Weekend Event Planner

These are the 12 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

This weekend across Fort Worth features an eclectic series of events, the biggest of which will be the national tour of a Broadway musical and a major bull riding competition. Other choices include a local monthly outdoor concert series, a tour of an historic neighborhood, intimate performances from local arts groups, a taco festival, and more.

Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events. Looking for a restaurant to treat Mom for Mother's Day? Find that list here.

Thursday, May 11

Broadway at the Bass: Tootsie
Tootsie is a laugh-out-loud love letter to the theater, based on the Oscar-nominated film. It tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. The national tour of the Tony-winning musical runs through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Friday, May 12

Magnolia at the Modern: Carmen
In the new film Carmen - directed by dancer/choreographer Benjamin Millepied in his feature directorial debut - a woman (Melissa Barrera) on a quest to find freedom embarks upon a dramatic and life-altering journey from Mexico to Los Angeles. Co-starring Paul Mescal, the film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Near Southside Inc. presents Friday on the Green
Friday on the Green is a free monthly concert series that features live music, food and drinks from Near Southside eateries, and the fun and relaxed atmosphere of a big neighborhood picnic. Performers this month at Magnolia Green Park include Jake Paleschic, Cool Jackets, Jaybirds, and Ginny Mac, as well as DJ Woodywood.

PBR World Finals: Unleash the Beast
The sport of bull riding will be taking over Fort Worth for the next 10 days as the 2023 PBR World Finals: Unleash the Beast comes to Dickies Arena through May 21. The biggest event in the sport will crown the PBR's next champion rider and bull. There will also be a series of post-event concerts at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall to go along with the competitions, starting with Kenny Feidler & The Cowboy Killers on Friday and Red Shahan on Saturday.

Tracy Lawrence in concert
Country singer Tracy Lawrence was part of the early 1990s boom for the genre, with six of his first 12 singles going to No. 1, including "Sticks and Stones," "Alibis," and "If the Good Die Young." Lawrence reflected on his 30 years in the business with his last three albums, each of which started with the appropriate title Hindsight 2020. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, May 13

Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Arthur Dove: "Miniature Laboratories"
Drawn primarily from the Carter’s collection, Arthur Dove: "Miniature Laboratories" examines for a selection of work from the last years of Dove’s life (1940-46). During this time, he created hundreds of works on paper, most measuring three-by-four-inches, experimenting with various mediums and techniques. An in-depth examination and analysis of these works by the Carter’s conservation team reveals new insight into Dove’s creative process. The exhibition will be on display through August 27.

Fairmount 40th Anniversary Tour of Historic Homes
The Fairmount National Historic District and the Fairmount Neighborhood Association will present Fairmount’s 40th Anniversary Tour of Historic Homes, featuring six historic properties. (Preview them here.) On Saturday, there will be a a neighborhood parade at 10 am, after which visitors can head over to Fairmount Park to browse vendors and artists, and enjoy a bite from one of the food trucks. Arts Fifth Avenue will also be hosting several artists during a one-day special show on Saturday only. Tickets for the two-day event can be purchased at SiNaCa Studios.

Fort Worth Opera presents Love Quarrels
Fort Worth Opera will conclude their 2023 season with Love Quarrels, in which resident artists will showcase their talent in scenes from opera classics and new works, like La Bohéme, Les pêcheurs des perles,and The Crucible. Featured performers include soprano Adia Evans, tenor Nathaniel Catasca, and baritone Malcolm Payne Jr. The performance takes place at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Dallas Cowboys Tacos & Tunes Festival
The Dallas Cowboys Tacos & Tunes Festival at Miller Lite House at AT&T Stadium will feature a variety of tacos and food truck options, cold drinks, and live music. Performers include Squeezebox Bandits, Western Rewind Band, Don Stalling & The Divided, and DJ Elusive.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Three American Tenors"
Three of the most sought-after tenors of the 21st century - Michael Fabiano, Bryan Hymel, and Matthew Polenzani - will perform an exciting and varied program of classic opera arias, Broadway favorites, and American standards. The concert, taking place at Will Rogers Auditorium, will be conducted by Robert Spano.

Dustin Lynch in concert
Country singer Dustin Lynch has been big since his debut in 2012, going straight to No. 1 with his self-titled album. Each of his four subsequent albums, including 2022's Blue in the Sky, reached the top 10 and he's had a string of top 10 hits to go along with them. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Sunday, May 14

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Three Chamber Music Masters: Mozart, Poulenc, and Lutosławski"
This intimate Kimbell Chamber Series concert will feature pianist Robert Spano, FWSO musicians, and guests performing a variety of selections, including Mozart's "Kegelstatt" trio for clarinet, viola, and piano, Poulenc's Sextet for Piano and Wind Quintet, and a selection of chamber works by the 20th-century master Lutosławski. The concert will be at Kimbell Art Museum.

