Leading the way this weekend in and around Fort Worth is once again The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, which will be complemented by a free outdoor celebration. Other choices include four concerts, screenings of a unique new film, a lantern festival, an opera production, three local theater productions, a fitness competition fit for Fort Worth, a big anniversary for a Fort Worth institution, and the final days of a museum exhibition.
Photo by Ralph Lauer
The six finalists of the 2025 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth will perform at Bass Performance Hall on June 6 and 7.
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, June 5
Blue October in concert
Blue October comes to Fort Worth as part of their “Argue With A Tree Tour 2025,” a nostalgic journey back to the roots of their musical beginnings. The special tour commemorates the 20th anniversary of their first live concert film and album, Argue With A Tree, which captures the raw emotion and angst of songs released on Blue October’s first three albums. The band released their 13th album, Happy Birthday, in 2024. They'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.
Friday, June 6
Magnolia at the Modern: Pavements
Blending satire and documentary filmmaking, director Alex Ross Perry takes viewers into the world of the American indie band Pavement. The genre-bending film combines scripted material with documentary images of the band and a musical mise-en-scène composed of songs from their discography. In addition to the band members, Pavements includes appearances from actors Tim Heidecker, Joe Keery, and Jason Schwartzman, as well as Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon. The film will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Fort Worth Water Lantern Festival
The Fort Worth Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of light and community. The evening will be filled with food trucks, music, activities, and thousands of lanterns lighting up the night with love, hope, and happiness. The event takes place on Friday and Saturday at Panther Island Pavilion.
The Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
The quadrennial Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is down to its final six contenders, and each will get one final chance to demonstrate their talents by performing concertos with conductor Marin Alsop and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on Friday and Saturday at Bass Performance Hall. Concurrently, Sundance Square will host the Cliburn Competition Grand Finale, featuring watch parties of the final two days, a market featuring local vendors, and local food trucks. On Saturday, after the winners are announced, the medalists will be celebrated outside, along with live music from Havana NRG! and a Van Cliburn-themed fireworks spectacle.
Opera Arlington presents Don Giovanni
This production of Don Giovanni, Mozart’s most electrifying opera, is reimagined at the glittering, scandal-fueled center of a 1980s soap opera. In a world where power is seductive and fame comes at a price, one man plays everyone. As Giovanni’s web of seduction begins to unravel, past lovers resurface, revenge plots ignite, and the line between performance and reality begins to blur. Is Giovanni in control of his fate, or is he headed for a fall worthy of the tabloids? The production will have performances on Friday and Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington.
Onstage in Bedford presents Cry It Out
A comedy with dark edges, Cry It Out takes an honest look at the absurdities of being home with a baby, the power of female friendship, the dilemma of going back to work, and the effect class has on parenthood in America. The production runs through June 22 at Onstage in Bedford.
Theatre Arlington presents A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line is a celebration of those unsung heroes of the American Musical Theatre: the chorus dancers. Set on the bare stage of a Broadway theater, the musical is centered on 17 dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The musical provides a glimpse into the personalities of the performers and the choreographer as they describe the events that have shaped their lives and their decisions to become dancers. The production runs through June 22 at Theatre Arlington.
Stray Kids in concert
The K-Pop group Stray Kids came out of the same-named 2017 reality TV series in South Korea. Releasing their debut album in 2020, the band quickly became one of the most popular groups in both their home country and Japan. To date, they have released three albums in Korean and two in Japanese, including their latest, 2024's Giant. They'll perform at Globe Life Field in Arlington on both Friday and Saturday as part of their second U.S. tour.
Cory Morrow in concert
Country singer Cory Morrow has been a steady presence on the Red Dirt scene for over 20 years. He had his breakout with a covers album alongside Pat Green, Songs We Wish We'd Written, and has continued that success with eight more studio albums, including 2018's Whiskey and Pride. He'll play at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall.
Jubilee Theatre presents The Fall of Heaven
Set in a captivating realm where celestial beings navigate the complexities of human existence, The Fall of Heaven offers a fresh perspective on love, laughter, and the pursuit of happiness. As the heavenly bureaucracy faces a crisis of cosmic proportions, audiences are treated to a blend of wit, wisdom, and wondrous imagination. The production runs through July 13 at Jubilee Theatre.
Louie TheSinger in concert
Proud of his Texas roots and his Mexican heritage, Louie TheSinger grew up in the streets of Fort Worth and spent time in prison, where he vowed to change course. Upon his release, he put all his focus on family and on creating and performing music his own way. He has released three albums in his career, most recently Country My Way in 2022. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, June 7
Red Bull Rancher Strong
Fort Worth will host the debut of Red Bull Rancher Strong, a fitness competition that combines the grit of agricultural life with the intensity of traditional fitness events. Competitors will tackle seven obstacles based on activities such as riding, roping, and caring for livestock, all with a fitness twist. The course has been designed to test every aspect of a competitor’s strength and willpower, ultimately determining who is truly "Rancher Strong." The event takes place at Cowtown Coliseum.
Flying Saucer presents 30th Anniversary Celebration
A Fort Worth institution, Flying Saucer will present their 30th Anniversary celebration, featuring festivities like live music by Atlantis Aquarius and The Damn Quails, food for purchase from Flying Saucer and sibling concepts Flying Fish and Rodeo Goat, special tappings, raffle prizes, merchandise giveaways, and one of the best selections of craft beer in the city.
Sunday, June 8
National Cowgirl Museum presents "Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras" closing day
Sunday will be the final day to view "Soldaderas to Amazonas: Escaramuzas Charras" at the National Cowgirl Museum. The exhibition consists of two complementing, connecting galleries: The first gallery includes textiles, the adelita-inspired dresses for which they are known, the sombreros charro, rebozos, boots and matching tack. The second gallery comprises a series of portraits, Escaramuza, The Poetics of Home, by award-winning photographer Constance Jaeggi.
