Lots of people may be traveling during Thanksgiving weekend, but there is still plenty to do in and around Fort Worth for those staying home. Choices include four concerts, a Turkey Day race, screenings of a new film, holiday lights, two new theater productions, a well-known comedian, and three holiday music concerts.
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.
Wednesday, November 27
Uncle Lucius in concert
For almost 10 years following their 2006 debut album, Austin-based country/Americana band Uncle Lucius gained a regional following, but didn't break through nationally. Ironically, in 2018, the same year they announced their breakup, their song "Keep the Wolves Away" was featured in an episode of Yellowstone, giving them a higher profile than they had ever had. They reunited in 2023 and are back to touring, including this stop at Billy Bob's Texas in support of their 2023 album, Like It's the Last One Left.
Thursday, November 28
YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth presents Turkey Trot
The annual Turkey Trot features a 5K, 8K or 1K Gobbler Trot, with an updated route for all the races that will allow for a cleaner start process and stagger runners based on their pace. Those who finish early will appreciate the new route, as it starts further south to allow for greater access to the main entrance and exit streets. Taking place at The Shops at Clearfork, all proceeds from Turkey Trot registration fees support the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth.
Friday, November 29
Magnolia at the Modern: Bird
Twelve-year-old Bailey (Nykiya Adams) lives with her brother, Hunter (Jason Buda), and her father, Bug (Barry Keoghan), who raises them alone in a squat in North Kent, an industrial area southeast of London. Bug doesn't have much time to devote to his children, so Bailey looks for attention and adventure elsewhere. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Modern Lights
Modern Lights, which illuminates the trees around the the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's campus, has become a highly anticipated holiday light display in Fort Worth, drawing in visitors with the uniformity of the brilliant white lights. The Modern will celebrate the holiday season with its nightly display longer than anybody else, keeping the lights on all the way through February 9.
Maverick City Music in concert
The contemporary Christian worship music collective Maverick City Music has been taking the genre by storm since their debut in 2019. They've released seven EPs and 11 albums in just five years, topping the Billboard Christian and Gospel charts and winning five Grammy Awards along the way. They'll perform at Dickies Arena in support of their new album, The Maverick Way Reimagined.
Casa Mañana presents Twas the Night Before Christmas
Molly is having trouble finding her Christmas spirit. Determined to make it a Christmas to remember, Molly's mother takes her on a magical treasure hunt through New York City, from Radio City Music Hall to Macy’s, where they encounter dancing elves and even Santa Claus himself. The production, running through December 23 at Casa Mañana, features holiday parodies of today's most popular songs.
Improv Arlington presents Lil Rel Howery
Lil Rel Howery has been such a presence in movies and TV for so long that it's easy to forget that, like many comic actors, he got his start as a stand-up comedian. He's appeared in a slew of movies in recent years, including Free Guy, Get Out, Bad Trip, and Judas and the Black Messiah, and he also starred in his own Fox sitcom, Rel. He'll perform four times through Saturday at Improv Arlington.
Stage West Theatre presents The Play That Goes Wrong
At opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor, things are quickly going from bad to horrible. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), the whole evening is a disastrous smash. The production runs through December 22 at Stage West Theatre.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays"
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra kicks off the holiday season with their annual "Home for the Holidays" concert. Families will enjoy a program of Christmas carols and seasonal tunes, and wave to Santa as the orchestra plays “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” The concert, featuring soprano Jasmine Habersham and the Texas Boys Choir, will have performances on Friday and Saturday at Bass Performance Hall.
William Clark Green in concert
Country singer William Clark Green is no stranger to playing in Fort Worth, but it's been a while since he's come here solo. His last few visits were as part of the group The Panhandlers, alongside fellow singer Drake White, and as part of the Fort Worth Music Festival. Green has released six albums in his career, most recently Baker Hotel in 2022. He'll play once again at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, November 30
The Cliburn presents Cliburn Family Concerts: The Polar Express
The Cliburn will present The Polar Express, celebrating the wonder and spirit of the holidays taking visitors to the North Pole to visit Santa’s home. This show features dynamic narration and illustrations from of Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved classic book, The Polar Express, with accompanying, hopeful musical interludes and a few surprises. There will be three performances through Sunday at Fort Worth Stockyards Station.
Vienna Light Orchestra presents Christmas Tour
The Vienna Light Orchestra will celebrate the magic of the holiday season with their 2024 Christmas Tour. Musicians and vocalists from seven different countries will perform favorite holiday classics like "White Christmas," "O Holy Night," and "Ave Maria." There will be three performances on Saturday at Ridglea Theater.
Clay Walker in concert
Country singer Clay Walker came out of the gate red hot in the early '90s, scoring No. 1 hits with five out of his first six singles. With a start to his career like that, he didn't have much more to prove, but he still put out a string of top 10 albums. Walker has released 12 albums in his career, most recentlyTexas to Tennessee in 2021. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
