Rodeo is the big thing to do in and around Fort Worth this weekend, with three separate events for fans to attend. Also on the docket will be two festivals, screenings of an acclaimed new film, an outdoor symphony concert, a dance production, a local theater production, a trio of country concerts, a rapper-turned-comedian, and a Latin superstar.
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 16
Rodeo Galore
It's a massive rodeo weekend in Fort Worth and Arlington. It kicks off on Thursday and Friday with the Women’s Rodeo World Championship at Cowtown Coliseum, where nearly 300 competitors will go head-to-head in team roping, breakaway roping, and barrel racing. Also on Friday will be Kid Rock’s Rock N Rodeo at AT&T Stadium, a reimagined rodeo in which six teams will compete head-to-head in bracket-style competition for a $1 million purse, followed by a performance by Kid Rock. Finally on Saturday and Sunday will be PBR World Finals: Unleash the Beast at AT&T Stadium, bull riding’s most prestigious event that crowns the PBR's next champion rider and bull, featuring 10 rounds of action in a playoff-type format. It will also include the finals of the Women's Rodeo World Championship.
Friday, May 17
40th Annual Main Street Fest: A Craft Brew Experience
The 40th Annual Main Street Fest: A Craft Brew Experience will transform the heart of Grapevine into a family-friendly celebration showcasing a unique blend of craft brews, live entertainment, and community spirit. The weekend festivities include a Carnival Midway, KidZone, and food and shopping vendors, along with Historic Main Street shops, cafes, and winery tasting rooms. It takes place in Historic Downtown Grapevine through Sunday.
Magnolia at the Modern: Evil Does Not Exist
Director Ryusuke Hamaguchi's follow-up to his Academy Award-winning Drive My Car is a foreboding fable on humanity's mysterious, mystical relationship with nature. In a rural village not far from Tokyo, the townsfolk become aware of a company’s plan to build an opulent campsite, offering city residents a comfortable “escape” to the snowy wilderness. As sinister gunshots echo from the forest, both the locals and company representatives confront their life choices and the haunting consequences they have. The film, which is in Japanese with English subtitles, will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
After Hours in the Garden presents Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's Sounds of the Summer Series launches at Fort Worth Botanic Garden’s Friday event, “After Hours in the Garden.” An all-string program will feature a sampling of some FWSO favorites. The strings’ use of playful pizzicato means they literally Plink Plank Plunk! in Leroy Anderson’s work. William Grant Still captures Panama’s vibrant cultural heritage and folk music in Danzas de Panama. Finally, they will collage some of the best-loved string serenades from Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, and Elgar.
Texas Ballet Theater presents Beauty & the Beast
Hearts will melt as a hideous beast and a young maiden discover that love transcends and ultimately transforms outward appearances in this much beloved fairy tale. There will be four performances, Friday through Sunday, at Bass Performance Hall.
Hip Pocket Theatre presents A Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle
Something spacey is coming this way from the great mind of internationally acclaimed puppetry artist, Basil Twist, who returns to Hip Pocket for a one-of-a-kind intergalactic Twist-ian experience. Featuring music by Joe Rogers, the production runs through June 2 at Hip Pocket Theatre.
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. Eight years later, he's now released three albums in his career, most recently Blacktop in 2023, although his biggest hit to-date remains "Wild as Her" in 2022. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Hyena's presents Christopher "Kid" Reid
Christopher "Kid" Reid is best known as one-half of the late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop musical act Kid 'n Play, where he was particularly notable for his extreme high-top fade hairstyle. But comedy has always been part of his repertoire, whether in the House Party movies or elsewhere. Reid now tours as a stand-up comedian, and he'll show off his talents in three shows on Friday and Saturday at Hyena's in downtown Fort Worth.
Saturday, May 18
Tacos & Tequila Festival
The Tacos & Tequila Festival will feature some of Dallas-Fort Worth’s best taco chefs and restaurants, handcrafted margaritas, Lucha Libre wrestling, a chihuahua beauty pageant, exotic car showcase, salsa & hot sauce competition, and more. In addition, there will be a huge live music showcase, including performances by Ludacris, Ashanti, Xzibit, Chamillionaire, David Banner, Trick Daddy, Yung Joc, Bubba Sparxxx, DJ Ashton Martin, and more. The festival takes place at Panther Island Pavilion.
Performing Arts Fort Worth presents An Evening with Suzy Bogguss
Country singer Suzy Bogguss had a great run in the early 1990s, charting six top 10 hits like "Outbound Plane," "Aces," "Letting Go," and "Hey Cinderella." After a little bit of a break from making new music, she released her first new album in nine years, Prayin' for Sunshine, in 2023. She'll play both her hits and newer material at this concert at McDavid Studio.
David Lee Murphy in concert
Country singer David Lee Murphy has been trying to make his way in the industry for a long time. He started out relatively hot, notching two top 12 albums on the Billboard Country charts in the mid-1990s. He's spent most of the 21st century as a songwriter alone, though. He's only released two albums, most recently No Zip Code in 2018, which earned him a CMA Award for "Everything's Gonna Be Alright," a duet with Kenny Chesney. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Sunday, May 19
Feid in concert
Colombian singer Feid is part of the growing crossover popularity of Latin music. Working with other well-known Latin singers like Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Maluma, Karol G, and more, he's grown into one of the biggest artists in the genre, scoring his biggest release with his most recent album, Mor, No Le Temas a la Oscuridad in 2023. He'll perform at Dickies Arena.
Photo courtesy of Ludacris
Ludacris and other hip hop/R&B singers will perform at the Tacos & Tequila Festival at Panther Island Pavilion on May 18.
