The slate of events around Fort Worth this weekend will be eclectic as always. They include events celebrating two different holiday seasons, a musical tribute to the military, a concert from an award-winning pianist, two new theater productions, a sneak preview of several anticipated movies, and two huge concerts at the former home of the Texas Rangers.
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, October 10
Junior League of Fort Worth presents Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market
Christmas may be over two months away, but the Junior League of Fort Worth will celebrate the spirit of the upcoming holiday season at the Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market. The annual fundraiser is a juried show of more than 250 carefully selected exhibitors from across the country representing a wide range of shopping categories, such as home décor, jewelry, clothing, children’s products, gourmet food and more. The event will take place through Sunday at Will Rogers Memorial Center.
Howell Farms presents Pumpkin Nights
Pumpkin Nights is a new interactive Halloween experience and festival in DFW. Visitors will be transported into an enchanted world with multi-sensory Halloween displays and seven Pumpkin Lands created with more than 3,000 artistically hand-carved real and synthetic pumpkins. Featuring lands like Forbidden Pumpkin City, Great Pumpkin Hall, Pumpkin Pirate Cove, and Enchanted Pumpkin Forest, the family-friendly event will be at Howell Family Farms in Arlington through November 3.
Casa Mañana presents The Pin-Up Girls
With music from The Andrew Sisters to hip hop and stories spanning from WWI to Afghanistan, The Pin-Up Girls sing a cavalcade of hits inspired by letters home from the troops overseas. While singing at their local VFW hall, Leanne and her friends stumble upon a huge stash of letters that go back 100 years. Moved by what they find, the ladies put on a show that celebrates the guys and gals who fight to defend our country. The show will be in the Reid Cabaret Theatre at Casa Mañana Theatre through October 19.
The Cliburn presents Olga Kern
The Cliburn will present 2001 gold medalist Olga Kern for a two-night engagement. The Russian-American pianist has enthralled audiences with leading orchestras across six continents and was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for “embodying the spirit of America” in her “salute to tolerance, brotherhood, diversity, and patriotism." The performances will be at Kimbell Art Museum.
Maverick Theatre Company presents Harvey
In Harvey, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary, Elwood P. Dowd insists on including his friend Harvey in all of his sister Veta’s social gatherings. Trouble is, Harvey is an imaginary six-and-a-half-foot-tall rabbit. Playwright Mary Chase won the Pulitzer Prize for this delightful and insightful comedy about seeking happiness, identity, and acceptance of those who are different, and courtesy toward others in our everyday lives. The play will run at the Studio Theatre at UT Arlington through Sunday.
Friday, October 11
Fort Worth Stockyards presents Stocktoberfest
For the first time ever, the historic Fort Worth Stockyards will host Stocktoberfest, an Oktoberfest celebration with a Texas twist. The two-day celebration will feature $4 Shiner Drafts, including Shiner Oktoberfest and Shiner Light Blonde, lawn games, and a cattle drive. A Stein Hoist Competition will be held, where the winner will receive a handful of Shiner swag.
Magnolia at the Modern: Modern Cinema
The Modern teams up with Fortress Presents for a weekend of the best in recent and upcoming cinema. Curated by Christopher Kelly, this unique film festival features some of the best films from the 2019 festivals, as well as sneak peeks of upcoming films touted to be 2019 award winners. Among the films being screened will be Pain & Glory, What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael, The Report, and The Two Popes.
Jason Aldean in concert
Country superstar Jason Aldean will be the first of two huge stars to perform at Globe Life Park in Arlington this weekend. Aldean's last four albums have reached No. 1 on both the Country and Billboard 200 charts, and there's no reason to believe that his next album, 9, won't do the same when it's released in November. He'll be joined by Kane Brown, Carly Pearce, and DJ Silver.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Mahler 3
Mahler's monumental third symphony is an ode to the vastness of nature and is filled with ambitious ideas that coalesce into a staggeringly beautiful climax. Audiences can experience this majestic work in its entirety with Miguel Harth-Bedoya, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Mahler Festival Choir, the Texas Boys Choir, and mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor. The concert will be put on three times through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Stolen Shakespeare Guild presents West Side Story
In West Side Story, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to 20th century New York City. Two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence, and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching, and relevant musical dramas of its time. The production will run at Fort Worth Community Arts Center through October 27.
The Bacon Brothers in concert
The Bacon Brothers are anything but a typical rock band. Brothers Michael and Kevin Bacon, each accomplished in their own right, play gritty rock that is unapologetically unique and authentic. Over 20 years into their music career, The Bacon Brothers continue to impress with their soulful sound and their latest offering of Americana, 2018's The Bacon Brothers. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, October 12
Billy Joel in concert
It's been over four years since Billy Joel made an appearance in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and he's making his return count by performing in the unique venue of Globe Life Park in Arlington. It's been almost 20 years since Joel released his last studio album, but his catalog of hits like "Piano Man," "Just the Way You Are," "Tell Her About It," and "We Didn't Start the Fire" are more than enough to entertain a ballpark full of fans.
Billy Joel will play at Globe Life Park in Arlington on October 12.
