The first long holiday weekend of the year also happens to be the start of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, giving Fort Worthians extra time to have some fun. Other event choices include screenings of two films, two new exhibitions with popular subjects, a symphony concert, two country concerts, a parade, the unofficial start of baseball season, and two events celebrating a great soul singer.
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, January 16
Lone Star Film Festival presents Beyond the Festival: Inheritance
Beyond the Festival is a monthly film series that transcends the annual Lone Star Film Festival. This month's selection is Inheritance, in which estranged sisters Lucy and Paige reunite to bury their father. They become entangled in the complicated web of their past as they uncover buried family secrets and realize that they’ve inherited more from their father than just money. The screening takes place at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Friday, January 17
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
The annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is a three-week long event featuring daily rodeos, including the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo, Best of Mexico Celebración, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, Bulls Night Out Extreme Bull Riding, Texas Champions Challenge, and the FWSSR PRORODEO Tournament. It also features livestock and horse shows, kid-friendly activities and exhibits, live music, a carnival midway, shopping, food, and more. It'll take place in and around Dickies Arena through February 8. Check out all the ways to get discounted admission here.
Arlington Museum of Art presents "Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition"
"Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition" tells the story of the world’s most loved princess through an intimate new lens. The exhibition will feature a collection of larger-than-life images taken by Diana’s trusted friend and Official Royal Photographer, the late Anwar Hussein, as well as his sons Samir and Zak. Each image will be accompanied by first-hand accounts of the stories behind the world-famous moments, told through an in-depth audio guide. The exhibition will remain on display through April 6. Read more about it in this story.
Arlington Museum of Art presents "Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz"
"Wicked Threads: The Artistry of Costume in Oz" features a collection of costumes from the movie adaptation of Wicked, celebrating the artistry of the costume design and 20+ years of the beloved Broadway musical. The exhibition will feature original costumes, props, and images from the film including Glinda’s "bubble" dress and Elphaba’s "Defying Gravity" costume. The exhibition will remain on display through April 27. Get a preview of it here.
Magnolia at the Modern: The Room Next Door
Ingrid (Julianne Moore) and Martha (Tilda Swinton) were close friends in their youth, when they worked together at the same magazine. Ingrid went on to become an autofiction novelist while Martha became a war reporter, and they were separated by the circumstances of life. After years of being out of touch, they meet again in an extreme but strangely sweet situation. The first English-language feature film by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, the film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "The FWSO’s Michael Shih and DJ Cheek: Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante"
Strauss’ tone poem Don Juan is a bold musical retelling of the story of a serial womanizer. After alternating fiery bravura passages with more romantic themes and solos, Juan’s music sighs in death at the hands of his lover’s father. Principal Guest Conductor Kevin John Edusei conducts this program, which also features FWSO Concertmaster Michael Shih and Principal Violist DJ Cheek in Mozart’s bright Sinfonia Concertante and Sibelius’ stirring fifth symphony. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Tracy Byrd in concert
Country singer Tracy Byrd was part of the early 1990s country boom alongside acts like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and more. He became a success thanks to hits like "Holdin' Heaven," "Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous," "Watermelon Crawl," "The Keeper of the Stars," and more. He's released 10 albums in his career, with the most recent being 2016's All American Texan. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, January 18
Fort Worth Stock Show Parade
The Fort Worth Stock Show "All-Western" Parade will feature 2,000+ horses, marching bands, floats, and dignitaries. Reserved seating is available at Sundance Square and the Convention Center; free seating is also available along the parade route along sidewalks and other public areas. Face painters and balloon artists will be on hand in Sundance Square Plaza. The parade will travel through downtown Fort Worth from the Tarrant County Courthouse to the Fort Worth Convention Center and back.
Texas Rangers Fan Fest
The Texas Rangers will present their annual Fan Fest, which will feature autograph sessions with current Rangers players and alumni, Q&A sessions with players and legends, a baseball card show, a chance to run the bases, a Wiffle ball home run derby, and more. The one-day event takes place at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
Performing Arts Fort Worth presents A Change is Gonna Come: Panel Discussion
Ahead of the concert on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Performing Arts Fort Worth & Sheran Goodspeed Keyton will present a panel discussion examining the music of the King of Soul, Sam Cooke, the era in which he lived and performed, and his relevance to modern music and sociological experiences. The discussion will explore the music, the lyrics and their impact on society as more than just a beautiful melody ... but a vehicle for change. The event takes place at New Fellowship Church.
Corey Kent in concert
Corey Kent first gained notice after competing on The Voice in 2015 as Corey Kent White, releasing his debut album, Long Way, in 2016. Eight years later, he's now released four albums in his career, most recently Black Bandanain 2024, although his biggest hit to-date remains "Wild as Her" in 2022. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Monday, January 20
Performing Arts Fort Worth presents The Music of Sam Cooke
The Music of Sam Cooke, featuring Bradd Marquis, is a world premiere concert featuring the greatest hits from the Legend of Soul, including "You Send Me," "Only Sixteen," "Cupid," "Chain Gang," "Twistin the Night Away," "A Change is Gonna Come," and "Wonderful World." The concert takes place at Bass Performance Hall.