Weekend Event Planner

These are the 14 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

Dickies Arena has brought in a lot of big acts since it opened, but it's rarely been busier than it will be this weekend, when it hosts four different events in four days. Other choices for things to do in and around Fort Worth include early Christmas shopping, screenings of an acclaimed new film, three local theater productions, a symphony concert, and four other concerts

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

The Junior League of Fort Worth presents Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market
Yes, Christmas is over two months away, but it's never too early to get a little holiday shopping done. The 18th annual Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market, presented by the Junior League of Fort Worth, will feature an array of merchants showcasing unique gifts, home décor, jewelry, clothing, gourmet treats, and more. The market takes place at Will Rogers Memorial Center through Sunday.

Carin León in concert
The busy weekend for Dickies Arena kicks off with this concert by Carin León, a Mexican singer-songwriter who's hitting his stride. His first two albums in 2019 and 2021 didn't make much of an impact, but his last two albums, including the new Boca Chueca, Vol. 1, each made it high on both the Billboard Latin and Regional Mexican charts, which is why he's playing such a large venue.

Friday, October 11

Magnolia at the Modern: Lee
Lee tells the story of American photographer Lee Miller (Kate Winslet). Determined to document the truth of the Nazi regime despite the many challenges she faced as a female correspondent, Miller captured some of the most important images of World War II - though they came at an enormous personal price. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Casa Mañana presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, the musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, includes music, an enchanted pumpkin, and a glass slipper or two. When her wicked stepmother forbids it, Cinderella must find a way to attend the ball and meet Prince Charming; luckily, her Fairy Godmother has plenty of spells up her sleeve. The production runs through October 27 at Casa Mañana Theatre.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Schumann Cello Concerto and Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique"
At this concert, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Music Director Robert Spano serves as guide on Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, an exploration of Berlioz’s psyche, which follows Debussy’s hazy Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Schumann’s Cello Concerto with FWSO Principal Cellist Allan Steele. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Lucinda Williams in concert
Lucinda Williams is one of those musicians who you know even if you don't know you know her. She's had a steady career, garnering critical acclaim with every album release dating back to her debut in 1979. Her latest, 2023's Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart, is even more impressive given the fact that she suffered a stroke in 2020. She'll play in support of that album at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, joined by special guest Kelsey Waldon.

Christian Nodal in concert
Friday at Dickies Arena brings another Mexican singer-songwriter, Christian Nodal. Unlike León, Nodal experienced success right away. His debut album, Me Dejé Llevar in 2017, went to No. 1 on the Billboard Regional Mexican chart, a feat he repeated with his next two albums. A couple of EPs, most recently Forajido 2 in 2023, have also charted well, showing that Nodal will remain a formidable force in the genre for years to come.

Experience Hendrix Tour
The Experience Hendrix Tour features a host of great artists collaborating and interpreting Jimi Hendrix's legendary songs as part of a powerhouse, three-hour concert experience. Performers at this concert, taking place at Will Rogers Auditorium, will include Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Dweezil Zappa, and more.

Amphibian Stage presents The Amazing, Fabulous, and Spectacular Untruths of Juan Garcia
Juan Garcia has returned to his hometown of Oaxaca, armed with grand tales and big dreams of becoming the city’s biggest celebrity. He weaves a tapestry of tall tales and misadventures, aiming to impress (and possibly confuse) everyone, particularly the lady of his misguided affections. As bills pile up and tired servants reach their limit, the stage is set for a comedy of errors that even Juan can’t lie his way out of. The production runs through November 3 at Amphibian Stage.

Hip Pocket Theatre presents Metamorphosis
Hip Pocket Theatre's 2024 season comes to a close with Metamorphosis, a true classic from the mind of Franz Kafka. Audiences can break free from their stone-built sarcophagi, crawl amongst the carcasses, and watch restless dreams turn to waking nightmares. The production runs through November 3.

Saturday, October 12

Ryan Bingham's The Great Western
The Great Western is a new Western experience presented by singer Ryan Bingham, a one-day celebration of Western cultural heritage featuring rodeo, live music, cultural showcases, and more. Bingham will headline the evening’s main arena experience, joined by Shane Smith & The Saints, Tanya Tucker, Shaboozey, and Louie TheSinger. Athletes will compete in a showcase of rodeo skills, and the day will also include dances inspired by Native American traditions, entertainment and food on the outdoor plaza, interactive art and cultural exhibits, and more. The event takes place at - where else? - Dickies Arena.

Monte Montgomery in concert
Guitarist Monte Montgomery is a local legend in Austin, having won the award for "Best Acoustic Guitar Player" at the Austin Chronicle's Austin Music Awards seven years in a row. The blues/rock musician has released 11 albums in his career, most recently 2019's A Call to Arms. He'll play at McDavid Studio.

