Mid-January in Fort Worth means it's time for the biggest event of the year on the city's calendar, the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Other choices this weekend include screenings of a new film, a symphony concert with a western theme, a comedian, two country concerts, the start of one art exhibition and the end of another, a symphony concert aimed at kids, and a new local theater production.
Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Stock Show
Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. If you want more options, check out the calendar for an even longer list of the city's best events.
Friday, January 16
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
The annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is a three-week long event that as big a deal to Cowtown as the State Fair of Texas is to Dallas. The main events are the daily rodeos at Dickies Arena, including the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo, Best of Mexico Celebración, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and Bulls Night Out Extreme Bull Riding. It also features livestock and horse shows, kid-friendly activities and exhibits, live music, a carnival midway, shopping, food, and more. The Stock Show opens Friday but officially kicks off with the All-Western Parade on Saturday morning, then will run through February 7. For ways to get discounted tickets, go here; and for a complete guide to live music, head here.
Magnolia at the Modern: The Choral
The year is 1916. As war rages on the Western Front, the Choral Society in Ramsden, Yorkshire decides to recruit local male youth to swell their ranks. They must also engage a new chorus master, Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), who's driven, uncompromising, and has recently returned from a career in Germany. As conscription papers start to arrive, the whole community discovers that the best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Wild West Rodeo"
To celebrate the start of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will ride West with famous film hits like John Williams’ Overture to The Cowboys, Elmer Bernstein’s The Magnificent Seven, Enrico Morricone’s The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, and more. Images of Western art from the Sid Richardson Museum will be projected during the concert to bring the music to life. The concert, conducted by Michelle Di Russo, will have performances on Friday and Saturday at Bass Performance Hall.
Improv Arlington presents Sydney Castillo
Sydney Castillo is a stand-up comedian, actor, producer, and writer. He can currently be seen on Marlon Wayans Presents the Headliners on HBO MAX, the new season of Wild N Out, and on HBO’s Game Theory. He was the winner of TBS's Funniest Wins, and has performed stand up on HBO three times. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Neal McCoy in concert
Country singer Neal McCoy was part of the country boom in the early-to-mid 1990s, scoring with hits like "No Doubt About It" and "Wink." McCoy has tried to reinvent himself in a couple of ways in the last decade, including with his 2017 anti-protest song, "Take a Knee ... My Ass!!" and an American standards album, You Don't Know Me. He'll play at at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, January 17
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Celia Álvarez Muñoz: "El Límite"
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art will present conceptual and multimedia artist Celia Álvarez Muñoz’s installation "El Límite" (the boundary or limit). Based in Texas, Muñoz is celebrated for her work that addresses the dichotomies of the Mexican American experience through photography, works on paper, and various multimedia. In "El Límite," Muñoz explores the railroad and its role in the connection and division of countries, traditions, cultures, and languages. The exhibition will remain on display through October 18.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "The Unicorn’s Birthday"
“The Unicorn’s Birthday” is a charming, fantasy-and-fun-filled symphony experience. The family-friendly birthday celebration is filled with music, narration, fun sounds, captivating on-stage activity, graphics, and audience interactivity. There’s even a visit from the Birthday Unicorn. The concert takes place at Bass Performance Hall.
Mid Cities Arts Collective presents The Odd Couple
Mid Cities Arts Collective will step into the chaotic, laughter-filled world of Felix Ungar and Oscar Madison with The Odd Couple. When uptight, obsessive Felix moves in with his messy, fun-loving friend Oscar, the clash of personalities sets off a hilarious chain of disasters. There will be four performances through January 25 at Platinum Music Complex in North Richland Hills.
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. Nine years later, he's now released four albums in his career, most recently Black Bandana in 2024, which featured the No. 1 hit, "This Heart." He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, January 18
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Jenny Saville: "The Anatomy of Painting" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view Jenny Saville's "The Anatomy of Painting" at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. It is the first major museum exhibition in the U.S. dedicated to the work of one of the world's foremost figure painters. Saville has played a leading role in the reinvigoration of figurative painting, a genre that she continues to test the limits of to this day. The exhibition traces the development of her practice from the 1990s to today, spotlighting key artworks from her career while exploring her lasting connection to art history.
