Weekend Event Planner
These are the 12 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend
No matter which way you turn in and around Fort Worth this weekend, you're going to find something to entertain you. That's because the slate of events covers a wide range of tastes, including a family-friendly festival, two classical music performances, an acclaimed new movie, a classic movie with live music, two concerts, two new theater productions, and comedy from a well-known star.
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, May 10
Fort Worth Spring Fair
The Fort Worth Spring Fair, taking place at Stockyards Station through Sunday, will feature carnival rides, a petting zoo, the Fearless Flores Thrill Show, pig races, a wolf show, and music performances from Latino groups. Attendees can also catch the twice-daily cattle drive in the Stockyards. All women will receive free admission on Mother's Day.
Symphony Arlington presents Alex McDonald
Symphony Arlington's Season Finale will feature Texas pianist Alex McDonald, performing Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 2 in Bb Major. The concert will also feature Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Schubert’s Symphony No. 4 in C Minor. McDonald will also be performing with the Garland Symphony Orchestra and Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra this weekend.
Friday, May 11
Cliburn in the Community presents Alina Bercu
As part of its Cliburn in the Community initiative, the Cliburn welcomes back 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition competitor Alina Bercu. Bercu will be performing for the public on Friday at Sundance Square Plaza and on Saturday at The Shops at Clearfork. Additionally, she'll be putting on private performances for various area charitable organizations.
Magnolia at the Modern: The Rider
The Rider stars breakout Brady Jandreau as a once-rising star of the rodeo circuit who is warned that his competition days are over after a tragic riding accident. One of the best films so far this year, it has an authenticity that can't be matched because all of its actors are playing thinly veiled versions of themselves. It will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Sundance Square presents Nissan Nightlife Concert Series
The Nissan Nightlife Concert Series will kick off with a performance by Emerald City Band. The series, which will also include a performance by the Quaker City Night Hawks on May 25, will take place in Sundance Square Plaza. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome during the concert. Beverages will be available for purchase during the performance and restaurants will be open throughout the evening.
Improv Arlington presents Arsenio Hall
Comedian Arsenio Hall has been a name brand for over 30 years, thanks to collaborations with Eddie Murphy and his eponymous talk show, which ran from 1989-1994. He's been in and out of the Hollywood spotlight since the end of that show, but audiences at the Improv Arlington on Friday and Saturday will get to see him back in his natural element, as a stand-up comedian.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Raiders of the Lost Ark
At this concert, audience members can see Raiders of the Lost Ark, the film that gave the world one of its greatest movie heroes, Indiana Jones, as they've rarely seen it before. That's because the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will be performing John Williams’ epic score live to picture. The one-night-only event will take place at Bass Performance Hall.
Amphibian Stage Production presents Cry, Havoc!
Cry, Havoc! is a one-person play written and performed by U.S. Army veteran Stephan Wolfert, who leads the audience on an interactive journey to meet Shakespeare's veterans using his own military experiences. The play shows that the military men and women of Shakespeare's time wrestled with the same hopes and worries that occupy modern lives. The production will be at Amphibian Stage Productions through May 27.
Theatre Arlington presents Footloose the Musical
Life in small-town Bomont is peaceful until Ren, a city boy from Chicago, arrives and begins breaking all the rules. With the help of some unlikely friends, Ren brings dancing back to the heart of a town held back much too long by the memory of a tragedy. The iconic 1984 movie musical leaves the cinema screen and comes to the stage with new music and lyrics, as well as the original music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins, and more. The musical will play at Theatre Arlington through June 3.
Saturday, May 12
Mimosa Run
The fourth annual Mimosa Run, taking place at Panther Island Pavilion, is a two-mile social run/walk or four-mile race option benefiting Mothers’ Milk Bank of North Texas. All runners will receive a finisher medal, men’s or women’s cut souvenir shirt, plated brunch from Pacific Table, mimosas, free downloadable photos, and enjoy live music.
Fort Works Art presents Jeremy Joel: "A Beatbox Caviar" opening reception
Fort Works Art will present the first solo gallery showing of Fort Worth artist, Jeremy Joel in a powerful one-man exhibition titled “A Beatbox Caviar.” Unconventional in style, Joel’s highly-personal paintings serve as a peephole into his past, offering a reflection on his upbringing and life events that have forged his world view. The opening reception will feature a rooftop performance from Dallas-artist Nesma Jones. The exhibit will be on view through June 30.
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, scoring with hits like "Hard to Love," "I Don't Dance," and "Drinking Class." He's playing at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his 2017 self-titled album.