Casey Donahew in concert
Country singer (and Burleson native) Casey Donahew had a nice run of success on the national country music scene, charting four straight albums in the top 10 on the Billboard Country charts in the 2010s, including the No. 3 All Night Party. He's gone on to release 10 albums in his career, most recently Built Different in 2022. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Sunday, October 13

Fred Again in concert
The fourth different event in four days at Dickies Arena will stretch the venue's weekend to five days, as DJ/record producer Fred Again will perform on both Sunday and Monday. Nominated for Best New Artist at the 2024 Grammy Awards, he is actually on his fourth album, the recently-released Ten Days, which features appearances by everyone from fellow DJ Skrillex to rapper Anderson .Paak to country legend Emmylou Harris.

Courtesy Ryan Bingham

Ryan Bingham hosts The Great Western at Dickies Arena on October 12.

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Weekend Event Planner

These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

GM Financial Parade of Lights Fort Worth

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

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The weekend before Thanksgiving is when the holiday season really kicks into high gear, and this year features a Broadway musical, multiple local festivals, and a big parade. Other non-holiday choices include screenings of an acclaimed new film, three country concerts, a great comedian, an opera, the opening of a new art exhibition, and a small-scale symphony concert.

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

The annual GM Financial Parade of Lights takes place in Downtown Fort Worth on November 24.

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, November 21

Performing Arts Fort Worth presents Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas” from the original animated series. Max the Dog narrates the action as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the Holiday-loving Whos. The production runs through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Friday, November 22

Holiday events
In addition to the special one-off holiday performances, the Fort Worth area will have several holiday festival-style events start their run this weekend. They include Texas Christkindl Market at Texas Live in Arlington (running through December 23), Coca-Cola’s Classic Christmas at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington (through December 29), and Lightscape at Fort Worth Botanic Garden (through January 5).

Magnolia at the Modern: Blitz
Sir Steve McQueen’s Blitz follows the epic journey of George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy in World War II London whose mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan) sends him to safety in the English countryside. George, defiant and determined to return home to his mother and grandfather (Paul Weller) in East London, embarks on an adventure, only to find himself in immense peril. Meanwhile, a distraught Rita searches for her missing son. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Little Big Town in concert with Sugarland
Country group Little Big Town and country duo Sugarland have a long history together, first collaborating on the song "Life in a Northern Town" in 2008. Sixteen years later, they teamed up again for the new song "Take Me Home," after which this tour is named. Little Big Town has released 10 albums in their career, most recently Mr. Sunin 2022, while Sugarland has released six albums in their career, most recently Bigger in 2018. They'll play at Dickies Arena.

Big Laugh Comedy Club presents Dulce Sloan
Comedian Dulcé Sloan was most recently a correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and has been hailed by Variety, Rolling Stone, and Timeout LA as a Top Comedian to Watch. She has also been honored as the NBC Stand UpShowcase Winner, a Montreal Just For Laughs New Face, and as a Comedian to Watch on The Steve Harvey Show. She'll perform four times through Saturday at Big Laugh Comedy Club.

Fort Worth Opera presents Little Women
Mark Adamo’s operatic adaptation of Little Women brings Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel to life in a fresh and powerful way. The American opera is celebrated for its emotional depth and resonant themes of family, sisterhood, growing up, and coming home. Adamo captures the internal conflict of iconic central character, Jo March, who fears that growing up inevitably means growing apart from her family and her sisters, Meg, Beth, and Amy. There will be performances on Friday and Sunday at Arts Fort Worth.

Randall King in concert
A throwback to classic country, Randall King formed an Americana group in college called the Randall King Band, which released an album called Old Dirt Road before splitting. He then debuted as a solo artist in 2016 with the EP Another Bullet before releasing his first self-titled album in 2018 and his second album, Shot Glass in 2022. He'll play once again at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, November 23

Dylan Wheeler in concert
A native of the East Texas town of Edgewood, Dylan Wheeler has made a name for himself on the Texas country music scene. The success of his debut EP, Tell Me I'm Wrong, in 2018 convinced him to quit his job in the oil & gas industry and pursue music full-time. He released his debut album, Times Are Changing, in 2022, and now he returns again to play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Sunday, November 24

Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Rufino Tamayo: "Innovation and Experimentation"
Exploring more than 60 years of Rufino Tamayo’s prints, "Innovation and Experimentation" showcases the artist’s extensive engagement with prints and his ambitions to add volume and texture to a traditionally two-dimensional medium. In these works, Tamayo's depictions and abstractions of the human figure are highlighted as fertile ground for formal experimentation. A selection of Mesoamerican sculpture complements the prints on view, examining an important source of inspiration for the artist. The exhibition will remain on display through April 20, 2025.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Chamber Series: "Mozart, Schulhoff, and Korngold"
The composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold is remembered best for his film scores to silver-screen classics like The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood, but his concert works are also a testament to his prodigious talent. In this first FWSO Chamber Program featuring members of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Korngold’s music appears alongside Mozart’s Serenade in C minor and a Divertissement by Schulhoff, whose music was buried by the Nazis but has been reemerging in recent years. The performance takes place at Kimbell Art Museum.

GM Financial Parade of Lights
The annual GM Financial Parade of Lights will brighten up the streets of Downtown Fort Worth for its 42nd year, marking the City of Fort Worth’s official kickoff to the holiday season. The parade features the Texas Rangers baseball team as Grand Marshal, along with floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, carolers, and Santa Claus along the 1.59-mile route.

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