Weekend Event Planner

These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this Memorial Day weekend

For the first and only time all year, this weekend around Fort Worth will be defined by golf, as the PGA Tour makes its annual stop here. Other choices include a touring comedian, a tribute to The Duke, a great documentary, a fun ballet, a local theater production, al fresco concerts, two country rock concerts, a Memorial Day tribute, and more.

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 25

Charles Schwab Challenge
The Charles Schwab Challenge, the PGA Tour's annual stop in Fort Worth, will feature some of the best pro golfers in the world, including newly-minted legend Michael Block, the PGA club pro who earned a sponsor's exemption with his stellar play at the PGA Championship last week. Participants include defending champion Sam Burns, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, local hero Jordan Spieth, No. 6 Viktor Hovland, No. 7 Max Homa, and more. The tournament will be at Colonial Country Club through Sunday.

Amphibian Stage Productions presents River Butcher
Amphibian Stage Productions will present Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer, River Butcher. His first half-hour special, A Different Kind of Dude, debuted on Comedy Central’s YouTube channel. The special also garnered the title of "Some of the Best Jokes of 2022 So Far." He’s done standup all over the country, the globe, and the screen, including Ellen, Conan, Comedy Central, and HBO. He'll perform three times through Saturday at Amphibian Stage.

Friday, May 26

John Wayne: An American Experience presents John Wayne Day Birthday Bash
John Wayne's legend will be celebrated on John Wayne Day, which takes place each year on The Duke’s birthday, May 26. John Wayne: An American Experience in the Fort Worth Stockyards will host two celebrations to commemorate the day. Visitors can sample cookies and Gold Handle Coffee in John Wayne Stock & Supply, and the shop will also launch its new "America, Why I Love Her" 50th anniversary collection.

Magnolia at the Modern: It Ain't Over
An intimate portrait of a misunderstood American icon, It Ain't Over is an emotional and uplifting documentary about Yogi Berra that goes beyond the caricatures and "Yogisms," and into the heart of a sports legend whose unparalleled accomplishments on the baseball diamond were often overshadowed by his off-the-field persona. The film will screen seven times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Texas Ballet Theater presents Alice in Wonderland
Audiences can go down the rabbit hole with Texas Ballet Theater this weekend, as the dance company presents their final production of the season, Alice in Wonderland, a family-friendly ballet that showcases charming characters and a fantastical journey narrated by Alice herself. There will be four performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall. There will also be an Opening Night Dinner on Friday, a fundraising event where guests can enjoy cocktails and dinner at McDavid Studio before enjoying the show.

Artisan Center Theater presents Little Women
Based on Louisa May Alcott's life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo is trying to sell her stories for publication, but the publishers are not interested – her friend, Professor Bhaer, tells her that she has to do better and write more from herself. Begrudgingly taking this advice, Jo weaves the story of herself and her sisters and their experience growing up in Civil War America. The production runs through July 1 at Artisan Center Theater in Hurst.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents Concerts in the Garden
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra's annual Concerts in the Garden series at Fort Worth Botanic Garden gets started earlier than usual with a weekend full of concerts. On Friday will be Windborne's The Music of Queen, the symphonic rock hybrid features Las Vegas star Brody Dolyniuk delivering a rendition of Freddie Mercury's vocals. On Saturday is Patriotic Pops, featuring favorite patriotic songs and marches in their first-ever Memorial Day celebration with a drone fireworks display. Sunday will bring The Music of Harry Potter, with the the orchestra playing favorite tunes from the film series, like Hedwig's Theme and "Nimbus 2000," under the direction of Taichi Fukumura. Each performance will be followed by a drone show, in lieu of fireworks.

.38 Special in concert
.38 Special is an original '80s Southern Rock band formed by Donnie Von Zant, brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd singers Ronnie and Johnny Van Zant. The band is known for their arena-pop rock smashes like “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into The Night,” “Caught Up In You,” and “Fantasy Girl.” They have released 12 albums in their career, most recently 2004's Drivetrain. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, May 27

Carry The Load presents Memorial May: Fort Worth Police and Fire Fighters Memorial
Carry The Load is a walk to honor the sacrifices of the nation's heroes. Starting at Amon G. Carter Stadium, the 3.6 mile walk finishes with a rally at the Fort Worth Police and Fire Fighters Memorial. The relay team will then continue on to Dallas.

National Theatre Live: Othello
She’s a bright, headstrong daughter of a senator; elevated by her status but stifled by its expectations. He’s refugee of slavery; having risen to the top of a white world, he finds love across racial lines has a cost. Wed in secret, Desdemona and Othello crave a new life together. But as unseen forces conspire against them, they find their future is not theirs to decide. This screening of a previously-recorded event will be at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

Reckless Kelly in concert
Country rock band Reckless Kelly got their start in Idaho, but have called Austin home for almost 30 years. It wasn't until their fourth album, 2008's Bulletproof, that they made significant inroads on the country charts, a popularity they've maintained through their most recent release, the 2020 double album, American Jackpot / American Girls. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Jordan Spieth Facebook

Jordan Spieth and other top PGA golfers will compete at the Charles Schwab Challenge, taking place May 25-28 at Colonial Country Club.

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This week's hot headlines

5 buzziest bars top off this week's most-read stories in Fort Worth

Winter Wonderland Bubbles, holiday igloo bars, Hotel Vin, Grapevine

Facebook/Hotel Vin

The Winter Wonderland Bubbles are back at Hotel Vin.

Editor's note: Five bars with big buzz, Michelin award winners, and hot new places to shop are among this week's most-read Fort Worth stories. Catch up on the hottest headlines, and then find some fun things to do this weekend here.

1. Where to drink in Fort Worth right now: 5 buzziest bars for November. Bars both old and new make up this Where to Drink list of must-visit spots in November, all for either recent updates or timely fall offerings. Some have undergone big changes, and others have launched opportune reasons to stop in, like limited-edition fall cocktails or even reservations in an "igloo" with wine and fondue. Here are five of Fort Worth's buzziest bar to hit this month.

2. 4 Fort Worth restaurants earn awards from new Michelin Guide. The first Michelin Guide Texas selection has been revealed, with 117 restaurants earning some kind of nod including 15 one-star establishments and two Green Star eateries. One Fort Worth restaurant earned a "Bib Gourmand" award — which recognizes eateries for great food at a great value. And three Fort Worth-area restaurants earned a spot on the "recommended" list.

goldees bbq Goldee's BBQ got some love from Michelin.Photo courtesy of Goldee's

3. Downtown Fort Worth pop-up Anna's Table serves tacos and tasty bites. A pop-up is doing tasty small bites and Mexican eats in downtown Fort Worth: Called Anna’s Table, it's a combination caterer and pop-up that sets up shop every weekend at Basic Bar at 904 Houston St., next door to Son of a Baker Pizzeria.

4. Food truck-turned-restaurant Fort Redemption steaks out Fort Worth. A food truck-turned-restaurant serving great affordable steaks and barbecue has debuted in Fort Worth: Called Fort Redemption, it’s now open at 5724 Locke Ave., in the former Mariachi’s Dine-In space.

5. Where to shop in Fort Worth right now: 7 hot new stores for November. Get ahead of the holiday shopping pack and check out these new Fort Worth-area stores. They include an adorable new online boutique from local mom-preneurs, new Western-wear brand with celebrity cred, high-end Stockyards pop-up, and more. Here's where to shop in November.