April is officially the start of the festival season in around Fort Worth, and the month starts with a big one this weekend. Other choices include a fun outdoor art exhibition, a Disney on Ice production, two theater productions, screenings of a new film, a well-known comedian, two concerts, a symphony gala, a favorite comedy improv group, and an opera concert.
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, April 3
Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents "Cracking Art"
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden will host an exhibit by the renowned Italian collective, Cracking Art. The modern menagerie features brightly colored rabbits, elephants, wolves, snails, swallows, and geese, all crafted from recycled plastic and other materials. The whimsical creations are designed to engage visitors in playful interactions while sparking a community-wide dialogue on sustainability and environmental conservation. The exhibition will remain on display through September 1.
Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival
The Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival takes attendees on a journey through the flavors of Panther City’s most daring culinary figures. Expert chefs and restaurateurs pair over 100 wines, craft beers, and spirits with elevated dishes. The festival includes fan-favorite events such as Tacos and Tequila, The Main Event, Rise + Dine, Burgers, Brews + Blues, and Ring of Fire. It takes place through Sunday at the Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork. For a complete rundown of events, check out this story.
Disney On Ice presents Let's Dance!
The Disney On Ice show Let's Dance! is jam-packed with audience favorite Disney characters - including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy - who will become DJs, remixing Disney tunes into colorful stories. The production invites guests to belt out Disney’s chart-topping tunes as their favorite stories are brought to life on and above the ice. The show will highlight figure skating, acrobatics, stunts, special effects, and more. There will be eight performances through Sunday at Dickies Arena.
Performing Arts Fort Worth presents Dixie's Tupperware Party
Dixie's Tupperware Party stars Dixie Longate, the fast-talking, gum-chewing, ginger-haired Alabama gal who is bringing your grandma’s Tupperware party into the 21st century. Dixie demonstrates the many alternative uses for the iconic plastic kitchen staple. The show is filled with outrageously funny tales, heartfelt accounts, audience participation, and a little bit of empowerment and homespun wisdom. There will be five performances through Sunday at McDavid Studio.
Friday, April 4
Magnolia at the Modern: Bob Trevino Likes It
When lonely 20-something Lily Trevino (Barbie Ferreira) accidentally befriends a stranger online who shares the same name as her own self-centered father (French Stewart), encouragement and support from this new Bob Trevino (John Leguizamo) could change her life. The film will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Big Laugh Comedy Club presents Caroline Rhea
Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role on Sabrina The Teenage Witch’ and her numerous comedy specials. She voices the Mom on Disney’s Phineas and Ferb, hosted her own talk show, and has been a regular panelist on the game shows like Funny You Should Ask, Match Game, Name that Tune, and Hollywood Squares. She'll perform three times through Saturday at Big Laugh Comedy Club.
Jubilee Theatre presents Thunder Knocking on the Door
Set against a backdrop of myth and magic, Thunder Knocking on the Door follows the journey of two families whose lives become intertwined by fate and music. As the mystical blues guitarist Marvell Thunder and the mysterious Jaguar Man vie for supremacy in a musical duel, the characters grapple with love, loss, and the power of redemption. The production will have three preview performances, take a break next weekend to avoid big festivals, and come back on April 18 to play through May 11 at Jubilee Theatre.
Slade Coulter in concert
Singer/songwriter Slade Coulter is a rising Texas country music star. Originally from the small town of Jayton, Texas, he's now based out of Lubbock. He combines his small town up-bringing with classic rock inspired sounds. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of his 2024 album, Something to Say. He'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.
Shane Smith & The Saints in concert
The Austin-based Shane Smith & The Saints can be considered veterans, having released their first album in 2012. They've become a mainstay on the Texas circuit, playing at a wide variety of local venues and festivals (as well as appearing on Yellowstone). They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of their 2024 album, Norther.
Saturday, April 5
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Gala Concert Starring Garrick Ohlsson
Since his triumph as winner of the 1970 Chopin International Piano Competition, pianist Garrick Ohlsson has established himself worldwide as a musician of magisterial interpretive and technical prowess. He'll be the featured performer at this gala concert conducted by Robert Spano, which will feature Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. It takes place at Bass Performance Hall.
Four Day Weekend Pop-Up Show
The comedy troupe Four Day Weekend is a Fort Worth institution, but their future in Fort Worth is up in the air. They will wrap up a three-weekend stay at Casa Mañana's Reid Cabaret Theatre with two shows on Saturday, but there are currently no other shows scheduled in Tarrant County while they search for a new permanent home. If you're willing to travel, you can still catch them at their location in Dallas every Friday and Saturday.
Sunday, April 6
Opera Arlington presents Royals: Opera's Kings, Queens, and Regal Artistry
Royals: Opera’s Kings, Queens, and Regal Artistry will be an evening of music making featuring Dallas-Fort Worth’s rising opera stars. The program turns opera excerpts into a dynamic story, celebrating the life, fashion, and drama of real-life royals like Princess Diana. Singers Cherisse Williams, Kaswanna Kanyinda, Lwazi Hlati, and Adeniyi Samuel will be joined by pianist Tao Jiang in this performance at Create Texas in Arlington.
