Weekend Event Planner

These are the 14 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend

This weekend across Fort Worth offers a nice range of events, led by a trio of festivals. Other choices include a theater production, a visit from a well-known comedian, a symphony performance, four other concerts, monster trucks, a celebration of Latin American heritage, the final days of an art exhibition, and a chance to see a celebrity up-close-and-personal.

Below are the best ways to spend your free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.

Thursday, October 24

MusicalWriters.com presents Khan!!! The Musical! A Parody Trek-tacular
Khan!!! The Musical! A Parody Trek-tacular is a parody based on Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek: The Next Generation, featuring an entirely original score. In 2366, Data the android presents his musical comedy version of The Wrath of Khan with a cast of virtual actors on the Holodeck. A campy show-within-a-show ensues where the bloodthirsty Khan vows revenge on a washed up James T. Kirk and Data, portraying multiple roles, learns a thing or two about life along the way. The production runs through November 3 at Theatre Wesleyan on the Texas Wesleyan University campus.

Friday, October 25

Art Worth Festival
The annual Art Worth Festival is a celebration of artistic skill, featuring over 80 artists’ displays, live demonstrations of art disciplines, and performances of classical music by area ensembles. The festival features works by artists from across the United States, in addition to local and Texas artists. It will run through Sunday at The Shops at Clearfork.

Denton's Day of the Dead Festival
Held outside on Hickory and Industrial Streets, Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival is a true collaboration of the eclectic art and music community of the city. It pays homage to many of fall’s treasures such as cooler weather, the harvest, the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, and all things Halloween. Highlights of the two-day event, taking place on Friday and Saturday, include live music, the Halloween Cabaret “Cirque du Horror,” Coffin Races, a lantern-lit twilight parade, and more.

Big Laugh Comedy Club presents Caroline Rhea
Caroline Rhea is a stand-up comedian and actress, best known for her role on Sabrina The Teenage Witch and her numerous comedy specials. She voices the Mom on Disney’s Phineas and Ferb, hosted her own talk show, and has been a regular panelist on the game shows like Funny You Should Ask, Match Game, Name that Tune, and Hollywood Squares. She'll perform three times through Saturday at Big Laugh Comedy Club.

Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Jane Glover Conducts Mozart"
In 2022, pianist Angela Hewitt was the only live performer for BBC Radio’s broadcasts after the funeral and committal of Queen Elizabeth II. She'll come to Fort Worth to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 before conductor Jane Glover leads the orchestra in Mozart’s 31st symphony (“Paris”). Filling out the program are Benjamin Britten’s Suite on English Folk Tunes and Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin (Grave of Couperin). There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.

Tyler Hubbard in concert
Country singer Tyler Hubbard, previously best known as half of the duo Florida Georgia Line, embarked on a solo career when the duo went on hiatus in 2021. So far that has resulted in two albums - a self-titled album in 2023 and Strong in 2024, both of which have been warmly received by country fans, if not quite as enthusiastically as the No. 1 albums that Florida Georgia Line produced. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.

Saturday, October 26

Monster Jam
The latest edition of Monster Jam will feature the Texas debut of four new Marvel Monster Jam trucks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, and Thor will face off for the first time against fan favorites like the legendary Grave Digger, the all-new Sparkle Smash, and more in Freestyle, Skills, and Racing competitions. The adrenaline-charged event at AT&T Stadium in Arlington will feature heated rivalries, high-flying stunts, and fierce head-to-head battles.

Conan Gray in concert
Pop singer Conan Gray is a former YouTube star who transitioned from vlogging to singing in the late 2010s, releasing his first album, Kid Krow, in 2020. A self-proclaimed lifelong Swiftie, Gray cites Taylor Swift as an inspiration in his songwriting, including on his latest album, Found Heaven. He'll play at Dickies Arena.

Southall in concert
Southall - formerly The Read Southall Band - formed out of the local songwriting scene in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 2015 following the success of Read Southall's debut solo album, Six String Sorrow. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas in support of their 2023 self-titled album under their new name.

Sunday, October 27

Fort Worth Botanic Garden presents Celebramos closing day
Sunday will be the final day of Celebramos at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. At the celebration of Latin American culture and heritage, visitors can immerse themselves in the traditions of Latin America through performances, exhibitions, dining experiences, and shopping opportunities. The garden will offer free admission on Sunday for Día de los Muertos, and they will display their annual marigold carpet.

Globe Life Field presents Halloween Festival
The home of the Texas Rangers, Globe Life Field will present its first-ever Halloween Festival, where guests can get directly onto the field to enjoy a variety of Halloween and general ballpark activities. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes and bring their own trick or treat containers to get candy at various stations. Other activities at the one-day event will include costume parades, a chance to run the bases, wiffle ball, free play on the field, pitch in the bullpen, face painting, yard games, guided ballpark tours, photo ops in the dugouts, and more.

Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Dario Robleto: "The Signal" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view Dario Robleto: "The Signal" at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. The exhibition spans film, sculpture, and works on paper to represent the culmination of Robleto’s multiyear exploration of the Golden Record, the gold-plated phonograph disk containing sounds and images selected by a team at NASA to portray life on Earth to extraterrestrials.

Lone Star Film Festival presents A Special Conversation with Billy Bob Thornton
The Lone Star Film Festival officially takes place November 1-4, but film lovers can get a preview at this special conversation with Billy Bob Thornton, star of Taylor Sheridan's forthcoming Texas-made TV show, Landman. After the conversation, Thornton will be presented with this year's Larry McMurtry Award, which honors an original storyteller who embodies McMurtry's creative spirit while recognizing outstanding contributions to film, television, and Texas. The event takes place at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.

