 am-9 pm Tuesday & Friday; 12-9 pm Saturday; 12-6 pm Sunday. Admission is $13, plus $5 for skate rental. Public skating is first-come, first serve; no reservations permitted. A full list of holiday events at the ice rink is here.

Grand Tree Lighting Celebrations Galleria Dallas is famous for its ice rink Christmas tree. Photo courtesy of Galleria Dallas

christmas capital of texas families family friendly galleria dallas holiday attractions ice skating rinks omni dallas hotel stockyards rodeo rink winter festivities holidays sponsored christmas