Payton Reilly and Drew Becker in national tour of Tootsie

Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade.

The musical Tootsie will play at Bass Performance Hall through May 14.

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Holiday fun

Streets closed, parking + more 411 on Fort Worth Parade of Lights 2024

GM Financial Parade of Lights Fort Worth

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

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It'll begin to look a lot like Christmas in Fort Worth when the 42nd annual GM Financial Parade of Lights parades through downtown the evening of Sunday, November 24.

Getting caught in stalled traffic and squabbling over parking spots, however, are major bah humbugs. Here's a guide to all the road closures (they start at 6 am!), parking, public transportation options, the parade route, and more good info to know before you head downtown. All information is provided by the parade organizers, and more can be found on their website.

What, when & where: Themed “Holiday Wishes," the parade will feature floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, and carolers along the 1.59-mile route through downtown Fort Worth. Carrying on the long-standing tradition, the largest illuminated parade in the state of Texas will conclude with a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float. The parade officially kicks off at 6 pm Sunday, November 24.

Street closures: They start at 6 am Sunday. Repeat: 6 am, a full 12 hours before the parade starts. They include portions of Weatherford Street, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Streets, Taylor, Lamar, Burnett, Cherry and Florence Streets. Spur 280 from Interstate 35 will close at 4 p.m. Belknap, Henderson, and North Main Streets will remain open to traffic during the parade. For a full list of street closures and times, check out this chart.

Parking: For attendees planning to drive and self-park downtown, organizers recommend entering downtown from the same direction they plan to sit or view the parade from, due to the many streets that will be closed and un-crossable. Several free and paid lots and garages will be accessible for parking on parade day. Parking next to bagged meters is not allowed. Head to www.fortworthparking.com/downtown to review all downtown parking options.

Public transportation: Skip the driving headaches and board the train. Trinity Metro’s 27-mile commuter rail line, TEXRail, will operate its Sunday trains before and after the parade, taking attendees to and from Fort Worth Central Station, two blocks from the parade. Park-and-ride options are available at North Side Station (2829 Decatur Ave.) and Fort Worth T&P Station (221 W. Lancaster Ave.). Parking will be free at most TEXRail stations and riders can save 50% on the GoPass app using promo code POL24A. NOTE: The Trinity Railway Express will NOT operate on parade day. Visit https://ridetrinitymetro.org/texrail-schedule for schedules and more information.

TexRail Leave the car at home and ride the TEXRail. Courtesy photo

The parade route: The parade and opening ceremonies start at 6 pm at Weatherford and Throckmorton streets. This year it will proceed east along Weatherford Street, and turn south on Commerce Street all the way to 9th Street. At 9th Street, the parade will proceed west to Houston Street, and then turn north on Houston Street all the way to 2nd Street. At 2nd Street, the parade will proceed west to Throckmorton Street, then turn south and conclude at 3rd and Throckmorton Streets. To view the complete parade route and map, go here. Not sure where to watch? People line up on all portions of the route.

Paid viewing: There is paid, reserved seating along the route, and as of press time, there were still seats available. “Street Seats” guarantee a prime viewing spot. They start at $15 for children and $17.50 for adults and are available for purchase online online.

Root, root, root for the grand marshals: Members of the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers will serve as the parade’s grand marshals. Outfielder and 2023 Rangers postseason standout- Evan Carter, along with Texas Rangers mascot, Captain, and the 2023 World Series Trophy will ride atop the Grand Marshal float.

Reasons to arrive early: Due to road closures and traffic delays, attendees are encouraged to arrive downtown early to eat, shop, and more. Family-friendly happenings downtown on Sunday include:

Free tours of the Tarrant County Courthouse: From 2:30-4:45 pm, the Tarrant County Courthouse will offer free tours. The famous pink-granite courthouse was built in 1895 and took over two years to build.
Family Day at Sid Richardson Museum: Families are encouraged to visit the Sid Richardson Museum for free creative fun, live screen printing, and giveaways.
Note that the Sundance Square Christmas tree lighting will NOT be taking place in conjunction with the Parade of Lights this year.
Many other big local holiday events will be worth checking out before or after the parade. Check out this list of Christmas light events, for example.

Watch it live: For those unable to attend in person, a live TV broadcast of the parade will air on KTXA-TV / TXA-21 and online at CBSDFW.com at 6 pm, with a second TV broadcast airing on KTXA-TV / TXA-21 on Christmas Eve at 8 pm. In addition, the parade will broadcast via Facebook Live on the Parade of Lights’ Facebook event page.

Get social: The official hashtag for the 2024 GM Financial Parade of Lights is #ParadeOfLights2024. Follow along for updates on the Parade of Lights via these social media pages:

Online: www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org
On Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/paradeoflightsfw/

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