There are "only" 12 events on this weekend's "best things to do" list in and around Fort Worth, but there are multiple huge options from which to choose. Choices include two arts festivals, the college gymnastics national championship, a national tour of a Broadway musical, screenings of a timely new film, three popular music concerts (including the long-awaited return of a mega-star), a fun volunteer opportunity, a music/BBQ festival, and two symphony concerts.
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.
Thursday, April 16
Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival
The annual Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival spans 18 square blocks in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, offering four days of world-class art, live music, food, drinks, and family-friendly fun. The event will feature an outdoor gallery with more than 200 jury-selected artists from across the nation, as well as a diverse lineup of musical entertainment across three stages, featuring headliners Ian Moore, Ghosts of Hill County, and a special evening of '80s music presented by Studio 80. The event takes place through Sunday.
Fort Worth Art Fair
The Fort Worth Art Fair is designed as counter-programming to the Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival, bringing together over 100 local and Texas artists, a curation of 24 local bands, orchestras, and DJs for a four-day celebration of the artists and makers who shape Fort Worth’s cultural landscape. It takes place through Sunday in Sundance Square.
2026 NCAA Women’s National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship
The NCAA Women’s National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship comes back to Fort Worth, featuring the top eight NCAA Women’s Gymnastics teams as they compete for the title of National Champion. Teams competing include defending champion Oklahoma, as well as LSU, Stanford, Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Minnesota, and UCLA. The semifinal sessions on Thursday will be followed by the national championship competition on Saturday.
Broadway at the Bass presents Some Like It Hot
Set in Prohibition era, Some Like It Hot is a fast-paced comedy that follows two musicians who take up new identities and go on the run after witnessing a mob hit. Their cross-country journey brings them face to face with a dazzling singer with dreams of stardom, who captures one of their hearts, while the other catches the eye of a wealthy suitor set on finding true love. Still under disguise, they must find a way to untangle their messes and stay alive from the gangsters hot on their tail. The production runs through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Friday, April 17
Magnolia at the Modern: Spacewoman
Spacewoman is a documentary that explores the life and career of astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command the space shuttle. From small-town beginnings, Collins went on to smash many glass ceilings at NASA, becoming a test pilot and going to space in four dramatic and dangerous space shuttle missions. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Everclear in concert
Rock band Everclear passed the 30th anniversary of their 1993 debut album, World of Noise, a few years ago, but it was their follow-up in 1995, Sparkle and Fade, where they truly made it to the big time thanks to the hit song, "Santa Monica." They haven't put out a new album since 2015, but they have released a couple of new songs in recent years. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, April 18
TRWD Trash Bash
Trash Bash is TRWD’s commitment to fostering litter prevention within the communities they serve by providing various opportunities to volunteer in organized cleanups of waterways. Volunteers can pick one of multiple starting points along the Trinity River, including Panther Island Pavilion. While there will be volunteer sessions all day long, there will be an "after-party" at Coyote Drive-In from 10 am-12 pm to celebrate everyone's good deeds.
Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival
The 2026 Syndicate Smokedown & Music Festival is a music festival and BBQ competition that blends nationally recognized artists, award-winning pitmasters, and a mission-driven commitment to supporting Texas youth in agriculture. Music performers will include Whiskey Myers, Randy Rogers Band, Amanda Shires, Jason Scott and The High Heat, Ellis Bullard, The Broken Spokes, and Weldon Henson. The BBQ competition — open to both professional pitmasters and amateur backyard teams — features a $20,000 purse, making it one of the richest one-day BBQ competitions in the Lone Star State. The event takes place in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
Bruno Mars in concert
It's been a long time since pop star Bruno Mars put out any solo work, with his last album being 2016's 24K Magic. He hasn't been in hiding since then, of course, releasing the 2021 collaborative album, An Evening with Silk Sonic, with Anderson .Paak, and collaborating on mega-hits like "Die with a Smile" with Lady Gaga and "APT." with Rosé. But he's finally come out with a new solo album, The Romantic, and he'll celebrate with back-to-back concerts at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Saturday and Sunday. He'll be joined by Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak as DJ Pee .Wee and Leon Thomas.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Walt Disney Animation Studios - A Decade in Concert"
Celebrating iconic musical moments from 10 years of Disney films, "Walt Disney Animation Studios - A Decade in Concert" is a melodic journey that explores some of Disney Animation’s most recent stories through film clips and scores performed live by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Michelle Di Russo, the performance includes music from Moana (2016), Zootopia (2016), Big Hero 6 (2014), Tangled (2010), The Princess and the Frog (2009), and more. The concert will be at Will Rogers Auditorium.
Travis Tritt in concert
During the country music boom of the 1990s, Travis Tritt stood tall among his fellow singers. His first five albums all reached the top 10 on the Billboard country charts, and he scored No. 1 hits with "Help Me Hold On," "Anymore," "Can I Trust You with My Heart," and "Foolish Pride." He went on to release 13 albums, most recently Set in Stone in 2021. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, April 19
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Chamber Series: "Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann"
At this special chamber concert, several members of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will perform pieces from various classical masters. Selections will include Mozart's: Horn Quintet, Schumann's Three Romances for Oboe and Piano, and Beethoven's Archduke Piano Trio. The concert takes place at Kimbell Art Museum.
The Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival returns to downtown Fort Worth, April 16-19
The Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival returns April 16-19.
