The first weekend of December means festive holiday events, and here they come: two parades, three new theater productions, a dance production, a Christian concert, and a festival planned all weekend. On the non-holiday front will be a rising comedian, a celebration of anime, and two big-name concerts.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Looking for the best Christmas lights to view around town? Find that list here.
Thursday, December 2
Grapevine parades
This weekend will feature a couple of holiday-themed parades in Grapevine. On Thursday will be the annual Parade of Lights, themed "A Storybook Holiday." The largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas, it will take place in Historic Downtown Grapevine. On Saturday will be Twinkle Light Boat Parade, filled with boats decorated for the holidays. It starts at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina, Scott’s Landing and Silver Lake, as it circles the lake. The parade is visible from the shores of Lake Grapevine.
Casa Mañana presents Nashville Christmas
This Christmas, Casa Mañana's Reid Cabaret Theatre is headed to the country capital of the world with Nashville Christmas. Singers Blake Burrow and Mary Mattison will get audiences into the holiday spirit with Christmas tales and songs in the styles of favorite country superstars like Garth Brooks, Dan + Shay, Faith Hill, and more. The show, which is suitable for most audiences, will run through December 18.
Stage West Theatre presents Scrooge in Rouge
In Scrooge in Rouge, which is making its regional premiere with Stage West Theatre, the Royal Music Hall Variety Players' production of A Christmas Carol is in a pickle after 20 members of the company suddenly fall ill. This leaves the three remaining members to plow on (so to speak) through a musical performance of the Dickens classic. With cheeky puns and bawdy songs, this quick-change, cross-dressing version of the Christmas tale is a hilarious holiday treat. It will run through December 24.
Amphibian Stage presents Zahid Dewji
Zahid Dewji is a Texas comedian who has toure with Whitney Cumings and has also opened for other great acts like Mark Normand, Mo Amer, Dusty Slay, and Daniel Van Kirk. He was a finalist at Comcast's Trial By Laughter & Cleveland Comedy Fest, as well as a semifinalist in both The Seattle International Comedy Competition & The San Francisco Comedy Competition. He'll perform three times through Saturday at Amphibian Stage.
Friday, December 3
Anime Frontier
Anime Frontier brings together the best of the U.S. and Japan for a showcase of what’s next in Japanese entertainment. Anime fans will have a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the biggest guests in anime and manga, as well as leading publishers making their first appearances in Texas. The three-day event, taking place at Fort Worth Convention Center, will include exhibits, exclusive premieres, and show-stopping special events.
For King & Country in concert
On the Christian music scene, there are few groups bigger than pop duo For King & Country. Each of their three studio albums has gone higher on the Billboard Christian charts than the one before, with their 2018 album Burn the Ships coming in at No. 1. Their next album, What Are We Waiting For?, is scheduled for release in March 2022. They released their first Christmas album, A Drummer Boy Christmas, in 2020. They'll perform at Dickies Arena.
Ballet Frontier presents The Nutcracker
Ballet Frontier has been presenting their production of The Nutcracker for the last 12 years. The production features a cast comprised of professional dancers, young students, costumes, and world-class choreography. There will be five performances through Sunday at Will Rogers Auditorium.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Hadelich’s Mendelssohn: Debussy, Mendelssohn and Brahms
From stirring pathos to sparkling exuberance, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto remains an endearing and enduring works in the violin repertoire. Who better to bring it to life than the one of the most sought-after violinists alive due to his energy and sophistication, the brilliant and bold Augustin Hadelich? The concert, conducted by Carlos Montanaro, will also include Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Brahms' Symphony No. 1. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Stolen Shakespeare Guild presents Holiday Inn
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn tells the story of Jim, who leaves the bright lights of show business behind to settle down on his farmhouse in Connecticut ... but life just isn't the same without a bit of song and dance. Jim's luck takes a spectacular turn when he meets Linda, a spirited schoolteacher with talent to spare. Together they turn the farmhouse into a fabulous inn with dazzling performances to celebrate each holiday, from Thanksgiving to the Fourth of July. But when Jim's best friend Ted tries to lure Linda to Hollywood to be his new dance partner, will Jim be able to salvage his latest chance at love? The production will run at Fort Worth Community Arts Center through December 19.
Sammy Hagar & The Circle in concert
Legendary rocker Sammy Hagar has had a storied career as a solo artist ("I Can't Drive 55") and as the on-and-off lead singer of Van Halen. He's now heading up The Circle, a super group made up of rock heavyweights Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham, and Vic Johnson, which is touring in support of their new album, Lockdown 2020. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, December 4
20th Annual Christmas in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards
The Fort Worth Stockyards will present their 20th annual Christmas celebration, featuring sounds of the season, strolling holiday entertainment, festive activities, photos with Cowboy Santa, Mrs. Claus Story Time, and a Christmas parade. The entire Stockyards will be decked in holiday flair, as every tree will be lit, light poles will be wrapped in garland and ribbon, and garland and lights can be found decorating Cowtown Coliseum, the Exchange Building, Stockyards Station, and even the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze.
Stoney LaRue in concert
Singer-songwriter Stoney LaRue is part of the recent wave of Texas Country/Red Dirt artists, having put out six albums since 2002, including 2019's Onward. LaRue is as close to a regular at Billy Bob's as you can get, having played there multiple times and even recording a live album there in 2007. He'll play there yet again on Saturday night.
Stolen Shakespeare Guild presents Holiday Inn, playing at Fort Worth Community Arts Center, December 3-19.
