Gymnastics fans can get their Olympic spirit started this weekend when the national championships come Fort Worth. That big event will be joined by others featuring the end of a dinosaur exhibition, a well-known comedian, screenings of an acclaimed new film, a trombone festival, two new local theater productions, two country music concerts, a craft beer festival, and a hard rock music festival.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Thursday, May 30
Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents "Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors" closing day
After four months, the outdoor exhibition "Dinosaurs Around the World: The Great Outdoors" will come to a close at Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Visitors can get their passport to Pangea stamped on every continent while engaging with animatronic dinosaurs. The exhibition allows visitors to experience the Age of Reptiles brought back to life in an outdoor environment.
Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships
The Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships are part of the run-up to the Paris Olympic Games and will determine national champions in men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. They will also set the National Team lineups that will compete for Olympic berths at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, June 27-30 in Minneapolis. Champion gymnasts like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Asher Hong, Shilese Jones, and Khoi Young will be among the competitors (however, 2012 Olympic all-around champ Gabby Douglas has withdrawn). The event takes place through Sunday at Dickies Arena.
Improv Arlington presents Bill Bellamy
Using his experiences growing up in Newark, Bill Bellamy started doing stand-up while he was a student at Rutgers University. His long comedy career has led to multiple roles in both television and movies, including Love Jones, How to Be a Player, Any Given Sunday, and Insecure. He also hosts the podcast Top Billin’ With Bill Bellamy. He'll perform at Improv Arlington through Saturday.
Friday, May 31
Magnolia at the Modern: The Dead Don't Hurt
When the man she loves, Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen), goes off to fight in the Civil War, Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) must fend for herself in a place controlled by a corrupt mayor and his unscrupulous business partner. When Holger returns from the war, he and Vivienne must confront and make peace with the person each has become. The film will screen four times through Saturday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and TCU School of Music present The International Trombone Festival
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and TCU School of Music will present the International Trombone Festival, a four-day brass extravaganza bringing the finest brass talent from around the globe. The highlight of the festival will be a weekend of concerts: Trombonist Peter Steiner and pianist Constanze Hochwartner will perform TCU alum Kevin Day's world premiere of "Departures: Double Concerto for Trombone, Piano, & Orchestra." The piece will be accompanied by Jennifer Higdon's "River Sings A Song To Trees" and the grand finale, Mahler's "Symphony No. 5." All concerts will be at Bass Performance Hall.
Jubilee Theatre presents Thoughts of a Colored Man
Thoughts of a Colored Man explores the lives, pressures, and passions of seven contemporary Black men who live in one Brooklyn neighborhood. The characters - never given names - are identified by traits they embody: Lust, Love, Anger, Passion, Wisdom, Depression, and Happiness. The production runs through June 30 at Jubilee Theatre.
Roger Creager in concert
Country singer Roger Creager has been plugging away at his singing career for over 20 years, but it's only in the last 10 that he's started to get some national acclaim. Creager has released seven albums in his career, including 2014's Road Show, which made it to No. 20 on Billboard's Country Albums chart. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, June 1
The International Trombone Festival will put on concerts at Bass Performance Hall, May 31-June 2.
Martin House Brewing presents Glizzy Fest
Martin House Brewing and Fletcher's Original Corny Dogs will present Glizzy Fest, where visitors can indulge in corn dogs, hot dogs, State Fair treats, and a selection of Martin House Brewing's beers. Martin House Brewing and Fletcher's have collaborated to create a special mustard beer exclusively for Glizzy Fest. The festival will also feature live music performances and unique Glizzy-themed crafts from local vendors. The one-day event takes place at Martin House Brewing Company.
So What?! Music Festival
The 2024 So What?! Music Festival will feature performances from 60 bands over two days, headlined by hard rock bands Underoath and Skillet. Other notable bands include Boys Like Girls, Asking Alexandria, Mayday Parade, P.O.D., Silverstein, Switchfoot, The Devil Wears Prada, Relient K, and The Amity Affliction. The festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Panther Island Pavilion.
Casa Mañana presents Grease
Everyone’s favorite rock-and-roll musical, Grease, features electrifying hits “You’re the One that I Want,” “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and more. Audiences will fall back in love with the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies and see why Greaseis still the word. The production, which is suitable for mature audiences only, will run through June 9 at Casa Mañana.
Joe Nichols in concert
Country star Joe Nichols has been crafting hits since his breakout in 2002 with his sophomore album, Man with a Memory. Thanks to songs like "Brokenheartsville," "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off," and "Gimmie That Girl," he's remained at the top of the genre for over 20 years, releasing 10 albums in his career, most recently Good Day for Living in 2022. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Skate under the twinkling lights at Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas in Arlington.Photo courtesy of Coca-Cola's Classic Christmas
Skate under the lights at Peace Plaza Ice Rink in Grapevine.
Photo courtesy of Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
Galleria Dallas is famous for its ice rink Christmas tree.
Photo courtesy of Galleria Dallas
