As you might imagine, the slate of new events in and around Fort Worth is a little slow coming out of the holidays, but the first weekend of 2025 still has some fun things to offer. They include screenings of an acclaimed international film, a symphony concert, three comedians, two concerts by a favorite country band, the closings of two exhibitions, and the final days of holiday events.
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.
Friday, January 3
Magnolia at the Modern: All We Imagine As Light
Writer/director Payal Kapadia explores and celebrates the light, the lives, and the textures of contemporary working-class Mumbai. Centering on two roommates who also work together in a city hospital - head nurse Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and recent hire Anu (Divya Prabha) - as well as their coworker and cook Parvaty (Chhaya Kadam), Kapadia’s film alights on moments of connection and heartache, hope, and disappointment to create a soulful study of the transformative power of friendship and sisterhood, in all their rich complexities. The film will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Dvořák’s 'New World' and Mozart’s 40th"
Dvořák’s ninth and final symphony is also his most famous. Dubbed “From the New World” as the composer wrote it while in America and borrowed heavily from American spiritual tunes, it captures something of the grandeur and frontier spirit of the day, even in the tender second movement, an orchestral expression of the song “Goin’ Home.” This concert fuses the new world with the old, as Mozart’s stormy 40th symphony and the overture to his brief comedy The Impresario fill out the front half of the program. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Improv Arlington presents Marlon Wayans
A member of the vaunted Wayans family, Marlon Wayans could be considered comedy royalty. Marlon is an actor, producer, comedian, writer, and director known for movies as diverse as White Chicks and Requiem for a Dream. His first-ever comedy special, Woke-ish, premiered on Netflix in 2018, and he can also be seen in the recent Netflix movies Sextuplets and The Curse of Bridge Hollow. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Hyena's presents Scott White
A native of Dearborn, Michigan, Scott White has spent the last eight years honing his stand-up comedy act among the many talented comics in Houston. He has worked on comedy stages across the country with both the best and worst comedians in the business. He has also had the pleasure of entertaining our troops in Korea, Japan, and Guam. He'll perform twice on Friday at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.
Josh Abbott Band in concert
The Josh Abbott Band, which was formed in Lubbock while all the members were students at Texas Tech, is part of the next generation of Red Dirt/Texas Country acts alongside Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers Band, and more. They have released seven albums in their career, including Somewhere Down The Road in 2024. They'll play on both Friday and Saturday at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, January 4
Hyena's presents Kerwin Claiborne
Instagram star and social media personality Kerwin Claiborne is known for posting a variety of humorous content featuring both videos and images. He is also known for his stand-up routines and travels on tour sharing his passion for comedy. He'll perform twice on Saturday at Hyena's Comedy Nightclub.
Sunday, January 5
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History presents "Wild Kratts: Creature Power!" closing day
Sunday will be the final day for kids and families to enjoy the exhibition "Wild Kratts: Creature Power!" at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. The exhibit focuses on cultivating STEM skills in children ages 3 to 9, who can explore animal habitats from around the globe, discover incredible creature powers, and go on a mission to foil the villains’ nefarious plans.
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe: "Sunset Corridor" closing day
Sunday will also be the last day to view "Sunset Corridor," a multi-room immersive installation by the artist duo Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. "Sunset Corridor" is the 14th and latest chapter in Freeman and Lowe’s series of expansive architectural installations, continuing the artists’ deep dive into their fictional San San Universe, a domain partially based on a mid-20th-century futurist theory put forth in Herman Kahn’s 1967 book, The Year 2000.
Last call for holiday events
If you're trying to hang on to the holidays for a little longer, you'll have one last chance to see most of the holiday-themed events in and around Fort Worth, including Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, The Light Park at Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, and Lightscape at Fort Worth Botanic Garden.