The Fort Worth area is just lousy with festivals this weekend, with no fewer than eight separate ones taking place, featuring music, barbecue, art, nature, beer, and more. Other choices include four local theater productions and four concerts ranging from classical to rock to country.
Circle Theatre presents Rent, April 24 through May 16.
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 23
TCC NE Drama Playhouse presents Chicago
In Chicago, set in the roaring twenties, chorine Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her hapless husband, Amos, to take the rap ... until he finds out he's been duped and turns on Roxie. Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another "Merry Murderess," Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the "American Dream:" fame, fortune, and acquittal. The musical will have four performances through Saturday at the Northeast campus of Tarrant County College.
Theatre Wesleyan presents Little Shop of Horrors
In Little Shop of Horrors, the meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" after his coworker crush. The foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it blood. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out-of-this-world origins and intent towards global domination. The production will have four performances through Sunday at Theatre Wesleyan on the Texas Wesleyan University campus.
The Cliburn presents Paul Lewis
Pianist Paul Lewis, the jury chair for the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2025, will make his Cliburn Concerts debut. Lewis was awarded CBE in 2016 for his services to music, and the sincerity and depth of his musical approach have won him fans around the world, along with multiple awards. He'll perform at Kimbell Art Museum.
Friday, April 24
Lone Star Smokeout
Country music stars Riley Green, Koe Wetzel, and Shaboozey will headline the second annual Lone Star Smokeout, which will feature almost 20 music performances over three days. A roster of more than a dozen world-class BBQ pitmaster teams from Texas and across America will serve up great barbecue, and there will also be a Sunday BBQ brunch. The event takes place through Sunday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Ubbi Dubbi Festival
The annual Ubbi Dubbi Festival is a two-day event featuring performances by over 40 electronic music artists. Performers will include Alesso, Honeyluv, San Holo, Whethan, Blanke, Layz, Space Laces, Zedd, and more. The festival takes place on Friday and Saturday at Panther Island Pavilion.
Southlake Women's Club presents Art in the Square
The annual Art in the Square is a fun-filled weekend of art, music, food, spirits, and children’s activities. The event showcases the artwork of 150 juried renowned artists, and also includes the Youth Art tent featuring artwork from high school students of Northeast Tarrant County. There will also be live music performances throughout the weekend. The event takes place through at Southlake Town Square.
Sundown Collaborative Theatre presents The Great Impresario Boris Lermantov Would Like to Invite You to Dinner
Inspired by the iconic 1948 film The Red Shoes, The Great Impresario Boris Lermantov Would Like to Invite You to Dinner examines the inherent corruption of power, specifically in art leadership, and dives headfirst into the intoxicating, unsettling question at the heart of artistic ambition: does great art require great suffering? And if so … who pays the price? The production runs through May 3 at Golden Triangle Mall in Denton.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Spanish Masters: An Evening of Music and Art"
"Spanish Masters: An Evening of Music and Art," featuring conductor Robert Spano and mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, will include Ravel's Rapsodie espagnole, Lieberson's Neruda Songs, and Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat. The concert will have three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Circle Theatre presents Rent
Rent is a groundbreaking, Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock musical by Jonathan Larson that follows a group of young artists struggling to survive, create, and love in New York City under the shadow of poverty and the AIDS crisis. Set in the late 1980s, the show captures the urgency of a generation living without guarantees and fighting to hold onto their dreams. The production runs through May 16 at Circle Theatre.
Saturday, April 25
Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents Japanese Spring Festival
At Fort Worth Botanic Garden's Japanese Spring Festival, visitors can enjoy Taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, and music, browse unique art and gift vendors, partake in food trucks, and take part in family-friendly crafts and cultural activities. The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday.
760 Fest Music & Arts Festival
760 Fest is a full day of live music, food, local art, and more. Visitors can explore a curated lineup of artists and vendors, enjoy bites from food trucks and drinks, and catch live music throughout the day across multiple stages, headlined by Zak Webb. The event takes place at The District at Willow Park in Willow Park, located along I-20 between Fort Worth and Weatherford.
Texas Street Food Festival
The 4th Annual Texas Street Food Festival will feature over 70 vendors, including 40+ restaurants & food trucks, serving food from around the world. In addition to the food, guests can enjoy entertainment, interactive attractions, live music, family-friendly activities, and unique Texas-themed experiences. The event will be at Billy Bob's Texas.
Fort Worth Aviation Museum presents Hops and Props Beerfest
The craft beer tasting festival Hops and Props is Fort Worth Aviation Museum's primary annual fundraiser. The event will feature local brewers, live music, food, family-friendly vendors, airplane rides, games, activities, and more. The event will also showcase many veteran support organizations and family vendors.
FuelFest
FuelFest blends the enthusiast’s passion for the automotive world with appearances by Fast & Furious franchise stars Tyrese Gibson and Cody Walker, live action drifting, live music a car show, automotive culture, dozens of custom exhibits, car reveals, Lucha Libra wrestling, and more. The event takes place at Texas Motor Speedway.
LANY in concert
Pop-rock band LANY has been going strong for almost 10 years, releasing their self-titled debut album in 2017. They've managed to attract a loyal group of fans despite the fact that they have yet to have a crossover breakout hit, with their only true hit song coming before they officially released an album. They'll play at Dickies Arena in support of their 2025 album, Soft.
Sara Evans in concert
Sara Evans was at or near the top of the Billboard Country charts with each of her first nine studio albums. Even though her last two albums, most recently Unbroke in 2024, have not sold as well, she's maintained her popularity thanks to hits like "No Place That Far," "Born to Fly," "A Real Fine Place to Start," and "A Little Bit Stronger." She'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