Kirk Franklin presents The Reunion Tour
Gospel singer Kirk Franklin will headline The Reunion Tour, which will also feature gospel music icons Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Marvin Sapp, and The Clark Sisters. Taking place at Dickies Arena, the concert will include special guest Kierra Sheard-Kelly.

Photo courtesy of Paramount+

Billy Bob Thornton will be on hand for a special Lone Star Film Festival event at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall on October 27.

theater music festivals holidays kids families symphony concerts sports galleries celebrities event-planner

Holiday fun

Streets closed, parking + more 411 on Fort Worth Parade of Lights 2024

GM Financial Parade of Lights Fort Worth

Photo courtesy of Parade of Lights

undefined

It'll begin to look a lot like Christmas in Fort Worth when the 42nd annual GM Financial Parade of Lights parades through downtown the evening of Sunday, November 24.

Getting caught in stalled traffic and squabbling over parking spots, however, are major bah humbugs. Here's a guide to all the road closures (they start at 6 am!), parking, public transportation options, the parade route, and more good info to know before you head downtown. All information is provided by the parade organizers, and more can be found on their website.

What, when & where: Themed “Holiday Wishes," the parade will feature floats, vintage cars, horse-drawn carriages, marching bands, and carolers along the 1.59-mile route through downtown Fort Worth. Carrying on the long-standing tradition, the largest illuminated parade in the state of Texas will conclude with a special appearance from Santa and Mrs. Claus on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float. The parade officially kicks off at 6 pm Sunday, November 24.

Street closures: They start at 6 am Sunday. Repeat: 6 am, a full 12 hours before the parade starts. They include portions of Weatherford Street, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Streets, Taylor, Lamar, Burnett, Cherry and Florence Streets. Spur 280 from Interstate 35 will close at 4 p.m. Belknap, Henderson, and North Main Streets will remain open to traffic during the parade. For a full list of street closures and times, check out this chart.

Parking: For attendees planning to drive and self-park downtown, organizers recommend entering downtown from the same direction they plan to sit or view the parade from, due to the many streets that will be closed and un-crossable. Several free and paid lots and garages will be accessible for parking on parade day. Parking next to bagged meters is not allowed. Head to www.fortworthparking.com/downtown to review all downtown parking options.

Public transportation: Skip the driving headaches and board the train. Trinity Metro’s 27-mile commuter rail line, TEXRail, will operate its Sunday trains before and after the parade, taking attendees to and from Fort Worth Central Station, two blocks from the parade. Park-and-ride options are available at North Side Station (2829 Decatur Ave.) and Fort Worth T&P Station (221 W. Lancaster Ave.). Parking will be free at most TEXRail stations and riders can save 50% on the GoPass app using promo code POL24A. NOTE: The Trinity Railway Express will NOT operate on parade day. Visit https://ridetrinitymetro.org/texrail-schedule for schedules and more information.

TexRail Leave the car at home and ride the TEXRail. Courtesy photo

The parade route: The parade and opening ceremonies start at 6 pm at Weatherford and Throckmorton streets. This year it will proceed east along Weatherford Street, and turn south on Commerce Street all the way to 9th Street. At 9th Street, the parade will proceed west to Houston Street, and then turn north on Houston Street all the way to 2nd Street. At 2nd Street, the parade will proceed west to Throckmorton Street, then turn south and conclude at 3rd and Throckmorton Streets. To view the complete parade route and map, go here. Not sure where to watch? People line up on all portions of the route.

Paid viewing: There is paid, reserved seating along the route, and as of press time, there were still seats available. “Street Seats” guarantee a prime viewing spot. They start at $15 for children and $17.50 for adults and are available for purchase online online.

Root, root, root for the grand marshals: Members of the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers will serve as the parade’s grand marshals. Outfielder and 2023 Rangers postseason standout- Evan Carter, along with Texas Rangers mascot, Captain, and the 2023 World Series Trophy will ride atop the Grand Marshal float.

Reasons to arrive early: Due to road closures and traffic delays, attendees are encouraged to arrive downtown early to eat, shop, and more. Family-friendly happenings downtown on Sunday include:

Free tours of the Tarrant County Courthouse: From 2:30-4:45 pm, the Tarrant County Courthouse will offer free tours. The famous pink-granite courthouse was built in 1895 and took over two years to build.
Family Day at Sid Richardson Museum: Families are encouraged to visit the Sid Richardson Museum for free creative fun, live screen printing, and giveaways.
Note that the Sundance Square Christmas tree lighting will NOT be taking place in conjunction with the Parade of Lights this year.
Many other big local holiday events will be worth checking out before or after the parade. Check out this list of Christmas light events, for example.

Watch it live: For those unable to attend in person, a live TV broadcast of the parade will air on KTXA-TV / TXA-21 and online at CBSDFW.com at 6 pm, with a second TV broadcast airing on KTXA-TV / TXA-21 on Christmas Eve at 8 pm. In addition, the parade will broadcast via Facebook Live on the Parade of Lights’ Facebook event page.

Get social: The official hashtag for the 2024 GM Financial Parade of Lights is #ParadeOfLights2024. Follow along for updates on the Parade of Lights via these social media pages:

Online: www.FortWorthParadeOfLights.org
On Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ParadeofLightsFW
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/paradeoflightsfw/

family friendly parade lights christmas downtown fort worth holidays