Thanksgiving weekend is a time to spend with family, and there are plenty of ways to do so in Fort Worth while also getting out of house. There will be two local theater productions, screenings of an acclaimed new film, concerts in a variety of genres, the end of a notable art exhibition, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this Thanksgiving weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Wednesday, November 22
Sam Riggs in concert
Country singer Sam Riggs is the definition of persistent. After moving to Austin from his native Florida in 2007, it took him six years to release his first album in 2013, which saw one of its songs featured on the TV show Nashville and earned Riggs the Artist of the Year award from the Texas Music Awards. Ten years later, however, Riggs has only released one more album - 2016's Breathless - yet he's still out there trying to live his music dream. He'll play at Billy Bob's Texas.
Thursday, November 23
YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth presents Turkey Trot
The 42nd annual Turkey Trot features the standard 1K Hapi Water Gobbler Trot and the 5K and 8K events, and now the new 13K opportunity. Participants who finish the 8K course can then join in on the 5K run and earn medals for all three events. All courses are open to walkers as well as runners; after runners have started each event, walkers are welcomed to join. Taking place for the first time at The Shops at Clearfork, all proceeds from Turkey Trot registration fees support the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth.
Friday, November 24
Casa Mañana presents The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical is the story of the Herdmans, who are the worst kids in the history of the world. There used to be only one place where you’d never see them - church. When Charlie Bradley brags that his Sunday school offers free snacks, all six of the Herdmans show up at church in search of pizza, cookies, and Hawaiian Punch, and end up in the Christmas pageant. The production runs through December 23 at Casa Mañana.
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Modern Lights
Modern Lights, which illuminates the trees around the the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth's campus, has become a highly anticipated holiday light display in Fort Worth, drawing in visitors with the uniformity of the brilliant white lights. The Modern will celebrate the holiday season with its nightly display longer than anybody else, keeping the lights on all the way through February 4. (For a longer list of the area's best Christmas lights, check out this story.)
Magnolia at the Modern: Priscilla
If you go to the Modern for the lights or their exhibitions, you can also check out the latest film from writer/director Sofia Coppola, Priscilla. When teenage Priscilla Beaulieu (Cailee Spaeny) meets Elvis Presley (Jacob Elordi) at a party, the man who is already a meteoric rock-and-roll superstar becomes someone entirely unexpected in private moments: a thrilling crush, an ally in loneliness, a vulnerable best friend. Through Priscilla’s eyes, the film tells the unseen side of a great American myth in Elvis and Priscilla's long courtship and turbulent marriage. The film will have 12 screenings through December 3.
Kirk Franklin presents The Reunion Tour
Fort Worth native Kirk Franklin is one of the most successful gospel singers of all time, with all but one of his albums going to No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel charts (and the ninth went to No. 2). The Reunion Tour brings Franklin together with some of his best known collaborators, including special guests New Breed, The Family, and God’s Property. Playing in support of the recently released album, Father's Day, Franklin will perform at Dickies Arena.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays"
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra kicks off the holiday season with their annual "Home for the Holidays" concert. Families will enjoy a program of Christmas carols and seasonal tunes, and wave to Santa as the orchestra plays “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” The concert, featuring soprano Megan Koch and the I.M. Terrell Academy Choir, will have three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Jubilee Theatre presents A Gospel Black Nativity
A Gospel Black Nativity is an adaptation of the Nativity story by Langston Hughes, performed by an entirely black cast. Hughes was the author of the book, with the lyrics and music being derived from traditional Christmas carols, sung in gospel style, with a few songs created specifically for the show. The production runs through December 23 at Jubilee Theatre.
Randy Rogers Band in concert
If you're a fan of the Red Dirt country music scene, you've known the Texas-based Randy Rogers Band for years. Starting in 2006, they had a string of six straight top 10 albums on the Billboard Country charts. In recent years, they've teamed up with fellow Texan Wade Bowen for two albums, 2015's Hold My Beer, Vol. 1 and 2020's Hold My Beer, Vol. 2. They released their ninth non-collaborative album, Homecoming, in 2022. They'll play at Billy Bob's Texas on both Friday and Saturday.
Saturday, November 25
Kidz Bop Never Stop Live Tour
The Kidz Bop Never Stop Live Tour introduces four new Kidz Bop Kids - Jackson, Kiya, Shila, and Tyler - who will perform today's biggest hits live on stage. Kidz Bop is touring in support of their album Kidz Bop 2023, which includes pop hits like "Anti-Hero," "About That Time," "Sunroof," and "Late Night Talking." The concert will be at Will Rogers Auditorium.
Sunday, November 26
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents Jammie Holmes: "Make the Revolution Irresistible" closing day
Sunday is the final day to view Jammie Holmes: "Make the Revolution Irresistible" at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. It is the first solo exhibition in a museum for Holmes, who is known for his figurative and expressive paintings depicting everyday themes that honor communities in the United States. Mixing loose figuration with symbolism and combining images, words, and letters, his paintings are infused with layers of meaning. With a profound sensibility, these paintings show the courage and spirit of the Black people.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Home for the Holidays" at Bass Performance Hall, November 24-26.
